Page 11 of The Baker and the Kraken

It was a stupid question, when Calder had already heard enough to know that Adam objected to bonding. But he hoped to learn more.

Adam’s lips tightened and he snapped, “Definitely not.” He seemed to realize that was a bit abrupt, because he flushed and continued, “It’s not for me. I’m better on my own, you know?”

Had someone hurt his beautiful mate? It was clearly early for such confessions, but Calder would be extra patient and supportive. And he wouldn’t mention just yet that he was a shifter. He hadn’t said anything untrue, but it was clear that Adam was assuming Calder was a witch. Calder would just wait until they knew one another a bit better. He wanted Adam to be comfortable with him and really give him a chance, so he could prove that shifters and bonds were no bad thing, at least when it came to the two of them.

Adam cleared his throat. “What about you?”

“I’ve been alone for a long time,” Calder answered. “It’s nice to have pleasant company.”

Adam blushed.

So they definitely didn’t bare all, but they’d progressed much further than just catching gazes and being certain that he’d found his mate. Calder loved learning every single detail about this man.

Before he knew it, the sun was low on the horizon, and their date had been going on for hours.

Calder grimaced. “I’m so sorry! I was trying to respect your schedule, and I’ve kept you out late!”

Adam just smiled at him. “I’ve really enjoyed myself. I can’t remember the last time I clicked with someone like this.”

He looked like he wished the words back the moment he said them, shoulders going tense, but Calder beamed.

Mate.

“I feel the same way,” he assured Adam. “This has been the best.”

Adam relaxed again.

“Can I see you again?” Calder blurted.

He’d meant to ease into it a little better, but the words were out now.

Adam still looked faintly surprised, like despite the fact that they’d both just said this was awesome, he didn’t expect Calder to want to spend more time with him.

But Calder so, so did.

Expression a bit shy, Adam admitted, “I’d like that. It’s been a long time since I made a friend.”

Calder made sure his expression didn’t change. Okay, so maybe the date wasn’t going quite as well as he’d thought. But Adam had said he’d enjoyed himself. And it was equally clear that he expected his partner to not enjoy himself, at least eventually.

It was going to take time to get past his concerns about his self-worth. If it made him more comfortable to think of them being friends, then Calder could work with that.

The Magic didn’t make you fated mates. It pointed out the possibility to those who listened, and you had to figure out what to do with it. Calder wanted everything, but he’d spend every minute he could with Adam in any way that his beautiful witch would allow.

They stood up, Adam wobbling as he went off balance, but Calder reached out and looped an arm around his waist, steadying him.

Adam smiled softly at him, and Calder couldn’t help but grin back.

Calder was soon reassured that while Adam said he wanted to be friends, he was fine with doing all the date-like things Calder could think of. Okay, not all the things, since they weren’t being physically intimate like lovers, but otherwise, all the elements were there. They were seeing one another every few days, Calder’s schedule easily able to flex and align with Adam’s hours. Plus, they’d started texting all the time after their first date—Calder was still calling it a date in his head—everything from funny memes to what they were doing with their day to planning for their next date.

The more time they spent together, the more sure Calder was that the Magic had known exactly what it was doing when it nudged him in Adam’s direction. He loved hearing every detail about Adam’s life, and Adam seemed to enjoy the same. And every time Calder reacted well to incidents of Adam’s clumsiness, his witch relaxed more around him and became less guarded. Calder was determined to make him understand that he didn’t care how many times food or drink got splashed on either one of them, and he certainly wasn’t complaining about needing to steady Adam or outright catch him. All he cared about was that Adam was safe and happy.

They walked along beaches hunting for seashells and visited bookstores and museums. They went on the Queen Mary paranormal ship walk, and Calder wished they could go another dozen times, because Adam had tucked his arm through Calder’s, cozied up to his side, and clutched at him the whole time.

Calder suggested “infiltrating” other bakeries and sampling their goods, and Adam lips had tipped up into a mischievous grin. Calder loved this playful side of Adam, and he also appreciated that his kind-hearted mate was always thoughtful. They didn’t enjoy everything they tried, but Adam always had something nice to say along with any criticism—and in at least one case, he’d actually pulled the baker aside and advised him to lower the temperature of the oven and to bake the cake for a few minutes longer to improve its moistness.

“Aren’t they your competition?” Calder wanted to know.

Adam shrugged. “They’re a fellow baker, trying to make delicious treats for everyone to enjoy. I always want baked goods to be baked well.”