Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 110664 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 553(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110664 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 553(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
But Marcus was also hoping to get the latest gossip and maybe spread a little of his own.
In preparation for the night, Rafe and Winter had come over to his town house to give Ethan some lessons on how to act as a pet. It was probably for the best since he and Ethan hadn’t gotten much further than how a pet should act in bed. That they had down to perfection, but it wouldn’t help them at Winslow’s.
After a couple of hours of instruction, Ethan was acting like the perfect, attentive, yet somewhat spoiled pet. God help him if Ethan actually started acting like that. He was both alluring and annoying, leaving Marcus unsure if he wanted to strangle him or fuck him.
The front door swung open, and a butler in a severe black uniform greeted them. The man recognized Marcus, though Marcus couldn’t remember his name. Marcus had been called before Winslow once as representative of his family to be reprimanded for some reckless adventure of Rafe’s. Winslow was the only Ministry member to live within his city.
“Good evening, Marcus. I was unaware you had an appointment with Master Winslow,” the butler said, waving for them to enter the grand foyer. The butler didn’t acknowledge Ethan, but that was to be expected. He was an accessory. While it rankled Marcus, he reminded himself that this would work to their advantage later.
“Unfortunately, there wasn’t time for scheduling an appointment. My clan has been attacked. Winslow needs to deal with this immediately,” Marcus demanded, raising his voice. Rafe would undoubtedly be disappointed by his lack of extravagant temper tantrum, but such a display would have been out of character for him.
“I’m so sorry to hear that, sir. If you would follow me to the lounge, I will inform Master Winslow that you are here.”
Marcus gave a stiff nod, and they walked across the foyer to a pair of open double doors. The room was larger than the typical lounge, with two leather sofas and matching chairs. The curtains over the floor-to-ceiling windows had been pulled back to reveal a clear black sky glittering with stars. An ornate chandelier shone overhead, casting warm light over the richness of the room.
“Can I get you anything while you wait, sir?”
“Refreshment for my pet. A white wine would be nice and maybe something to nibble.” Marcus paused and smiled down at Ethan. “He needs to keep up his strength.” Ethan blushed and looked up at Marcus with an expression of pure adoration.
The butler gave a bow and left. Marcus watched Ethan turn around in the center of the room, taking in its richness, before looking at Marcus with a wink. Shoving down his fears, Marcus smiled at Ethan. Anxiety crawled over his skin, and there was a little voice demanding that he pull Ethan into his arms and carry him out of that house. It was one thing for Ethan to be in Rafe’s home. Ethan would always be safe around his family.
The home of another vampire was an entirely different story. One of the most effective ways to attack a vampire was to strike through his pet. Too often he’d witnessed “unfortunate accidents” where a pet was maimed or killed because a vampire played too rough. No one played with his Ethan. No one touched his Ethan, ever.
“Get that footstool there,” Marcus said, pointing to a leather cushion on intricately carved wooden legs. “Pull it over to my chair.” He then selected a chair and sat. Ethan hurried to follow his instructions, though he might have been careful to position himself so that Marcus got a very clear view of his ass when he bent over to pick up the footstool.
Marcus could only smirk at his antics, not quite sure if Ethan was trying to tempt him or if he was merely playing the part of the attentive and sexual pet. It was likely a little of column A and a little of column B in this case.
Ethan carried the footstool over and placed it directly beside Marcus’s chair but a little in front of him. Once he took his place, Marcus ran his hand through Ethan’s hair in a slow caress before wrapping his fingers around the back of his neck.
“Perfect.”
“Fuck, Marcus,” Ethan whispered. “It’s like my body can’t decide whether to be scared or aroused.”
Marcus tightened his hand on Ethan’s neck a tiny bit. “Be a good boy, and I’ll make you come on the drive home.”
“Yep. Gonna go with aroused.”
Footsteps echoed through the hall for a couple of seconds before a tall man with blond hair so pale it was nearly white appeared. His sharp dark eyes paused for only a second on Ethan before continuing on to Marcus. Pushing to his feet, Marcus kept one hand on Ethan, holding him down on the footstool.