“He’s sleeping again,” Tomas said as he encountered Lorcan in the hallway.

Lorcan followed the older man’s gaze as Tomas eyed his robe. Impatient to check on Kevin, he had risen quickly and hadn’t bothered to dress. “Did he eat?”

Tomas lifted the cover from the empty plate. “Quite well. I’m surprised he was able to finish it. He looks as if he hasn’t eaten much lately.”

Lorcan nodded. His gaze moved from the empty plate to linger on the door to Kevin’s room.

“I doubt he would hear you if you checked on him,” Tomas said, continuing toward the kitchen.

Lorcan smiled at his retreating back. Tomas could read him too easily. When he slowly opened the door, the light from the fireplace was more than enough for his unnatural eyesight. Closing the door, he moved on silent feet to the bed.

Sprawled on his back across the mattress, Kevin was oblivious to his watcher. Gentle snores punctuated his sleep while the covers, bunched at his waist, revealed his broad chest.

Lorcan’s hungry gaze roamed over the wide shoulders, the fair skin and the small rosy nipples before he pulled up the blanket. The room was warm enough, but it hid temptation.

Lorcan’s heightened sense of smell caught the fragrant traces of herbal shampoo. He couldn’t resist running his fingers through Kevin’s bright blond tresses, still damp from the shower. The scent transferred to Lorcan’s fingers. Bringing them to his lips, he feathered them over his mouth. A small groan escaped.

He wanted to bury his face in the young man’s hair, feel the strength of the hard body against him. The desire to mark Kevin, drink from him, taste him was powerful. The itch of his gums warned Lorcan he should leave. The need to feed was strong and looking at him made it worse. Lorcan forced himself to turn away.

“Hello…”

The whispered word took Lorcan by surprise. “I…I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.” He turned back. The deep blue eyes peering at him in the darkness sent a sharp tremor of desire through him.

“It’s okay. I need to thank you. I have a little money. For…for the food, the room…”

“You don’t need to pay me.” Lorcan knew he should excuse himself and leave but he couldn’t resist. Perching on the edge of the bed, he risked the temptation. “You don’t owe me anything.”

“You stopped them…”

If Lorcan’s hearing hadn’t been keen, he wouldn’t have heard the whispered words. “I couldn’t let them hurt you.”

“You could have been hurt, or worse.”

“Not likely. They were bullies and cowards. Confronted, their kind always scatter. I wish I could have kept you from being injured.”

“It could have…would have been worse, if you hadn’t.” Kevin bit his lip, a frown wrinkling his forehead. “I could…you know…” Kevin’s hand moved across the blankets to Lorcan’s thigh as the young man’s gaze darted toward Lorcan’s groin.

Lorcan’s fantasy of Kevin’s mouth wrapped around his dick flashed through his mind. Shuddering in the darkness, he hoped the young man wouldn’t be able to see it, feel it. He was desperate to take Kevin up on his offer but he shouldn’t.

Intending to push the hand away, his hand held Kevin’s instead. “It’s not necessary. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.”

“And if I want to…” The voice trailed off. The darkness couldn’t hide the heat of the blush spreading across Kevin’s face and chest.

Lorcan couldn’t think of an answer. Rational thought was no longer possible. The touch of Kevin’s hand sent searing heat through his thigh, straight to his groin. His fingers tightened on Kevin’s as Lorcan’s breathing changed to panting. With his mind screaming warnings of past loss, he leaned toward Kevin, toward the full lips, the fragrant hair, the broad chest. The slight flare of desire in Kevin’s eyes was all he needed to drown out the dark memories for now.