Chapter 28

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Rule Number 11- A feeder’s health should be monitored both by the feeder and by the client, to ensure a feeder’s wellbeing is maintained.

Avery wasn’t really a nap person. There was always too much to do, and it was hard to settle. He knew he needed to. Not only was he still exhausted, but Ozen wouldn’t feed until he was better. Avery didn’t want him starving himself waiting for Avery to get better, but napping wasn’t working and Avery gave up after a while.

The night prior, the exhaustion had been so overwhelming that he couldn’t keep his eyes open. Now that he was a little more awake, he was hyper aware he was in Ozen’s home. Technically, Ozen wasn’t wrong that he wouldn’t be able to help himself from cleaning up or working on his book if he were at home. But he kind of doubted he’d get much more rest here.

It smelled like Ozen.

He was trying so hard to maintain professionalism, but being surrounded by Ozen wasn’t helping.

He paced the room, lecturing himself about professionalism. Ozen needed him. He needed a feeder he could trust would show up for him. Avery made a commitment to be that person. He needed to keep his ever-growing crush out of it. People had sex every day without getting feelings involved. Avery could do that, too. Maybe. He’d try his best anyway. He’d keep his crush to himself at the very least.

A quiet knock on the door stalled his movements, and he sucked in a breath, steeling himself to be close to Ozen again. One reason he agreed to go take a nap, like Ozen suggested, was because he wanted a chance to get his head on straight. Being in Ozen’s space, seeing him so relaxed and casual, it was doing things to Avery’s libido. Ozen being who he was, he’d be able to tell in an instant, and Avery was determined to follow the rules and keep his lusty desires out of the air. Though, in his defense, Ozen in casual slacks and a sweater that clung to every inch of him was cruel. Or maybe perfect. Or a little bit of both.

He opened the door a few inches, and when Ozen raised his eyebrows, Avery gave him a sheepish look. “I’m trying, I swear.”

“I can hear you pacing, Avery. What’s wrong?”

Opening the door enough to let Ozen in, Avery sighed. “I don’t actually nap that often. The only time I have since I was a kid was after sessions. I tried to lie down for a while, but I just ended up tossing and turning a lot. I’m sorry. I promise I’m trying.”

Ozen hummed, leaning against the door jamb. “How about a movie instead? As long as you’re resting, I believe it will have the same effect. Pacing isn’t helping, though.”

A movie was better than staring at the ceiling, overthinking everything. Avery nodded quickly.

“Alright. I’ll set something up. Let me grab you a change of clothes. My housekeeper will be by soon to grab your keys. She can pick you up some of your own clothes when she’s there if you want.”

The embarrassment over the state of his apartment still made Avery blush. In his defense, he’d been so exhausted all week that he could barely manage to shower. He stripped when he got home and fell into bed, only to wake up bleary eyed the following morning like he hadn’t slept at all. He took a shower to try and wake up his brain, but he couldn’t muster the energy to clean up after himself. Clothes were strewn everywhere, wet towels on the bathroom floor, empty containers of take out from nights where he had just enough energy to remind himself to eat something. His fridge was full of old take out, his trash can was probably overflowing, and the smell probably wasn’t pleasant. Avery didn’t want anyone anywhere near his apartment, but he knew from one look that Ozen wouldn’t let it go. At least the housekeeper might be discreet. Hopefully anyway.

Like he could see the shame on his face, Ozen’s eyes softened, and he cupped Avery’s cheek reassuringly. “Miriam loves a project and will enjoy the challenge. There will be no judgment from her. I promise.”

Avery gave in to the urge to lean into Ozen’s palm, soaking in his comfort for a moment until his brain so helpfully reminded him that he was being inappropriate and not at all professional. He drew away, sucking in a breath to steady himself a little. This weekend was going to drag on. He wasn’t sure yet if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

He did manage to nap at least once. He had a sneaking suspicion that Ozen set him up. During the first movie, Ozen had left him alone and made a few phone calls in his office. But during the second, he joined Avery and urged him to put his head in Ozen’s lap. With Ozen’s fingers gently carding through his hair, Avery didn’t stand a chance. He woke up drowsy a few hours later, the movie over and Ozen scrolling through emails on his phone.

Lunch was simple but healthy. Gourmet sandwiches with toasted bread, tons of vegetables, meat that was probably more expensive than Avery’s rent, and a sauce that was to die for. Avery had to work incredibly hard to keep his noises to himself, since he didn’t want Ozen to think he was trying to seduce him into bed. It was just that good.

In the afternoon, Ozen let him explore the library while he got some work done. Avery wanted to point out that he was just as bad as Avery was when it came to relaxing, but Ozen wasn’t the one who worked himself into exhaustion, so he kept his mouth shut. Picking out a book was the hard part, since there were so many great options that Avery couldn’t decide. Once he’d finally settled on one, he got comfortable on one of the vintage couches by the unlit fireplace and immersed himself into a fantasy world for a few hours.

“So that’s how I get you to relax,” Ozen commented. Avery blinked a few times, looking around. He’d lost track of time, and the sun was going down now. Ozen had a small smile on his face, one hand tucked casually into his pocket as he studied Avery. Avery wasn’t sure what he was looking for, and he was a little self conscious. He’d found a blanket at one point and made himself into a burrito, melting into the cushions. The only time he moved was to take sips from the reusable water bottle Ozen had insisted he take with him. He probably looked like a child.

“I, uh…”

He didn’t know what to say, his face burning with embarrassment. Ozen either didn't notice or chose to ignore it for Avery’s sake, instead asking, “I’m going downstairs to make dinner. Did you want to join me?”

Using the little ribbon on the spine to save his spot in the book, Avery wriggled free of his blanket burrito. “Okay. Do I get to help?”

Ozen’s mouth twitched like he was holding back a smirk. “I’m not sure I would consider that resting.”

“It’s probably more restful than letting me stress about not being allowed to help,” Avery pointed out.

Ozen’s lips pressed together in a thin line, and he narrowed his eyes slightly. “Yes, I considered that as well. Fine. You can help, but only a little. You’re supposed to be resting.”

Ozen was glad Avery didn’t seem to be aware of how often he checked on him that afternoon. At least once an hour, Ozen found himself drawn to the library to check on his guest. He didn’t have to sneak around. Avery didn’t seem to notice his surroundings when he was immersed in a book. Ozen refilled his water bottle and set out a blanket when he noticed Avery was cold, and still Avery didn’t look up. It was endearing, and Ozen wished he could join him. It was that urge that sent Ozen back to his office time and time again. He didn’t understand it. He’d had never been this attached to his feeders before. Not even Tristan.

He lost the fight to stay away from Avery by the time dinner rolled around. His invitation for Avery to join him was entirely selfish. Ozen wanted his company, even though he knew he should leave Avery alone. Avery’s energy levels were quickly returning to normal now that he was truly resting. Ozen should have left him alone until dinner was ready. He just couldn’t seem to help himself.

Avery didn’t seem to mind the interruption to his reading, and he smiled brightly when Ozen handed him some vegetables to chop. Since Avery was recovering, Ozen felt it was important to make him healthy meals to resettle his system. From what he’d read online while Avery was napping, humans needed plenty of vitamins to maintain their equilibrium. With that in mind, Ozen set to making a dinner that was both healthy and of high quality. He was not showing off for his feeder. He merely wanted to take care of him. Avery needed to be healthy to continue their working relationship.

The lie felt stale even to him. Ozen was getting too attached. It was normally the other way around. He would need to distance himself from his feeders because they were too clingy and saw the arrangement as more than business. This time, it was Ozen who was the one who was unprofessional. There was no other feeder he would’ve willingly brought to his home and insisted on caring for the entire weekend. If they had been distraught like Avery had been, he would have sent them home to recover on their own and avoided feeding for a time. He couldn’t do that with Avery. The more time they spent together, the more necessary the daily feedings felt.

He was at a loss on how to handle the situation. He was never the unprofessional one. He’d never even considered being on the other side of the equation. He reminded himself almost daily to be professional, but one smile from Avery had him abandoning any rules he made for himself in favor of fishing for more of Avery’s attention. The couch was large enough to give them both plenty of space, but once they went upstairs to enjoy their meal in front of the television, Ozen couldn’t stop himself from sitting right beside Avery. And once their meals were finished, Ozen tempted himself further by pulling Avery against his side. He made the excuse to himself that he was trying to get Avery comfortable enough to sleep, but even that felt flimsy. And when Avery’s desire made itself known, Ozen didn’t put in an ounce of effort to deny him. He pinned Avery to the couch and ground their hips together until they both came with a shout.

Avery paused just inside the door to his room after Ozen insisted he get some rest, frowning.

“What is it?”

“I just… I know you said you’d only take a little, since I’m still recovering, but you got enough, right? I didn’t even feel your magic that time.”

Ozen stiffened and his voice was hoarse as he replied, “I’m fine. Get some rest.”

He didn’t wait for Avery to reply before he nearly ran for his room. He leaned against the door after it shut behind him, his eyes wide and horror filled. Magic. He’d forgotten completely about the magic. That was the whole point. He said he’d only feed a little, to not affect Avery’s energy levels. But he had been so lost in the pleasure, he forgot entirely.

For the first time in his life, Ozen indulged in sex without actively feeding. Purely for the pleasure of it. And he did it without Avery’s informed consent.

What the hell had he done?