Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 39596 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 198(@200wpm)___ 158(@250wpm)___ 132(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39596 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 198(@200wpm)___ 158(@250wpm)___ 132(@300wpm)
“Very much.”
“I saw a meme about it being nothing more than wet flour over dry flour, but you know what it didn’t mention? Bacon grease and pepper. That’s how my mom used to make gravy. Some prefer sausage, but I grew up with bacon grease flavoring the gravy, and I love it. Ever had it that way?”
“Not sure. It all smells good.”
“Bacon always smells good when it’s cooking. Like onions. I love the smell of cooking onions.”
“Open your gift.” The anticipation was killing him.
“I will while we eat. Let the anticipation build like Christmas. My parents used to make us eat our breakfasts before we opened the gifts, and by the time we did, Gabby and I would be shaking with excitement.”
That worked for Callan, though his whole body was tense. Lonnie had been so pleased with the first gift he’d barely been able to contain his smiles and laughter.
He watched as Lonnie made the gravy, noting he didn’t use a lot of the grease—just enough for flavor.
And when Callan filled his plate, he made sure to coat the fluffy looking biscuits completely. He dipped a piece of bacon into the gravy, bit into it, and grunted. “Good.”
“I don’t eat like this all the time, of course. It’s so not healthy. But once in a while is fine. I can’t imagine how must food you need because you’re so big.” Lonnie’s leg was bouncing under the table, every now and then bumping into it.
Callan waited for Lonnie to take three bites, then subtly pushed the present closer.
He received a low chuckle in response. “Okay, I’ll open it,” Lonnie said. “You sure like giving gifts.” Lonnie took a moment to look over the wrapping. “Pretty paper.’
“Like your eyes,” Callan said.
That made Lonnie look at him, an expression Callan couldn’t read flitting over his features.
But Lonnie unwrapped the gift. “A book? I love books. And this looks old.” He ran his fingers over the raised script on the leather cover. When he opened the book, Callan watched him closely.
Lonnie’s eyes went wide behind his glasses, and his cheeks turned pink. “Um.” He turned a page, his mouth dropping open, then turned a few more. “So many drawings,” he murmured as he looked at Callan. “Callan, is this, er, demon porn?”
Callan nodded eagerly. “Is very old, this book. Lots of drawings. Hard to find.”
Lonnie’s face turned even redder as he turned a few more pages. “Oh!” He squinted, then turned the book upside down. “Oh!”
“Do you like it?”
Lonnie finally turned those wide eyes his way, beads of sweat shining over his upper lip. He stared for a long time before his features softened. “Yes, Callan, I like it. It just surprised me, that’s all.”
“We can look at the pictures together.”
“Together?” he squeaked.
“Yes. You point at the ones you like.”
“Oh, god.”
Callan tilted his head, his frown returning. ‘You don’t like it, do you?”
“Oh no, I do. I’m just…” He trailed off as he set the book down then flailed his hands. “I’m shy. Yes, that’s it. Shy. Wasn’t expecting porn with my breakfast.” He cleared his throat and squirmed in his seat. “Do you really want to look at this with me?”
“Of course.”
He squirmed again.
It was good that the images affected him. This was one of two traditional demon courting gifts. The first had been all about Lonnie and what he liked. This one was to be shared. Like the next gift.
Callan couldn’t be happier. He was pleasing his mate in the best way he knew how.
And he couldn’t wait to show Lonnie page one hundred and seven. He liked that page. He grew warm at the thought of holding Lonnie up against a wall and pounding into him. Lonnie was just the perfect size for that, and it was one of Callan’s favorite ways to have sex.
He tried the biscuit with the gravy and showed his appreciation with a moan of pleasure.
Lonnie set the book down, patted the cover and grinned at Callan, his cheeks still full of color. “It’s good, right?”
“Best gravy ever.”
“I’m glad you like it.” He glanced at the book, then chewed on his lower lip a moment. “You know, you don’t have to give me presents.”
Callan set his fork down and studied Lonnie’s serious expression. “I like you.”
“I like you, too. You mentioned demon tradition, so should I be giving you gifts, too?”
Callan shook his head. “Your happiness with them is my gift.”
Lonnie sputtered, wiggling in his chair. “Fuck, some of the things you say just hit me in the chest. In a good way. But, um…porn? I’m not sure I understand why.”
He could tell Lonnie he was courting him, but that would kill the mystery. Had Lonnie been a demon, he’d know exactly what was happening, but he was human. Callan cast about in his mind for an explanation, but as usual, he couldn’t find the words he needed. Frustration heated his chest and belly, and he tightened his fingers around his fork. This was too important, and he needed to be able to speak with Lonnie in a better way. The man was smart. A teacher. He was probably attracted to like-minded humans, and though he had an entire room devoted to Callan’s kind, that was pure fantasy. Not the actual reality. Callan would have to impress him, show that he was worthy of Lonnie’s love, because love was exactly what he was after. Eventually. He needed to prove he was worthy of someone as smart as Lonnie.