Straightening at the sound of approaching footsteps across the hall, Ronan might have leaned a little closer when a voice snapped irritably.
“Go away! I’m answering the door!” There was a short, muffled response followed by the first person arguing, “Of course I know who it is, and I want to answer it.” There was a squeal, laughter, and then some impressive if slightly kinky threats that had Ronan’s mouth falling open. Dear God, Aiden obviously had his hands full living in that house.
At the sound of the lock being disengaged, Ronan cleared his throat and tried to school his features, so it at least didn’t look like he’d been eavesdropping. The door swung open and a short young man—no, vampire—with disheveled brown hair and an adorable face smiled up at him. He hadn’t been one of the Variks to appear in his hotel room, and Bel’s other mate was a werewolf. Just by the process of elimination, this one had to belong to Marcus.
No, Marcus belonged to him. He was sweet, but there was an inner fierceness about him. And judging by what he’d heard a minute ago, he had no problem standing up to his mate.
“You must be Ethan Varik. I don’t believe we’ve had the chance to meet yet. I’m Ronan—”
“Oh, I know who you are,” Ethan said with a wicked grin. He leaned against the doorjamb while holding on to the door, blocking Ronan’s path. Not that he couldn’t move the fledgling, but that wasn’t going to help put him in Aiden’s good graces any time soon. “You are all this family is talking about right now—not that Aiden is sharing any of the juicy bits yet.”
Ronan chuckled. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I don’t think there are any juicy bits to share.”
Ethan made a dismissive noise as he blew out a breath. “I don’t believe that at all. If there weren’t juicy bits, your name wouldn’t make Aiden blush.”
Stepping closer, Ronan grinned. “Really? Aiden blushes because of me?” That was very nice to hear. Best thing he’d heard since last night.
Ethan shrugged his slender shoulder, trying to appear nonchalant about it all, but there was no missing the way his quick eyes were locked on Ronan’s face, trying to read his expression.
“If you let me in to see Aiden, I promise to try very hard to give Aiden a new reason to blush,” Ronan bargained.
The young vampire hummed as if thinking about it. “I’ll admit, I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.”
Ethan’s playful smirk disappeared, and there was a coldness in his gaze. There lay the protector that existed in each and every Varik he’d met so far. The creature that would kill to save those they loved, the creature that would die to keep them safe. Ethan wasn’t intimidated by Ronan when it came to protecting his family.
“Aiden has been through enough pain,” Ethan said firmly.
“And I don’t want to cause him more. I’m just hoping that we can get to know each other again. It’s…been too long.”
Ethan sighed and looked at the ground for a moment. “Yeah, that’s kind of what I thought.”
“May I see him?”
Ethan shook his head. “Not tonight. He’s not accepting visitors.”
“But—”
“He specifically listed your name. I’m sorry.” Ethan looked like he genuinely meant it too. Unfortunately, it didn’t do much to ease the shaft of pain that sliced through his heart. Aiden was refusing to see him.
“Thank you,” he muttered and started to turn away.
“Are you going to come back tomorrow?” Ethan called after him.
“Yes,” he answered without hesitation.
Ethan’s smile returned in a flash. “Good,” he said and then closed the door.
Maybe it was as simple as Aiden having a bad night and needing some space. He was dealing with a lot of problems, being king and head of his clan. Ronan very much wanted to be the person Aiden went to when he was having a bad night, though. He wanted to hold Aiden against him and listen to all his worries. They’d talked plenty when they’d been growing up about their fears and worries, but it was always as two friends. Ronan had never taken the chance and held Aiden, stroked his hair. Would he even like that? Would he let Ronan hold his hand? Kiss his temple?
There was a part of him that was incredibly frustrated that he didn’t know what Aiden needed and another part that was ridiculously excited by the prospect of getting the chance to figure that all out. Was Aiden a cuddler? Did he like holding hands? Touching?
Ronan had never considered himself a touchy-feely guy. He wasn’t a cuddler. He didn’t need physical contact.
Except, when he was in the same room as Aiden, the urge was overwhelming. Not touching Aiden was almost painful.
But dancing with him had been like experiencing heaven. It was every dream he’d ever had coming true at once.