Heat crept up Titan’s cheeks. “I’m sorry.”
Mathlin shook his head, his face pink too. “I’m not.”
Something bright and bubbly sparked in Titan’s chest. Mathlin really was beautiful, with his large eyes and soft-looking mouth, his thin chest rising and falling—
“Titan!” came the shout again.
Titan grimaced. “C’mon. Let’s go say hi before Mr. Gonal starts yelling the bakery down.”
He led Mathlin back to the retail area, where a large, middle-aged alpha stood with his hands on his hips.
“Titan!” Gonal said loudly. “Are you alright? Everdin said you lost half an eyeball and all of your hair. Limbs too. Looks like some of that did happen. Is that the omega you were saving from the arson attempt?”
Mathlin gaped. “Arson attempt?”
“There was no fire,” Titan said dryly.
“I thought as much.” Gonal nodded and focused on Mathlin. “But this is the omega you’re about to marry?”
Titan choked. Next to him, Mathlin spluttered.
“We haven’t gotten that far in our relationship,” Titan said hurriedly, his face growing warm. “But Mathlin is certainly someone very special.”
“Hmm,” Gonal said, continuing to watch them.
Belatedly, Titan realized that the alpha was waiting for some proof of affection between them. Gonal wouldn’t leave until his suspicions were cleared up.Oh, hell.
With both his arms injured, there was no way he could do small, innocent gestures. There was only...
Titan turned. “Hey, Math.”
“Hmm?” Mathlin looked up innocently.
Titan had to turn his entire body so his fingers could brush Mathlin’s. Then he leaned in, pressing a kiss to the top of Mathlin’s head.
Mathlin’s pulse stuttered; he turned pink. So beautiful. “T-Titan?”
“You’re so short,” Titan said. “It’s so hard to reach you. C’mon, hop onto this counter.”
Mathlin followed him to the register and braced his hands on it, gracefully heaving himself up. Now that he was sitting there, their faces were closer together. Titan leaned in and tucked his nose against Mathlin’s throat.
Mathlin jerked slightly in surprise, but held still.
Quietly, so Gonal couldn’t hear him, Titan whispered, “He wants proof of our relationship.”
“Okay.” Mathlin brought his hand up, sliding his thin fingers into Titan’s hair.
Titan hadn’t done this in a while. But with Mathlin, it came more easily than he had thought. He trailed his nose down Mathlin’s throat, seeking out his pulse point. Mathlin shivered. He smelled good. Titan filled his lungs with Mathlin’s scent and nosed up his neck to his jaw. There, he trailed his lips along Mathlin’s skin, back and forth, savoring the softness of his face.
The longer he did that, the more uneven Mathlin’s breathing grew. And Mathlin’s heart began to race, his linen scent turning warm and sweet.
More so when Titan pressed a soft, sucking kiss to his throat.
“Titan,” Mathlin squeaked. “Are you sure—”
The hand in Titan’s hair dragged him closer.
Titan laughed silently, just a huff of breath. “Oh, you sly kitten.”
