Page 5 of Spooks & Specters

“Thanks, Beckett. You’re the best.”

“I know.” Beckett winked as he walked out.

Already the fragrance of the roses was filling Kit’s office. Plus, from where he sat, he could see the bear perfectly.

He knew that both Connie and Hudson were extremely rich.

Hudson, in particular. He’d been around for a very long time, and he’d had ample opportunity to amass a fortune. How easy would it have been to throw jewelry at Kit and call it a day?

Now, don’t get him wrong. Kit loved shiny baubles as much as the next guy. But the things he’d been sent so far involved thought. Effort. Not to mention planning.

Would he have been just as happy with roses in a simple glass vase? Absolutely. Did it mean even more that the vase the roses were in most likely came from Connie’s hoard? Most definitely. From what he’d learned, dragons rarely gave away something they’d collected. Yes, they were his mates, so he was a little different. But still. Dragons were hoarders.

Not long after meeting Kit’s mom and dads, Hudson had told Kit that dragons were cunning, stubborn, covetous, manipulative, and dangerous. But he’d also said that when they loved, they loved completely.

Hudson had promised Kit that he would do anything and everything to ensure Kit’s happiness, including moving any mountain he might need to. They’d been talking about getting Kit’s parents’ agreement on a couple of Hudson’s dragons going back to their territory for protection. Hudson had been clear he was okay using Kit to guilt them into it if that was what it took.

His gaze drifted to the teddy bear from Connie. It was such a fun gift. One of them must’ve seen the teddy bear Kit had sitting on his bed one of the few times they’d been to his apartment.

It was well loved and a bit raggedy, yes, and had been a gift from his parents when he was just a kid. It meant the world to him. Now he had another one to add to it. Although where inthe world he was going to put it, he didn’t know yet. He’d find a place, though. He was a bit surprised it wasn’t a stuffed dragon, but then the play on words wouldn’t have worked.

He was willing to bet that there was a stuffed dragon somewhere in his future, though.

TWO HOURS later, Beckett was again at Kit’s door. This time he held a basket. “Guess what?”

“What in the world do you have there? Good grief, I cansmellthe chocolate.”

“From what I can tell, it’s very expensive chocolate.” Beckett walked in and set the basket on Kit’s desk.

“I was wondering if that was going to make an appearance.” Kit ran a finger down the cellophane the gift was wrapped in. Its contents smelled delicious.

“Really? Why?”

“Because the card from Connie had a play on words. It had to do with a bear. The card from Hudson said something about chocolate being as sweet as my smile.”

“By Gaura, I had no idea my king was so romantic. Now Connie? Connie doesn’t surprise me. He’s more, oh, what’s the word I’m looking for? Maybe modern?”

“Well, Hudsonisa lot older than me and Connie. He has this old-world charm to him.” Resting his chin on his hand, Kit stared at Beckett. “Kind of like you.”

Beckett did a bow with a cute little flourish. “Why, thank you kindly.”

Smiling, Kit opened the cellophane. He wanted a piece of chocolate, dammit. “Want some?”

“Are you kidding me? I drooled all the way back here carrying that. You better believe I want some.”

“Dig in.” Kit popped a piece into his mouth and closed his eyes. Oh yes, this was somereallygood chocolate.

“By Gaura’s claws, talk about decadent. I’m totally jealous. Can I have some more?”

Snickering, Kit opened his eyes and stared at Beckett. It was funny how this Ancient had become his best friend, especially since he’d started out babysitting Kit for Hudson. “There’s more here than I can eat, so help yourself.”

“I won’t take too many pieces. Hudson would probably light me up if I did. This is for you.”

“And there’ll be plenty left over for me and my mates even after you and I have a few pieces.”

Beckett popped another one in his mouth. “Too bad we don’t have champagne.”

Kit scowled at him. “Bite your tongue. There will be no drinking at work, no matter how much we may wish differently.”

---