Page 7 of Spooks & Specters

Turning back toward Hudson, Kit saw that his other mate was the picture of control. He always was.

“I loved your card and the chocolates. I brought those also. Just in case. Also, the Cupid you guys sent to deliver the invitation to go ice-skating? Which, by the way, was awesome. Well, Beckett hit on the guy and exchanged numbers with him.”

Connie snickered. “Go Beckett.”

“Heissmooth,” Hudson agreed. “So, it’s going to take us about forty minutes to get to The Rink. How about a glass of champagne?”

“You know, I’ve always wondered what champagne and chocolate tasted like.”

“Then let’s find out.” Connie held up a bottle of champagne and wiggled his eyebrows.

“Don’t have to ask me twice!” Kit exclaimed, making grabby hands.

Connie poured each of them a glass and then handed out the chocolates. Someone had thought to provide small glass plates and linen napkins.

Kit was willing to bet that the champagne glasses and the plates cost more than what he made in a week. He still hadn’t adjusted to the luxury he was surrounded with, but he also didn’t take it for granted.

“To us,” Hudson said, holding up his glass.

“To us,” Connie and Kit repeated, then sipped their champagne.

Kit fought not to giggle as the bubbles tickled his nose. He might still be struggling to adjust to the money his dragons had, but he’d certainly found out he had a fondness for champagne.

“To the most perfect Valentine’s Day ever, and it isn’t even over yet,” Kit said, holding up his glass. “And to the best mates a guy could have.”

“To Valentine’s Day,” Hudson said.

“And tonight.” Connie winked at his mates. “Because the bestisyet to come.”

Chapter Three

GIGGLING, KIT took another sip of his drink. He couldn’t wait for tonight, but first, he had to dazzle his mates with his ice-skating moves.

Fortunately, the trip across the city didn’t take any longer than expected, and soon they arrived.

“Wow, we really are right on the beach, aren’t we?” Kit asked, looking out of the window.

“Yes. I also found out that this place turns into a winter wonderland over the holidays. The ice-skating rink is actually part of the Hotel del Coronado,” Hudson said, taking everyone’s champagne glasses and putting them up.

“I wish we would’ve known about that back in December,” Connie said, folding up the used napkins.

“There’s always next year. But for now, for this holiday, I’ve reserved the ice-skating rink for just us. We have it for the next ninety minutes.”

Kit’s mouth fell open. “Are you serious? It’s just going to be us out there?”

“Of course. Nothing is too good for my mates.”

Kit bet that cost a pretty penny, but it didn’t surprise him that Hudson would go to such extremes because he meant what he said—nothing was too good for his mates.

Kit was quickly becoming spoiled. But it also put him in a bind. He certainly didn’t have the money they did—yes, he had access to their funds, but that was another story for another day.

Anyway, he’d managed to get them both something he thought they’d like, even though he’d had to hit Hudson up for the materials. Those gifts would be given later tonight—preferably while they were in bed.

“We should have views of the sun sinking into the Pacific Ocean in a little while,” Hudson said.

Connie leaned across Kit so he could kiss Hudson. “What a beautiful idea. Thank you.”

“Oh, you didn’t know he planned this?” Kit asked.

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