Chapter 22
Chapter
Twenty-Two
Aknock at the door caused Malachi to lift his head.
After closing up for the day, Malachi had gone out to pick up some things from some local stores. Then he’d lingered in the emporium rather than going upstairs. He had tended to his plants. Then he’d gone around wiping down the tanks.
But truthfully, Malachi was just waiting for Trent to arrive. He crossed to the door and opened it. “Good evening, Trent.”
Trent’s grin stretched his cheeks. “Evening.”
Snow rested on his brown hair and coat. Malachi stepped back, allowing him to enter.
Trent stamped his boots and brushed the snow from his shoulders. He carried a couple of packages under his arm.
“Shall we go up?” Malachi asked.
“You’ll take Kelby up as well, right?” His gaze flitted to the yellow sorrow.
“Of course.” Malachi walked to the plant. Kelby waited on the stem as always. He glanced at Trent, who’d followed him. The young human stared at Kelby.
“Would you like to carry her?”
Trent’s eyes widened. “She wouldn’t mind?”
“I’m not sure,” Malachi confessed. “But I think she likes you. We could try.” Malachi held out his hand towards the packages Trent carried.
Trent handed them over.
“Just hold out your hand next to her, palm up. If she feels comfortable, she’ll hop on.”
Trent tugged off his gloves and shoved them in his coat pocket. He held out his hand. Kelby didn’t immediately hop on as she normally would with Malachi. Instead, she blinked her big eyes for several seconds as if considering.
Meanwhile, Trent looked like he was holding his breath. Then Kelby released her grip on the stem and stepped onto Trent’s hand.
Trent beamed triumphantly and looked at Malachi. “She hopped on!” he whispered.
“She did.” Malachi smiled. The young man’s enthusiasm was contagious.
Malachi carried a lantern upstairs. Trent followed very slowly, cradling his palm to his chest, clearly worried about any harm coming to Kelby. It was ridiculously sweet.
When they reached the top, Trent put Kelby in her terrarium, watching her as she settled in.
Malachi placed the packages on the table, took off his coat, and went to start a fire. “You’ve been on your feet all day?”
“Yes.” Trent let out an exhausted sigh as he took off his coat. “I went to the bakery. Then I worked at the Christmas markets. After that, I went and helped Ordelia with her kids. Now I’m here.”
“So you haven’t stopped?”
Trent shook his head.
“You must be exhausted.”
“I am.” Trent sighed and flopped onto the chair.
Malachi frowned. “I hope you didn’t feel like you had to come here. As much as I’m pleased you are, if you needed to rest—”
“No!” Trent sat up straight. “I wanted to come. I’ve been looking forward to it all day.” His eyes gleamed. “I’ve been thinking about what we did last night.”
“So have I.” Throughout the day, Malachi’s mind had turned over the previous evening. He’d thought of the sounds Trent made. The way he’d writhed beneath him. Several times he’d found himself lost in thoughts and growing aroused. Which had been very distracting.
They stared at each other, the air between them heavy with promise. Malachi could see the hunger in the young man’s eyes. He knew with a word or gesture, he could have Trent naked and begging.
But first he should make sure Trent was fed. He had worked hard today. It sounded like he worked hard every day.
Malachi didn’t want to exhaust him. Especially because he had plans of tiring him out soon. He turned back to the fireplace. Soon he had it crackling and giving off light and warmth.
“There.” Malachi rose. He put the kettle over the flames to boil water for tea. Then he fetched tea leaves and a couple of cups.
When he’d gone out to buy things, he’d specifically decided to get cutlery, cups, and plates in order to be a better host for Trent. He’d had a cup, bowl, and plate, of course. But not enough for two people. And he wanted Trent to be comfortable in his home.
Malachi wanted to laugh. Even without him trying, Trent’s presence had already brightened his little room.
Trent pulled out the baked goods from the packages: cake, bread, pies, muffins, and Christmas cookies. Malachi’s mouth watered. Malachi got out some fruit, smoked sausage, and cheese, which he’d also bought when he’d gone out earlier.
He’d spent more and gotten a better selection than he would normally have. He wanted to ensure Trent was well fed.
“Have you eaten much today?” Malachi handed him some cutlery and a plate.
Trent nodded as he served himself. “I usually grab food whilst I’m running around. But I don’t sit down to eat with anyone most days. So this is a treat.”
“It is for me too.” And Malachi meant it. Compared to what he usually ate, this was food fit for a king. And the fact he had someone to eat with definitely improved the meal. “Don’t you usually eat with your siblings?”
Trent shook his head. “Not so much. We usually take breaks at different times. And we’re all running around.” He paused. “We used to eat more together. But recently, everyone has their partners, and many don’t live at home anymore. So not so much lately.”
Trent spoke the words lightly enough. But Malachi got the sense it bothered him.
Malachi made them both a cup of tea and then sat down. “Well, I don’t usually eat with others either. So I am glad you’re here.”
Trent smiled.
Malachi continued, “And I’ve been thinking, even though I said I wasn’t interested in anything romantic, I’d still like our relationship to be more than just sexual interactions. I would like a friend. I do not have any, and I’ve been lonely,” Malachi said, being brutally honest.
He pushed on. Because he wanted everything laid out before them. “And I would like us to be friends. Would that be something you’d be interested in?”
Trent swallowed the food in his mouth. “I’d like that too.”
“Good.” Malachi held Trent’s gaze for several seconds. Then he turned to the food. “Which of these delicacies do you recommend I start with?”
“Oh, I recommend everything! Jack made the bread.” Trent pointed.
“He has an affinity for nourishment, so that’s good for keeping you fed and strong.
Jasper made the Christmas cake with nuts, dried fruit, marzipan, and icing sugar.
Wulfric made the lemon muffins. Leo made the pie.
And Cas made the pretty bauble cookies.”
“What did you make?” Malachi asked.
Trent hesitated. “I mean, I helped with a lot of it, especially Jasper’s Christmas cake.
But I didn’t really make anything myself.
I’m not much of a baker. I’m more of an assistant.
I wash, I clean, and I prepare, chop, and measure out ingredients for the others.
” He gave a self-conscious laugh. “I don’t do the important stuff. ”
“I don’t know much about baking, but that all sounds important to me,” Malachi said.
“I try to be as helpful as possible,” Trent rushed out. “In particular, I try to help Jasper. He doesn’t have much energy these days. So I support him as I can.”
“I’m sure he appreciates it.” Malachi was somewhat familiar with Jasper’s case.
When Trent had first come into the emporium, he’d told Malachi about his brother’s accident. He had even handed him a note from the healer that went into what Jasper required.
“I’m sure your whole family appreciates your help.” Malachi leaned towards him and placed a hand on his knee. He squeezed.
“Thanks.” Trent gave him a smile and took a bite of his pie.
Malachi did the same. “This is delicious!”
“I’ll tell Leo.” Trent licked the crumbs from his lip. “How was your day?”
“Nothing interesting happened. I had several customers come in. A sea witch tried to sell me some aquatic ferns.” Malachi’s brows lowered.
“But something was off about them. I suspect she’d cast something on them.
She denied it, but I could tell something was off.
So I said no. I have no interest in dealing with enchanted aquatic ferns when I have no idea what has been done to them. ”
Malachi continued to tell Trent about what had happened during his day as they ate and drank.
Trent nodded and asked questions. And Malachi realised just how much he’d missed having someone he could properly talk with about the mundane moments of his life. Then Trent told him about his day and all his siblings and their partners.
After they finished eating, they sat, staring into the fire. From the corner of Malachi’s eye, he could see Trent look at him. He could feel Trent’s burning gaze, as if he was waiting for Malachi to make a move. Trent’s fingers tapped against the cup he held in his hands.
Malachi lifted his own tea to his lips. “You know what I kept thinking of today?”
“What?”
“You at night, lying in your bed, stroking your hard dick whilst you thought of me.” Malachi sipped his tea.
Trent’s fingers stopped tapping.
Malachi fought a smile. “I kept thinking how I would really like to watch you take your cock in hand and pleasure yourself.”