Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 76887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Paxton’s expression softened as he looked back down at his food and started stirring his soup. “Yes, you have fascinating reviews and they’re part of the reason I’m here. I’ve been tracking some new beetles and I found some pictures on a rental review website.”
Shit.
Several people around us went very quiet but Paxton didn’t seem to notice. “I’m fairly certain they’re the same species, or at least a similar one, as beetles I’ve been tracking in different areas.”
Shit.
Shit.
Shit.
What had the fucking mages done?
“Other areas?” Sounding as relaxed as I could and still showing interest, I raised one eyebrow as he glanced up at me before taking a bite. “I don’t know much about specific insect species, so you’ll have to forgive any stupid questions.”
I had broad general knowledge but nothing like what he probably knew.
“There are no stupid questions.” Paxton responded so quickly, I hoped he remembered that later when I blew his mind.
“Good, because I’m going to have a lot for you.” Like what his favorite foods were and if he’d ever seen anything about age play or littles.
“I don’t mind that at all.” The cute bug doctor’s mind was in a completely different place than mine. “Insects are very interesting creatures.”
He was adorable.
Yep, it was easy to see why half the town was convinced he was a little and had decided to keep him.
“I’d start asking you a few questions now, but your soup is going to get cold.” Nodding toward the food in front of him, I chuckled softly. “Eat or everyone will start to worry you’ll starve.”
He obeyed without even thinking about it, but his gaze darted around the room. “Everyone is…they’re very curious.”
My chuckle had him blushing. “That’s one word for it. Another would be nosy, oh, or pushy.”
And I got a soft laugh from the cutie. “I wouldn’t say that.”
“Out loud. You wouldn’t say that out loud.” My teasing response had a few huffs and groans popping up around us. “See? I’m right.”
And I got a giggle.
He cut it off as quickly as he noticed it and replaced it with a laugh he probably thought was more grown-up, but he didn’t argue with me. “I didn’t say that.”
But he’d wanted to.
He couldn’t admit that, though, so he grasped for something else to say. “I…I didn’t see you order. Did you already have lunch?”
Shaking my head, I let him change the subject. “No, I got distracted being nosy.”
Well, I kind of let him change the subject.
He was now the one groaning and shaking his head at me. “I should’ve expected that answer.”
Yep.
“You’re interesting. What can I say?” I knew I was giving the lunatics too much gossip to go on because I heard the word mate quietly being tossed around. “But at least I didn’t corner you to ask nosy questions before you’d eaten.”
He took another bite, watching me closely before setting his spoon down. “You were going to wait until after I’d eaten.”
Smart was fucking sexy.
“Yes, you’re always happier after you’ve eaten.” Letting out that I’d been watching him was deliberate, and I waited to see what he’d say.
“No, I’m not.” Scrunching up his face, he huffed. “I’m always happy.”
Tell that to the moron who tried to ask a stupid question before the bug doctor got his morning caffeine and chocolate fix. “I heard what happened this morning.”
That got a sigh from him and he rolled his eyes. “I shouldn’t have to take quizzes first thing in the morning. I don’t know why I like the muffins better than the quiches. That’s just not a fair comparison.”
Somehow, everyone had gotten it in their head that littles only liked comfort foods, so they were trying to use that rule to narrow down his little status and what the definition of a comfort food should be. It was fascinating logic and a rule I wasn’t sure if I agreed with or not.
I was going to have to wait and see what their final conclusions were before I made a decision.
“You like sweet in the morning and savory later in the day.” His preferences weren’t rocket science. Most littles seemed to do the same thing based on the local population of slightly insane cuties. “Besides, you’re right. It’s not a fair comparison. A better survey would’ve been asking about muffins versus pancakes.”
That had his mind going blank and his spoon stopped halfway to the bowl. “That’s…that would be too hard to pick.”
Oh.
“Because they’re both good choices or because it’s easier to grab muffins when you’re heading out to work?” I had a guess but I wasn’t sure if I was right.
“I…” And nothing. After a few seconds, he swallowed and his body started working again. “I don’t make breakfast. So that’s not…I don’t…”
Was someone else supposed to make him breakfast?
A Daddy perhaps?
“Then you shouldn’t have to answer silly questions.” Shrugging like it was a perfectly normal answer to a reasonable question, I shrugged. “Whoever feeds you your breakfasts should know the answer.”