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She went still. “Not done?”
“That’s what I said.”
“And you’re not joking?”
“I’m not joking.”
“And you’re sober?”
His lips thinning, he threw her an annoyed look. “Of course I’m goddamn sober.”
“All right, there’s no need to get testy.” Doing a little happy dance in her head, she asked, “Are you one of those shifters who has a strict rule on how long he allows bed-buddy arrangements to go on?” She figured it was better to be straight on that.
He set down his mug, planted his lower arms on the table, and leaned forward. His gaze snared hers, focused and intent. “We’re not just bed-buddies, Bailey. It started out that way, but things shifted at some point. We might not do couple stuff like go on dates or whatever, but what’s between us ain’t simple. Not anymore.”
Struggling to think past the sheer surprise of his declaration, she quite simply stared at him. For a while, actually—she was at a loss for what to say. Her snake was equally stunned.
When Bailey could really think again, she asked, “So what is it that you do want?”
He ran his tongue along his bottom teeth. “I don’t know what we have exactly. But I like it. I see no need to end it merely because the touch-hunger is gone. Do you?”
Feeling something in her chest expand, she swallowed. “No.”
“Then we see where it goes.”
Unable to shake off her befuddlement, Bailey rubbed at her brow. She was afraid to ask if this meant he harbored suspicions that she could be his true mate. Mostly because if he said yes, she wouldn’t be able to agree.
Much as she liked Deke, she didn’t believe he was her mate—nothing about him called out to her or her snake on that kind of elemental level. That didn’t bother Bailey, though. She had no objections to imprinting on someone rather than bonding with her predestined mate. She knew plenty of imprinted couples who were solid and happy. But Deke … he wanted to find the woman who was destined for him.
Rather than mention any of that, Bailey said, “You know, not a lot of things surprise me. But hearing you say you want to see where this goes? Yeah, that’s a shocker. At this point, I’d have thought you’d have hit your limit where I’m concerned.”
“You drive me crazy—that will likely always be the case. But if you were any other way, I wouldn’t like it.” Straightening, he lifted his cup. “Maybe it makes me weird, but I wouldn’t change you even if I could.”
Warmth settled into her bones and wrapped tight around them. “I think that’s probably the nicest thing any dude has ever said to me.”
“I’m sure you’d have heard a whole bunch of sweet words over the years if you didn’t have a habit of walking away from guys before there was a possibility they’d come to want more.”
“I doubt it.”
Deke didn’t. Bailey might have a talent for irritating people, but she also tended to draw them in. Made them feel comfortable, even.
He’d heard countless people call her a “hoot.” She could always be counted on to make others smile or laugh. At the very least, she could distract them from whatever was happening in their lives.
He took a sip of his coffee, lowered his mug again, and then once more caught her gaze. “Consider your ground rules null and void. The last thing I’ll tolerate is space between me and my female.”
Her brows inched up. “Your female?”
“Yeah. Mine. I won’t share you, Bailey.” He wasn’t surprised that the proprietary note in his voice made her narrow her eyes. She generally didn’t welcome possessiveness. But that was tough shit—she’d just have to deal with it.
“This might not be a heavy relationship, but it’s something,” he told her. “Something good. Like I said, we’re gonna see where it goes. That means scrapping your rules, or we don’t have a real chance of exploring this and making it work, do we?”
“I suppose not.” She frowned as if something occurred to her. “What about your cat, though? Is he going to be okay with all this?”
Deke sighed. “He’s still withdrawn and cranky as fuck, but he doesn’t want you going anywhere. He’s gotten used to having you around. He’s protective of you—and not simply as a mere pride mate. To what will likely be your horror, he’s even a little territorial.”
“Huh.” She puffed out a breath. “I wasn’t expecting that.”
“Neither was I, but it seems you’ve grown on him. So much so that, at the moment, you’re the only person he doesn’t protest to being around.”
She cocked her head. “You still don’t have even a tiny idea what could be causing him to pull back from everyone?”
“No. Tate has a theory. Thinks my cat could have withdrawn from everyone because the only touch he wants is that of his true mate. It’s a possibility, but I feel as if it’s more than that.” He paused. “Is your snake on board with our decision?”
