Page 12 of Siren in Love (In Love #1)

Corvin

M ike was in the driver’s seat of the moving van, and Corvin got in on the passenger side, his box of memories right by his feet.

“You’re sure your basement is big enough, and dry enough, to store the books until we can find a place to put them?” he asked.

Mike kept his eyes on the road. “I’m positive. I checked, then I double-checked. I used an actual measuring tape.”

“You’re just saying that. You eyeballed it.”

Mike cast him an amused glance. “I didn’t eyeball anything. You just wait and see, okay?”

“The moment you have all my books in your van you start bossing me around. Shame on you, Michael Cantus.”

In all honesty, Corvin didn’t mind Mike bossing him around. It was rare enough, and getting Mike to do what Corvin wanted was almost too easy.

I’m just sad about having to reduce the number of books on display. He did say we could maybe go buy some shelves later on once I get settled and we’ve figured out where to put what. And…it’s Pineapple Mike. He wouldn’t lie about something like that. I hope.

Mike’s house wasn’t as close to the university library as Corvin’s old place, but it was still only two blocks away from the nearest tram stop, which wasn’t a terrible commute.

Corvin turned up the heat in the van and rubbed his hands together, wishing they were at Mike’s place already. At their place. If I ask really nicely and tell him I’m cold, he’ll want to make me hot chocolate with real chocolate shavings. Hmm.

They were on Bennet Boulevard, which was framed by oak trees on either side, the foliage turning bronze and copper and raining down like the flickering embers of summer, as if to prepare the world for snow. Corvin saw flashing lights ahead. The car in front of them slowed, and so did Mike.

“What now?” Corvin leaned forward but couldn’t see anything.

“Hmm, this looks unusual.” Mike craned his neck to the side to see better.

Corvin turned to Mike. “If we end up freezing in this van, I’ll eat you first. Just so you know.”

Mike groaned before he went back to his customary hum, still craning his neck.

“Thanks for telling me. You should’ve let me pack some food.”

“You said you’d make me a welcome dinner when we got there.”

“I will, honey. I’ll feed you, promise.”

“Oh, I know you will. I just meant in case we don’t get there.”

Mike hummed again. “Yes, yes. You can eat me. You’d be the cutest cannibal of them all.”

Corvin slid deeper into his seat. “I know.”

After about ten minutes, Corvin spotted a police officer going from car to car ahead of them. Another five minutes later, Mike let down his window to talk to the officer.

“What’s going on?” he asked.

Mike was using his lawyer voice, which signaled to Corvin that the other man was taking charge, and that all Corvin had to do was stay where he was, shut up, and look—in Mike’s words—pretty as can be.

“We have a big cat on the loose,” the officer said. “Please remain in your vehicle. And you might want to turn off the engine. We don’t know how long it’ll take us to find it. Uh, and capture it.”

“A big cat?” Mike cocked his head. “What kind of big cat?”

The officer shrugged. “Haven’t seen it myself. Just heard it was very large, and not exactly the friendly type of cat either. Already sent two of ours to the ER.”

“Damn.” Corvin double-checked the door lock on his side.

Mike ignored him. “My boss lives on this street, and if it’s all right with you, I’ll check to see if he’s home. I’d prefer it if my boyfriend could stay there. It’s getting to be a bit chilly.”

Corvin’s heart fluttered in his chest. He was cold, but objectively, it really wasn’t that cold.

Plus, there was a blanket in the back of the van.

But Mike had never not taken any complaint Corvin had voiced seriously, whether it was the cozy restaurant he’d taken Corvin to after he’d mentioned it once, or when Corvin had wanted to stay in and read instead of going out on a date.

Corvin’s eyebrows rose. Shit. He’s spoiling me. He’s been spoiling me all this time, and I think I’m already used to it. What if he stops suddenly now that we live together? He’s going to have every opportunity to take note of everything about me that annoys him.

Corvin fidgeted. He didn’t want that, at all.

The officer shrugged. “I’d rather you stay in the van, but if the better half is cold, suit yourself.” He turned and walked to the next car.

“Do you think he means big cat as in a tiger or something?” Corvin asked as Mike closed the window.

Mike shrugged. “He didn’t seem to think so, else he would’ve ordered us to stay in the car.” He pulled out his phone and started texting. “Great, Peter’s home. You’ll be more comfortable there.”

Corvin bit his lip. “I’ve never met your boss. Isn’t he… He’s a lawyer too, right? Won’t that be weird if you just drop me there while you stay with the van? I’m really not that cold at all.”

“Oh, shush. I can see your lips turning blue. And Peter won’t mind. He doesn’t do warm and fuzzy, but underneath all the prickliness, he’s nice.”

Corvin picked at his nails. “You know, not everyone’s cool with a guy dating another guy.”

Mike snorted. “ That worries you? Peter doesn’t mind. I guess you could say, ah…I guess you could say he eats homophobes for breakfast.”

“Okaaay? Hey, wait. Have you been hiding an office romance from me? Did you have a crush on him? Or he on you? But that would be, what’s it called, power imbalance and all that. An illicit affair. Or is he your work wife?”

“Work wife? I mean, I guess you can call him that.” Mike looked thoughtful. “It doesn’t quite fit though. You’ll see when you meet him.”

“Okay, fine. But it’s really not necessary. I swear, I’m not that cold.”

Mike gave him a flat look. “Mm-hmm. Do me a favor and stay here for a sec.”

He got out of the car, and while Corvin was expecting him to go to wherever Peter lived, Mike rounded the hood of the van and opened Corvin’s door.

“Seriously? For fucking real? You told me to stay in the car so you could open my door for me?”

“Yup. The police officer said there was a big cat, and I will not let you run around by your lonesome. While you’d make a cute cannibal, I don’t want to see you become cat food.”

Corvin groaned. “What kind of murder cat do you think they lost, huh? It’s probably more scared of us than we are of it.”

Mike shrugged. “Better safe than sorry.”

Corvin knew he wasn’t going to win this. Mike could be stubborn as a fucking rock. It was sort of adorable, but not so much when Corvin was on the receiving end of it.

He took Mike’s hand and followed him. Looking back over his shoulder, Corvin saw that the line of cars behind their van had grown, effectively boxing them in.

“I guess we’re stuck here until that kitty cat is back in the bag.”

“Not you. You’re going to be stuck where it’s nice and warm. Here, this is the place.”

The houses on Bennet were all pretty nice, in an understated townhouse style that hinted at the owners’ deep pockets.

Mike hurried Corvin up the stairs of one.

It was painted a light gray, and just in time for spooky season, pumpkin heads and a miniature scarecrow had been positioned right next to the front door.

Mike rang the doorbell and moments later, one of the most handsome men Corvin had ever seen opened the door. He regarded them with a dark gaze.

Except, his eyes weren’t really dark at all, they were as blue as a frozen winter lake.

He has some midnight energy though. Feels shadow cold when he looks at me.

Not what I was expecting from Mike’s boss.

Corvin took in the pale face and the near platinum blond hair.

Apparently, Mike works where all the sexy lawyers work.

“Michael,” the man said, then settled his gaze on Corvin.

“Hi, Peter,” Mike said.

Peter’s lips curved into a sculpted smile. “This must be your Corvin. Please, call me Peter. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Do come inside.”

“Yeah, same. Thanks.”

Corvin followed the invitation after Mike gave his back a slight shove.

The house itself was mostly marble, full of oil canvases and expensive furniture, but what really held Corvin’s attention was Peter.

Peter, who looked like something straight out of the wet dreams of his teen years, specifically during the most intense episodes of his manga phase.

“It seems you dressed for the occasion,” Peter said.

“What?”

“You’re wearing your cat sweater, honey,” Mike said, running a hand over Corvin’s back.

Corvin looked down at the black cat wearing a witch’s hat in front of a full moon. “Right. It’s festive.”

“Indeed,” Peter said. “It’s good to celebrate Halloween all month. I’m sure I have candy somewhere.”

“Oh, I shouldn’t. Mike’s making dinner, and I can’t ruin my appetite.”

Mike’s arm snaked around Corvin’s middle. “This might take a while. Don’t worry about dinner, okay?”

“One wonders what got loose out there,” Peter said.

He and Mike exchanged a quick look that Corvin almost missed.

Mike kissed Corvin’s cheek. “I should go back to the van, wait for traffic to get moving again.”

Peter nodded. “Corvin will be quite safe here.”

“Safe? Come on, it’s just a cat, and all the cars are probably freaking it out.”

“Thank you, Peter.” Mike pulled Corvin close. “You’re probably right, but indulge me. And keep warm, okay?”

Corvin nodded. “Sure. Honk the horn when traffic starts moving again, and I’ll come running out.”

Mike rolled his eyes. “Why don’t I just whistle?”

“Works too.”

All of a sudden, Corvin wanted to go back to the car with Mike instead of staying here with Peter, who hadn’t moved a muscle since he’d last spoken. He was statuesque, almost freaky in the way he remained still. Maybe he used to model. He definitely has the looks.

Mike turned toward the door, and before the urge to dash after him could overcome Corvin, Peter asked, “Would you like some tea?” The door closed behind Mike. “Or hot chocolate, if you prefer. I have a nice selection of both.” He gestured for Corvin to follow him.

“I’m actually fine, but thanks. I really don’t want to impose.”

“Impose? You’re not imposing. If you were in the way, I’d have told your lover to stash you elsewhere. Barring that, you’re welcome in my hall.”

“Hall?”

“House. Welcome in my house. I was busy with work in the basement. My mind goes elsewhere when a task absorbs me.”

“You…work in the basement? Aren’t you a lawyer?”

“I am, but I have hobbies. I was digitizing old VHS tapes. Does your library still have those?”

Corvin snorted. “Nope. Not for a decade or two.”

“Shame.” Peter turned around, his pale hair catching the fall light that drifted in from outside. “About the tea though. Please, allow me to serve you some. I very rarely get the chance to entertain.”

Corvin swallowed. “O-okay. Tea is fine, I guess.”

Peter nodded, a subtle smile like Mona Lisa’s on his lips. “Excellent. Make yourself at home.”

He gestured to a huge living room. Corvin’s old apartment would have fit into it easily, and it featured a large bookshelf, painted white to go with the general decor.

Corvin’s trained eye was drawn to the books on the shelf. “You collect old books?”

Peter waved his hand. “Ah, just this and that when I happen upon interesting volumes. Feel free to peruse. I’ll boil the kettle.”

Peter walked off. Corvin totally missed Mike, and of course it was very sad that Mike wasn’t here with him, but there were books.

“And books make the best companions,” he mumbled, making a beeline for the shelf.