Page 44 of A Siren Song for Christmas

“I’m sure your whole family appreciates your help.” Malachi leaned towards him and placed a hand on his knee. He squeezed.

“Thanks.” Trent gave him a smile and took a bite of his pie.

Malachi did the same. “This is delicious!”

“I’ll tell Leo.” Trent licked the crumbs from his lip. “How was your day?”

“Nothing interesting happened. I had several customers come in. A sea witch tried to sell me some aquatic ferns.” Malachi’s brows lowered. “But something was off about them. I suspect she’d cast something on them. She denied it, but I could tell something was off. So I said no. I have no interest in dealing with enchanted aquatic ferns when I have no idea what has been done to them.”

Malachi continued to tell Trent about what had happened during his day as they ate and drank.

Trent nodded and asked questions. And Malachi realised just how much he’d missed having someone he could properly talk with about the mundane moments of his life. Then Trent told him about his day and all his siblings and their partners.

After they finished eating, they sat, staring into the fire. From the corner of Malachi’s eye, he could see Trent look at him. He could feel Trent’s burning gaze, as if he was waiting for Malachi to make a move. Trent’s fingers tapped against the cup he held in his hands.

Malachi lifted his own tea to his lips. “You know what I kept thinking of today?”

“What?”

“You at night, lying in your bed, stroking your hard dick whilst you thought of me.” Malachi sipped his tea.

Trent’s fingers stopped tapping.

Malachi fought a smile. “I kept thinking how I would really like to watch you take your cock in hand and pleasure yourself.”

Chapter

Twenty-Three

Malachi let his words hang, allowing the anticipation to drag out. It practically tingled in the air between them. Finally, he turned to look at Trent.

Trent stared at him, mouth ajar, breathing heavily.

Malachi smirked.

Once upon a time, Malachi had enjoyed sex. He’d enjoyed seeking pleasure and giving it.

He’d missed it. Although he’d not realised, he’d missed it. It was just a part of him that he’d lost when Forathia died. Losing it had not seemed anywhere near as important compared to losing his mate.

But it turned out he’d not truly lost it. It just had remained dormant inside him. Until Trent.

“Why don’t you come and sit on my lap?” Malachi suggested. “Show me how you pleasure yourself when you’re on your own at night.”

With fumbling fingers, Trent put down his cup, the tea sloshing over the sides. He got to his feet. He stumbled to stand before Malachi.

Slowly, Malachi put down his own cup on the floor. He leaned back, spreading his legs slightly. The chair creaked. He patted his lap.

Trent climbed on, his inner thighs pressing against the outside of Malachi’s. Suddenly, Trent gave a lurch to the side, almost toppling over. But Malachi’s hands grabbed his waist. His tentacles gripped his upper arms and back to steady him. Trent clutched Malachi’s shoulders.

“Careful there,” Malachi murmured.

Trent fixed his gaze on Malachi’s face, the pupils of his eyes enlarged.

Malachi released his grip on Trent’s waist and rested his hands in his own lap, steepling his fingers. But he kept his tentacles where they were to steady Trent. “Unbutton your shirt.”

With quick, trembling fingers, Trent did so. Malachi’s tentacles tugged the shirt open, revealing Trent’s lean torso.

Malachi lifted a hand and trailed it down the centre of Trent’s chest. “Stunning. You’re absolutely stunning.” His gaze flicked to Trent’s face. “Now take out your prick and show me how hard you are.”