Page 34 of Siren in Love
Peter’s smile warmed.“Give Corvin my best, will you?”
16
Mike
“Soishecute?Did you, like, enchant him so he does what you want in the sack?I mean, that’s what sirens do, right?They enchant men and then drag them into their lair.”
The werewolf looked at Mike with his golden eyes shimmering in the low light of approaching evening, and Mike gripped the steering wheel hard as he pulled into the driveway.
“I didn’tenchanthim, and I’ve never used my song on him, not that that’s any business of yours.”
John bobbed his head as he looked at the house.“Yeah?Right, no dragging, no enchanting, but he’s cute, right?I heard sirens like cute guys.”
Of course Corvin is cute, but me liking him has nothing to do with that.Ridiculous pup.“How about you keep your thoughts to yourself, John.And remember, Corvin doesn’t know about sirens or werewolves, and I will be the one telling him, not you.”Mike laced his voice with menace and didn’t even try to keep his siren song out of it.
John stiffened immediately.“Sorry, man.I was just curious.You know, to each their own.”
Mike growled, allowing power to flow into the sound, and John seemed to shrink in the passenger seat.
“That’s better.Behave.”
He cut the engine and got out of the car, not even bothering to see if the werewolf followed.He unlocked the front door and walked straight into the living room, where Corvin had settled down on the couch.He wore sweatpants and his grayBy the Power of Coffee-skullT-shirt, the one Mike had given him for midwinter.With a large bowl of popcorn in his lap, Corvin looked over with a grin plastered to his very kissable mouth.
“I was just about to dig into the popcorn and pick a movie for when you got back.Perfect timing.”He stuffed a handful of popcorn into his mouth and crunched noisily.
“Something came up, hon.Listen—”
“Oh, so that’s the boyfriend,” John said, swaggering into their living room.Mike had heard him close the front door but had hoped John would at least keep his mouth shut for a hot minute.Apparently, no such luck.
Corvin visibly stiffened and stopped chewing.
Mike cleared his throat.“John, there’s a guest bedroom on the second floor, last door on the right.There are some clothes in the wardrobe you’re welcome to.How about you settle in, make yourself at home?I imagine a shower’s going to be relaxing after the long day you’ve had.”
John shrugged.“Sure, whatever.Hey, boyfriend, I totally dig the shirt.So shapeshifter themed—scaredy cat to battle cat.”With that, the annoying wolf sauntered toward the stairs.
Corvin swallowed.“What just happened?Who is that?”
Mike sighed and sat down on the edge of the coffee table across from Corvin.“Listen, John is going to stay with us for a few days.He’s involved in one of Peter’s cases and needs a safe place to crash for a little while.I know this is sudden, and—believe me—it wasn’t my choice.I’m really sorry.”
Corvin blinked slowly, his hold on the popcorn bowl never wavering.“He looks like someone who’s hiding behind a wall of attitude.And he looks like he needs a meal or three.Don’t be sorry, Mike.I bet if Peter the Terrible asked you to let him hole up here, he has his reasons.”
“You really shouldn’t call Peter that.”
Corvin grinned.“Come on.I whispered, and there were so many people at your office holiday party.I’d never call him the Terrible where he might overhear, okay?I’d never do anything to get you in trouble with your boss.Your terrible, terrible boss.”
It’s really not his fault.He couldn’t know Peter has vampire hearing and was the Peter version of giddy about being called the Terrible for most of January.
Mike cupped Corvin’s cheek, enjoying the warmth and softness of his skin.“I know, hon.You’re okay with John staying?”
Corvin nodded.“Yeah.Your boss has his reasons to park him with us, right?”
Mike nodded.“He does.Which means you can’t tell anyone about John staying here.”
Corvin nodded.“I finally have two men in the house, and I can’t even brag.”
“John isn’t anyone I’d want you to brag about to begin with.”Mike got up, but only so he could lean over Corvin’s popcorn bowl and kiss him, taste the sweet caramel on his lips, the flavor of home.“What movie are we watching?”
Corvin grinned.“There’s this new werewolf one.I know you’d prefer a documentary, but I overrule you on account of the fact that documentaries are lame.”He leaned in to whisper.“Plus, we have a houseguest.What’s he going to think if he catches us watching adocumentary?Might hurt your reputation, Pineapple Mike.”
