Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 112089 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 560(@200wpm)___ 448(@250wpm)___ 374(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112089 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 560(@200wpm)___ 448(@250wpm)___ 374(@300wpm)
I pulled the sheets to cover my chest as I sat up.
“Oops.” Mr. Tom held out a finger. “Just a moment.” He bustled toward my closet as I reached for my coffee.
A knock sounded at the door.
“Yep?” I called.
Ulric poked his head in. “Morning, Miss Jessie. How goes it? Late night, huh? You must be sore.”
I paused with the coffee mug nearly at my lips. “Did I forget to cut off the links last night or something?” Our links could be silenced prior to private moments, and I was usually good about remembering.
“No, you did not. You definitely cut it off…for all six or seven hours.” Ulric laughed as he stepped farther into the room. “Gargoyles have good stamina, but I gotta say, the alpha should get a medal. He was clearly delighted with the show you put on.”
Before I could stammer out a response, Mr. Tom bustled back in.
“Here we go, miss.” He held out one of Austin’s T-shirts. “Only lightly used. I assume you want to wrap up in his smell after last night?”
I blinked at it for a moment. “Why do you have one of Austin’s lightly used T-shirts? How do you have one of his shirts? He takes all of his laundry home to wash.”
“He hasn’t even missed them. As soon as you’re done with this one, I’ll swap it out for another. I have a few stored up should you want or need them.”
“You’ve been stealing his clothes?” Ulric asked.
“What do you take me for?” Mr. Tom sniffed. “I do not steal. I am simply borrowing a few items for the miss. I’m sure he doesn’t mind. Or wouldn’t, if he knew. He’s not as observant about his T-shirts as he is about other matters. He gets a clean T-shirt from the drawer before he leaves, and while he is otherwise occupied around the house, I do a smell test on the things he’s gathered to take home and grab what we need. Simple. I don’t see why this is an issue.”
Ulric held up his hand. “Just so that I am understanding this…you wait until he’s not looking and smell your way through his dirty laundry? And then…borrow his dirty clothes for Jessie? Without asking?”
Mr. Tom blinked at him. “How else would I get his lightly used T-shirts? I dare not break into his home. There are some lines we shouldn’t cross.”
Ulric and I both stared at Mr. Tom for a long moment.
Then I relented and reached for it. I did want to be wrapped in Austin’s smell. I slipped the shirt on and went back to sipping my coffee.
“So. Now that the overindulgent question-asking has finished, let’s get back to breakfast.” Mr. Tom gave Ulric some side-eye before returning his focus to me. “Brunch in the grass? How about it? Most of your people are wandering around aimlessly after missing you for weeks on end. They might like a catch-up.”
I sighed. “Sure. Fine. I should probably check in with Sebastian first, though.”
Mr. Tom’s expression flattened. “If he hasn’t completely lost his mind, you’ll need to sort him out, miss. He can’t just go to pieces every time a shifter attacks him. He was positively embarrassing to Ivy House yesterday. We can’t have a show like that again. It’ll make us seem less than professional to the magical world at large.”
Once again, Ulric and I stared at Mr. Tom for a long beat. This was coming from a guy who wore ridiculous disguises to mask himself in broad daylight and sniffed his way through other people’s dirty laundry.
“Right,” I said slowly. A grin wrestled with Ulric’s lips. “Well, I hardly think facing Austin in a temper is the same as going head to head with another shifter. I doubt many people would’ve responded any better.”
“You did, miss. You responded better,” Mr. Tom replied, taking my now-empty coffee cup. I was tired—I’d need a heavy dose of caffeine this morning.
“I knew Austin wouldn’t hurt me. It’s different.”
“All due respect, Jessie, you would’ve stood up to him anyway.” Ulric beamed at me. “You did us proud. Everything went brilliantly well.”
“I wasn’t really in control,” I muttered, pulling back the sheets and swinging my legs over the edge of the bed. I pulled at the shirt to keep everything covered. “My gargoyle basically took the lead.”
“Learning how to harness your primal side will come in time.” Mr. Tom shooed Ulric away. “Go, go, she needs to wake up and to get ready for the day. I’ll bring up another cup, miss. You’re probably still tired from your late-night activities.”
“Oh my God, please drop it,” I said, groaning.
“Of course, miss. But given your drowsy mood, maybe we’ll settle for a lovely breakfast in your room today, and we’ll plan to set up the canopy later this week. I’ll just go refill your coffee for you, or you’ll be dead on your feet.” Mr. Tom bustled out of the room with Ulric in front of him, and I could feel his absolute delight through the bond. He’d missed taking care of me in the mornings, that was clear. My returning had given him a sense of purpose. It had restored his duty.