Free Ice Man by KyAnn Waters Page A

explanation.”
    Rowan rubbed his throat, stood and paused. A man lay naked and unconscious on the bed. “Who is that?”
    “Do you care?”
    He snapped his gaze to Theron. “No.” Yes , and he hated the surge of jealousy. “Is he dead?” The body was pale and unmoving. He picked up his chaps from the floor.
    “He’ll recover. You might not.” Theron leapt from the chair, snatched the chaps and flung them across the room. His nose wrinkled as he sniffed. “I assumed the scent of alcohol was from your lover, not you.” He spun away. “Who do you intend to feed tonight?” he demanded.
    Rowan would have to feed a vampire with a thirst for alcohol-laced blood. Theron was a purist. Rowan did the only thing he could. “I just want you to release me.”
    “You are my slave. Mine!” He growled and paced across the floor. “When did the thought of feeding me become so unsettling to you?”
    “No, it’s not about the feeding.”
    Theron sighed and his shoulders dropped. “You can’t tell me you don’t want to fuck me. I know better.”
    “Maybe you don’t know me so well.”
    Theron was on him in a flash, hands roaming over his bare flesh, caressing his cock as his tongue lashed his lips and speared into his mouth. Rowan groaned, already missing what was once between them. Blood rushed into his shaft. His erection swelled between them. He stepped back, wrenching his mouth from Theron’s.
    “No.” He shook his head. “I can’t do this.”
    “Why? He can’t possibly pleasure you the way I can.”
    Theron was right. Brett was nothing like the vampire. But perhaps that was what made him so damn appealing. “I don’t want this anymore.”
    “Bullshit.” Theron chuckled. “I can see for myself how much you don’t want me.”
    That his body responded didn’t change his intentions. “My dick isn’t making the decision. I am.”
    Theron sat on the edge of the bed and leaned back on his elbows. “And what if you’re making a mistake?”
    “It’s mine to make.” Fuck, this man had seen to his every need for seven years. Rowan couldn’t look at his masculine perfection and not recall the intensely erotic sensations he’d rained over his flesh. This might be the biggest mistake he’d made in his life. But he’d considered the possible consequences for hours. The moment was here. Stay with Theron, continue to exist and never know if there was someone else for him, a partner. Or take a chance with Brett. Maybe they wouldn’t last. But maybe they would. One point was crystal clear—Theron had never been that man. Not for him.
    Theron flopped to his back and rubbed his palms into his eyes. “Rowan, baby, it’s not that easy.”
    Rowan couldn’t have a conversation with Theron without wearing clothes. He picked up the codpiece, bent his softening dick to fit in the pouch and tugged them on. “I never said it would be easy.” He crossed to the chaps. “Until Brett, I never imagined wanting anything beyond this room.” He shrugged. “I do now.”
    “And what if he doesn’t?”
    “He does. I don’t know for how long. I don’t care.”
    “You certainly know how to make a guy feel like shit.” Theron sat up. “But how I feel is irrelevant. It’s impossible.”
    Rowan arched a brow. “I can fuck who I want.” He stepped into his chaps and adjusted the leg closures. “It’s none of your business.” He lifted his gaze to Theron, almost daring him to respond.
    “That’s where you’re wrong. You are my business.” He slid off the bed. “Do you know how old I am?”
    “I couldn’t even begin to guess.”
    “I stopped counting because the years blended, centuries passed. Centuries, Rowan, and in all that time I have never let anyone close to me.” His jaw flexed and he bit down. “Except you.” He stared at the man on his bed. “I’ve fed from millions of men, sired thousands of vampires and I hear every one of their voices in my head.” He faced Rowan. “Your thoughts are