Page 22 of The Baker and the Kraken

Calder leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips. “You’re forgiven. And I should have told you right away that I was a shifter. I’m not blameless in this.”

Adam grimaced. “No, I’m glad you didn’t. If you’d told me right away, I probably would have been foolish—even more foolish—about it and not given you a chance. I, uh, I’m really glad we’re here now.”

“Me, too.”

Adam fidgeted, gaze slipping down below Calder’s chin. “I don’t suppose you’d like to stay? Just to sleep! Only I have to get up in a few hours, and I’m sure you don’t want to—”

Calder used a finger to lift Adam’s chin. “I’d love to.”

Adam’s face lit up. And then he yawned again. Calder prodded them into motion, putting the flowers into water, getting their teeth brushed—he still wasn’t sure how Adam had managed to trip on the toothpaste, but no matter, because Calder had caught him—and finding an old t-shirt that was much too large for Adam that Calder could just fit into.

Adam wriggled a little closer once they were in the bed, but like he was trying to be subtle about it. Calder slid across the bed and spooned him.

Adam hummed happily, already sounding like he was half asleep. “S’nice.”

His mate was warm in his arms, and the only thing that would make it better was if Calder could wrap all his arms around him. But they’d made a lot of progress today, and Adam was in no fit state for any more revelations right now.

Calder closed his eyes and listened to the comforting sound of his mate’s even breaths.

The week before Valentine’s Day was busier than Calder had imagined, even with all of Adam’s warnings. His mate was working incredibly long hours as the bakery catered multiple corporate events and sold hundreds—probably thousands—of cakes and cookies. Maggie, the owner, had brought in some extra help, but there was too much that Adam needed to do on his own. Calder would like them to rectify that, but he knew that now wasn’t the time to add to his mate’s workload by bringing it up.

Instead, he made sure to bring Adam a nutritious lunch, dinner, and snacks every day. There might be plenty of food at the bakery, but most of it wasn’t geared towards nutrition, and Calder knew it wouldn’t be doing Adam any favors to either eat only sweets or forget to eat entirely.

It was worth it just for the look on Adam’s face every time Calder showed up.

Simon high-fived him the first time, told him he was glad he could see Adam’s value—and then pulled him aside and warned him that he knew how to poison the baked goods, and if Calder ever hurt Adam, no one would ever find his body. Calder inclined his head. He could respect this fierce witch and his desire to protect Adam. (Also, no poison Simon was likely to be able to get his hands on would be able to kill Calder.)

Calder walked Adam home every night—Adam always saved the most delicious slices of cake for him—and cuddled up with him on the couch for more documentaries… and then usually carried him to bed because he made it about twenty minutes before he was out like a light no matter what time it was.

“You’re the best,” Adam told him on Friday evening, leaning into his side where they were sitting on the couch. Valentine’s Day was tomorrow. “You’re making this so much better than it usually is.”

“I like taking care of you,” Calder said, before hastily correcting himself. “I know you’re able to take care of yourself, but I’ll always want to make sure that you’re safe and happy.”

“It’s nice,” Adam assured him. “That you like me the way I am.”

“Exactly as you are, sweetheart,” Calder assured him.

Chapter Seven

Adam

Here was Calder, once again accepting Adam exactly as he was, while Adam still wasn’t doing a very good job of the reverse.

“Could I see your tentacles?” he blurted out. “Are they called tentacles?”

Calder pulled back to look at him. “Are you certain?”

Adam nodded. “Yes. I’m sorry I reacted so badly.” His eyes went wide. “And I didn’t even thank you for saving me! Goddess, thank you!”

He flung himself at Calder, bashing his nose into Calder’s chin, but this just made Calder laugh and wrap his arms around Adam.

“You’re a thousand times welcome,” Calder assured him easily.

Adam had thought he’d trained himself to pay careful attention when crossing the street, but apparently not always.

Pulling back enough that they could talk comfortably, Calder explained, “A squid has eight arms and two tentacles. The tentacles are longer. In this form, that translates to four squid arms, two tentacles, two human arms, and two legs. For the sake of expediency, you’re welcome to call all my squid appendages tentacles.”

“I guess you can’t turn into your full squid form here?”