Page 59 of The Accidental Dragon Baby

“For a long time after that, I was just... closed off. I used to be more serious. More of a person who did what everyone else did. Then I decided that I had no more fucks left to give, and I did whatever I wanted. I got into the habit of doing strange things to amuse myself.

“Raptor, he... He changed along with me. It’s something that most people can’t get past, when they’re looking for a mate. I can’t change back to who I used to be. Sometimes I worry that I’ve fucked up Raptor’s chances of finding a mate, because he chose to weather that loss with me instead.”

Ivo’s throat tightened. “I’m glad you had him. Both of them. And I’m sorry for your loss.”

Ace’s mouth twitched into a smile. “Yeah?”

“For what it’s worth, I think you’re fine as you are,” Ivo admitted. “And I really want to hug you.”

Ace brightened. “Aww, sweetheart! Of course you can.”

He rolled them over onto their backs. Then he pushed Ivo upright and turned Ivo around on his knot, so they now faced each other. Ivo only realized then, how intently Ace was watching him. His heart stuttered.

He drew a deep breath and leaned in, wrapping his arms tightly around Ace.

Like before, Ace’s arms were warm and strong around him.

“You’re perfect,” Ace whispered. He cupped Ivo’s face, and leaned in to kiss his scarred eye.

Ivo’s heart stopped.

Before he could think of a reply, someone knocked on the door. Ace stiffened.

“It can’t be that bad, right?” Ivo whispered.

“Of course not,” Harvey said from behind the door.

“We’re never that bad,” another voice said.

“You should be over at Raptor’s, Hassel,” Ace growled.

“Raptor doesn’t need me right this moment.”

With another series of knocks, the bedroom’s double doors swung open.

Suddenly, Ivo understood why the butlers had thought it necessary for both of them to show up.

Harvey and Hassel each carried a large silver serving tray. Harvey’s tray was filled with an assortment of cakes, cookies, and pastries, while Hassel’s tray held steaming glass dishes: double servings of stew, mac and cheese, and lasagna.

Behind them, the shopping cart carried a teapot in its belly, along with a coffee carafe, a bottle of orange juice, milk, and water.

All three of them entered the bedroom, the shopping cart butting up eagerly against the butlers.

“I didn’t ask you to bring the entire kitchen,” Ace grumbled.

“Only the best for Spicy Master’s mating attempts,” Harvey said jauntily. In a few deft movements, he had his tray set up as a low table on one side of the bed. Hassel followed suit.

Ace rolled his eyes. “Don’t call it an attempt. It wasn’t a failure.”

Harvey wriggled his eyebrows lasciviously. “Oh, we are well aware.”

Ivo hurriedly sat up. Nudity was one thing; he wasn’t sure he wanted everyone to see just how intimately he and Ace were joined.

“We thought you might like to replenish your energy so you can go for a few more rounds without leaving the bed,” Hassel added.

Now that Ivo was looking closely, he realized that Hassel wore a farmer’s outfit, complete with a cowboy hat, plaid shirt, denim overalls, and boots.

The butlers set the drinks on the dresser along with some glassware. Then they stepped back with bright eyes and brighter smiles, as though they were waiting for something.

---