Page 37 of Mated to the Human: Volume One

“Lucky,” Hollis sighed.

Cane looked over at him. “How are things going with your hellhound?” He’d get to see the situation for himself that weekend at the gala, but he was curious how this mating thing was working for the others.

The smile that broke over Hollis’s face didn’t actually need interpreting. “Good. Really good. Um—” Hollis licked his lips and glanced toward the open door. “You know how my cousin bothered us the other day at lunch?”

Cane sat up straight. “Did he hassle you again?”

“No! No. Well, he left a bruise, and Derek saw it.”

Eyebrows creeping up his forehead, Cane stood and walked closer to Hollis. “How’d that go?”

“We went and confronted him and my uncle.” Pride beamed out of every pore of Hollis’s face. “Derek was amazing.”

Cane couldn’t help but smile back. “I look forward to meeting him.”

Hollis grimaced. “Don’t remind me. I mean, I’m glad you’ll get to meet him, too, but I wish it wasn’t going to be at this stupid gala.”

The laugh was out before Cane could stop it. “Don’t let the rest of the office hear you say that.”

Mischief shone in Hollis’s eyes. “Of course not.” He sighed. “Well, I guess these papers aren’t going to scan themselves.”

“You’d think with all the paranormal mojo floating around here they’d figure out how to rig that up.”

“Ha! Now that would be something. Have fun out in the sunshine, jerk.”

Cane chuckled at the petulance coming off his office mate. “Maybe if you were nicer to me, I’d pick us up some lunch on my way back in.”

“I take back everything I said, and I’d like a burrito as big as my head, please. Oh! And queso.”

“You got it.”

* * *

Cane pushed open the door of the third business on his list, Black’s Books. Not the most inspired name for a business, but the building was old and huge, sitting on one of the busiest corners for foot traffic in the city.

A bell above the door announced his arrival as the scent of paper, dust, coffee, and leather filled his nose. Books. Everywhere. The shelves seemed to stretch for miles into the back of the store, interrupted only by the occasional comfy-looking leather chair. Two of which he could see were occupied with reading customers.

He looked over at the counter for an employee, but only found a tabby stretched out on the long wooden counter, sunning herself. Dust motes floated in the air over the counter. Walking over, he held his fingers out for the cat to sniff. She immediately pressed her face against his hand, wanting pets.

“Oh, you’re in for it now,” a man said, weaving his way between a couple displays in front of the rows of bookshelves. “Maple never forgets someone who offers scritches.”

Cane smiled at the cat. “Hi, Maple.”

She blinked at him.

The man walked behind the counter, standing on the opposite side from Cane and extended his hand. “Merrick Black.” Merrick was an interesting-looking guy—chin-length copper hair that was curly enough to be sticking out every which way, wire-rimmed glasses, a bit of copper-colored scruff, light-wash jeans, and a cream linen shirt.

Cane shook his offered hand. “Cane Harding.”

The slight widening of Merrick’s eyes was the only indication he knew who Cane was. “What can I do for you, Mr. Harding.”

“Whoa.” Cane held up his hands. “Cane, please. And I’m actually here at the behest of the paranormal council. I’m one of the new human liaisons working with them. Basically, they want the paranormal-friendly businesses in the city to know that we appreciate them, and to ask if there’s anything we can do to support you.”

“Wow,” Merrick said, a thoughtful look taking over his face. “That’s nice of them. Wait, new liaison? Were you another of the human mates?”

“Another? You were, too?”

“Yep,” Merrick said, popping the p. “Um, if you don’t mind my asking, how’s it going for you?”

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