A pleased smile curved Austin’s mouth, silver eyes glimmering.
“That poor couple!”
“I paid them in gold bars,” Austin added. “Left in their pockets.”
Sam buried his face in his hands, groaning, laughing. “You may as well be an Irish fairy.”
Eli strode into the room with food and Lassie. He sat himself into the narrow spot Austin had created between Liam and Sam. With a sigh, Liam got up, wandering to the window. Eli grinned after him, earning a displeased stare from Liam.
Tristan was particularly pleased to see Austin eat three savoury pastries before moving on to the crackers and fruits. Austin caught his eye as he was taking a bite, and his heel dug in. Tristan reached for the tray set before him.
Sam, having recovered from his laughter, looked out the window. “I’d better get going. It’s Goldilocks’s birthday, and I have to get the rest of his party put together. See you guys later. Liam, I’ll be heading back in two days. If you want a ride, just let me know and I’ll swing by for you. Later, Austin.” His green eyes flicked briefly over Tristan, a modicum of wariness growing in his expression. “Tristan.” He inclined his head.
Austin’s heels dug in harder. It didn’t hurt in the slightest, but his mate was making his unhappiness known.
Tristan was not inclined to show Sam any friendliness, but Austin, clearly, took something positive from his presence. “Sam,” Tristan replied.
Sam left, and Austin fixed Tristan with a displeased look. “Don’t glare at him like that.”
“I was watching.”
That heel dug into his crotch. Tristan caught his feet and met Austin’s challenging look head-on.
“I was not glaring,” Tristan repeated. “If he reads more into it, that is his issue, not mine.” Liam certainly seemed unbothered by Tristan’s gaze, while Eli was particularly sensitive to it. Austin evidently saw eye contact as a challenge that needed addressing. Tristan didn’t mind that, as Austin’s eyes were possibly the most arresting part of him, and he enjoyed getting to look into them.
As they stared off, Eli slipped out of his seat and went to Liam at the window. He spoke softly to the man until Liam released a world-weary sigh that drew Austin’s gaze.
“I’ll show Liam where his room is,” Eli explained.
The two left, and Char seized his opportunity to bring Tristan’s attention back to the files in his hand. “A few are urgent,” Char insisted.
Tristan eyed the papers, but his hands were full of lean ankles.
“Give them here.” Austin held out his hand.
Char hesitated, and the look Austin gave him for that hesitation was dangerous. Austin took the stack and indicated his lap. “Rest your head. I’ll read them to you.”
Tristan’s first instinct was, of course, that this was a trap of some design. Surely, there had to be a catch. Austin wouldn’t reward him so handsomely for nothing. Even so, Tristan slid sideways, finding his cheek pillowed on his mate’s warm thighs. He stroked Austin’s bare leg and kissed him softly before settling.
Char left.
Austin began to read. He gave his own personal remarks on the requests as he did, weighing in on who he thought would be best to send or which requests shouldn’t be in the pile for Tristan’s ears at all. He asked questions as unfamiliar places and races came up and would nod and continue after clarification.
When the last letter was read, for the first time in his life, Tristan wished Char had brought him more paperwork. Austin had created three piles: yes, no, and maybe. He carded his fingers through Tristan’s hair. “I used to get very angry watching Connor read with Adonis’s head on his lap. They do it all the time, and I always thought it seemed so incredibly boring.”
Tristan felt incredibly gratified to be close to his mate, and far from bored. He nuzzled his thighs. Kissed his skin. “Shall I provide some entertainment?”
“I wasn’t bored.”
Tristan breathed out hard. “Nor was I.”
A disruptive knock made Tristan sigh. “I’ll send them away.”
“It’s probably Hal. I had Eli send him word that you’re back. He’s missed you. Come in,” Austin called.
Tristan, quite comfortable on his mate’s thighs, was very reluctant to sit up.
Hal entered the room, hands set on the shoulders of Kas, who walked in front of him. Hal brandished Kas as if he were a shield. Tristan raised a brow at the arrangement.
