Page 5 of Siren in Love
Corvin let his voice trail off.He stole glances up and down Mike’s body, and Mike saw, even though the veil of Corvin’s hair hid it pretty well.Mike liked the other man’s eyes on him, and he hoped Corvin liked what he was looking at.
“Right.I came straight from the office yesterday.They have really good spices at that supermarket, although maybe not the salt.Pink salt is pretty much the same as the white stuff.”He shrugged, meeting Corvin’s eyes and wondering whether talking about the salt was the right move.I probably shouldn’t.I can’t imagine this is going to make him reevaluate that pity-date theory.“Should we go inside?”
Mike indicated the wide-open doors.String and flute music was flooding outside now—the best the ’80s had to offer reimagined on different instruments.He was looking forward to seeing how Corvin would react to the live music once that started.He wondered what rhythms would get the human to tap his feet and move his body.Mike would memorize them, would hum them when—if!—whenCorvin let Mike get close enough to kiss him.
“Sure thing.”
Corvin walked past Mike, and without really thinking, Mike closed the distance between them and put his hand on the small of Corvin’s back.The human let him, and Mike wanted to hum in relief and triumph.
So far so good.This is going to be a night like a sweet madrigal, with the minors shining brightly and the majors blooming like spring flowers.
5
Mike
Mikematchedhisstepsto Corvin’s as they walked through the church doors.Inside the building, colorful lighting and floral murals made the bar look like it was enchanted.The original church had never had any stained-glass windows, so the owner’s solution was projecting artsy images up onto the tall walls.It gave the effect of a slowly shifting kaleidoscope, and it was Mike’s second favorite feature after the live music.
Most of the tables were occupied, despite the early hour, and while Mike was wondering whether he’d have to use his siren song to get people to leave, Corvin moved left.
“You think we can fit?”he asked, looking over his shoulder while pointing at a small table hidden by the curvature of the wall.
I want to hold your hand.“Yeah, sure.Cozy is good, right?”
Corvin pressed his lips together, but his eyes sparkled.“Geez, buy me a drink before you get too cozy, or do you always move this fast?Maybe don’t answer that.Wait, what is that thing lawyers say?”
“Would you like to sign an NDA for me?”
Wild laughter broke out of Corvin, the notes forming a beautiful melody.He quickly slapped a hand over his mouth, cutting off the lovely tune, and looked at Mike with those big green eyes that were now framed with soft laugh lines.I did that.Okay, so far, this is going well.
Mike, daring once more, used the hand that still rested lightly on Corvin’s back to gently nudge him forward.“Let’s get our table before anyone else gets cozy there.”
“Okay, Mr.NDA.Will you make me sign one?”
Mike huffed.“Only if we go stealing exotic fruit together, and I didn’t have that planned for tonight.”
“Pity.”
“As your lawyer, I advise you to add an ‘allegedly’ whenever you talk about a felony.”
They walked past “confessional booths” that had been turned into photo booths, although outwardly they still had the gilded look of comfy places to talk about your sins.
Mike let go of Corvin when they got to the table and waited for Corvin to sit before he did.
“Really?Hmm, okay.Pity.Because, allegedly, we won’t have any sherbet this way.”
Mike’s breath hitched in his throat, and he was beginning to wonder whether this was really happening, whether it was really this easy to talk to someone so…different.Maybe my ancestors really are smiling on me, singing for me in the afterlife.
“Hey, if you’re craving sherbet later on, I’ll make you some.”
Corvin leaned on his arms.“We’ll see how the evening goes, Mike.”
Here, with the wall at Mike’s back and the lights shifting around the room, the wisdom of choosing the Old Church became obvious.Corvin’s green eyes shimmered with a dark jade tint in the warm light, and Mike allowed himself a low hum, knowing Corvin didn’t have good enough hearing to pick that out over the background noise.
Corvin looked at the stage.“I completely forgot they’re having live music on the regular here now.”
Behind him, a table full of women burst out laughing at something one of them had said.Mike hoped he’d hear more of Corvin’s laughter tonight.But if I can get his moans… No.This is one date, our first date.I want a second, and a third, and…I’d really love the right to brush his hair out of his eyes.
Mike folded his arms on the table and leaned in, mirroring Corvin.“It’s one of the reasons I like coming here.Most of the bands and singers are really good.”
