The Wizard's Tizz [Milson Valley 5] (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove)
Page 14
“Sorbet and a liqueur from the new vamp bar in the city.”
Drax winced. “Yeah? Can’t convince you to go to the pack bar?”
Snorting an inelegant no, Mason collected a coat from the walk in robe, wrapped a scarf around his neck, and found his gloves. It was winter in Milson City. Christmas wasn’t far away, so it was cold at night.
The last thing a wolf shifter wanted to do was hang out in the vampire bar. The two groups loved to stir and niggle each other, and wolves, they thought vampires were pretentious and liked a more relaxed environment. One where they could tussle probably. While Mason just liked a good sorbet and liqueur. And to watch his big, sexy wolf squirm a bit after that fireman’s lift this afternoon. Mason was no damsel in distress needing a big strong wolf shifter to hoist him over a wide, muscular shoulder and carry him to safety.
Wizards, and witches, were well known for their little paybacks and grudge holding. Just because they were mates didn’t mean that would change.
“Oh, and Christmas shopping. There’s that new vampire boutique in the Village I have been wanting to wander through.”
Drax shuddered. Literally. Then he gave a big grin full of teeth and placed a hand on his groin through his jeans. Wearing only denim jeans, the top button and belt still undone, no top on and showing off that wide, muscular tanned chest with a treasure trail of cream-blond hair leading down to his underwear caused Mason’s own groin to stand up and wave. He might have salivated.
“I’ve got a present for you, baby.”
Oh yes, Mason so did like that present. He stared transfixed as the package behind Drax’s hand grew. He licked his lips. Drax stopped in front of Mason and lightly touched his cheek with fingertips.
“I’m sure the coven has some sorbet and liqueur. Probably Xavier makes it himself,” Drax said with a touch of teasing. “How about we stay right here and I order up those?”
“Hmm, okay. So when did you get your family their Christmas presents?” Mason asked innocently, smiling and running a hand over his gorgeous mate’s solid chest. Yum. “What did you get me, mate? Must have been hard to choose a present for Xavier, considering he’s a vamp, and you wolves just—”
“What?” Drax dropped his hand, eyes a little frantic. “Christmas? That’s like weeks away!”
“A week, sexy, and you sound like your younger sister.” Mason couldn’t help it, he grinned. “You did get me and my family presents, right?”
“For the love of…” Drax grumbled and stomped away to the wardrobe he’d practically shoved his clothes into without hanging. He opened the doors, and they fell on the floor. “Shit!”
Mason turned his lips inward to stop from laughing.
Wolves were amusing. They were cheerful mostly, but not necessarily the most easygoing creatures around. Drax waved at the clothes now strewn on the ground.
“Can’t you use some spell to put these all back in there?”
Mason arched a brow. “No, that would be against the new rule. You remember that one, mate, you were insisting the use of spells and potions to do mundane tasks and hide appearances be stopped—”
“Fine.” Drax scooped up the clothes and shoved them back into the wardrobe, quickly closing the doors before they could all fall out again. He’d managed to grab a long-sleeved, white, ribbed shirt that he pulled over his head, thrust his arms through the sleeves of, then slid down, molding that yummy body. Mason sighed. Drax winked and put on a tan sweater with a V-neck and took socks out from a draw.
While Drax put on socks and shoes, Mason fiddled with his hair in the en suite. He used a quarter of a can and managed to get the fine strands to sit in some sort of order and joined Drax in the lounge where Baron and Sebastian were also.
“We’ve done a clean sweep of the forest,” Baron was saying. “No sightings of the witch or this Master. I’ve upped the soldier patrols since we seem to have more and more Renegades sneaking in and hiding out.”
Sebastian was grinning. “Congratulations! Seems I didn’t need to have Delia use a spell on you two after all. Keeley will be disappointed.”
Mason stilled. Little Keeley Tate was Xavier and Drake’s human mate. Cute, quirky, and fun, and a chaos magnet, the human had threatened, subtly, to pay Mason back for helping Drake claim him months ago when Keeley was not feeling happy with discovering he had another mate. Keeley’s paybacks usually resulted in one of Mason’s experiments going wrong and a lot of mess for Mason to clean up, as well as a lot of wasted work.
“I’m thinking Keeley needs a bigger Christmas present,” Mason mused.
Sebastian laughed. “Yeah, he’s still huffy you used that spell on him.”
“But he’s happy! And the spell wouldn’t have worked if he didn’t really want Drake!” Mason exclaimed, hands flying about. “It was for a good cause!”
The shifters were chuckling.
“I told you all that magic use would get you W&Ws into trouble.” Baron smirked. “So, Christmas shopping, Drax? I thought your mom went out and bought all the presents and just gave them to you to give on Christmas Day.”
Mason stared at his mate in shock. “What? Your mom bought me that stack of books last year? Oh my stars, I’m so embarrassed!”
Erotic gay fiction. Drax’s mother had bought Mason erotic gay fiction! Raising a hand with the intention of zapping his mate with a tiny lightning bolt, Mason hardly noticed the tiger shifters scattering fast out of the way. Witches and wizards were known for sometimes missing their target when frazzled. That’s why all potions, spells, and magic with the potential to cause harm or destruction were now only allowed to be performed in the open field away from creatures and buildings.
“Now, mate—” Drax held up his hands, looking around for a place to run. “Ow! Shit!”
“You better get me the best damn present ever, mate,” Mason grumbled and then turned to the doorway. “Hey! Tigers.”
Sebastian stuck his head around the doorway. “You’ve got scorch marks on your butt, Drax.”
“Well, fuck! These were my favorite jeans.”
“You two are coming to that new vamp bar, as well. Get changed. You’ve got five minutes. And we’re Christmas shopping after.”
“No way,” Baron quickly denied.
Sebastian grinned. “Come on, bro, it’ll be fun to watch Drax Christmas shop. And we’ve still got to get Linc and Ace’s presents.”
Baron sighed as though he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. “Still? I thought we got Ace that stun gun for Christmas.”
Mason and Drax just stared at Baron. No one in their right mind should give Baron’s little cloud leopard cousin any type of weapon. The creature was dangerous—not to mention a tad psychotic—enough as it was.
“What?” Baron just shrugged. “Christmas is about giving what others want and need. I need Ace to stun Marco at least three times a day to get the tiger up and working.”
“Hmm, you’ve got a point, but Dominic confiscated it after Chane was helping him wrap presents and got a tad pissy and threatened to use it.” Sebastian smiled happily. “This’ll be fun. Let’s see how quick we can get the vamps all riled up at the bar.”
Mason saw where he’d erred; he just didn’t care. The tiger brothers would be entertaining and he’d get to hang out with his best friend, his mate, and his mate’s best buddy. That made for a pretty perfect night for Mason. Throw in a liqueur, sorbet, and shopping, and he was a merry little wizard.
And when he got home, he’d spread the mistletoe around the suite and the office. He was going to have a very fun Christmas with his sexy wolf.
THE END
WWW.JO-PENN.COM
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I love writing and can be found most days in front of my computer. I live in a wonderful part of the world where clean, sandy beaches are close, the sun shines, and people love to get out and about.
I spent years living in London, UK, working and travelling, which provided so much inspiration through history,
culture and life in general. I love to travel and have lots of plans to do so again in the future. In the meantime, I bring my worlds to life.
The world of the paranormal mixed with love and action, how the men react and live, defend and care captures my attention and has me wanting to fill pages with their adventures.
For all titles by Jo Penn, please visit
www.bookstrand.com/jo-penn

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