Part 13 (1/2)
Tyler watched Bryce from out of the corner of his eye. He hadn't said a word for hours. Eventually Tyler had pa.s.sed out on the bed. When he opened his eyes, he was still sitting in the very same place, staring off into s.p.a.ce.
Tyler sat up on the bed and yawned. ”What time is it?”
”Late,” he said.
”I'm starved.”
”There's food in the fridge. Your grandfather sent over enough food for an army, pardon the pun.” ”I guess he figures we're going to be here for awhile.”
”Umm.”
Tyler got out of bed and went to rummage in the fridge. ”There's some good stuff in here. Do you want something?”
”No,” he shook his head. ”Maybe later.”
”So, are you going to stay with me here around the clock?” Tyler asked him, sinking his teeth into a succulent roast chicken sandwich.
He sighed and looked over at him. ”No. Sometimes you'll be on your own.”
”Aren't you afraid I'll escape?” Tyler prompted, taking another bite of his sandwich.
”Where are you going to go? This place is escape proof.”
”Then handcuffing me the last time was completely unnecessary.”
”I did that for my own protection, so I could sleep in peace.” His mouth twisted.
Tyler laughed, taking a bottle of cold water out of the fridge. He came to sit on the bed now across from him. ”A big strong soldier like you...afraid of me?” He stuck a finger in his chest for emphasis.
He didn't answer.
”Were you afraid of me, or afraid of yourself?” Tyler scoffed.
Bryce looked over at him. ”Meaning?”
”Meaning that you were afraid I'd seduce you,” Tyler said softly. The words floated on the air for a moment and then disappeared.
There was no answer.
”You feel this connection we have. I know you do.”
Bryce watched Tyler drink down some of the water. It was true. He did feel it. Sometimes, it was strong, this force without any name, like earlier tonight in that club. Sometimes, it wasn't so powerful, but it was always there.
”Tonight, if you hadn't of found those drugs, how far did you intend to take it?” Tyler studied him.
”Well,” he stood up abruptly, ”we'll never know, will we? And now that you brought it up, did you recognize the voice of the man in that room?”
Tyler put his empty bottle on the floor beside him and finished the last bit of his sandwich. He shook his head solemnly. ”I told you, I have no idea who that was. He was scary, that's all I know.”
”It's odd because the girl at the reception told me that they pair the client with a staff member. That guy was not a member of the staff.”
”Then how did he get in there?” Tyler demanded.
”I don't know. He must have just walked in, put on the costume and...”
”But was he there for me?”
”I think so,” Bryce nodded.
”But, why me?”
”That's what I'd like to know. You tell me.” Bryce came closer, placing his hands on his hips.
Tyler glanced over him and swallowed. He had taken off the jacket. The form fitting navy blue tee-s.h.i.+rt he wore was tucked into tight black leather pants that hung low on his narrow hips. He let his gaze linger for a moment on the intriguing bulge between his muscular thighs, than moved back to his face. He was tired. It showed in his eyes. He wanted to help him, but he didn't know how.
”I...I...don't know who in h.e.l.l he was,” he stuttered.
”Well, he knows you. Either you agreed to meet him in that room, or he sought you out.”
Tyler stood up. ”I didn't agree to meet anyone there, Bryce.” He moved closer. ”Christ, don't you get it by now? It's you I want.”
Their eyes connected. Bryce felt himself moving irresistibly toward him. Voices whispered in his head.
Promise me, Dino. Promise me we'll be together. We will be immortal again. He stopped. He put out his hand.
”No,” he said. ”I have to keep my head. This is too important.”
”You hear it, don't you, my love?” Tyler reached up and took his hand, bringing it down to his side. He squeezed it. They were standing chest to chest.
Bryce met his gaze.
”Make love to me,” Tyler urged. ”Finish what you started earlier.”
”I can't,” he shook his head firmly. ”You are my prisoner. I don't know what possessed me to...tonight...earlier, it wasn't right. I...”
”It was more than right,” Tyler moaned, pressing his forehead against his chest. ”It was meant to be. You are my eternal love.”
”Why do you say this to me?” Bryce asked, reaching up and stroking his hair, in spite of himself.
Tyler raised his eyes to him. ”I just know. I've dreamt of you. We were together before. You know it too.”
He nodded slowly. ”Yes,” he whispered.
”Then it's not wrong,” he told him.
Releasing his hand, he walked over and picked up the handcuffs Bryce had placed on the table. He secured one on his left wrist, than crawled onto the bed. He lay down on his back and secured the other wrist to a post in the middle of the head board. He looked over at him. ”You know what I want. You already told me you knew, that very night. You tormented me enough,” he smiled seductively. ”I want to be yours. I belong to you.
And all this time I've looked for the man who could do it, who could possess me completely. It's you. Release me from this ache.”
Bryce sucked in some breath. He slowly pulled his tee-s.h.i.+rt out of his pants and dragged it over his head.