A Hunger to Share ( Book One )

chapter 51

Artyom        

Germany

"Take a picture. It will last longer." Hans smirked.

Artyom looked at James making drinks, talking, and smiling, like he hadn't almost died just a week ago. "Are you jealous?"

"You know I don't do employees. It involves too much drama. You on the other hand, seem to live for the drama."

"I like the a challenge." Artyom smiled, watching James look longingly at the dancing crowd. It was saturday night, and the club was packed.

"He's probably gonna break your heart. I'm pretty sure he's straight."

"Maybe."

"He might like it at first. He might even find it exciting, but then all of a sudden he realizes he's done experimenting, or misses his girlfriend, and leave your sorry ass."

"Or he'll realize he loves cock too." Artyom told his bestfriend.

"Optimistic as always." He threw his arm around Artyom's shoulder. "I don't want to see you get your heart broken brother."

"I appreciate your concern but I won't know until I've given it a try." Artyom watched James flirt with a customer, a finger of jealousy tickling him.

"You're one masochistic bastard Artyom, you know that?" Hans shook his head fondly.

"I can't stop wanting him. I know he wants me too. I can feel it."

Hans held up his hands. "All right, but don't tell me I didn't warn you. So are you going to talk to him, or just stare at him like a creepy fucker?"

Artyom rolled his eyes. "Fine, I'm going."

Hans slapped his ass. "That's my boy."

*

"How are you tonight?" Artyom sat on an empty bar stool in front of James.

He looked up, and smiled, green eyes crinkling at the edges. "Great, and you?"

"Same."

"Can I get you anything?"

"A glass of Jack Daniel's."

"I thought you'd order vodka." James winked and put a glass in front of him, filling half of it.

"Just because I'm Russian doesn't mean I'm naturally a vodka lover." Artyom sipped his drink slowly.

"True." James chuckled.

He was often serious. When he let go, it transformed his beautiful face. You could see his soul in his glowing eyes.

"No one gave you any trouble?"

James rolled his eyes. "You need to stop worrying. My ass is safe, so is my neck."

"But it's not healed yet." Artyom looked at the white gauze on his throat, and the half healed bruise on his right temple. "If you'd let me give you some of my blood..."

"I already told you I don't want it." He said in a firm tone.

"You never told me why."

"I don't want to be dependant on someone else so much. It's not right. Why should I drink your blood when I can heal on my own?"

"There's nothing wrong with letting people help."

"I know, but It's just a silly, little puncture wound. It's not like I've been shot, or something."

"Ok. I respect your choice." Artyom finished his drink with a big gaulp, and put it down on the counter top.

"Thank you." James sounded releaved. "Do you want a refill?"

Artyom nodded.

"Why are some people going crazy on the the dance floor?" James eyed the crowd of excited dancers. Hide u by kosheen had just started playing.

"Queer As Folk fans."

"I've never heard of that befor."

"It's a TV show about a group of gay friends." Artyom took a sip of his drink. "one of my favorites."

"Interesting. I like to watch it sometime."

"You should. It's very... educational." Artyom winked at him.

James blushed. "Right."

"Do you like the song?"

"Yeah."

"Lets's go dance." Artyom offered. "Don't tell me you don't want to. I saw you staring at the dance floor."

James scrunched up his dark eyebrows. "I don't think that's a good idea."

"Why not?" Artyom ran a hand along the length of his glass, staring right at those confused green eyes.

"I'm working."

"Hans will take over for you."

"You're my boss."

"I don't see anything wrong with that. Life's too short for such limitations."

"Even if I wanted to dance with you, I couldn't. I don't really know how to."

"Don't worry, most of these guys aren't dancing anyway."

James looked at the people who were kissing, or making out. "But why me? There are lot of other guys here."

"It's you I like. You're my choice."

"But why do you like me? It doesn't make sence."

"I just do, and I know you like me back."

"I never said that."

"You don't need to. I see the way you look at me, and act around me. You think you're subtle but you're not."

"Ouch." James made a cute face at that.

"I meant no offence. We're attracted to each othet. It's that simple."

"Nothing's ever simple." James muttered under his breath, and looked away.

"Everything's simple, until people make it complicated."

"Maybe." He shrugged slightly.     

"I won't force you but I think you should give this a chance."

James bit his beautiful bottom lip, and looked at the dancing crowd, then back at Artyom. "Ok. I'll dance with you." He came out from behind the counter.

"Thank you." Artyom gave him an appreciative smile. He looked around for Hans and found him making out with a man in a corner and called out to him.

Hans looked up. "What?"

"Take over for James for a while." Artyom grabbed James's hand.

"Are you two going horizental dancing? Or vertical dancing?" Hans wiggled his eyebrows.

"Regular dancing?" James cleared his throat.

"Have fun." Hans winked, and jumped over the bar counter, landing gracefully on the other side, then bent his index finger at the man he was making out with.

"Thanks."       

"Don't worry about it." Hans smiled, grabbed the man's waist, and started kissing him again.