Titan laughed, the sound vibrating into Mathlin’s face. “Is that something you’re into?”
“Oh gods! Uh. Maybe. I think omegas in general would like to see a naked baker,” Mathlin said, still hiding his face. “I’m just saying that you could have a whole photo series. Or book series. It would be called The Baker’s Breading, but not like that dark book out there. Yours would be the wholesome version.”
“Hmm,” Titan rumbled.
“Yeah, that looks legit,” one of Titan’s brothers said. “All you’re missing is the bare chest, and you could turn this into a porno right here in the middle of the party.”
Titan hummed. “We should make this more wholesome. Math, sweetheart, back up a little.”
Mathlin reluctantly pulled away.
Titan snorted at Mathlin’s expression—whatever it was. “Here, why don’t we actually kis—”
Before he could complete his sentence, someone else came up to them.
Someone who was hopping mad.
“Let me guess, Mr. Benley. You heard a rumor from Mrs. Everdin,” Titan said dryly. He was angling Mathlin away, putting himself between Mathlin and the stranger.
Benley was a man who looked like he had woken up on the wrong side of bed. He jabbed a finger at Titan. “You! You summoned my late wife from her grave so she would marry you and do your laundry!”
“Did you even check her grave?” Mathlin blurted. “I know this sounds like a serious crime, but do you have actual photo evidence?”
Benley looked angry enough to pop. Mathlin eased around Titan to put himself between them instead; Titan didn’t need more of his limbs broken right now.
“Math!” Titan hissed. He stepped in front of Mathlin and towered over Benley. “No, I did not summon your wife. You would know if you actually checked her grave. Besides, I don’t need to raise the dead. I alreadyhavean omega.”
Benley scowled. “Well, prove it!”
Titan turned to Mathlin. Mathlin was about to suggest more lovebites, or maybe some cheek rubbing. Except Titan leaned in, his face coming closer, his eyes blurring.
“Sorry,” Titan whispered, just a puff of air against Mathlin’s lips.
Then he slotted their mouths together in a rush of friction and bliss.
20
THE WORST PROPOSAL TO EVER EXIST
Mathlin’s heart stopped.Titan just kissed me.
He’s still kissing me!
Titan nipped at Mathlin’s lower lip, sucking it into his warm, wet mouth. He released it and dragged their lips together, sending a jolt of pleasure down Mathlin’s spine. Mathlin might’ve moaned. This was too intimate between him and his boss. But Titan kept going; he flicked his warm, soft tongue against the seam of Mathlin’s lips, slipping into his mouth—a quick hello. Then his tongue darted away and came back, staying for longer.
Mathlin dared to lick him.
What he didn’t expect was for Titan to groan, pushing deeper. It was as though Titan was testing the waters, seeing how much Mathlin would let him get away with. Mathlin would let him get away with anything, really. He felt a little faint and weak-kneed, more so when Titan kissed him carefully, tangling their tongues together. Mathlin made a soft, helpless sound.
He’d never been kissed like that before.
All at once, the kiss turned scorching. Titan surged inside him, a hot thick presence, exactly like how he had pushed into Mathlin further south.
“Oh,” Mathlin moaned. His body grew hot, the kind of hungry warmth that made him think he might be going into heat, every cell hoping for Titan to pin him down and claim him. In fact, he was so ready to open himself up for his alpha, so ready for Titan to shove his legs open and spread his cheeks—
“Math,” Titan growled into his mouth.
Mathlin shuddered, his brain about to melt out of his ears. “Huh?”
