Page 15 of The Loneliest Dragon at Christmas

Leo and Jasper turned and stared as Avery entered the bakery.

“Who is it?” Leo asked.

“Is it Avery?” Jasper whispered.

They weren’t even trying to be subtle.

“Aren’t you meant to be at the Christmas markets now?” Jack groused.

“Trent, Ordelia, and Grady are already there.” Leo waved dismissively at him.

Lacy had told everyone about how she thought Avery and Jack would be perfect for each other. Then she’d repeatedly told them they’d been flirting and sharing long lingering glances. Not that Jack had been flirting or exchanging long lingering glances with Avery.

Jack had just been serving a customer.

“I don’t know who you’re talking about.” Jack feigned innocence. He put the dough in a bowl and covered it with acloth. He set it aside, allowing it to rise. But he wiped his hands on his apron and took a step towards the front of the bakery.

“Come on, Jack!” Lacy whined. “Avery is sweet and kind and very attractive. He’s perfect for you! And I see how you look at him. And I see how he looks at you.”

Jack’s throat tightened. He bit back the question,How does Avery look at me?Because although he’d been certain Avery wouldn’t want him, he couldn’t help but think he’d also noticed some appreciation in those stunning golden eyes.

But that couldn’t be right. Could it?

Avery had been back quite a few times now, every single day since the first day. Jack always ended up being the one to serve him. His interfering siblings made sure of that.

Jack could admit he was attracted to Avery, liked him even. And if he was completely honest with himself, he had thought it might be nice to go on a date at the Christmas markets like Lacy suggested.

But what if Lacy was wrong? What if he asked Avery on a date and made a fool of himself? Surely there were flashy servants Avery would prefer to date.

“Well, if you are too busy, maybe I should serve him?” Cas flew past him, batting his pretty eyelashes innocently. “I’d be more than happy to get to know Avery. Maybe I’ll see if he is free to go to the Christmas markets with me.”

The twins laughed.

“I can serve,” Jack groused and went to do just that. He paused. “And aren’t you fucking that orc Graal? Isn’t that why you keep taking such long breaks and coming back looking dishevelled and thoroughly fucked?”

“Yeah. I am.” Cas smiled, completely unashamed.

The others laughed. Jack shook his head.

“And don’t forget,” Lacy whispered. “Ask him to the Christmas markets!”

Jack ignored her.

“Hi, Avery.” Jack smiled, reached for a plate, and placed a cookie on top. He slid it across the counter. “One vanilla crescent cookie for you.”

“Thank you, Jack.” A smile stretched across his cheeks. “You remembered!”

“Of course.” It was a relatively easy order.

Avery lifted the cookie to his mouth. Jack held his breath as he watched Avery eat. Avery groaned softly as he chewed, eyelashes fluttering shut.

What did Avery sound like when he was kissed? Would he make those same soft noises of pleasure? And what sort of noises did Avery make when he was in bed with a lover?

Jack’s belly tightened.

Avery licked his plump lips as he finished. “Delicious as always.” Avery tilted his head, brows furrowing. “But it tasted slightly different today.”

“Oh.” Jack frowned. “Sorry. Was it bad?”