Page 19 of Soar

Gregori winced, really wishing he could curl up in a ball. He could feel the heat of Salem’s rage if he found out Gregori had dropped that bomb at his place of work. “Actually, I would rather you didn’t tell him about this. I kind of want it to be a surprise. Plus, I’m sure he would be very unhappy if everyone found out about this part of his personal life. He’s a very private person.”

Cecelia nodded. “I completely understand. I’ll keep my lips sealed.” She even made the motion of zipping her lips closed and tossing the key over her shoulder. “After our chat, I’ll make sure to have a little talk with Kevin, reminding him about the hospital’s policy about gossiping.”

A huge sigh of relief escaped Gregori and he slumped in his chair. He really didn’t want to make Salem a source of gossip in his workplace when he deserved to be respected for his knowledge and skill. Doing otherwise would only bring Salem’s wrath on Gregori’s head and undermine what he hoped to accomplish.

“I don’t have any specific training when it comes to kids, but I’m happy to read stories and play games with them. Anything to help take their minds off why they’re in the hospital in the first place,” Gregori admitted, wanting to be completely honest with her while still selling himself as a good volunteer. “I’m also happy to teach them about dragons. I’m fluent in six languages, too.”

Cecelia clapped her hands quietly and wiggled in her office chair. “Perfect. All the kids are going to be so excited to meet you. I really wish I could take you in to meet them today. But I’ll make some phone calls and see what I can do to get this background check pushed through quickly. I know the hospital would appreciate any time you can give us.”

Knowing the long hours Salem pulled as a pediatric surgeon, Gregori suspected he’d have a lot of free time on his hands. If he couldn’t spend it directly wooing Salem, then this was really the next best thing.

Salem trudged home after a long day of surgeries and opened the door to his unlocked apartment. Apparently, he still had Gregori as a houseguest.

Why, why didn’t he understand Salem was a horrible choice for a partner? Salem had been nothing but an asshole since their meeting. Wasn’t that enough to tell the man this wasn’t a good idea?

With an internal groan, he stepped inside. Whatever was cooking right now smelled divine. Like comfort in a bowl. Did he smell stew?

Gregori stood at the kitchen counter, getting bowls out, and he leaned backward to see Salem past the open cabinet door. “Hey there. You’re in late.”

“Surgeries,” Salem explained shortly. “Why are you still here?”

Gregori grinned at him and notably didn’t respond.

Dammit. Why was this dragon more stubborn than the many ex-boyfriends Salem had? Just that question alone would have made him single again in five seconds. Apparently, seven-hundred-year-old dragons were made of sterner stuff.

Salem toed off his shoes, shucked his jacket and briefcase, and went to the sink to wash his hands, which was a compulsory habit by now. He did it automatically, all while side-eyeingGregori as he put stew into bowls and utensils and such on the table.

“Winter stew,” Gregori explained, like Salem had asked the question aloud. “A recipe from home. I felt it a good choice since it was such a brisk, chilly day. Come, sit.”

Salem sat. Mostly because lunch was a very distant memory, and it seemed a waste to not even try the stew. It smelled delicious. He took a bite and then groaned. Dammit, of course Gregori was a good cook on top of being charming and handsome. Universe, must you stack all favor in one man’s direction?

“Hard day at work?” Gregori asked him with concern. “You look so tired.”

“A bit challenging, but today was also par for the course.” Might as well be blunt with this. Maybe Gregori needed to hear it. “I’m always tired from work, okay? I’m always burned-out and bad company.”

“Sounds like you work too much.”

“You’re not the first to say so. I doubt you’ll be the last.”

Gregori’s head canted to the side. “Shouldn’t you be trying to keep me with you? To help support you.”

While it sounded amazing on paper, Salem knew it wasn’t how things would pan out. “No. You’ll just get burned-out trying to take care of me, then resentful, and the whole attempt will explode. Messily.”

“You sound very sure of it.” Gregori’s eyes narrowed suspiciously.

Annnnd that was as much information as Salem felt comfortable giving. He didn’t like discussing his dating history. Mostly because it brought up painful memories. No, thank you on rehashing it all.

Pointing a spoon at him, Salem argued, “This is a bad idea, what you’re trying to attempt. Don’t make me call up the ice dragons to come fetch you home again.”

“Oh, they know where I am,” Gregori assured him, locking eyes in challenge. “I am also far too old for such threats.”

Yeah, okay, fair. It had been worth a shot, though. “I thought dragons always lived with their clans.”

“For the most part. We do have a history of following our mates into other clans, though. It just didn’t happen very often.”

Huh. Well, that was news to Salem.

He didn’t have the energy to argue anymore, so he focused on the stew. He scraped the bowl clean, then got up to rinse it and put it into the dishwasher. Only to find the dishwasher running. Gregori must have cleaned up after himself. Salem put the bowl back into the sink with a mental shrug.

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