Spooks & Specters: A San DeLain Short Story Collection

Chapter Two

AND WHEN Kit said huge, he wasn’t kidding. It had to be at least three sizes bigger than a regular teddy bear. The brown bear was holding a big red heart that said I love you beary much.

“I’m looking for Kit Meadows.”

The delivery guy zeroed in on Kit since he was holding a vase of flowers. “That you?”

Kit bit his lip as his eyes started watering. Seriously. Best. Day. Ever. “Yeah, that’s me.”

“Where you want it?”

“Lord have mercy.”

For a split second, Kit thought about leaving it up front so the people in the bookstore could enjoy it, but there were a lot of kids in there who had sticky fingers. “My office please.”

Beckett was snickering as he followed the delivery guy and Kit back. The guy dumped the bear where Kit pointed and left.

Kit set the flowers on his desk next to the cards and collapsed in his chair. “The words on the heart that the bear is holding? The wording is very close to what was on the card Connie sent.”

“They really went all out, didn’t they?”

Stunned, Kit could only stare. “I’ve never had anyone go to this extent for me. I’m kinda in shock.”

“And you haven’t gone on your date with them yet, either.”

“Jeez, you’re right!”

“I’m gonna let you in on a little secret, Kit. When a dragon loves, he loves fully. And on that happy note, I’m going to go back out front so you can have a few minutes alone.”

“Thanks, Beckett. You’re the best.”

“I know.”

Beckett winked as he walked out.

Already the fragrance of the roses was filling Kit’s office. Plus, from where he sat, he could see the bear perfectly.

He knew that both Connie and Hudson were extremely rich.

Hudson, in particular. He’d been around for a very long time, and he’d had ample opportunity to amass a fortune. How easy would it have been to throw jewelry at Kit and call it a day?

Now, don’t get him wrong. Kit loved shiny baubles as much as the next guy. But the things he’d been sent so far involved thought. Effort. Not to mention planning.

Would he have been just as happy with roses in a simple glass vase? Absolutely. Did it mean even more that the vase the roses were in most likely came from Connie’s hoard? Most definitely. From what he’d learned, dragons rarely gave away something they’d collected. Yes, they were his mates, so he was a little different. But still. Dragons were hoarders.

Not long after meeting Kit’s mom and dads, Hudson had told Kit that dragons were cunning, stubborn, covetous, manipulative, and dangerous. But he’d also said that when they loved, they loved completely.

Hudson had promised Kit that he would do anything and everything to ensure Kit’s happiness, including moving any mountain he might need to. They’d been talking about getting Kit’s parents’ agreement on a couple of Hudson’s dragons going back to their territory for protection. Hudson had been clear he was okay using Kit to guilt them into it if that was what it took.

His gaze drifted to the teddy bear from Connie. It was such a fun gift. One of them must’ve seen the teddy bear Kit had sitting on his bed one of the few times they’d been to his apartment.

It was well loved and a bit raggedy, yes, and had been a gift from his parents when he was just a kid. It meant the world to him. Now he had another one to add to it. Although where in the world he was going to put it, he didn’t know yet. He’d find a place, though. He was a bit surprised it wasn’t a stuffed dragon, but then the play on words wouldn’t have worked.

He was willing to bet that there was a stuffed dragon somewhere in his future, though.

TWO HOURS later, Beckett was again at Kit’s door. This time he held a basket. “Guess what?”

“What in the world do you have there? Good grief, I can smell the chocolate.”

“From what I can tell, it’s very expensive chocolate.”

Beckett walked in and set the basket on Kit’s desk.

“I was wondering if that was going to make an appearance.”

Kit ran a finger down the cellophane the gift was wrapped in. Its contents smelled delicious.

“Really? Why?”

“Because the card from Connie had a play on words. It had to do with a bear. The card from Hudson said something about chocolate being as sweet as my smile.”

“By Gaura, I had no idea my king was so romantic. Now Connie? Connie doesn’t surprise me. He’s more, oh, what’s the word I’m looking for? Maybe modern?”

“Well, Hudson is a lot older than me and Connie. He has this old-world charm to him.”

Resting his chin on his hand, Kit stared at Beckett. “Kind of like you.”

Beckett did a bow with a cute little flourish. “Why, thank you kindly.”

Smiling, Kit opened the cellophane. He wanted a piece of chocolate, dammit. “Want some?”

“Are you kidding me? I drooled all the way back here carrying that. You better believe I want some.”

“Dig in.”

Kit popped a piece into his mouth and closed his eyes. Oh yes, this was some really good chocolate.

“By Gaura’s claws, talk about decadent. I’m totally jealous. Can I have some more?”

Snickering, Kit opened his eyes and stared at Beckett. It was funny how this Ancient had become his best friend, especially since he’d started out babysitting Kit for Hudson. “There’s more here than I can eat, so help yourself.”

“I won’t take too many pieces. Hudson would probably light me up if I did. This is for you.”

“And there’ll be plenty left over for me and my mates even after you and I have a few pieces.”

Beckett popped another one in his mouth. “Too bad we don’t have champagne.”

Kit scowled at him. “Bite your tongue. There will be no drinking at work, no matter how much we may wish differently.”

Beckett shrugged. “I’m sure it’ll show up later.”

“You know what? That wouldn’t surprise me in the least.”

KIT SET the alarm on his smart watch to go off fifteen minutes before the limo was scheduled to pick him up. He didn’t give himself more time because, quite frankly, he didn’t want to sweat to death before it was time to leave. This was California, after all.

He folded his work clothes and placed them in the duffel. He had his hair in a French braid, but he undid it. He knew how much his mates liked his hair loose.

There was a knock at his door, and Kit checked his watch. It was straight up six o’clock. Tossing his coat over his arm, he picked up the duffel and the basket of chocolate. Walking to his closed office door, he opened it.

Once more Beckett stood there grinning. “Your chariot awaits.”

Kit thought about taking the flowers but decided not to. He really wanted to leave them in his office so he could admire them when he was there. Putting a little pep in his step, he hurried toward the front.

“I’ll be ready at the regular time in the morning,” Kit said.

Since all of Hudson’s court lived at the compound, Kit rode to work with Beckett. Besides convenience, there was also the matter of safety—Kit’s safety. He was, after all, one of the mates of a dragon king.

“Why don’t you take the day off?”

Beckett asked.

“But, but—”

“I can run this place for one day. Come on, Kit. Take the day off. Enjoy your mates.”

Kit glanced out the front of the bookstore to where Hudson and Connie were standing on the sidewalk by the limo. Both were dressed as he was—jeans and a sweater.

It was one of the few times he’d had the pleasure of seeing Hudson dress casually. The man did look good in a suit though. And Connie looked just as delicious.

“You know what? Yeah. I’m not going to be here tomorrow. And hopefully I can talk Hudson and Connie into taking a day off with me.”

“There you go.”

Beckett nudged Kit forward. “Have fun.”

Kit hurried out the door, the duffel swung over his shoulder and chocolate in hand. He totally intended to have a blast.

“Hey!”

First Kit kissed Connie, then Hudson when he got outside.

Connie took the duffel and basket, while Hudson opened the limo door. Hudson climbed in first, then Kit, and finally Connie. As soon as the door shut and Kit’s stuff was put away, Hudson sank his hands into Kit’s hair and pulled him in for a kiss. Kit sighed happily as Hudson’s eager tongue invaded his mouth, demanding a response.

Turning, he plastered himself against Hudson. Heat at his back made him moan into Hudson’s mouth. Connie pressed against him, his hand moving Kit’s heavy hair so he could nibble at the back of Kit’s neck.

Hudson devoured his mouth while Connie fanned the flames of his desire. Needing air, Kit gently pulled back from Hudson, sucked some in, then turned in Connie’s embrace and kissed him.

Where Hudson’s kiss was aggressive and demanding, Connie’s was sweeter and gentler. But both made him hot. Hudson blew into Kit’s ear, sending a shiver down his spine, while Connie sucked on his tongue.

If they kept this up, Kit was going to embarrass himself, and that definitely was not part of the plan.

He finally pulled back, gasping. Connie’s lips were wet and swollen. His dragon shone brightly in his eyes too. Kit loved it. He ran his thumb across Connie’s wet bottom lip.

Connie closed his eyes. When he opened them again, he was more in control, which was a shame but was probably for the best. Thank goodness either Connie or Hudson had thought to close the privacy window.

“Thank you for the teddy bear and the card,”

Kit said. “I love them. The vase the red roses came in? Is that vase one of yours? Beckett thought it might be.”

Connie tucked a strand of Kit’s hair behind his ear. “Yes. It’s from my hoard.”

“Thank you. That makes it even more special. And thank you for the flowers too.”

“The flowers came from the both of us, but the teddy bear was all me,”

Connie said.

“It was perfect.”

Turning back toward Hudson, Kit saw that his other mate was the picture of control. He always was.

“I loved your card and the chocolates. I brought those also. Just in case. Also, the Cupid you guys sent to deliver the invitation to go ice-skating? Which, by the way, was awesome. Well, Beckett hit on the guy and exchanged numbers with him.”

Connie snickered. “Go Beckett.”

“He is smooth,”

Hudson agreed. “So, it’s going to take us about forty minutes to get to The Rink. How about a glass of champagne?”

“You know, I’ve always wondered what champagne and chocolate tasted like.”

“Then let’s find out.”

Connie held up a bottle of champagne and wiggled his eyebrows.

“Don’t have to ask me twice!”

Kit exclaimed, making grabby hands.

Connie poured each of them a glass and then handed out the chocolates. Someone had thought to provide small glass plates and linen napkins.

Kit was willing to bet that the champagne glasses and the plates cost more than what he made in a week. He still hadn’t adjusted to the luxury he was surrounded with, but he also didn’t take it for granted.

“To us,”

Hudson said, holding up his glass.

“To us,”

Connie and Kit repeated, then sipped their champagne.

Kit fought not to giggle as the bubbles tickled his nose. He might still be struggling to adjust to the money his dragons had, but he’d certainly found out he had a fondness for champagne.

“To the most perfect Valentine’s Day ever, and it isn’t even over yet,”

Kit said, holding up his glass. “And to the best mates a guy could have.”

“To Valentine’s Day,”

Hudson said.

“And tonight.”

Connie winked at his mates. “Because the best is yet to come.”