Page 86 of How to Rescue Your Surprise Baby

“Yeah. I went searching for a museum-quality fossil.” Mav watched him, licking his lips. “I’ve never had you get all professor on me.”

“That’s because you’ve never wanted to know about dinosaurs.” Telos rose to his feet, the tooth still clutched carefully in his hands.

“Where are you going to put it?”

“With my hoard.”

“You have a hoard?”

Telos rolled his eyes. “I don’t have to be a dragon to have a hoard.”

He made his way through his penthouse, to the door next to his bedroom. A hand scan later, the door unlocked and slid open.

Behind him, Mav inhaled slowly. Telos had taken great care to display his fossil collection like a museum—soft lighting, pedestals for everything, each piece set apart so he could walk comfortably around it.

Mav flicked his gaze over the exhibits. “I wasn’t sure if you’d appreciate a pterodactyl fossil. Seemed a little too morbid when you like being a pterodactyl so much.”

Telos huffed. “I have one. About thirty percent of it was from one pterodactyl. The rest of its bones are from others.” He nodded at it, where it had a spot close to center stage.

“Just thirty percent?” Mav frowned.

“Skeletons that are almost complete go into museums, or are used in scientific research. It’s extremely irresponsible to buy a full skeleton for your private collection.”

At that, Mav grinned. “Sometime soon, I’d like to sit in on one of your lectures. Has anyone called you a hot professor?”

Telos gave him a hairy eyeball. “I’m going to askyouquestions in front of the class, and you won’t be able to answer them.”

“I’ll just charm your pants off.”

“I’llroastyou. I’m good at that,” Telos sniped.

Mav dropped his teasing grin. “I really would love to listen to your lectures, you know.”

Telos’ heart skipped again. “I suppose you could.”

“Good. You should give me your class schedule.” Mav gave him a quick smile, and ducked his head.

“I didn’t think you could becute,” Telos blurted. Then he tried to suck the words back into his mouth, but it was too late.

“You think I’m cute?” Mav perked up.

“No.”

But Mav only grinned. “I think you’re lying.”

“Shut up.” Telos stopped in front of an empty pedestal. He held up the megalodon tooth to see how it would look next to itsneighbors, then brought it to his work table, where he pulled out his cleaning kit. He snapped on a pair of disposable gloves and began prepping the tooth for mounting.

Mav stood nearby, close enough to touch. When Telos was satisfied with his tooth, he mounted it on a polished block of wood with its certificate of authenticity, and set it precisely on its pedestal. Then he stood back to admire his handiwork.

“Looks good,” Mav growled in his ear, his chest pressed against Telos’ back.

Telos swallowed. “Thanks. For all the gifts.”

“Are you going to put any on your mantle?”

Are you going to take down that bag Doc gave you?was the question that Mav didn’t voice, but it hung between them.

Telos sniffed. “Maybe if you give me something else.”

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