Page 91 of Wishes and Research

Something about the way he said that made my cheeks heat back up, and as I hid against his neck, he laughed again. “I think that means you agree with me. So let’s try to book everything ourselves and head out like we’re taking a quick trip. But if we need help getting things organized, we’re going to use a completely human-based company on the other side of the country.”

I’d have laughed at how ridiculous he was being, but I wasn’t sure that was far enough. “Just make sure their phone people aren’t in a high magic population area.”

His groan said he hadn’t thought about that.

“With as crazy as shit gets around here, we’d end up getting a mage on the phone who’d spelled the damned system.” Daddy’s idea was scary but fascinating.

I couldn’t help looking up and wiggling back enough to make sure I could see him. “Do you think the phone system could be spelled to make sure the customer service person knows what the person on the other end of the line really wants?”

Blinking, Daddy took a second to answer. “Fuck. I don’t know. I was being a smart-ass. Well, I thought I was being a smart-ass.”

I was starting to have more and more questions about how magic worked, but I wasn’t sure anyone in the area could actually answer any of them.

Opening my mouth to at least get a couple of them out, I sucked in a breath as Daddy rolled us over so I was pinned to the bed. “You really will talk about anything else to avoid a subject you’re uncomfortable with.”

How was that a surprise?

“Um, yes.” I decided kissing his cheek and looking cute would be the best way to start dealing with the situation. “And you let me because that’s the rules you set up. I don’t have to answer unless I want to. Well, sometimes I don’t want to.”

He huffed and glared but after a few seconds had to nod and I got another kiss before he rolled us back over so I was lying on his chest. “Just so we’re clear on the rules.”

He was such a brat sometimes.

“If you’re going to change the subject, I would like to stay focused on our wedding, please.” Daddy looked very snotty and like one of the sour professors my father had worked with. “I need to be romanced after being the little spoon, so you’re going to cuddle me and tell me all about our wedding and our trip.”

The internet talked about aftercare and being a good top, but I wasn’t sure they’d ever imagined Daddy as the emotional bottom who needed tending.

“I’m pretty sure you’re making this up.” But I just couldn’t be sure how much. Huffing, I rolled my eyes and settled back against him so my head was on his chest. It was the best spot, so I closed my eyes. “Well, I love you a lot and you’re a very good little spoon, so…so we’re going to have a wonderful wedding with just the two of us and the officials.”

The closest I’d gotten to a cruise ship was old reruns of The Love Boat when I’d been in South America for a few weeks. For some reason it was one of the only English shows that had been playing in the small hotel I’d stayed at in Brazil.

So I decided to stay generic just in case things had changed a lot since then. “There won’t be anyone to ask inappropriate questions or be sneaky. It’ll be over the water and it’ll have a warm breeze.”

Yes.

Ocean.

Nice weather.

Privacy.

“We’ll have a big bed and lots of time with just the two of us and—” For Pete’s sake. “Please tell me that isn’t your front door.”

Daddy’s groan said he wasn’t going to give me the answer I really wanted. “It might be one of my neighbors this time? Some are humans in the know but a few are mages.”

Ugh.

“What the fuck did they do to the bugs?” A loud, slightly angry voice came from outside the house. “They’re disappearing?”

“He’s not going to go away, is he?” Angry and grumpy said mage but the way the man kept saying they made it clear he was a dragon. “Um, let me guess…Boyd. He was the grumpy dragon who you said we needed to tell about the bugs.”

Daddy pouted and nodded. “Someone beat us to it.”

“That’s rude.” So it had to be Kenzie and Lorne…and Alick probably told them. “This town needs to work a bit less on their communication skills.”

Snickering, Daddy kissed my cheek and rolled to his side so we were curled up on the bed. “I think that is a wonderful idea and if anyone is smart enough to figure out how to do that, it’s you.”

His ridiculous response made me glare and raise one eyebrow. “That’s a nice way of saying you’re not going to help me.”

---