Page 127 of Monster Daddies

Aww… he wasn’t even going to tell me to be careful.

“I’m glad.” I didn’t have to question if he was being honest because he radiated everything that he felt in a way I’d never seen with humans or people like mages. “Is now the time that I get to ask what smells so good or should I play cute to help you remember that you don’t want to be frustrated with me?”

His laughter rumbled through his body and made me flash back to the bear question the matchmaker had asked. “I appreciate the cuteness but it’s a roast with potatoes and carrots, and it should be done shortly.”

I wasn’t going to ask how long I’d slept.

“That sounds delicious.” And I was going to be smart for once and not say how long it’d been since I had a homecooked meal. “I’m assuming I’m staying for dinner?”

Hmm.

“There was something else too, wasn’t there?” Yep. He groaned again. “Sorry. I’m awake now and clearheaded. Honest.”

What had he said?

“The hotels by the road… they fill up quickly.” That wasn’t good and I did my best to avoid places like that when I stopped. Patting myself down, I frowned. “Do you know where I left my phone?”

Malik cocked his head. “I haven’t seen you with one, but your car keys are on the kitchen table.”

Oh.

“Okay.” Maybe I’d been just a bit too tired earlier. “It’s got to be somewhere.”

Hopefully somewhere close.

Malik’s snort said he was thinking along the same lines but his mental conversation seemed snarkier than mine. He was nice once he responded with words instead of sound effects, though. “Then after dinner we’re going to take a walk back to your car. It’s probably in there but I wasn’t looking for it earlier.”

Clearly I hadn’t been either.

“Then?” I was being pushy, but I needed to know what he wanted. For practical and date reasons. “Then I’m looking for a hotel room?”

Malik went very still and it took several seconds for him to start stroking my back again. “There are several options but I don’t want you to feel obligated in any way. Our original plan was for you to stay in the area for a long weekend as long as our first date went well and I sent you the links for several hotel options.”

Oh yeah.

“I was in the middle of a project at work and had the bandwidth to look at hotel rooms or panic and I picked panic.” That hadn’t been the right choice but hindsight was twenty-twenty. “At least I know I have the links, though, because I have the emails you sent me.”

That was one good thing but he took a deep breath and let it out slowly before he decided to speak. “Yes, we’ve got a starting point with those and thank you for making sure I understand how your decision-making works when you’re stressed.”

So we could say I was helpful?

That meant I’d get more cookies, right?

“You’re welcome?” I wasn’t sure that was the best answer but he’d thanked me first. “Um, what other options were you thinking about?”

Was I allowed to ask to stay over?

We still had to pick out green for his house and I hadn’t gotten to see my coloring book and I hadn’t gotten to see how it would be to give him grown-up kisses. The head kisses made me warm and tingly but I was curious about what else he could make tingle.

And it wasn’t rushing because kisses on the first date were fine.

“I can’t decide if this is designed to test my ability to make good decisions or if you’re just tempting me.” His slightly frustrated tone was hilarious. I tried to hold it back but it came out in a giggle. “Naughty boy.”

Maybe.

“Um, well, I don’t think it fits under either of those options, so I don’t have to admit to being naughty.” I thought that was amazing logic and it made his chest jerk like he was holding back laughter. “But… but you said we needed to pick out green foryour house and I haven’t colored… and… and it’ll be dark by the time we finish dinner.”

Probably?