Total pages in book: 43
Estimated words: 39991 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 200(@200wpm)___ 160(@250wpm)___ 133(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39991 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 200(@200wpm)___ 160(@250wpm)___ 133(@300wpm)
Rowan frowned. “What that could mean?”
Ezra opened his mouth, but Alaric clapped his hand over it and gave Rowan a smile. “It just means you’re unique—like he is.”
Rowan got the feeling Ezra had meant something entirely different, but Ivor wrapped warm fingers around his arm and led him toward one of the empty seats. White containers filled the table, and there was a pile of sauce packets and utensils on one side. Ivor grabbed a pair of chopsticks and a handful of sauces then took the chair next to Rowan’s. “Pick whatever you want. Oh, I’ll grab you a plate so you can choose several things.” He got back up.
“Hi, I’m Clive,” a cute man said from across the table, patting the hand of a beautiful, white-blond, androgynous man next to him. “I’m with Bain.” He pointed toward Dax—the one who was best friends with Ivor and Emory. “And the guy with Dax is named Everett.”
Everett spoke up. “It’s my fault that draugr is after you, and I am so sorry.”
“It’s not your fault,” Dax said, wrapping his hand around the back of Everett’s neck affectionately. Dax was so large, he made Everett look positively tiny. “We had no idea that spell would release it from the nephrite.” The ogre looked at Rowan. “But we all do feel bad that it got loose and came after you. We’re glad you’re here where it’s safe.”
“I’m glad, too. Though I am starting to go a little stir crazy without a kitchen.” Ivor set a plate in front of him, and he smiled in thanks, then grabbed the closest box and glanced inside to find beef lo mein. He scooped some out, then chose some rice and egg foo young.
The whole time, he was aware of the heat coming from Ivor’s body next to him. It almost felt like they were a couple along with most of the people in the room. There were a few single preternaturals. Well, he assumed they were, though they could easily have partners not here. One in particular drew his eyes because he had pointed ears and a long tail. Rowan had no idea what kind of creature he was, but he was too polite to ask. When that preternatural spoke up, he used a rather loud voice.
“Everett, have you had any weird fans show up?”
Fans? Was the man famous?
“Nah,” Everett answered. “I’ve been lucky. Most just send me private messages to tell me they like the books, though I did have one who sent a DM and grew quickly furious when I didn’t respond immediately. I thought that one would become a problem, but luckily he went away after swearing he’d never read another of my books. Why?”
“I just got off a job for a writer, and he had a fan who kept showing up in a furry wolf costume.”
Everett just blinked as his mouth dropped open. Then he slowly grinned. “Let me guess. He writes werewolf romances?”
“Got it in one guess.”
“Really?” Rowan leaned forward eagerly. “Can you tell me who? I read a lot of those!”
“I’m not really supposed to, but I will say they are gay romances set on the east coast and there’s an ornery pet ferret.”
“Oh, I love that series! How fun.” He twirled his chopsticks in the lo mein but looked at Everett. “So you write books? Other than desserts, books are my thing. I mostly read romances, but I love mysteries and some science fiction, too. What do you write?”
“Mysteries, and now urban fantasy, though I’ve just started in that genre. I have a few books out under the name E.V. Page. Most are cozies, but there are a couple of thrillers.”
Rowan didn’t recognize the name, but he didn’t want Everett to know that. “It must be so wonderful to come up with all those ideas. I wish I had that kind of creativity, because writing books would be something I’d love.” He certainly had a rich fantasy life—but he’d never thought to put those fantasies down on paper.
“There’s a lot of creativity in cooking, too,” Everett said before asking about his desserts. They chatted as they finished eating and when he set down his chopsticks, he looked at Ivor to find his eyes fairly glowing with something like real affection. His heart skipped a beat, and he couldn’t look away. He wasn’t sure how long they stared at each other while everyone talked around them, but suddenly Ivor’s expression changed. Eyes hooding, nostrils flaring. Affection changing to lust in the blink of an eye.
Ivor shoved his chair back and stood. He held out his hand to Rowan.
He didn’t care if they were obvious—he just wanted to be alone with Ivor right there and then. He took his hand and followed him from the conference room.
Ivor took him into the closest empty room, which turned out to be another conference room with a long table and chairs. He locked the door behind them, then put his hands on Rowan’s waist, backing him against the wall.