Maybe Hansel was right. Maybe he had changed.
With a sigh, Boaz pulled out his phone and sent a text.
Call when you get there. Drive safely.
He turned and walked toward the door. His phone beeped as he stepped outside. He checked it quickly and a small smile appeared.
It was Hansel.
Sure.
“That’s the Hansel I know. Never holds a grudge,” Boaz murmured, slipping the phone into his pocket.
With nothing else to do, he wandered down the path toward the tea fields, running his fingers lightly over the plants as he passed. It was a habit of his. He liked to think they could feel it somehow. That they knew he was grateful for what they gave.
When he was done, he headed back to his cabin to get his paints.
His gaze drifted to the easel where a painting he’d made for Lyla still stood. He should have given it to her.
Even though he never told her how he felt, and even though she loved his brother, she had still been part of his life for a moment. Part of his dreams. Part of the quiet fantasies he didn’t like admitting he had.
She had been there in his loneliest hours, offering him the hope that one day, he would fall in love.
Boaz paused, his hand hovering over the painting.
Love?
Alexander popped into Boaz's mind.
He felt strong feelings for him, and being with Alexander felt right in a way Boaz hadn’t expected. They were good together.
His heart hammered at the thought of it, of being in love with Alexander, of belonging to him completely.
Okay. That was getting ahead of himself.
Boaz shook his head and gathered his supplies, heading out to the meadow. He tried not to think about Alexander as anything more than what they were. But the thought lingered anyway.
When he set up his canvas, his hand seemed to move on its own.
Instead of the usual meadows, Alexander’s face began to take shape.
Boaz traced the lines with fingers lovingly, following the sharp angle of his jaw and the strong brow, the intensity he could not quite forget. The sun drifted across the sky and he barely noticed, completely absorbed in the work.
It was only when the light faded and the world turned dark that he finally stopped, blinking as he returned to reality.
And then remembered. Alexander would be coming soon.
Excitement rushed through him at the thought of seeing the vampire again, which made no sense because he had seenhim last night. Still, spending time with Alexander had quickly become one of Boaz’s favorite things.
He packed quickly and hurried to his cabin. When he stepped inside, he placed his new creation on the easel.
Done, he made his way to the bedside table and got the lube and butt plug. He wanted to be ready when Alexander arrived.
Boaz rushed to the bathroom, his body already burning with desire. He took a quick shower, then turned the water off.
He coated his fingers with lube and eagerly reached behind him. He moaned as he slipped two fingers into his hole, and slowly fucked himself.
“Oh fuck,” he keened, close.