Free Web NovelChapter 67: _Don’t Be Boring, Ambrose
"And here comes the good stuff." Viktor rubbed his palms with a small grin as the waiter approached with a couple of trays. Two more followed behind him, making Ambrose squint.
That seemed like a lot...
His fingers wrapped tighter around his wine glass. He hadn’t taken even a sip, too focused on thinking of a plan to prolong physical contact with the smug S-Rank.
However, the arrival of the plates and the steaming meals on them pulled his attention briefly. He sniffed once. ’Well, damn. This...’
"Enjoy your meal, sirs." The waiters gave a small bow before retreating, leaving both men to take in the delicacies before them.
On one side were two large portions of smoked salmon, with lemon slices placed around them in a fancy pattern. Then there was the medium-rare filet mignon, roasted baby potatoes, and a delicious-looking chocolate lava cake.
He tried hard to hide the smirk on the corner of his lips. But Viktor already noticed it and leaned in slightly.
"I take it that you like what you see." The Esper said that with a low, inviting voice that made Ambrose’s eyes lift to his face before he could stop himself. "I told you you would, didn’t I?"
Ambrose didn’t even try hiding his eye roll. "You’re so... proud. Or should I call it ego?"
"So it’s bad to be prideful of oneself?" Viktor let out an amused chuckle, head inching closer from across the table.
"When it’s a pride as large as yours then yeah. It pretty much is."
"... You want to know what else is ’large’ about me, naughty bird?" Viktor ignored boundaries, his face mere inches away from the Guide’s.
Ambrose’s face paled. Then flushed with heat. His eyes darted around wildly before landing on his wine glass. He looked away from Viktor, downing nearly half of its content.
[So much for ’seducing the Guideverse’.] Aura mocked.
’What do you expect me to do?’ Ambrose snapped mentally. ’The guy is being too intense too fast. I... I don’t know if I can—’
[Oh, honey. At this rate, you’ll be stuck in that bottleneck for a long time.]
’Don’t do too much now.’
[Just saying.]
"Look at how flustered you are," Viktor snorted, finally pulling back as he poured more wine for himself. He grabbed a fork and knife, eyes pinned on the salmon. "I don’t bite, naughty bird."
Ambrose couldn’t take it anymore. "Can you stop that?"
"Stop what?"
"Calling me ’naughty bird’. It’s low-key cringe."
Viktor’s expression faltered. Just for a beat.
His lips curved. "You’d like something more romantic?"
"I’d like it if you just—"
"Don’t be boring, Ambrose," Viktor’s eyes left him now, focused on cutting into his salmon. "Live. Have fun. Stop making everything so serious."
"I’m not—"
Without warning, Viktor lifted a forkful of salmon and shoved it into Ambrose’s mouth. The latter’s eyes bulged as his lips shut around the fork.
Viktor slowly pulled out the fork, his smile widening when the salmon was left in the Guide’s mouth. "Try that."
Ambrose didn’t chew. Not yet.
His head swung around instinctively, checking if anyone was watching them. The few people dining didn’t even spare them a glance, too engrossed in their food.
So—he chewed calmly, letting the salmon melt on his tongue. An explosion of flavours—spicy, salty and out of this world seasoning—hit his taste buds.
He closed his eyes, savouring the taste as he swallowed.
Viktor watched this across the table with a sly light in his eyes. His gaze followed each movement of Ambrose’s pretty jawline and then the way his throat bulged as he took down the fish.
’... Fuck,’ he cursed mentally. ’Why does every little thing he does feel so... sensual?
He angled his head to a corner of the restaurant, icy orbs catching the female server he’d paid to take as many pictures and videos as possible tonight.
As expected she was still there and had definitely taken a shot when he fed Ambrose that salmon.
Perfect.
’We’ll see how much more Devon can take before snapping,’ he sliced out another piece, taking the bite instead. ’Then he’ll tell me why the fuck he’s so concerned about the Guide.’
★★★★★
Phoenix Flight HQ
"How is this even happening right now?" Devon held back a grunt, staring at his phone from Ambrose’s kitchen counter.
He’d been pacing around the suite for several minutes now, scrolling through social media. He found out that pics of him, Ambrose and Orion hanging out in the pack had already circulated.
Now videos of his permanent Guide’s dinner date with Viktor were rolling around, people debating numerous possibilities. Most called Ambrose a social climber. Others said it was clear he was trying to date both men at once since they were both openly queer.
But now Devon had one thought.
"Pinnacle Pavilion has some of the richest and most influential people in the country eating there," he murmured. "Espers, Guides... why would any of them bother themselves with such menial gossip and post these videos?"
The latest video from the restaurant showed Viktor feeding Ambrose a salmon. The latter’s face was scrunched at first but then it softened into something that made Devon’s teeth gnash.
Overly curious for answers, he traced the source of the videos. It had already been reshared through other accounts, but the origin was an account that made his brows furrow.
"Wait..." he clicked on the account, first scrolling to the profile picture.
It was a sunset that looked like it had been taken off Pinterest, uploaded only this afternoon. That’s it. This person hadn’t posted anything else and from the look of things the account as a whole was created today.
Almost as if someone created it simply to send out these videos. To get a reaction.
The temperature around the kitchen rose, his golden eyes igniting with flames. "... Viktor you son of a bitch."
There could be other explanations, but the path his mind was headed made a lot of sense. If there were two things Viktor Morozov thrived on it was attention.
And testing his patience.
He shoved his phone back into his pocket, rushing back to Orion’s room. After peeking his head in and noting that the boy was still sound asleep, he grabbed his jacket, threading his fingers down his hair.
"Looks like I’m crashing this dinner after all."
