Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
Dariel followed Athens down the hallway to the room they now knew to be the bathroom, or at least one of them. The mirror was still slightly steamed up, damp on the tiles, and the faint smell of Godwin’s body-wash hung in the mist.
“I can’t wait to get to know him more,” Athens said as he turned the shower handle, sounding as though he was referring to a new colleague, not someone who had passionately fucked him less than an hour ago.
“We know his body,” Dariel half joked, arousal still lingering deep down as he caught a glimpse of Athens’ flat chest under the gaping side of his gown. The bedroom had been dimly lit, but now he could make out every tone and shape of Athens’ skin and body, and it was… perfect.
“Time to learn his mind,” Athens said, testing the water, before letting his robe slip to the floor, baring his body again.
No shame or shyness. The tattoo was even more intricately detailed in this new bright light, barely leaving any skin on his arm uncovered.
Dariel wondered if Athens planned on getting more, perhaps the other arm or other parts of his body.
He considered if he’d perhaps get a few himself, one day.
Maybe they could go together. If that’s what Athens would want.
Don’t be silly, it’s just sex, nothing more.
Godwin made it clear he was never looking for romance.
But what if Athens wants more?
Is that what you want, John?
“Stop gawking, you’ve seen it all now,” Athens said, stepping gracefully into the shower and letting the water fall over his face.
Dariel didn’t move, didn’t know how to. What next?
‘You could go and get our bags from downstairs. Maybe find us some towels? I didn’t think that through, did I?’
So that’s what Dariel did. He pattered down the grand staircase, the landing light reflecting off the large stained-glass window along the far wall to the stairs.
He tried to keep his mind clear as he busied himself with the simple task.
Don’t think about Athens that way. This isn’t a romantic engagement. It was never meant to be.
He dumped their bags in the spare room, and something flew past the window, dragging his gaze to the dark abyss before him.
He took a moment to consider the view he’d have once the sun rose.
How far he’d be able to see into the nearest town.
He knew they were in the middle of nowhere, but only now did he truly realise how secluded they really were.
He felt the draft emanating from the wooden gaps in the window and shivered.
He could hear the shower distantly and immediately went back to thinking of Athens. Stop thinking about him that way.
He couldn’t. He wanted sex, of course, but with Athens…
he craved something more. And he couldn’t quite explain why.
It had been forever since he’d opened up his heart to someone, let alone someone he’d only met hours ago.
It was a dangerous move, but one he thought he could be strong enough to make.
He found a handful of neatly folded towels of various sizes in the built-in wardrobe to the side of the wall, almost too conveniently placed—as if he’d willed them into existence.
At least Athens had promised they could have some more time together, he would have to make the most of that. He closed his eyes and breathed in. Enjoy it while it lasts.
Before he went to join Athens, who was humming away to himself—tune carrying through the misty crack in the door—Dariel quickly slipped back over to the master bedroom, pressing an ear to the door to listen for life.
Godwin was softly snoring on the other side, his pulse steady.
Dariel sighed in relief, nodding to himself as reassurance. Everything will be okay.
He could go to sleep beside Godwin, be there when he wakes.
They could talk, just talk. Godwin wouldn’t start to fall for Dariel—sex was all they would share, and that was more than fine.
Dariel would gladly enjoy their times in bed, but Athens was different, and he worried if he got too close to the other vampire, he would want too much.
This night was about Godwin though. About living. A fresh start, right? Whether Athens truly would reciprocate the yearning for romance Dariel had begun to feel or not, this night had meant the world to him.
So, whatever happened in the coming days, Dariel never wanted to forget this.
He crossed the hall as silently as a spirit haunting the walls of an empty castle, and slipped back into the bathroom.
Breathe John, I want you to live for me. You’ve waited too long.
‘You took your time. I need you.’
Dariel instantly went back to feeling only pure desire, there was no use trying to suppress it. ‘Now who’s the desperate one?’ He slipped off his own robe, hanging it alongside the towels on the back of the door, blinded by the steam as he stepped in to join Athens, face cloth in hand.
The taller man turned to him and immediately pulled him close. A hug, nothing more, nothing less. Water poured into Dariel’s eyes, flattening his fringe to his forehead as he let his head tip against Athens’ chest.
‘You’re very easy to want.’ Athens rubbed Dariel’s bare back, letting his hands glide over bones and skin, as gentle as a lover may touch. A lover.
Is that what you want, John?
Dariel raised his chin to finally glimpse into Athens’ pale eyes; black makeup smudged down his cheeks. He smiled dimly at Athens’ admission, raising the damp cloth to Athens’ cheek to gently wipe away the darkness.
‘Should I take that as a compliment?’
Athens’ lip quirked as Dariel slowly removed his makeup. ‘I gave it as one.’
‘And is this what you’d want?’ Dariel’s chest ached, brushing the cloth over Athens’ now closed eyes.
‘I would enjoy nothing more.’
Their connection was fragile. Something that could shatter any moment, so Dariel made sure he didn’t break it.
He leaned closer, lips inches away from the other man’s, breathing up into his space as steam unfurled around them and water soaked their skin.
“Your lips were made for me to kiss, I think.” If he held it back any longer, everything would shatter, not only his metaphorical heart.
“Then kiss me. Kiss me, Dariel Hale.” Athens’ hands rose to hold both Dariel’s shoulders, squeezing and pulling their bodies taut, connecting their lips as the hunger rose.
Dariel fell into it, fearing the end. Take my breath. Take it all, Athens Daněk.
Everything evaporated around them, the kisses deepening and lengthening, tongues exploring as they grasped at each other, never letting go.
‘I want you.’
‘I am easy to want.’
‘No.’ Athens broke the kiss, still holding onto Dariel; eyes wide. “No, I need you. Now. Now…” Their lips collided again.
‘Then have me.’
Dariel leaned forward into Athens’ arms, letting himself be held up as they drowned in each other. He could fall—could fall forever, but maybe Athens would catch him.
They kissed for eternity, yet not enough. Dariel’s hunger grew and grew until he could breathe no more. He pushed up and locked their eyes again.
“Let me appreciate you.” He panted the words with the same desperation of a man believing they would be his last.
Athens breathed in, dropping his arms to his side in surrender. He nodded.
Dariel took his time, kissing over Athens’ shoulders and his bared throat, biting down softly on his Adam’s apple. A cry of pleasure escaped Athens, music to Dariel’s ears.
He worked his lips lower, wiping the cloth over Athens’ hand-crafted body. The gods took extra time when they carved him, Dariel thought. He brushed the small towel over Athens’ chest then around to his back, breaking the kisses to stare back into pearl eyes.
Once his lips lowered to the slick between Athens’ legs, he closed his eyes, exploring with mouth alone.
‘Oh, Dariel.’ “Oh… Oh god…” Athens shook, hands grasping for purchase into Dariel’s hair.
‘I worship you.’
‘You shouldn’t say things you don’t mean.’
Dariel stopped, still on his knees, looking up to his saviour. “I mean it.” His lips stung.
Athens’ chest rose and fell as his face dropped. “You really do?”
Dariel nodded frantically. “I don’t enjoy lying.”
“Then worship me, I welcome you, Dariel. Show me your devotion.”
Dariel found his place again, tongue burying as deep as it could inside Athens.
“I could get used to seeing you like this.” Athens managed to say after a minute or so, tilting his hips as far forward as possible without falling.
‘Come for me.’
‘Harder.’
Dariel obeyed, sensing Athens’ reaction as he did as he was told. He buried his fingers into the fat of Athens’ thighs, enough to bruise, then Athens’ legs faltered.
“I don’t think I can...” Athens cried out, finally lowering himself to the base of the tub. Dariel used all his remaining strength to hold Athens up as they slipped into a sit in front of each other, a tangle of limbs. It wasn’t a large bath, but they made it work.
“I didn’t get to finish you,” Dariel said, sliding his bent legs to Athens’ side, the cold hitting him as he was pushed out of the waterfall.
“I am quite a challenge.” Athens smirked, breathing heavily, arms grasped to either side of the tub, his bone straight hair glued down to his skin, almost trailing to the bottom of the bath between his bent legs. “Come here.” He leaned forward, cloth in hand.
How can he move on like that?
Athens raised his hand to Dariel’s eyes and began to wipe away the mascara and stains of the night. Dariel let him, baring his face.
Athens’ touch was gentle, as it always had been, and he worked on Dariel’s face before he finished off on his own, stopping with the cloth pressed over the centre of Dariel’s chest. They stared at each other in silence, eyes exploring faces as if for the first time.
Their skin had been wiped clean—their final barriers dismantled.
“You’re stunning. You…” Dariel’s breath caught, words failing him.
Athens smiled, tilting his head slightly. “You mean that?”