Chapter 4
FOUR
CALDER
Calder thought their date was going extremely well.
Yes, it was obvious Adam was nervous and a bit uncertain, but every time Calder reassured him that everything was fine, he settled a little more.
Calder didn’t like that Adam seemed to be expecting a negative reaction to his behavior, and Calder was determined to show him as often as necessary that it didn’t bother Calder at all.
To the contrary, Calder liked everything about his mate, and that included his clumsiness.
They went to sit on some flattish rocks on the sandy beach.
Calder had never been a huge fan of fancy, restrictive meals, and he’d hoped Adam would feel the same.
Or maybe his likes were broad. At any rate, he seemed to relax the longer they sat together, munching away at their food as seagulls wheeled overhead, their calls loud and strident, and the surf crashed rhythmically against the beach, music to Calder’s ears.
Adam managed to knock several fries out of his container and onto the sand, but Calder simply smiled.
“Someone will eat them.”
Adam eyed the gulls. “I’m actually surprised they haven’t tried already. I’ve had some gull encounters in the past, and I’ve always lost.”
Calder laughed. “Gulls are definitely opportunistic, but maybe they don’t want to interrupt us.”
This made Adam laugh and shake his head, amused.
There might not be a lot that stopped gulls, but Calder was one of those things. There were times where animals were much smarter than humans.
“This really is good,” Adam told him, licking at his fingers in a way that made Calder want to suck them into his mouth, but he restrained himself.
He hadn’t lived this long by not learning patience.
“I’m glad,” Calder told him, clearing his throat. “I hoped you’d enjoy it.”
“Oh, yes, it’s lovely,” Adam assured him, staring out at the water. “I try to get down to the beach for walks periodically. It’s so calming—or at least amazing to look at even when it’s not calm.”
Calder grinned, because that was certainly true.
Adam continued, “But you know how time just passes, whether you mean it to or not? I live pretty close to the water, and yet somehow, so many days pass without my actually getting out here to enjoy it.” His gaze came back to Calder, his bright eyes alight.
“So thank you for thinking of this. I really appreciate it.”
“Of course,” Calder said, managing to bite back the words that he would be happy to make it his life’s mission to ensure that Adam enjoyed the water forever.
That would definitely not be going slowly and carefully. Instead, he asked, “How did you wind up baking for Divine Confections?”
Adam’s face lit up again, and he told Calder all about how he’d run into Maggie—literally—but she’d given him a chance anyway, and no matter that he sometimes messed things up, she loved the way he baked.
“Everything you bake is delicious,” Calder assured him.
Adam’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “But you haven’t tried everything I’ve ever baked. You can’t possibly know that.”
“I’m extrapolating,” Calder explained. “Those cakes were the best I’ve ever tasted, and I’m sure everything else is equally amazing.”
Adam’s cheeks went pink, but he looked pleased, if a little bashful.
With a little prompting, he talked more and more about the bakery, the friends he’d made there, the experiments that he’d tried, and the many delicious baked goods that he’d created.
He even shared a few of his disasters, looking up at Calder through long lashes as if to gauge how he reacted.
It had become clear that the clumsiness was apparently a step too far for those who were idiots.
Adam seemed to be just waiting for whatever moment was too much for Calder, and while Calder wanted to find everyone who’d ever hurt Adam and toss them into the sea, he suppressed those feelings.
Adam was expecting irritation or anger, and Calder would make sure that no reaction of his could be misunderstood.
“It’s not something you can control!” Calder finally found himself blurting out after one too many self-deprecating comments.
Adam eyed him. “Only I sort of can, can’t I? I’m not clumsy all the time. If I concentrate really carefully, I can usually be better. I’m good in the kitchen, mostly, because I can really concentrate there, though it’s far from perfect. I use a lot of unbreakable charms.”
“Having to be hyperaware all the time sounds exhausting,” Calder said flatly. “Charms have their place, of course, but I’d much rather that you were relaxed and enjoying yourself, even if it means ketchup in weird places sometimes.”
Adam’s eyes flew to his, peering intently. “Oh,” he breathed, blue eyes soft, something that looked like hope in them. A small smile curled up his lips. “I am sorry about the shirt, though.”
Calder laughed. “I’m not. I still think this one will wash out, but you can ruin all the shirts in the world if I get to spend time with you.”
Adam ducked his gaze, but the smile was still there. Maybe Calder had been a bit vehement, but it was the simple truth.
Clearing his throat, Adam asked, “I’ve been blathering on about me. What do you do?”
Rather than assuring Adam that he would happily listen forever to every little detail, Calder tried to stick as close to the truth about himself as he could, given what he was still hiding.
How long could it take to show someone that you were the perfect mate for them?
“I do a lot of work in ocean conservancy. I’m privileged to come from money”—that he had amassed over the centuries—“and I therefore have the freedom to do a lot of volunteer work. I donate as much money as I can to such projects, and when I’m able, I donate my time as well.”
He’d been a little worried that Adam might find that off-putting or worry needlessly about comparing their assets, but to Calder’s delight, honest appreciation was painted across Adam’s face.
“That’s so wonderful! It’s been so good to see everyone really rally behind the need for change. Is it better than it was? Tell me all about it.”
Adam’s eyes were shining with interest, and since Calder could talk about the oceans for decades and never run out of things to say, he happily chattered away, loving how engaged Adam was.
They passed on to common “getting to know you” topics: likes and dislikes, favorite films and books, hobbies, family, and more.
Adam made almost no mention of anything related to bonding, and Calder finally decided to bring the topic up himself, though a little obliquely, asking if Adam had a familiar.
Adam should his head vehemently. “No. Can you imagine an animal in the kitchen? Definitely not.”
They’d need to be masked from people, but it wasn’t like a familiar behaved like a regular animal. They could easily be kept out of the way of the baking.
“What about a shifter, then?”
It was a stupid question, when Calder had already heard enough to know that Adam objected to bonding. But he hoped to learn more.
Adam’s lips tightened and he snapped, “Definitely not.” He seemed to realize that was a bit abrupt, because he flushed and continued, “It’s not for me. I’m better on my own, you know?”
Had someone hurt his beautiful mate? It was clearly early for such confessions, but Calder would be extra patient and supportive.
And he wouldn’t mention just yet that he was a shifter.
He hadn’t said anything untrue, but it was clear that Adam was assuming Calder was a witch.
Calder would just wait until they knew one another a bit better.
He wanted Adam to be comfortable with him and really give him a chance, so he could prove that shifters and bonds were no bad thing, at least when it came to the two of them.
Adam cleared his throat. “What about you?”
“I’ve been alone for a long time,” Calder answered. “It’s nice to have pleasant company.”
Adam blushed.
So they definitely didn’t bare all, but they’d progressed much further than just catching gazes and being certain that he’d found his mate. Calder loved learning every single little detail about this man.
Before he knew it, the sun was low on the horizon, and their date had been going on for hours.
Calder grimaced. “I’m so sorry! I was trying to respect your schedule, and I’ve kept you out late!”
Adam just smiled at him. “I’ve really enjoyed myself. I can’t remember the last time I clicked with someone like this.”
He looked like he wished the words back the moment he said them, shoulders going tense, but Calder beamed.
Mate.
“I feel the same way,” he assured Adam. “This has been the best.”
Adam relaxed again.
“Can I see you again?” Calder blurted.
He’d meant to ease into it a little better, but the words were out now.
Adam still looked faintly surprised, like despite the fact that they’d both just said this was awesome, he didn’t expect Calder to want to spend more time with him.
But Calder so, so did.
Expression a bit shy, Adam admitted, “I’d like that. It’s been a long time since I made a friend.”
Calder made sure his expression didn’t change. Okay, so maybe the date wasn’t going quite as well as he’d thought. But Adam had said he’d enjoyed himself. And it was equally clear that he expected his partner to not enjoy himself, at least eventually.
It was going to take time to get past his concerns about his self-worth. If it made him more comfortable to think of them being friends, then Calder could work with that.
The Magic didn’t make you fated mates. It pointed out the possibility to those who listened, and you had to figure out what to do with it. Calder wanted everything, but he’d spend every minute he could with Adam in any way that his beautiful witch would allow.
They stood up, Adam wobbling as he went off balance, but Calder reached out and looped an arm around his waist, steadying him.
Adam smiled softly at him, and Calder couldn’t help but grin back.