“So why were you sleeping in your office if you can teleport?”
The question came out of nowhere and took Wash off guard. He nearly tripped over his own feet and glared at the witch who reached out to help him before he caught himself. It was Peri who smiled and thanked her for watching out for them. She glanced between the two of them with an odd look before hurrying off.
As the line moved forward, Wash considered ignoring the question entirely, but Peri wasn’t the kind to let things go. He poked Wash’s side with an expectant look, eyebrows raised.
“I worked late last night,” he finally grumbled. “I was too tired to teleport.”
“Well, why didn’t you go home before you got too tired?” Peri pressed, oblivious to Wash’s discomfort.
Wash’s hackles went up at the line of questioning. It wasn’t possible that Peri was a spy sent by the CEOs, was it? “I was busy.”
Instead of arguing, Peri nodded. “I can see that. I’ve heard a lot about you. People say you’re helping with several projects at once. How do you keep it all straight? Because if I tried to do that, I think I’d get confused.”
The line moved again, and the smell of fresh bread assaulted his nose, making his mouth water. Peri smelled it too and clasped his hands to his chest, a wistful look on his face. “That smells amazing…”
Wash thought it was enough to distract him from the topic, especially when they got close enough to look at the standing menu out front, but the moment they were finally seated, Peri turned his attention back to Wash.
“I can help if you want. If you’re working too hard, you’ll burn out. I can help you relax.”
Eleven
When Taron asked him to help with getting Wash to relax, Peri jumped at the chance. He’d take any excuse he could get to spend more time with the intriguing demon. There was just something about him that drew Peri in. And after what happened that morning, he was more than just intrigued. He wanted more of Wash’s touch and those drugging kisses that stole half of Peri’s brain cells. So yes, he was totally fishing for ways to spend more time with Wash after the work day was done. If they left together, he might be able to convince the surly demon to join him for a meal or maybe go out for a drink. Or dancing! Peri loved dancing.
He nodded decisively. “Starting today, I’m going to stop by your office at the end of the day so you can remember to go home. We can leave together.”
“Why?” Wash demanded suspiciously. It was possible he was going to catch on to Peri’s little crush, and he wasn’t ready for that yet. Peri was pretty sure Wash wasn’t a relationship person. He didn’t want to chase the man away before he had a chance to woo him.
Peri shrugged. “Sleeping on that couch can’t be comfortable. Besides, you’re my first friend at Spellbound. I take care of myfriends.” He dropped a fist into his palm, ideas already filling his head. “Do you like cake? Or are you more of a cookie person?”
Wash looked confused at the change in topic, and Peri grinned at him a little mischievously. “If I can’t convince you the first time, I figured I’d lure you out with treats. So? Cake or cookies?”
Wash’s expression flatted. “I don’t need help. I’m fine.”
“Wash…” Peri pouted, drawing out the name. “Answer the question. Please?”
Rolling his eyes, Wash gave in a lot more quickly than Peri expected. The pout seemed especially effective on him. Peri would have to remember that. “I don’t have a preference. Both are good.”
Well, that was fun. That meant Peri could make whatever he wanted to lure Wash into spending time with him. “Is there anything you don’t like? A certain flavor to avoid?”
“Lemongrass, but I don’t think that comes up often in sweets,” Wash replied blandly. “But I don’t need help, Peri. And I work a lot later than everyone else. You shouldn’t have to sit around waiting for me. I’m fine.”
Dancing his fingers across the table, he tugged at Wash’s sleeve. “Well… If you do work late, you can always make it up to me by teleporting me home?”
When Wash raised an eyebrow, Peri wrinkled his nose with a grin. “I like it! It’s fun!”
For the first time, Wash cracked a smile, the corners of his mouth tugging up as he shook his head in obvious amusement for Peri’s antics. Peri felt his heart flutter, and he felt a distinct urge to leap across the table and kiss the man silly. Or figure out how else he could make him smile again.
“I still don’t think you should force yourself to stay in the office just to make sure I get home. But fine, if you happen to work late, I’ll teleport you home. You’ll have to show mewhere first, I can only teleport somewhere I’ve been before,” he reminded him.
“So… does that mean you’ll come over after work?” Peri wheedled. “I’ll make you a treat.”
Wash seemed uncertain for a moment, but eventually gave in with a nod. “Sure.”
Peri bounced in his seat with excitement, already coming up with a dozen ideas of what he could make the surly demon to reward him for leaving work on time and coming to his place. Maybe cookies? He said he didn’t have a preference for certain types of sweets, and Peri had the best double chocolate chunk cookies in the realm. He’d been told this by everyone who tried them.
Thankfully, their lunch wasn’t almost ruined by too spicy food like last time. His tuna melt was amazing, he definitely understood why people wanted to come here, and Wash seemed to enjoy his food as well. Peri shot him a few sneaky glances, wondering if his sandwich was as good as Peri’s.
Wash noticed and offered it to him like he could read Peri’s thoughts. “Want a bite?”