Page 10 of Pointy Ears and Purple Glitter
Or I could be making the biggest mistake of my life.But despite being the biggest failure to the fae race known to anyone, Tynan had heard about mates and how important they were. He’d been mocked for carrying an animal mark among his family and acquaintances.
But some high-ranking fae had mated with a wolf shifter, and Tynan had even heard a rumor that one of the leaders of one of the quadrants was not only a half-wolf shifter himself, but he also had two more fae mates of his own. He’d even heard the man was living in a wolf pack.At least I’m being different with a rhino. I just wish I knew what one was. Do they live in a pack?
Pulling on his courage, the same courage he’d used when he’d left the fae realm for the last time, Tynan rounded the large opening into the workshop, his fists clenched in his coat pockets.
It was a large space with concrete floors and walls and a corrugated iron roof with exposed beams. There were two vehicles inside immediately apparent toward the front of the workshop, both up on contraptions that had raised them off the floor. There were a couple of other vehicles, with their wheels on the floor, at the back of the room. Standing by the door to the office space that had provided the light the night before, Tynan said hesitantly, “Er… hello. Malik? Are you in here?”
“Tynan? Is that you?” There was a loud bang of something hitting metal, and then Malik appeared from behind a car. He was holding a wrench in one hand and a grease-covered rag in the other. His huge frame was covered in sleeveless overalls, there was a streak of what looked like oil on one forearm, and his biceps glistened under the overhead lights. Malik wasn’t pretty by any stretch of the imagination, but his bright blue eyes looked at Tynan with an intensity that made Tynan shiver, and his full-lipped smile was warm and welcoming.
“I can’t believe you came. I was going to come looking for you after work tonight.” Malik came closer. “Are you all right after last night?”
“I feel very foolish, to be honest.” Tynan had an urge to scrape his boot along the concrete. “I have no doubt, if it hadn’t been for your timely intervention, my outcome might not have been as positive.”Fuck, I sound like my father.“I’m sorry. In case you hadn’t guessed, I’m a bit nervous. I did bring refreshments. Sparky tells me beer is suitable for a time like this. But I don’t dare take my hands out of my pocket or I’m liable to fill your workshop with glitter.”
“Ah.” Malik’s smile widened. “It might be wise if we avoid the glitter explosion if possible, at least in here. My mechanic, Ian - who has already gone home for the day – is determined last night’s glitter is proof of gremlins. It’s a thing with him, lastweek it was aliens. But my home is right next door.” He pointed toward the back of the workshop. “If you feel comfortable enough going through there, then I can lock up and we can talk without being interrupted. I really don’t mind a bit of glitter, and I can open a window in there if Sparky fancies to fly about for a bit.”
“We accept,” Sparky said before Tynan could say anything. “That sounds like a wonderful idea. I don’t suppose you have any fruitcake?”
Chuckling, Malik shook his head. “Have you tried gingerbread? Or I do have some jam roll left, if I could tempt you with that?”
“Hmm,” Sparky said brightly. “I don’t know of this gingerbread or jam roll you speak of, so I’ll allow myself to be tempted this time. However, you should note, if you and Tynan plan to spend private time together, fruitcake is a suitable bribe to get me to leave you two alone.”
“Sparky!” Tynan could feel his cheeks getting warmer by the second. “I’ve said a thousand times I’m not sure cake is good for you at all.”
“The one thing you can be sure of, whether an individual has feathers or fur, they will rarely eat something that’s bad for them,” Malik said softly. “I’m overjoyed you’re here. If you follow me, I’ll show you through to my living quarters and then clean up and lock up before joining you.”
He made his way to the rear of the workshop, and as Tynan followed, he noticed a discreet door partially hidden by some stainless steel lockers. “When I bought this workshop, the warehouse next door was also empty, and I decided to turn that into living quarters. I like to think I did a decent job of it,” Malik explained, opening the door and ushering Tynan inside.
Tynan inhaled as his shoulder brushed Malik’s chest. Up close, the man was intoxicating. Tynan felt the grit of glitter swell in his pockets and groaned under his breath.
“It’s all right,” Malik muttered, his voice deeper than before. “I feel it too, but I do know how to be civilized. Go and have a seat, and I’ll be right back.”
The door shut behind him, leaving Tynan and Sparky in a wide-open space that was a world away from the workshop. “This place is lovely,” Tynan said, his eyes wide as he tried to take it all in. At first glance, it was all white walls and wooden floors, giving an impression of space and light. But as Tynan moved more into the living area, he noticed so much more. A large comfortable couch arranged in front of a wide screen television. A bright colorful abstract painting on the wall and the plush rug illustrating a living area without dividing walls.
To the left was a kitchen area made up of a long counter with a double sink against the wall, and then a second kitchen counter creating an island in front of it. It was clear from the bar stools that was where Malik liked to eat. Bookcases that lined another wall were filled with knickknacks and books of all thicknesses and sizes.
“Ooh, look. Malik has the same coffee maker as you do.” Sparky flew off his shoulder and onto the kitchen counter. “You should switch it on. Let him know you’re comfortable being in his space.”
“I don’t think I dare touch anything. Look how clean this place is.” Tynan moved closer to the couch, hovering between the living and kitchen areas. “The moment my hands come out of my pockets, glitter is going to go everywhere. My pockets are full of the stuff.”
“Use your magic to get rid of the coat.” Sparky was strutting across the kitchen counter, clearly right at home. “That way, you get rid of the excess glitter, and the only purple stuff left will be a bit from the magic use. Makes sense to me.”
Could I do that?Tynan squeezed his eyes tight, concentrating with all that he was. It wasn’t easy. He was conscious of the fact that Malik would be back any minute, and he really didn’t want to embarrass himself any more than he already was.
All I have to do is change my coat.Surely I can do that.This man could be my mate, so please don’t let me down. Come on. Do it. Do it now!
Tynan let go of his magic, feeling the spark of electricity crackle in the air around him. There was a tug on his shoulder –please let that be my coat changing.He was too scared to open his eyes.
“Tynan? Are you all right?” Tynan jolted as he felt Malik come up behind him. “Not that I mind, as I wanted you to feel comfortable here, but did you have an issue with my decorating skills?”
“What?” Tynan’s eyes flew open. Then they widened as his jaw dropped. “Oh, Malik, I’m so terribly sorry.” Tynan’s eyes filled with tears. “I only wanted to change my coat so I wouldn’t fill your lovely place with glitter.”
“Well, I’m not seeing any glitter, so it worked.”
Malik’s good cheer was Tynan’s undoing. “How can you say that? I totally redecorated your apartment. Horn mark on my damn leg or not, I’m too useless to be a mate to anyone.” He covered his face with his hands as his tears started to fall. When he felt Malik’s arms pulling him close, he just cried harder.
Chapter Seven
Malik wanted to laugh so hard, although he knew it really wouldn’t be an appropriate response. But somehow, without even knowing how he did it, his beautiful mate had managed to transform his fairly modern and minimalist living space into something he’d only seen in storybooks.
