Chapter 262 - Brotherly Advice (1/2)

”So... what brings you here... alone?” Peg asked as he studied his brother's disgruntled expression. ”I'm just finishing up with work if you want to go grab a coffee or a beer and talk about it.”

Arei nodded as he ran a hand over the side of his head. ”That would be great.”

Peg arched a brow, sending his brother another curious glance. ”Alright, let me just tell Andy so she isn't waiting on me.” He nodded to the folder tucked under Arei's arm. ”Do you need to drop that at her office?”

”Oh...” Arei's gaze moved to the folder. ”Yes, there's are Jos's work forms.”

”Alright... you want to just walk there with me?” Peg asked, his curiosity growing. ”So where is Jos?”

Arei cleared his throat feeling a bit unsettled as he replied. ”She's hanging out with Chary, Scylla, and Shelly back at dad's.”

”And she didn't come with you?” Peg pushed on.

He shook his head. ”No... in honesty, I was hoping to have a word with you... privately...”

Peg chuckled. ”Any time, you know that.” They walked quietly the rest of the way to Andy's office. After a quick explanation and several parting kisses, Peg was ready to head wherever it was Arei needed to go and hear whatever it was he needed to say. ”Well? Bar or cafe?”

Arei ran his hand over his hair again. ”Coffee, to go? I really need to be moving right now... I don't think I could sit still while discussing this...”

Peg's brows rose. ”Well, you've definitely spiked my interest. This place is pretty good.” He pointed to a small shop to their left. ”We can grab it to go and walk through the markets if you'd like or the waterfront or both...”

Arei nodded in agreement and followed his brother toward the tiny bakery and coffee shop. They placed their orders and waited with minimal conversation while it was being prepared. Arei popped the lid off his cup and watched as the steam rose from the dark, rich liquid. ”How did you get past the fact Andy had so much more time having s.e.x than you when you first got together?”

Peg spat hot coffee everywhere as his eyes bugged in shock. He choked on some of the fluid still in his mouth as he tried to swallow. ”F.u.c.k Arei... Really? That's where you want to start this?” He wiped at the coffee still dripping from the sleeve of the leather jacket he wore with one of the napkins with the coffee shop logo on it. ”Well, if you must know... I didn't really think about it... I was a v.i.r.g.i.n, so hell, any experience was more than I'd had.”

Arei frowned. ”Yeah, but weren't you afraid of letting her down, of not meeting her expectations?”

Peg arched a brow. ”Dude I shot my load prem.a.t.u.r.ely so f.u.c.k.i.n.g many times when we were first starting out. Yeah, I was embarrassed, but dude shit happens it's natural.” A smile curved his lips. ”Is the great Areion doubting his skills in the sack?”

Arei shrugged as his focus moved back to the cup in his hand. ”It's been a while and I've never been one to seek out women just for the hell of f.u.c.k.i.n.g... The few times that I have sought out a companion it's been for the direct purpose of feeling something, anything except the pain of losing Jos... I didn't give a shit if I was doing a good job or even if my partners were really satisfied or just faking it...” He turned his turbulent gaze to his brother. ”She's spent the best part of a year with a kid who has the libido of a f.u.c.k.i.n.g prized stud. My d.i.c.k hasn't been in anything but my own hand for over 50 years.”

Peg's smile widened. ”You're afraid you won't be able to, what, match the kid's endurance? Current knowledge? What?”

He shrugged. ”I had the disp.l.e.a.s.u.r.e of spending a good amount of time around them, though I don't know first-hand what they did, thank the gods, I do know it was... not standard lovemaking...”

Peg arched his brows in amus.e.m.e.nt. ”Standard lovemaking? Dude, you really are an old man!” He took a long sip of his coffee enjoying its smooth flavor. ”Do you love her?” He smiled knowingly as Arei nodded. ”Do you believe she loves you?”

”I know she does... but I also know she loves the kid...” He swirled the dark liquid in the cup. ”I also know if I give in all the way and open myself up completely, there will be no coming back for me if she leaves me again...” He shook his head, moving his sad eyes over to his brother. ”And knowing this I would still move forward whole-heartedly and embrace the darkness when it comes if it wasn't for the harsh reality that that darkness would be spent by her side still for the next almost 400 years.”

Peg nodded, understanding what his brother was getting at. ”Have you told her how you feel?”

Arei looked away guiltily. ”More or less...”