Cellina pouts in a sigh. “But he doesn’t want to bond.”

“Right,” Nino says, his head still low and pounding.

“You can only go so far.”

Nino nods in his hunched position. He doesn’t know exactly how far because they haven’t discussed it. But there is absolutely, unequivocally a limit.

“He’s been traumatized by having a bond break,” Cellina muses. “I mean, it’s unheard of. The fact that he even survived something like that. Wow… Did he talk to you any more about it?”

Nino lazily sits upright. “He did. He told me what happened.”

“I think that’s a positive sign, Nino. Don’t be so downhearted. You two are making beautiful progress, so just keep being patient and let him heal. He used to hide in his house all the time, but now he’s here in Milan, with you. And I think he’s damn lucky to have you. Most vampires are horny jerks these days. With that rosy aura he keeps wrapped up, he’s like a magnet.”

“You’re right. Thanks, Lina.”

“Has he ever let it rest for you?” she asks. “His aura?”

“Not intentionally, no.”

Cellina picks up her cocktail and takes a quick sip. She makes a face that tells Nino she is pleasantly surprised by its contents. “I think he will. He trusts you. It’s inevitable. Whether he wants it to or not it’ll probably just slip out. His blood feels even older than mine, so it’s probably potent. You better be ready for that shit.” She takes a bigger sip of her cocktail.

Nino smiles. “You mean your mother’s blood—that ‘two-thousand-year-old Tanzanian royalty’ blood?”

Cellina pulls her glass from her lips and lifts her chin in a proud smirk. “Damn straight.”

Nino laughs. “G keeps asking me when you’re coming by the house again.”

“Tell your brother to mind his own fucking business.”

“He has a lot of business already.” Nino scrunches his nose, teasing. “He’s busy but he’s always asking me about you.”

“Well he needs a hobby. He made it very clear a long time ago that he wants nothing to do with me.”

“Lina…” Nino shakes his head, sighing. “Everything that happened… Honestly, I think G feels—”

“Nino, are we here to enjoy lunch together or talk about your brother? Because if it’s the latter, there are about twenty other things I could be doing.”

Understanding loud and clear, Nino picks up his own drink. He knows when to quit. “Got it. How was your interview the other night? Have you heard back?”

Thirty

By the time Haruka returns to the Milan estate, takes a shower and changes into his night clothes, it is well past one o’clock in the morning. Giovanni had taken him to see the symphony at Teatro alla Scala, followed by a late dinner and drinks with the orchestra’s second-generation vampire conductor. The evening had been truly lovely, and much unlike his experience at Hertsmonceux, Haruka is genuinely enjoying the vampires of the Milan aristocracy.

He knocks quietly against Nino’s bedroom door. No answer. He cracks it open and steps inside. The room is dark. Even moonlight is scarce tonight as Haruka moves toward the bed. Nino is resting comfortably on his side underneath the heavy comforter. Haruka slides into the bed behind him. “I’m back,” he whispers.

Nino inhales deeply, his eyes still closed. He exhales his sleepy response. “Bentornato, amore mio.”

Haruka pauses, his smile broadening and his heart beating warm in his chest. Welcome back, my love. Nino has never addressed him so affectionately before. He likes it. “Sono il tuo amore?” Am I your love?

“Mm.” Nino’s eyes are still closed, his breathing even. He’s silent.

Haruka slips his arm underneath Nino’s and cradles his chest. As he envelopes him, Nino naturally shifts back into the warmth of his body. When they’re settled, Haruka softly kisses his neck, drawing a line down his spine to the curve of his shoulder.

With the passing of each day, Haruka feels starved for him. As if feeding deeply from Nino is only teasing a profound desire within him. He needs more, and he is gradually losing sight of himself and his strict control over his nature.

Has he ever truly allowed himself to let go? To acknowledge his innate desires, release his aura and embrace the vampire that he is designed to be? To submit to the thing inside him that is fueled by his ancient bloodline—explicitly made to lure and entice, to give and receive much pleasure.

To love deeply and be loved.

Being with Nino progressively stirs that entity. Haruka has never fully accepted this part of himself. Not even when he was bonded. Then, he had tried, but was told that he was at times “overwhelming.” As such, he has always focused on the aspects of himself that are outwardly tangible. His talents and expertise. His dignity and civility. What would happen if he indulged for once? If he finally gave in to the deep passion within himself and trusted someone?

The sun rises and Nino finally stirs. Haruka is lying beside him, waiting. He is lazily running his fingers through the soft coppery waves atop his head. Nino slowly opens his eyes as he rests on his back, the morning light making his amber irises even more captivating. He grins. “Hey.”

“Good morning.”

Nino’s handsome brow furrows. “You’re not usually up this early. Did you sleep?”

“Some. My mind was preoccupied. Are you going for a run this morning?”

“Preoccupied?” He yawns and stretches his spine. “I don’t think so. I usually run five days in a row before I take a break, but yesterday was six. I should probably let my body rest.”

Leaning down, Haruka softly presses their mouths together. He only lingers for a moment before pulling away and gazing into Nino’s peaceful face. “I will help with this.”

He sits upright, shifting the heavy covers off of them as he straddles Nino’s thighs. His friend is wide-eyed as Haruka presses his hands to Nino’s waist, then urges his nightshirt up to expose his taut, honey abdomen. His skin is perfectly clear and gorgeous. The delicately sculpted muscles and dusty, golden-coppery hairs there make Haruka’s mouth water.

Understanding, Nino grabs the hem of his shirt, lifts and swiftly yanks it over his head. When his upper body is fully exposed, Haruka breathes his cinnamon essence, simply taking him in. Nino’s voice is almost a whisper. “Haru, what are we doing?”

Haruka’s eyes glow to life, his nature twisting with want in his core. “May I feed?”

“Of course,” Nino breathes.

Haruka moves again, this time encouraging Nino to spread his thighs. Nino lifts his knees, his chest rapidly rising and falling. Haruka settles between his gaped legs, resting himself low so that his face hovers just above his belly. He can feel the hardness of Nino’s arousal against his chest as he leans down to lick his stomach. He hungrily drags his tongue up Nino’s salty flesh, following the deep definition of tight muscle to the right of his navel.

He bites down into Nino’s abdomen, feeling it clench underneath his mouth as he pulls. Nino’s blood is woodsy and spicy as he swallows and breathes. In exchange, Haruka pours his gratefulness and desire into Nino’s body. He drinks deeper, sensing the metaphysical border of his intrinsic nature. Nino moans loudly as he exhales, shifting his firm body underneath him in his pleasure. The movement only encourages Haruka, and he sucks hard again, willing the handsome male to let go and submit to him.

Nino trembles and breathes Haruka’s name in ecstasy as his aura releases. Yet again, the rush and heat of it is effervescent and full of life—pure and golden. It encloses Haruka’s body like a warm cocoon, making him pull his mouth from Nino’s stomach in a gasp. Haruka’s knotted aura is pulsing and threatening to break free. Nino’s bright energy embraces him tightly, urging him to release what is inside of him—to allow the two entities to meet and entwine together.

Pressing his forehead down to Nino’s belly, he clenches his eyes shut. Out of habit, he forces the knot within him to tighten. He can’t let go. He isn’t ready.

“Haru?”

The bubbly pressure of Nino’s aura subsides. Haruka lifts his head, blinking. He takes a deep breath, registering the rush of Nino’s blood swirling throughout and nourishing his body. When Haruka looks up at him, his beautiful chest is still rising and falling from shortened breaths. His face looks unsettled.

“Did I hurt you?” Haruka asks, troubled by his expression.

“No—I…” He runs his palm down his face. “That was amazing but… I—You should probably get up. I need to—I should clean up.”