“I guess I’m going then.” Luc noticed that Sage and George were exchanging glances, and he felt his kraken grumble.It’s all right. Sage is just unsure, he sent to his animal side. It’ll be fine. He’ll be with us shortly.
“Do I need to bring my backpack?” Sage pointed under the counter.
“That might be a good idea,” Nic said. “But please don’t worry. We’re not firing you. We just want to talk to you.”
Luc didn’t think that Sage was very reassured, but then Sage bent over, and Luc bit the inside of his bottom lip. That was one cute ass hiding underneath that jacket. And from the nudge in his ribs, Luc knew that Nic had noticed too.
Picking up his backpack, Sage slung it over one shoulder, and then he came out from behind the counter. “Are we going to your office? I have to admit, I never got a tour of the hotel, so I’m unclear of where anything is outside of the lobby.”
“We thought it would be nice if we all shared a meal while we chat,” Nic said, moving to Sage’s other side. Luc was aware they looked like a pair of oversized protective bookends as they headed to the elevator. “It’s in one of the private dining rooms, so you don’t have to worry about anyone else listening in.”
“I’m still not sure what you want to talk to me about.” But Sage was walking with them, although Luc shortened his steps and noticed Nic did the same.
“Barry did tell me you’re hosting your end-of-year party on the penthouse floor. Shouldn’t you be having fun with your guests?”
“The guests come for food and drink – they don’t need us there to enjoy that,” Nic said.
“We’ve said hello to everybody. We’ve wished them all a happy New Year,” Luc added with a grin. “We don’t need to talk to themanymore. Besides, we have excellent and attentive staff who will make sure the guests find their way out before morning.”
They got into the elevator, and Luc reached over and pressed the button for the second floor. As the door closed, Luc marveled at how right they looked together in the mirrored walls. He could tell from Nic’s smirk, his mate thought that too.
“You came to our notice, and we wanted to talk to you about a personal matter – a matter we believe will impact you in hopefully a positive way.” Luc felt he should keep talking. Sage’s nervousness was evident in the enclosed space. But Luc could also pick up a thread of Sage’s arousal in his intriguing scent.Our precious third has got the instincts, even if he doesn’t have the sniffing capacity,he thought, smiling at Nic over the top of Sage’s head.
/~/~/~/~/
Sage
What in a tentacled garden full of goodness is going on? I was just doing my job. I’m still on the clock. It’s my last shift. Marty will be back tomorrow. Surely these guys know that?
Sage had already pinched himself. He was keeping step with the same two men who’d featured in more than a few fantasies he had over the years. Not being escorted off the premises, which was his initial worry. No. Apparently, the men wanted to share a meal with him.With me! How did that happen? Is it take a non-para out for a meal day, and no one told me?
The thing was, Sage could tell both Nic and Luc seemed really happy – almost as if they were thrilled that insignificant Sage Stirling had agreed to have a meal with them. Actually, Sage didn’t remember agreeing to the meal as such, but he had learned through his studies that some shifter types liked to have meetings over a meal.
Or is that wolves? If they share food with a person, the wolves are showing they won’t eat the guest. Does that apply to krakens, too?None of Sage’s studies had prepared him for sharing food with tentacled shifters. He worked with natural creatures.I am a little bit out of my depth.
There was also the little matter of Nic still holding onto his laptop. Sage needed to make those travel bookings – as quickly as possible. There was a life on the line.It’s a meal,he reminded himself as the elevator dinged and the door slid open.
I have no idea how I came to their attention or what personal matter they want to talk to me about.Then Sage had another thought –perhaps it concerns my research?Although Sage couldn’t think why.No one needs to learn about tentacled beings if they are tentacled beings themselves.
The two men escorted him down a wide carpeted hallway, before opening a dark brown door and ushering him into another room. It was tastefully decorated with a cream-patterned wallpaper and deep chocolate brown velvet curtains. One wall had an open fireplace, where a crackling fire lent a warmth and elegance to the room.
The lighting was dim, not dark, and in the middle of the room, a table was set up with a candle centerpiece. Three chairs were placed at an even distance around the circular tabletop, and the table settings suggested Sage was going to be offered more than just a sandwich.A nice meal,Sage amended his thoughts.
Smiling at Luc, who held the back of his chair, Sage sat down.I sure hope someone tells me why I’m here.
Chapter Twelve
Nic
Luc was right.Nic could feel it – his kraken could feel it, too, and he could barely keep his tentacles in check. It was exactly how Nic felt when he met Luc, but multiplied because now it was Luc and Sage.
The moment Sage sat down with them at the table, it was as if Nic got a glimpse of what their future life could be like. Whereas Nic knew he and Luc were often perceived as larger-than-life, extroverted personalities, it was clear that Sage wasn’t anything like that at all.
It was wonderful. Peaceful. Calming. Nic didn’t see the need to perform – to be at the top of his game. Maybe it was because Sage seemed so put together. He was clearly shocked and a bit nervous, and Nic understood that. But rather than talk to fill in any silence, Sage was just waiting, clearly wondering the reason behind the dinner, but prepared to listen.
“You know we’re kraken shifters, don’t you?” Luc asked.
Sage nodded. “Mates, so I understand. That must be a very special bond, as I hear you’ve been together a long time.”
