“Stop.” He laughs, strained as he shifts his hips away. He isn’t surprised though, as Haruka has exhibited similar behavior previously. Date night—their final evening in Milan together. The purebred is progressively unfurling and opening like a luscious rose, and similar to the flower, he is not deterred by an audience.
But this is Nino’s first aristocracy event in Japan and he’s been prepping for a month. The last thing he needs is for someone to come around the corner and see them making out. “Haruka, why do you look like this?”
Haruka’s expression softens, blinking. “You… find me unattractive?”
“No.” Nino shakes his head in disbelief. “That’s not—I mean your eyes are flat and your skin is off color again. You told me you found a high-level source?”
“I did,” he says. “My health is admittedly not in its optimum state, but I am not in any pain. It is fine.”
Nino reaches up, swiftly unraveling his bow tie. He works the buttons at his collar. “It’s not fine. You can’t sufficiently protect yourself if someone challenges you. I’m uncomfortable with you walking around like this. Feed, please.”
He tilts his head, encouraging Haruka to take of him. But the beautiful vampire simply stares. He reaches up and holds Nino’s face with the palm of his hand, straightening his head. “I cannot understand why you show me such selfless kindness, when no one has ever done this for me.”
Leaning in, Nino rests his forehead against him. “Because I love you too, Haru. And that’s what love is… Asao shows you kindness? He cares about you.”
“I pay Asao.”
Nino laughs. He isn’t completely sure, but even if Haruka doesn’t pay him, the older vampire still holds an obvious affection for his young master. Nino lifts his chin and presses his lips to the small mole just off the bridge of Haruka’s nose. In turn, Haruka scrunches his face and draws back slightly. “Why do you always kiss this blemish on my face?”
“I like it.”
“It is an abnormality.”
“I think it’s cute.” Nino grins, kissing him there again. “Will you feed?”
Haruka turns his nose up in mock displeasure before jutting his chin out to place a swift kiss on his lips. He leans into Nino’s neck, grasping his tuxedo lapels as he licks his skin. He gently bites down into his flesh.
He loves me.
Haruka doesn’t drink to pull Nino’s aura. Instead, he pours the most wonderful thoughts into his body. Love and trust—gratitude slowly trickling over his insides like a warm, chocolate drizzle. The sensation is all consuming, stirring Nino’s emotions and making them bubble and rise up his spine. With his head raised to the night sky, he closes his watering eyes. He could lift his arms and take flight from the pure high of the sensation.
When Haruka finishes, he licks his neck again, then slides his elegant fingers up to refasten his collar. Nino lowers his head, still trying to catch his breath. Haruka’s eyes are glowing bright red as he works. He briefly flickers his gaze up at Nino before focusing on fixing his bow tie. “You look exquisite tonight.”
“Grazie.” Nino smiles.
“If you will permit me, I would like to undress you when we return home.”
Nino’s entire body stiffens—his quiet attempts to calm himself thwarted. He furrows his brows. “If you keep this up, I don’t know how I’ll manage the rest of this party.” He looks down, taking in the thick, gorgeous material of Haruka’s kimono. It is impeccably designed with expensive-looking fabric. It almost shines under the moonlight. “You look incredible in this, Haru. It suits you perfectly… I wouldn’t even know how to take this off of you.”
With his bow tie restored, Haruka takes Nino’s hand. “I will show you.”
It’s happening. One of two. Nino takes a deep breath. No matter what he does, he can’t stop his heart from pounding—his nature from twisting and writhing.
Haruka loves him. Does this mean that he might change his mind about bonding? Is he open to the two of them intentionally trying?
Shifting his hold, Nino entwines their fingers. Now isn’t the time. Maybe later he’ll try to talk to him about it, carefully initiate the subject somehow. As for tonight, he’ll simply enjoy being reunited with this stunning creature. “Should we go back?”
“Yes,” Haruka agrees. “If you are comfortable, may I properly introduce you?”
“I would love that.”
They turn, walking hand in hand as they head back around the curve of the large estate. As the edge of the crowded garden comes into view, a young female is walking toward them. Her frame is small and wrapped in a patterned, soft blue kimono. She’s pretty, but as she draws closer, something about her eyes is disturbing.
Thirty-Five
Haruka steels himself, attempting to quell the immediate anxiety weighted in his chest. He squeezes Nino’s hand a little tighter as he addresses Yuna.
“Nino, this is Yuna Sasaki. Yuna, this is Nino Bianchi of Milan. He is my source.”
She offers Nino a slight nod of her head. Nino returns the gesture but remains quiet. Yuna’s eyes flicker down to their clasped hands, then up to Haruka’s face. “You did not mention having a purebred source when I sat with you on Wednesday.”
“I feel no obligation to disclose my personal circumstances to you.”
“Is he staying here?” She frowns. “Is he just visiting? Or is he going to oversee our realm with you?”
“Again, I am disinclined to answer such forthright questions. You are being disrespectful to my guest, and you have not been a designated member of this realm in seventy years.”
“Because I was ostracized, Haruka. But this is my home. If you formally and publicly absolve me, then others will accept me again and I—”
“Yuna, I apologize.” Nino smiles warmly. “But this is my first evening with Haruka in Japan and I’m looking forward to meeting his society members. Maybe this is something you can discuss another time? Privately?”
Yuna stands straighter, then offers a slight nod. “My apologies. I didn’t know you spoke Japanese.”
“The world is full of surprises,” Nino says.
“Agreed,” she says coolly. “Did he tell you that he may not be capable of bonding? It was a jarring realization for me to accept as a result of the broken vow between us.”
Haruka freezes. He registers Nino’s mutual stiffness at his side.
