Read Online Bed and Breakfast [Bloodkin 1] (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove) by Scarlet Hyacinth - Free Book Online Page B

but he’d known the people in his family’s household for years before they’d been laid off. Having strangers wash sheets he’d dirtied with semen wasn’t his idea of a good first impression.
    Moss cleaned up and considered his dilemma. He didn’t have much time since more work awaited on the desk, and Pena or Benson would show up with breakfast soon. Confirming his guess, a knock sounded at the door, drawing him out of his musings. Moss wiped himself dry and put on a robe. When he was decent, he called out. “Yes?”
    As it turned out, he’d been half-right. Benson did, indeed, come in, and bowed shortly. “Good morning, Mister Hayden.”
    Moss shook his head and laughed. “Good morning, Benson. Please, call me Moss.”
    An almost invisible smile graced the butler’s lips. “Very well…Moss. His Lordship summons you for breakfast.”
    Moss’s heart began to beat faster. “He takes his breakfast at this hour?”
    “Very rarely,” Benson replied, “but I believe he has a short routine break today.”
    The thought Vane might’ve made an exception, just for him, nearly melted Moss right then and there. He tried to preserve his composure, but judging by Benson’s twinkling eyes, he didn’t do a very good job. In the end, Moss gave up on attempting to hide his enthusiasm. “Okay,” he said. “I’ll be right there.”
    “I take my leave then,” Benson answered.
    Benson did exactly that, and as soon as the butler was out the door, Moss rushed to his closet. Benson had, indeed, put all of Moss’s belongings in their proper place, but he’d also provided an additional wardrobe, a fact for which Moss felt very thankful.
    He chose an outfit and hastily dressed. It took far longer than he’d have liked since he couldn’t quite get his cravat to be impeccably tied, nor could he arrange his hair to perfection. He found himself forced to forgo these details and headed out.
    Just as he closed the door behind him, Moss remembered about the still-dirty cloth in the bathroom. He briefly hesitated before deciding it wouldn’t do to make Vane wait any longer. With luck, Pena wouldn’t arrive to change the sheets until they finished breakfast.
     
    * * * *
     
    Breakfast was the exact opposite dinner had been. They talked about nothing in particular, and Moss allowed himself to just listen to the sound of Vane’s voice and enjoy a moment of calm. When they finished eating, Moss fully expected Vane to leave after it, but instead, the bloodkin said, “Let me show around a bit. It occurred to me you’ve put so much work into acquainting yourself with my issues, and the least I could do is help out.”
    Moss couldn’t agree with such a generous assessment of his performance, more so if they took into account the astronomical pay he received for his services. Even so, Moss didn’t intend to complain. He looked forward to any time spent in Vane’s company. Vane led him out, and Moss noted the carriage already waited for them.
    “Could we maybe walk today?” he dared to ask. He ached to unveil the mysteries that hid behind those dark eyes and find out why he felt so drawn to Vane, so he wanted to draw out the experience as much as possible.
    “Certainly,” Vane replied after looking at the sky.
    It was cloudy outside, Moss noted. He recalled the way the bloodkin in Elmya chose to go out mostly at night. “Does the sun hurt you?” he inquired, concerned.
    “It doesn’t hurt me, per se,” Vane answered, “but it does weaken me. I fed last night, so I’ll be just fine.”
    Vane gave Moss a heated look that held so much sensual promise it almost made him lose it right then and there. He averted his gaze, lest he give himself away. Vane made no further comment on that line and instead said, “Come on. Let’s go.”
    Walking toward the city briefly reminded Moss of his own trip from his harbor hovel to the mansion, the night of the interview. During daylight, everything seemed so different, no longer scary