Page 82 of The Spellreader and the Phoenix

“To be the grumpy cat man who dies and gets found days later after cats have eaten his eyeballs.”

Rory snorted a laugh. “Ah, okay. Well, I’m glad to know I rate better than getting your eyeballs eaten.”

“So much better,” Max assured him, making him laugh more.

Max couldn’t remember this much laughter in a long time.

Back at the bookshop, they once again made sure everything was locked up and turned off, then headed upstairs with a disgruntled Nōwē.

“It’s not going to be like this every day,” Rory told her. “We just like to celebrate various holidays. And you know, the more customers we have, the more you’re assured of the fancy food.”

Nōwē lashed her tail and only tried to trip them twice while going up the stairs, which was basically a declaration of love. Back in the apartment, they changed out of their costumes. Max definitely wouldn’t want to wear it every day. The shirt, pants, and boots actually hadn’t been that bad, but the mask, bandanna, and gloves had gotten tiresome. Rory had even convinced him to cast a spell to give himself a little mustache. He was so glad to get rid of it again. It hadn’t been as bad as Alex’s, but still.

Showering left him feeling totally like Max again. Rory had insisted that Max use the bathroom first, which meant that Max was comfortably in his pajamas when Rory emerged in a puff of steam. (Max had learned that Rory liked his showers very hot, and he’d found a spell that ensured their water heater could keep up with the demand.)

His hair was dry, once again a flyaway halo around his head. Max hadn’t even noticed the sound of the blow dryer, but he was exhausted, and his mind was wandering. The day had been entirely successful, but it had been a lot of people. Rory was already wearing his own pajamas, because he’d taken his into the bathroom to change, like he always did if he went in after Max.

Max found it difficult to explain how appealing he found the man. He’d been aware that he was pretty before, in a very uninterested sort of way, more the way that he could see women were aesthetically pleasing or that puppies were cute. There was no attraction there. Only now there was. (With Rory, obviously, not with the women or the puppies.)

Now, Max was filled with a desire to run his fingers through that feathery blond hair. He wanted those molten eyes watching him, and he had thoughts about Rory’s mobile mouth. Rory was kind and bright and beautiful. And he never pushed Max.

And maybe it was that which gave Max the courage to step up to him and cup Rory’s face in his hands.

Rory looked surprised but open, as he always was, just waiting for Max.

“May I kiss you?” Max asked.

Chapter Sixteen

Rory

Oh. Rory hadn’t expected this. He looked up at Max’s face. His gaze was dark and intent.

“Would you like to?” Rory asked carefully.

Max’s mouth tipped up faintly. “Very much so.”

“Then you most definitely may.”

Rory held himself very still, not wanting to break the moment. His mate wanted to kiss him!

Max leaned down and pressed his lips to Rory’s, soft and a little tentative. Rory’s stomach erupted in butterflies, and he felt heat down to his toes. Oh, wow. His eyes fluttered closed, and his hands moved without his conscious volition, landing on Max’s hips. Thankfully, Max didn’t seem to mind.

They kissed for several long, languorous moments, until a stray movement brushed the two of them together, and Rory could feel Max’s arousal hard against him.

Max broke the kiss, breathing heavily, and leaned his forehead against Rory’s.

“I never really got the point of kissing before,” Max admitted quietly.

Rory couldn’t help but smile. “Does it feel different now?”

Max made a humming noise of agreement. “I really wasn’t attracted to anyone before. So it just didn’t work. I assumed I was ace.”

Rory pulled back a little, hands still on Max’s hips, so that he could meet Max’s gaze.

“And you don’t think so anymore?” he asked carefully.

“I think I must be demi,” Max said, shrugging, looking a bit bemused by the whole thing. “I’ve never been attracted to someone up until now—but I’ve also never had someone stick around like you have. You got to know me, and I got to know you in a way that I’ve never attempted before. I didn’t find you attractive until suddenly I did.” His eyes widened. “Wait. Is that rude?”