Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Fernando didn't say a word the entire ride. He sat there, staring dead ahead, jaw clenched so hard it endangered his teeth. It honestly looked like he was planning a funeral. The jaunty music the driver was playing sounded grotesque compared to the very awkward silence of the back seat. Noel was actually a little afraid for his life. He'd seen Fernando upset before, of course, but mad? Murderously enraged? Noel hadn't seen that since the warehouse incident.

He'd hoped to never, ever see that side of him again.

They went not to the office but to Fernando's house. Noel wanted to protest this—why Fernando's house?—but he didn't dare say anything right now. Fernando was a boiling pot that was a single drop from spilling over. Ten painfully awkward minutes later, they arrived at the gate of a grand villa. The house beyond—a modest term for the luxurious building—was and wasn't what Noel had pictured for Fernando. It was a very French chateau-esque, with an impressive doorway and the door itself comprised of lead crystal, the front plants trimmed to within an inch of their lives.

Fernando managed to pay the taxi driver and usher Noel into the house without a single word. He took Noel past the elaborately decorated foyer and into the living room, sat him down on the couch with a gentle touch against his shoulders, and then retreated further into the house. Noel sat obediently, looking about in curiosity. The décor was clearly European inspired—all clean lines and simple colors—which somehow didn't surprise him. The artwork all looked very Renaissance era, and he almost felt like he was in a museum except there were signs of people living here and hooo—was that a guitar lurking over there off to the side?

Fernando played the guitar? Noel had no idea they had that in common.

His upset boss came back with a first aid kit and frozen peas wrapped in a towel. Why were there peas in a house when the owner didn't need to eat? Or was a certain amount of food kept in stock for human guests? Now did not seem the right time to question it, so Noel accepted the gesture as Fernando held the peas against his face without apology. Even when Noel winced, he kept the peas in place. Noel had to admit the cold felt good.

Taking a bruise salve out of the box, Fernando squirted some onto his fingers before carefully applying it to the growing bruises around Noel's neck.

The silence was oppressively loud.

For some reason, Noel felt like he should apologize, but he couldn't figure out what for. Sorry for getting into trouble? It hadn't been on purpose. Somehow, those words felt like he'd be pouring gasoline over a raging fire.

Noel was still reeling over what had happened. Fernando had shot Jet without batting an eye, looking furious while fighting to check his temper. He'd known Fernando was protective of him. His vampire boss didn't even try to play that off as anything else. But what confused Noel were the other things—the possessiveness, for one, but also the heated gazes Fernando had shot his direction over the last few days. Those looks made Noel's stomach jump every time. There was no way to pretend they were anything else but lust.

Fernando's words kept running through his mind over and over again like a refrain: Anyone who hurts you is a dead man walking.

Noel might be inexperienced, but he wasn't na?ve. There was no other way to interpret such actions. Fernando liked Noel—he liked him a lot. His blatant attraction, his protectiveness, the quiet ways he cared for Noel even now, it all spoke volumes. Noel stood by his beliefs, that Fernando could have anyone with the snap of his fingers, so why he wasn't snapping was the question. For whatever reason, he wouldn't make a move. For whatever reason, he kept Noel at a distance. Noel didn't know why, but it felt like an itch he couldn't scratch. As if he were poised, ready to take a leap of faith, only to be checked at the last possible second.

Staying in this limbo with Fernando was unconscionable. One way or another, Noel had to break them out of this emotional deadlock. It was too confusing and honestly hurtful to keep quiet.

"Anything else hurt?"

Fernando's softly spoken question sounded like a thunderclap and startled Noel. He almost said no on reflex, but his back was twinging.

"Um, maybe? Can you check my back, the right side?"

Fernando gestured for him to turn around and Noel complied, pulling the neck of his shirt up to expose the lower skin. Fernando hissed out an angry breath before flatly saying, "You're bruised."

Damn. Well that explained the pain.

Cool fingers touched his skin again, smearing more bruising cream. It relieved some of the pain and Noel let his eyes fall shut for a moment.

"I give you points for calling me when you're in trouble," Fernando said without segue. "I'm also taking some away because you did it with the wrong timing. When Anne called you for help, that was when you should have told me what was going on."

What Noel actually heard wasn't the scolding. It was the worry. He felt those fingertips gently treating him, heard the rough edge around Fernando's voice as if fighting back powerful emotions, and in that moment knew what to do. Arguing wasn't the right tactic.

He twisted in place, turning so he could face Fernando. Noel put both arms around Fernando's shoulders and brought him in close, hugging him. Right now, Fernando really needed a hug.

For a second, Fernando didn't respond. Then his breath shuddered against Noel's neck and his arms returned the embrace, snugging Noel in even closer. He wasn't shaking, wasn't giving any outward sign of distress, but the tight hold he had on Noel's waist indicated just how badly the storm inside him raged.

Noel had no intention of letting go first.

"Why are you comforting me?" Fernando muttered against his shoulder.

"Because you're the one upset."

"You should be upset."

"I am. But you're more upset."

Fernando snorted like he couldn't argue against Noel's words. With a sigh, he sat back up, and he did look calmer. His eyes met Noel's and in a flash, the look was back. Noel felt like he was back in the changing room, where he'd first felt consumed by Fernando's gaze. Noel's heart sped up, breath coming a touch faster. He knew what the look was now: pure lust.

No. No, it wasn't just that. Lust, yes, but there were other emotions mixed in and those were what had snuck under Noel's guard and ambushed him. For all that Fernando wanted him, he was just as protective, just as sincere in caring for Noel, and that was a heady combination. Noel might have tried to dismiss it before, but in this moment, with Fernando's eyes telling him everything he felt, Noel couldn't ignore the truth. He didn't want to.

If Fernando couldn't seem to cross that last step between them, it was fine. Noel could.

He hesitated a little just because he wasn't experienced with kissing. Taking a stranglehold on his nerves, he leaned in and gently pressed his lips against Fernando's. Soft, that was his first impression. Deliciously soft. He wanted to linger, but he couldn't, not without knowing how Fernando felt. Noel reluctantly pulled back.

Or tried. He didn't get far before Fernando seized his head and hauled him back in, mouth hungry. Noel's lips parted under Fernando's, helpless to do otherwise as he tried to kiss back. Fernando overwhelmed him, so much so that Noel ended up clinging to the man's sides and just enjoying. The bruise on his face smarted a mite, but he was too wrapped up in the kiss to care.

As abruptly as the kiss started, it stopped, Fernando drawing back sharply. He wasn't his usual cool, unaffected self. His breath was quick, want and caution warring across his features.

"I have killed multiple men in front of you. You remember that, right?"

"I'm well aware of why you killed them, too." Was that the issue, what kept Fernando from reaching out to him? No, it seemed to just be part of it. Granted, anyone would second guess dating a mafia boss but dammit, this wasn't just some mafia boss. It was Fernando.

The man himself made all the difference.

"Noel. If you do this, if you choose me, you can't go back. I won't ever let go of you. Even if you regret your choice in the future, I won't let go. Be damn sure of the decision you're making."

"Yes, because choosing a man that cares for and protects me is such a hard decision to make," Noel mused with a wicked grin. "Not to mention kisses like sin."

Fernando liked that answer, but he was still trying to frown and be serious for some reason. Serious Face wasn't quite right, it kept slipping up and revealing happiness. "I mean it. Be sure."

Noel snuggled in a little more, arms coming around Fernando's waist. A whole twelve inches was a lot of space, all right? It was unacceptable. He wanted this man plastered to him. "Fernando, let's be clear on this. The only thing I was uncertain about was why you wouldn't reach out to me. I didn't know what you felt, and your actions confused me. That's the only thing that's stayed my hand."

Fernando looked at him with rampant disbelief. "That was the only thing. Seriously?"

Well, that and Noel's own inexperience with dating, but he refused to say that aloud. Actually, there was one more thing. "I'm aware that I'm not really on your level, and I don't know if it's different dating a vampire, but—"

Fernando's head dropped back. "Noel. You not being worthy of me is not the issue here. It's the reverse."

"Ehhhh?"

"Don't ‘ehhhh' me. I've got more blood on my hands than even I can recount. I've struggled with bringing you into my world as it's dangerous. It felt wrong to pull you into the darkness with me. But you've seen that world with your own eyes, and it didn't seem to faze you. I don't know how to hold you off if you're adamant about being with me."

He disagreed with Fernando on that point, but it was kind of moot, anyway. He knew Fernando wanted him. That's all Noel needed. "None of that really matters. You showed me today how much you care about me. Fernando, do you want to date?"

A wide smile took over Fernando's face. That expression was answer enough but he followed up with, "Yes, Noel. I still think you're crazy, but I do want to date you."

Awww, look at him being so cute and frank. It made Noel all sorts of giddy. He had to kiss Fernando again, helpless to do anything else. Fernando kissed him back, making a sound that suspiciously sounded like a purr of satisfaction. What, was he a cat?

"Just so you know," Noel murmured, "I can't be all suave about how I feel for you so brace yourself. It's going to be really obvious at work that you're mine."

"It's already obvious. There's a betting pool on us."

Noel blinked at him, trying to figure out if he was joking or…actually, he looked serious. "There is not."

"There is. Seb even placed a bet, which is how I learned about it." Fernando shook his head, looking aggravated. "Apparently, I can't be all suave about how I feel for you, either."

That was the nicest compliment Noel had ever received in his life. "You keep sweet talking me like that, I won't be responsible for my actions."

Fernando just kissed him and damn he looked smug. "How about painkillers, we order you in something for lunch, and then we unwind?"

"Today has been insane," Noel agreed with a nod. "I need cuddles to recuperate."

Fernando seemed on board with this plan, and helped Noel look up a place that delivered before handing the phone over to him, getting up to get him a glass of water. Noel watched him go, enjoying the view. Didn't matter what angle you looked at Fernando, he was a damn fine visual.

A visual Noel now had permission to touch. If he wasn't so damn achy and hurting, he'd definitely try to tap that. Well, maybe not this soon, they needed to ease their way into a relationship first. Next week, yeah. Next week he should be healed enough, and they'd have a better footing in this new dynamic. By then, he could try seducing Fernando.

Not that he had any idea how. Surely it couldn't be that hard?

Food order complete, Fernando took his phone back before setting it down and turning to look at Noel as if he were weighing something internally. "Noel. I do have a much better alternative to the painkillers."

"Uh…okay?" Noel had absolutely no idea where he was going with this.

"I can give you a little of my blood."

Huh? Oh damn, Noel had forgotten that vampires could heal using their blood. He'd read news stories about people who'd received vampire blood and as a result were able to heal some pretty insane injuries, or even diseases. One woman had been diagnosed with stage four cancer, but they'd given her a full syringe of generation zero blood and she was completely healed afterward.

Honestly, vampire blood vs Tylenol? No competition.

"I won't so no."

Fernando's eyes crinkled up in a pleased way. "Good."

"How? I mean, uh, how do you want to give it to me?" For all Noel knew, the man had syringes lying about. He wouldn't put it past Fernando.

"How about a kiss?" Fernando murmured.

Eh? Ehhhhh?!

Fernando maintained eye contact, those stunning blue eyes locked on Noel's as he deliberately bit his lip, and a small bead of blood welled to the surface. Noel felt mesmerized, unable to look away as Fernando leaned in and covered Noel's mouth with his own.

The sharp taste of iron hit him first, but Noel couldn't find it unpleasant. Not when Fernando's tongue invaded his mouth the next second and all he could do was hold on. He never imagined someone might kiss him like this, with such hunger and thoroughness. The intense pleasure the kiss brought made him tremble on the inside, and it was only his grip on Fernando's shoulders that kept him grounded.

Lifting his head a bare half inch, Fernando breathed, "More?"

Noel could only whine and tug him back into place. He closed the distance with eagerness, pressing close so he could keep kissing this delectable man. Fernando was definitely smiling as he kissed back, and Noel could practically taste his delight.

Naughty man that he was, he drew back again. "Noel. More blood?"

Oh, that's what he'd been asking. Noel paused and sent a mental query to body. Got a positive response. The pain from his injuries was already fading, but if he said that, would that mark the end of their make out session?

Noel was torn.

Fernando chuckled, the sound more felt than heard. "I'll keep kissing you regardless."

It's like he read minds. Phew, in that case… "No, I'm good on blood. The pain's already fading."

"Excellent." Fernando shifted them, bringing Noel onto his thighs, and the position practically plastered them to each other. Noel flushed as this straddling position was, um, new for him, but he latched on. Fernando teased him with light, airy kisses, still grinning smugly. "Then do kiss me to your heart's content."

Noel was pretty sure he could kiss this man for an eon and never be satisfied, and you know what? He'd take joy wherever he could get it.

Kissing his new boyfriend the rest of the afternoon sounded like a very excellent way to spend time.