After what feels like an eternity, he shakes his head and replies. “Sean Rivers. I’m… Mr. Frost’s new assistant.”
“First week?” I ask, trying to make conversation and let him know I’m not a threat.
He nods. “Yeah. First day.”
“Ah. That explains the fear-sweat.”
“Excuse me?”
“Don’t worry. Happens to everyone. Well, the newfolks mostly. Smells like ambition,” I say, grinning. He raises an eyebrow. Probably thinking I’m mocking him. Not mocking—just… honest. And amused. He’s got these freckles, just a few, on his cheeks, close to his eyes, and he smells of charcoal with a tinge of ripeness. The scent scurries up my nostrils, down my torso, sending a jolt through me.
Red screen. Cartoon demon wagging a finger. Classic Labyrinth.
Fixing it is easy. Watching Sean flail is fun. Watching him grumble while I fix it? Pure gold.
I pull up the terminal window and type a few lines of code, unlocking the desktop. Sean exhales, relief written all over his cheeks. I can’t help the grin tugging at my tusks. “There we go,” I say lightly. “See? Not so scary.” He shoots me a tentative grin, and I swear, that little curve of his lips on his pale face just makes my day. I’m always happy to make a cute employee smile.
“Want a Splatter?” I ask, offering him a handful of the bright, jewel-toned sweets.
He hesitates, asking what they are. Gods, what is it about small, soft guys?
I chuckle. “Splatters? They’re candy, silly goose.”
He bites. Eyes widen. Pupils shrink. He wasn’t expecting the squirt. Newbies never do. His mouth makes a perfect O, and my heart skips a beat as my chest warms.
And then my stomach does a flip.
Not a small one.
One of those massive, roller-coaster-dropped-out-from-under-you flips that make you question every life choice leading up to this exact second.
Mate instincts? With Sean Rivers? New admin with the blond swoop, ocean-blue eyes, tiny freckles, and soft-looking belly my eyes can’t stop staring at. Impossible.
Still… something sparks when he mutters and chews the candy. I shove it down. Professional. IT first. Or maybe… not entirely professional.
He mumbles under his breath, fingers fumbling across the keyboard like he’s wrestling with it. I lean a little closer, just enough that our shoulders brush, and the chair groans under the added weight. He freezes, his face flushing a bright shade of pink, eyes darting anywhere but mine.
Oh, that’s adorable. Look at him, all flustered and trying not to melt into the chair. My heart does a little hop. Tiny victories like this? They’re magic.
I grin, trying to hide how much I’m enjoying his reaction. Firewall’s satisfied. And more importantly, he survived. Somehow, in his panic, he managed to remain calm—mostly. Not bad for a first-day rookie.
I tap a finger on the desk, just enough to remind him I’m here if he needs help, and I swear I catch a spark in those sharp little eyes.
“Well, you should be all set,” I murmur, loud enough for him to hear but soft enough that it sounds casual. Inside, I’m thinking,Yeah… you’re doing fine. Better than fine. And maybe, just maybe, I wouldn’t mind hanging around a little longer.
I retrieve one of my cards from the cart, and I place it on his desk. “If it gives you trouble again, call my cell.”
I grin wide, the cool air of the office hitting my tusks as Sean stares up at me.
“Thanks… I think?” he mutters. Good enough. Professional boundaries intact.
I roll my cart down the hallway, checking other floors. Trolls giving side-eye. Gorgons hissing. Humans scrolling their phones. Harpies flapping. Everything’s normal. Manageable. And yet… Sean Rivers. Blond hair and soft belly. Muttering man.
I shake my head. Professional. But maybe a little helpful. Maybe a candy here, a tip there. Keep it light. See what happens.
By mid-morning, after a quick check-in with Lance and Brill, I’m back at my server room desk, scanning tickets. Nothing. I breathe, letting fluorescent sunlight wash over my skin. But I can’t shake it. That feeling. The one my parents talked about. The one I’ve never felt. The one I wondered if I’d ever feel. The new admin might be my mate. It could be one-sided. Could be sparks. Could be… fun.
I glance at the help desk monitor. A ticket pops in. Sean Rivers. Another chance to see him. To help.
