They stared at each other. Titan finally leaned in, wiping his tongue on the edge of Mathlin’s shirt. “Ugh. Thanks.”
“This feels really weird,” Mathlin blurted. “I’ve never had an alpha try to clean his tongue on me before. It’s like you’re desperate or something.” He stiffened. “Oh, gods! This is how I get fired even before I sign a contract!”
“You let me lick your shirt, so I think we’re even,” Titan said dryly.
“Titan Whiteclaw!” someone cried. Footsteps sounded. Then a middle-aged woman stopped in front of them, looking scandalized. “Did you just... lick the ground?”
The alpha froze.
“You’re a baker! What were you thinking, putting your mouth on such an unclean surface?”
Titan glanced at Mathlin, looking so lost and awkward that Mathlin decided to step in.
“It was my fault,” Mathlin announced. “I said he wasn’t allowed to see his baby—” he gestured at Jannie “—unless he licked the ground to prove that he’s sorry.”
Ever so slightly, Titan’s eyes widened. The woman’s gaze snapped to him; Titan visibly tried to school his expression into one of regret.
“He’s right, Mrs. Everdin,” Titan said.
Mrs. Everdin gasped and turned to Mathlin. “Titan wronged you?”
Titan frowned, jerking his head slightly. Maybe Everdin was a regular customer and he couldn’t afford to lose her business.
Think fast,Mathlin told himself. “It’s a long story. But he saved me last night and hurt his arms because of it. So he can’t bake for a while. He and I are even now though. Well, he did more—he saved my life. He’s a hero.”
“Hmm,” Everdin said, the cogs visibly turning in her head. She patted Titan on the shoulder and turned away excitedly. “I guess I’ll forgive him for that. I’ll spread the word.”
“The bakery will be open soon,” Titan said hurriedly. “I’m recovering quickly, so your favorites will be in stock again.”
“Good,” Everdin said before hurrying off.
Titan sagged when she left the property. “Wow. That tongue of yours.”
“My tongue isgood,” Mathlin said. And coughed awkwardly. “I mean, it licks very well.”
Titan snorted. “Fuck. I need to not laugh so much, or I’ll end up spraining a muscle.”
“Well, the good news is that I can help you heal faster,” Mathlin said.
Titan’s head snapped up. “You can?”
Mathlin shrugged. “I have a bit of healing magic. Not a lot. But it’s enough to enhance your healing so it shouldn’t take as long.”
“Thank fuck,” Titan breathed. “I would go insane trying to relearn how to bake. There’s just so much to be done around here.”
Now that Mathlin was looking closely, he saw the strain on Titan’s face. Faint worry lines creased his mouth and forehead; a sort of hopelessness lurked deep in Titan’s eyes.
Oh,he thought.Titan really needs help.
Not just with his hands, but with his life.
Mathlin knew that feeling. Not thathislife was any better, but maybe... he could find a way to help Titan?
“I’ll help,” he said. “I might end up making a mess of everything though.”
Titan huffed. “I’ll keep a close eye on you.”
“You mean, like voyeurism?”
