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The deep laugh I remember from our phone conversations rumbles from him. Then he shifts position, moves the serving tray to the coffee table, and gently removes my fingers from my face. “You’re fine. No offense taken by any of it. Minotaurs share history with bulls, just as humans do with primates. Would you be offended if I used the term ‘apeshit’?”
“No, I’m not a psycho,” I say, smiling as tension loosens its grip on my shoulders. Questions about the origins of the other non-human residents in town pop into my head, but I push them aside to make room for more important things. “I distinctly heard you say ‘You’re reaching for me.’ Your voice was crystal clear. You must have said it out loud.”
“I didn’t. My word to the gods, Natalie.”
“Then how? I’m not a mind reader.”
“But you are my mate.”
“And mates can read each other’s minds?”
“Not all mates, but some.”
“I don’t want anyone knowing what I’m thinking all the time. Have you been reading my mind since I got here?” My face feels hot enough to burst into flames. “Do you know what I’m thinking right now?” I pinch my eyes closed and mentally repeat one word over and over in my head: Pickles. Pickles. Pickles.
“Natalie,” he says, softly laughing. “I don’t know what you’re thinking.”
“You’re sure?” I crack one eyelid open. “You promise?”
“Yes, and yes, one hundred percent. Plus, it was you who heard my thought, not the other way around.”
“Oh shit, you’re right. I don’t think I want that kind of power.” Still, I can’t resist closing my eyes and trying again. Several deep breaths later, all I have is a calmer heart rate. “I don’t hear anything now. And it doesn’t feel like you’re in my head.”
He’s smiling at me when I open my eyes. “Because I’m not. The first time, I opened myself to you so the mate bond could flow between us. You did more than accept it, you moved into it. Picture opening a door and walking into my mind. It’s sort of like that. Though, you hearing my thought was unexpected.”
“I’m so sorry. I had no idea I was invading your privacy like that.”
“You weren’t. I welcomed you there. I always will.” Taking my other hand, he gently caresses both while holding my gaze. Sparks skitter through me. Awareness and arousal immediately, then the other sensations return. “Do you feel it now, without closing your eyes?”
“Yes,” I whisper, afraid to shatter the feeling by speaking louder. Like before, warmth floods me, wraps around me. And he’s there, in my head, like a comforting presence. It’s different than before, though. Looking into his eyes makes it extremely intimate. I hope he doesn’t let go. Doesn’t stop whatever he’s doing to make this happen, because I never want this feeling to end.
But it does end, when my phone vibrates in my pocket at the exact moment Constantine’s doorbell rings.
Groaning at the inevitable, I slide my hands out of his. “That has to be Ro.”
“Did you ask her to come by?” he asks, rising from the couch.
I shake my head while checking my phone. Sure enough, there’s a new text from my cousin.
Ro:
Dak and I are at the door. Thought you might appreciate some backup to reduce the awkwardness. Constantine is a great guy, but I know I should have waited for you to wake up before I took off. Sorry! Here now though! Let us in! Seriously, let us in. I can’t wait for you to meet Dak. Don’t be scared, okay? He looks like a brute, but I swear, he’s really a big green teddy bear.
If she’d sent that message immediately, when I texted her before leaving the bedroom, I would’ve jumped at the offer. Now, I wish she’d stayed home. Sighing, I return the phone to my pocket and shrug my shoulders while looking up at Constantine. “Better answer the door. I’ll go with you.” My intention is to tag along behind.
He clearly has other ideas because he takes my hand to help me up, then keeps it.
“We really shouldn’t be holding hands when we open the door,” I say as we reach the entryway. “I don’t want Ro to think we’re together.”
“She wouldn’t disapprove.”
“I agree.” Stopped at the door, I wiggle my fingers free of his big, warm hand. “But she’d get her hopes up that I’ve agreed to be your mate, which would mean I’m staying in Fate’s Falls.”
“You are my mate, Natalie. That won’t change if you decide to leave after your cousin’s wedding.”
After what I experienced with him, I really can’t argue the “you are my mate” point. I felt it. I liked it. But declaring it is a lot of pressure, especially so fast. Even if I did, I’m not ready to make a decision about the rest of my life. Maybe it’s a good thing Ro and her fiancé are here. If Constantine and I had continued down the path we were on, I probably would’ve agreed to be his fiancée before the end of the night. Part of me—a significantly sized part—thinks that would be the best thing ever.
“You didn’t hear my thoughts just now, did you?” I ask, when he gently squeezes my hand before releasing it.
