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“No. I may never be able to, and for it even to be possible, you’d have to open yourself to me—mind, heart, and soul. That can’t happen while you’re feeling uncertain.”
“Wait.” Stopping him before he reaches for the door handle, I place my hand on his forearm. The short fur covering his thick muscles is soft beneath my fingers, and I can’t resist stroking it. Is the fur on the rest of his big, solid body the same? I want to feel it all. Beneath my hands. Against my naked body. It could be raw physical attraction. I could be having some weird post-traumatic response thing. Or it could be that he really is the one I’m meant to be with.
Nothing about this makes sense. Does it have to, though? It’s time I took a page out of my cousin’s book, stopped overthinking, and just went with it. Rosetta found true love with a monster. Maybe I will too if I don’t close myself off from the possibility. If I open myself to him the way he did with me.
Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath, push my fears and doubts aside, and imagine myself opening a door, hoping he’s on the other side. I’m certain I want you.
His deep rumble and sharp, bullish huff snap me back to where my mind needs to be. Heat blazes in his eyes. His nostrils flare wildly.
“Did it work with me touching your arm? Could you feel it?”
“Yes, Natalie, I felt it.”
I shouldn’t expect that he heard the thought I tried pushing toward him, but I’m disappointed that he didn’t. “We better answer that,” I say, when the doorbell goes off multiple times in succession. Unquestionably my cousin’s doing. “The sooner we let Ro in, the sooner we can kick her out.”
His body shakes with silent laughter. “I like the way you think.”
Seven
CONSTANTINE
When I say, “I like the way you think,” she’s unaware of the depth of those words.
I didn’t just feel the connection she initiated. I heard her voice in my head.
I’m certain I want you. She’s only certain of the physical aspect right now, but the rest isn’t far behind. She believes in the bond. She’s just not sure she can accept it.
She will, if I can rein myself in and give her space to get there.
Forcing a genial expression into place, I take a breath, then open the door.
“That took way too long.” Rosetta’s eyes open wide as her gaze flips between me and Natalie. “Holy shit, were you two in the middle of something?”
Natalie’s beautiful face flushes bright pink. “We were talking.”
“Must’ve been one hot conversation.” Rosetta steps inside and pulls Natalie into a hug. “I want all the details tomorrow. Every last one,” she whispers against Natalie’s ear.
But I hear it, as I’m sure Dak does. Not that his face gives anything away. Orcs are known for their nearly permanent scowl, and Dak is no exception, even in the presence of his beloved mate.
“Get you something to drink?” I ask once he’s inside. “Beer? Mead?”
“Water.” His dark-eyed gaze slides to Rosetta.
Ah. The pregnancy secret. If I were the betting type, I’d wager Rosetta spills the beans tonight instead of waiting until she shows Natalie the brand-new nursery. “Come on in.” I wave them toward the living room. “I’ll grab some glasses and a pitcher of ice water. Can I get you something, Natalie?”
“Do you mind if I look at the options?”
“My fridge is your fridge.”
Rosetta snorts while leading Dak to the couch, and Natalie follows me into the kitchen. The open layout doesn’t give us privacy, but having her near me is a plus just the same.
She inspects the refrigerator’s contents while I get a tray, pitcher, and four glasses from an upper cabinet.
“Can’t decide what you want?” I ask, standing behind her, close enough that I can breathe her in. Her hair smells like roses, but it’s her womanly scent I can’t get enough of. I would prefer we come together with our future together resolved, promised to one another. But I will never reject my mate. Whenever and however she wants me, she will have me. Even if I lose her in the end.
“What’s in the unmarked can?” She points at one of many beverages in tidy lines on a middle shelf.
“A new beer we’re developing at the brewery.”
