Page 50 of The Vampire's Receptionist
“Nope. And somehow I doubt he’ll want to be pestered first thing with personal questions. Is it something I can help you with? Because if not, you’ll have to come back later.”
“Oooh, someone’s feisty in the morning,” Taron teased. He stepped forward and hesitated, looking Kian up and down. “Are you allowed to use your magic yet?”
Kian’s brows snapped together. “I don’t use my magic in the office unless it’s an emergency.” It caused too much drama and people already didn’t trust him.
“Oh, good.” Taron grinned and loped over to him, not stopping until he threw his arm around Kian’s shoulders. When Kian gaped at him incredulously, Taron’s grin widened to show all his teeth. “Good morning.”
Shoving his arm off, Kian scowled at him. “What do you need, Taron?”
“I need ideas. Actually, you might be a good person to ask. You’re friends with my gorgeous mate, correct?”
Kian wasn’t sure where he was going with this, but he decided to answer honestly instead of with a sarcastic comment. The faster he answered, the faster he could get Taron out of here before Dorian arrived. The vampire was already overworked. He didn’t need to be pestered over something unimportant right now.
“Yes… Why?”
“Well, his birthday is coming up, but I’m struggling to come up with an idea grand enough. Do you know anything about how humans celebrate birthdays? I was thinking of making it a whole event, but Zephyr pointed out that Tony didn't like being the center of attention. I need more ideas.”
As much as he hated to admit it, “Zephyr’s right. What little I know about Tony, he’s not the type of person to want the attention on him. I think most humans Tony’s age don’t really do anything grand for their birthdays anyway. The last human birthday I went to, they had a nice dinner with the people important to them. Why don’t you do something like that?”
Taron made a face. “But that’s so simple! I take him out for nice dinners at least once a week!” At Kian’s raised eyebrow, he winked. “My mates deserve to be spoiled. But come on. I need something more interesting. I thought I heard something about clowns and balloons, but I can’t get a clear answer on that.”
Kian winced. “Don’t have any clowns. They’re creepy. And more for kids’ parties, not adults.” He didn’t really know Tony allthat well, though he thought the guy was sweet. He floundered for ideas, asking, “What do you like to do together? Like what’s his favorite thing?”
“Yeah, I don’t think we can do his favorite thing with an audience around,” Taron replied, waggling his eyebrows like an idiot. It was a good thing Kian didn’t use his magic in the office. He would’ve hit him with a snapping spell for that obnoxious comment. Instead, he smacked Taron’s arm.
“Don’t talk about your sex life with strangers, Taron. Answer the damn question.”
“Ouch! Does Dorian know how abusive you are?” he pouted, rubbing his arm.
“Something tells me you deserved it,” Dorian said blandly as he stepped into the reception area. He looked good in his three piece suit, not a single strand of hair out of place. Kian wanted to lick him.
“Why are my friends so mean to me?” Taron whined plaintively.
Kian didn’t have a lot of patience for dramatics, so he ignored the shapeshifter in favor of explaining the issue to Dorian. “Your friend thought first thing in the morning was a good time to pester you about what to do to celebrate his mate’s birthday.”
Amusement flickered across Dorian’s expression. “Which mate, exactly?”
“Tony,” Taron replied, perking up again. “Zephyr’s birthday is easy. Morning blowjobs are the way to my thunderchicken’s heart.”
Kian just barely resisted the urge to smack his palm against his forehead. He was exceedingly glad Taron wasn’t his mate. If he found out his mate was talking about their sex life so openly, he’d lose his shit. Not that he’d ever have a mate.
“I didn’t need to know that,” Dorian replied. “And it doesn’t matter what you plan for Tony. He’s going to love it, because you were thinking of him.”
That was a sweet sentiment. Kian didn’t think it’d actually work on Taron, but to his surprise, a sappy smile overtook his face and he nodded. “You’re right. I think I’ll throw him a small party. Kian said humans have meals with just the people closest to them. I’ll keep things low key this year.” He frowned. “Or I’ll rent a yacht. I’ll ask Ozen. I think he took Avery to Paris for Avery’s last birthday. I like his extravagance.”
A ringing from Taron’s pocket distracted him, and his face lit up when he saw the name on the caller ID. Putting it to his ear, he waved at Kian and Dorian, cooing at whoever was on the other line. Kian could make a guess given how he greeted the poor man.
“A thaisce! Are you missing me already? I’m on my way back now.”
Dorian shook his head as his friend disappeared into the elevator. Kian huffed out a laugh.
“I feel sorry for his mates. I wouldn’t have the patience to deal with all that energy.”
“I suppose that’s why fate decided to give him two,” Dorian said with a smile.
Kian shuddered. “I’m seriously glad I’ll never have a mate. I don’t have the patience for all that. Why does planning a birthday party have to be rocket science? It’s just another year passing.”
Dorian’s face fell. Kian was going to ask what was wrong, but his desk phone started ringing and distracted him. By the time he hung up, Dorian had gotten his coffee and gone to his office, closing the door behind him.
