“I reminded you of bad things.”
Titan huffed. “It’s okay. There are worse things.”
“Nope! We are not thinking about worse things,” Mathlin blurted. “Would you like a hug?”
Oops. He hadn’t meant those words to fall out, either.
Titan’s mouth twitched. “Sure. I can’t hug you back, though.”
In an incredible display of core strength, Titan sat up without using either of his hands. Mathlin climbed onto the alpha’s lap, carefully slipping his arms around Titan’s chest, careful not to jostle his injuries.
“Mmm.” Titan leaned in, pressing his solid chest against Mathlin’s front. Then he tucked his nose into Mathlin’s hair and sniffed. “You smell good.”
Mathlin blushed. “Uh, you’re built like a brick wall? But with pillows on top of the bricks?” Immediately after, he cringed. “Sorry!”
Titan grinned again. “Don’t be. I’m curious what else you think of me.”
“You have a big cock?” Mathlin froze and whimpered, burying his face in his hands. “Just kill me already.”
“Unfortunately, I’m keeping you around.” Titan laughed. “You’ve already said I’m big. That’s not new.”
“I don’t want you to think that’s the first thing that comes to my mind!” Mathlin cried.
“But it is, isn’t it?”
“It is,” Mathlin admitted, ashamed.
“What’s the second thing you think about me?”
“That your balls are big?” Mathlin rocked himself back and forth, his horror growing. “You will never respect me after this.”
Titan coughed. “Who said that?”
“Me! On behalf of you!”
The alpha rolled his eyes. “Don’t put words into my mouth, sweetheart.”
Thenhefroze, and Mathlin was so thankful he wasn’t the only one saying weird stuff.
“Well, what can I put in your mouth, then?” Mathlin asked, only to cringe again. “I didn’t just say that to my boss.”
Titan grinned. “Let’s follow that thought for a second. Whatwouldyou put in my mouth?”
“My cock.” Mathlin stiffened. “No! I meant my cockatoo! I have a cockatoo, he’s pink and he’s round at the head, and he sings very loud!”
The alpha looked amused. “You know I can tell when you lie, right? Your heart skips.”
Mathlin wanted to burrow under the floorboards. “I don’t remember all the things I’ve said to you.”
“Don’t worry. Between your words and your heart, I’ve figured out the truth, anyway.”
“This is terrible. It’s the worst.”
“Don’t forget, you were in the middle of hugging me. And describing your... cockatoo. Very pink and round at the head.”
Mathlin buried his face in Titan’s shoulder. “My dignity is gone.”
“Was it ever there?” Titan’s chest quivered; he was laughingagain.“I kid. Don’t stop, Mathlin. You’re amazing.”
