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heart melted for the lonely vampire asleep in the house. “That sucks.”
    “Yeah.” Gunnar started walking back towards the house with Michael on his heels. “I have a feeling you being here will be good for him.”
    “Once again, so glad you approve.” Michael bumped his shoulder against Gunnar’s heavily muscled body. “I’m going to take a shower.” He made a point of sniffing Gunnar. “You should, too,” he said, screwing up his face.
    Inside his room, Michael stripped and stepped under the spray. What would it be like to feel ashamed of who you were? He honestly couldn’t imagine how lonely life must be for someone like that. Maybe he’d try and take a long nap later so he could stay up with Neo? Ooh, I wonder if he plays chess?

Chapter Three

    From his bedroom window, Michael watched Neo roam the vineyard. It had been almost two months since he’d arrived, and he didn’t think he was any closer to getting to know the vampire. He’d changed his schedule, hoping that would help, but Neo always found something else to do rather than spend time with him.
    The lustful noises coming from Neo’s bedroom on occasion further contributed to Michael’s loneliness. He wondered what Neo would do if he took a lover? Several evenings he’d seen Rafi disappear with Neo, either into the study or into his bedroom. Neo had good taste, at least Michael could give him that. Rafi , with his silky black hair and almond-shaped eyes was breathtaking. Being the alpha of the weretigers , Michael assumed the man’s body looked even better naked than it did in the tight clothes he wore.
    He pushed away from the sill and headed towards the door. If Neo wanted him gone, Michael wished he’d just say so. Stepping out into the cool night air, he almost tripped over Sema .
    “Shit, sorry.” Michael squatted down and rubbed the black tiger behind the ears. Sema’s eyes drooped as he began to purr. Unlike a housecat, Sema’s purr was loud and deep enough that Michael felt the rumble in his chest. “Yeah, you’re a pretty boy,” he continued to soothe, stroking the strong cat. “Why can’t you shift and keep Rafi company? Hmmm?”
    When Sema appeared content once again, Michael took off towards the vineyard. He managed to get twenty yards from Neo before he was yelled at.
    “What’re you doing out here, Michael? I’ve told you the vineyards are mine at night.”
    Michael looked around. True, there were vines still in place, but the grapes had been harvested several weeks earlier. He took a chance and moved closer. “What is it you find so fascinating about fruitless vines that you’d rather spend time with them over me?” he bravely asked.
    Neo gave Michael a sideways glance before turning to slowly walk away. Stubborn since birth, Michael followed, waiting for an answer. When Neo reached the end of the row he started back up the other side. Within a few yards, Michael came face to face with Neo, though the vines grew between them.
    “The vines don’t make me want something I can’t have,” Neo grumbled.
    Michael stared into Neo’s black eyes. It was the first time since the morning after he’d arrived that Neo gave any indication he wanted him. “I offered myself to you the second day of my stay. I’ve tried everything I could think of to get you to notice me, but it seems you prefer Rafi’s company to my own.”
    “I notice you,” Neo said in the softest voice Michael had ever heard him use. It was more than a whisper, it was almost a prayer. “ Rafi is nothing more than a release. I can’t hurt him, and his company helps me keep my head around you.”
    Michael’s eyes flitted around the landscape. The explanation of Rafi’s company made him feel better. Hadn’t he once taken a lover to get him through the lonely nights? Maybe he should’ve joined Neo in the vineyard earlier. This was the longest conversation they’d had in weeks. Perhaps if Neo got to know him better, he would send Rafi away when