Page 2 of Siren in Love
So he won’t be romanced by pineapple sherbet.Fuck.I read too many contracts today.I no longer know how to pick up cute humans with sharp tongues.
Mike shifted his weight from one foot to the other.“Right, I see what you mean.That’s very forward to ask someone.Honestly though, can I take you on a date?In a public place.And if you feel like pineapple sherbet after, you can let me know?I picked out fancy salt five minutes ago and was ready to declare it the high point of my day, so if you say yes, that would be a far better high point.”
Mike shook the little salt container.This wasn’t smooth at all, was it?
Yet Corvin’s lips quirked upward.
“Mike, are you trying to get a pity date out of me?No, don’t answer that.Give me your phone.”
Mike pulled the device from his pocket and unlocked it with his fingerprint.He watched, enthralled, as Corvin added himself to Mike’s contacts, his quick fingers flying over the screen.
“Here.”Corvin handed the phone back.“You can text me with a time and location, just don’t make it anything ridiculous.”
Mike’s heart beat just a little faster, and he really wanted to hum now, loudly.He pursed his lips, clamping down hard on the urge.
“Nothing ridiculous—check.”He cleared his throat.“And it’s not a pity date.”
Corvin lifted his chin, those green eyes sharp.“I’ll be the judge of that.Enjoy your pink salt, Mike.”
Turning and walking off like a model at a show, he left the fruit aisle, the pineapple Mike had picked for him in hand.
“Enjoy the pineapple!”
Corvin looked over his shoulder.“I’ll let you know if it was sweet enough for me.”
Mike watched him vanish behind the canned goods, appreciating that he got to watch Corvin leave.Such a nice view of his behind.And his shoulders too.His hair looks like silky cotton, and why the hell do I want to move it out of the way so I can kiss his neck?
Once the cutie was out of sight, Mike turned back to the produce, finally allowing himself to hum.He picked up the pineapple Corvin had handed him and forgot about everything else he’d wanted from this aisle.
Still humming, he headed to the register, paid, walked to his car, then drove home.When he closed the front door behind him, he filled the house with song rather than just humming.Silence wasn’t something any siren could handle for long, not when their heart was full of joy.
When he got into the kitchen, Mike realized he’d bought bell peppers, pink salt, cayenne pepper, and a pineapple.It wasn’t exactly a meal, but that didn’t matter.He sliced the pineapple into juicy chunks with his sushi knife and proceeded to eat the entire fruit with his fingers while he sat on his couch and contemplated where to take Corvin for their date.
3
Mike
Thenextday,asemi-sunny Friday, started out well enough.Mike was early as always, his coffee with a dash of toffee syrup in hand.His office was decorated in deep blues and light grays that lit up when the clouds parted and let the sun shine through.Mike decided that was a good sign.
Then his phone rang.
He spent the next two hours answering a list of questions from his selkie client with all the patience he could muster.After the call, Mike wondered whether the selkie would ever make it to the altar, but other than making sure the prenup was airtight, there wasn’t much he could do to help with that.He had about five minutes to sip his coffee before he was interrupted again.
The glass door to his office swung open, and Peter Collins, Mike’s boss and the owner of the law firm, strode in.The vampire’s platinum blond hair was flawless, and his blue eyes as sharp as the tailored suits he wore day in and day out.
“Michael.”Peter lowered his head as if he came bearing bad news.
Mike straightened in his office chair.“What now?”
Peter sauntered all the way over and sat in one of the client chairs across from Mike.
“We shall be having a mediation, and it falls to you to handle it.I am but the bearer of this news, but I have full confidence in your skills to handle such a delicate appointment.”
Mike sighed.“Are you being so formal because you’re making me do it when you should?”
Peter tsked.“That sounds ridiculous.I’d never.”
Peter, being a lawyer, had excellent control of his facial muscles and posture, and even when the lie was such an obvious one, he looked as if he were telling the truth.Mike could admire that about his boss, but he liked it a lot better when he wasn’t on the receiving end of it.
