Page 28 of Siren in Love
Mike chuckled.“I’ll take that, honey.I can be the drama queen in the relationship.”
“Not if it makes you sing at cats, Mike.I forbid it.”
“Do you?”
“Yeah.”
“Right.Didn’t know you spoke Mandarin, by the way.Really hefty, that dictionary.”
“I don’t, but they were going to trash it.What was I supposed to do?”
Mike smiled.“Right.That makes sense.We’ll see about the shelves.”
They spent the last few minutes of the drive in silence.Mike started one of his low hums again, and the sound made Corvin relax, even if he knew he should be mad about the way Mike had endangered himself.They turned the final corner, and Mike’s house came into view.Corvin had always thought it was too spacious for one person, what with the garage and the basement, the kitchen Mike loved cooking in, as well as the living room with the large flatscreen and the excellent sound system.There was a piano in the living room too, tucked in a corner for the best sound, according to Mike, and he used it to produce casual, sweet melodies Corvin had never learned when he’d played the instrument.
His house is going to be less spacious now.Or more crowded?Are two people a crowd?
They pulled up in Mike’s driveway, and Mike engaged the hand brake of the van before saying, “Listen, I need you to keep your eyes closed when we go inside.”
Corvin cocked his head.“Why?Is it messy?I didn’t think you could do messy.You probably thought I never noticed you tidying my place and making my bed, but I did.I don’t mind if you’ve left your socks on the floor, Pineapple Mike.”
Mike smiled.“Nothing like that.It’s a surprise.”
“Huh?”
“There’s a surprise for you inside, honey.My moving-in present.”
Corvin huffed.“I don’t think you have to give me anything since it’s your house I’m moving into.”
“Agree to disagree.Come on, eyes closed.I’ll lead you to the door.”
Corvin rolled his eyes.“I’ll walk to the front door with my eyes open, and then you can prevent me from stubbing my toe or walking into things once I go inside, okay?”
“Yes, right, sure.Just excited.”Mike grinned and got out of the van.Corvin joined him, but he couldn’t quite meet the bounciness of Mike’s hurried steps down the path and up the porch.Mike turned his key and opened the door a crack, then waited for Corvin.“Okay, close them now.”
“Fine.”
“You’re not looking?”
“No.But if you’d rather put a blindfold on me, I’m sure your neighbors wouldn’t mind the entertainment that would bring.”
“My neighbors aren’t really that interested.This isn’t the suburbs.You’re not looking?”
“Mike, it’s fucking cold out here.”
“All right, all right.”Mike wrapped an arm around Corvin’s waist and pulled him tightly against his chest so he could walk him across the threshold.
Corvin grumbled, but mostly for show.He squeezed his eyes shut, trusting Mike.
“Excited?”Mike asked.He sounded very damn excited himself.He kicked the door shut behind them and began maneuvering Corvin down the hallway.
“Very.”Corvin held his hands out in front of him instinctively.
“I think you’re lying.Still upset about the yule cat?I mean, the cat.You really don’t have to be worried.”
Corvin sighed.“No.I mean, yes, I’m upset.But you’re okay, so that’s good.Mike, I didn’t get you a moving-in present.”
Mike chuckled.“I already live here.”
