Page 40 of Santa Has Tentacles

We were the talk of the building today.

With that being so obvious, I decided making Saint look good was my primary goal…well, after getting coffee. “Would you get me breakfast? I’ll get my one cup of coffee and you can make sure I get good nutrition.”

Oh, they all liked that.

Saint had read enough about humans to realize I was up to something. He was looking at me a little too closely, but he nodded and I got another pat. “Yes, my Colby. Your health is important. Thank you for putting your trust in your mate.”

Still not touching that one, but I stretched up to give him a quick kiss.

We kept it very safe for public but it started a rush of whispers through the room. Their words were damned near inaudible, so I didn’t try to eavesdrop, but it let me see just how good their hearing was since it was obvious no one was missing out on the gossip.

Saint loved it.

He damned near strutted over to the hot bar after giving my ass a pat that nudged me toward the coffee.

Sweet, wonderful coffee.

Yes, they had flavored syrups and everything.

“Let me know if you need anything you don’t see.” Human helper dude from the night before walked over from somewhere as I got to the amazing setup. “Especially if you can say it adds nutritional value.”

Trying not to laugh, I nodded. “Thanks for the advice.”

He gave a half-shrug. “No problem and explaining them is in my job description.”

He clearly liked his job.

“I’ve had training with other humans and with my employers about all kinds of topics.” Giving me a side-eye as I gratefully caressed a mug that was big enough to appreciate only getting one cup of coffee, he wasn’t subtle in the slightest. “Do you have any other questions about words Mr. Saint has used or terms that are confusing?”

I was starting to see why they liked him so much.

“No.” The silence that had descended over the room said no one was happy with that answer. Well, no one but Saint. He was happily filling up plates for us and analyzing the nutritional content of everything if I was seeing what he was doing right. “I’ve read a lot. I’m good.”

“Scientific papers?” Human helper dude wasn’t backing down.

“No.” Someone was going to make me talk about it if I couldn’t nip the conversation in the bud. “Romance novels.”

And he grinned.

Seeing that we were on the same page, I finished exploring the syrups and added caramel to my cup. “This is a great set up.”

“It doesn’t change much, so let me know later this week if you need more variety.” Barely holding back a smirk, human helper guy shrugged. “That’s the hardest part about staying over all the time.”

“I appreciate someone else cooking for me, so I’m not going to complain.” Eventually I’d cook for Saint, but we’d figure thatout. Technically he had everything we needed to make a few things, but his kitchen was tiny. “We’ll probably spend a lot of time here for now. I work next door. Oh, and my bathroom won’t fit both of us at the same time and I don’t have a tub.”

That got dramatic sighs from half the room, but I managed not to smile.

Human helper dude didn’t even bother trying and was snickering as he walked away with a nod. “Let me know if you need anything.”

I had a feeling he meant that very literally in acall me at three in the morning for new sockskind of way.

I was really hoping I’d never have to call him for anything weird.

“Thanks.”

Coffee doctored to perfection, I managed not to drool in it as I walked over to meet Saint who’d finished getting us breakfast.

“Oh omelets.” Veggies and cheese but he’d put bacon and a few other things on what had to be my plate, so no complaints here. “Thank you.”

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