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It’s the same feeling I get from being near Renxel. Something about him just gives me that sense of safety I’ve been desperately craving since I was a kid. Like when he’s near me, I know I’m going to be okay.
Which is ridiculous, considering we just met, and the first impression was less than ideal. But I look at him now, and it’s like tiny winged insects are fluttering in my stomach.
I look away, feeling more than the normal amount of warmth spreading across my cheeks, and continue the conversation.
“They were good parents. Mom and Dad were funny, but in that lame parent way where terrible puns reign supreme. And they loved me. A lot. I remember there being a lot of love in the house growing up.”
“Were your parents fated mates?” he asks.
I shake my head. “It’s not really a thing in human culture. Sure, some of us dream about finding our soulmates, but I’ve always been of the philosophy that soulmates are not found, they’re made.”
“I prefer that way of thinking, to be honest,” he says, sipping his drink. “No one should have that much influence over another person.”
I furrow my brows at that, but before I can ask him what he means by it, he continues. “So, why here of all places? I mean, it’s beautiful, but there has to be towns with more humans. Wouldn’t you feel more at home there?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. The city where I grew up is being choked by pollution and overpopulation. I think a lot of the human towns are like that. You have the safety of being with your people, but there’s no real future there. I’ve always had to make my own way in life, so I wasn’t going to wait for anything to come to me. Then in my travels, I saw a help wanted sign here, and the rest is history.”
Taking a sip of the cocoa, I gesture to the window, where the freshly fallen snow glitters. It’s pristine and breathtaking, and I get to live here all year.
“There’s something special about these mountains. Maybe even magical. I’ve always felt drawn to them, and when I got here, I knew I could never leave.”
He nods in agreement. “It’s a beautiful area. I could see myself building a cabin here someday.”
This is a side to Renxel that I have never really seen before. He’s not the strutting Junabird that first arrived here, thinking that all it takes is a few well-placed compliments for me to get into bed with him. And as much as I was entertained by the playful guy at the tavern, he now seems to have let his guard down a bit.
“So,” he says, gesturing to my ankle. “Are you starting to feel better?”
I smile when I realize that the wrapping is helping already. “Much, thank you.”
“What were you doing out there?” he asks. “You of all people would know not to hike a dangerous trail like that, especially alone.”
I smile sheepishly. “Well, when I went out, I didn’t plan to go that way originally. It just kind of happened.”
He raises his eyebrows at that. “How do you accidentally end up at the hardest trail on the mountain?”
My ankle gives a rude throb, reminding me of my own stupidity. “It was more of an impulse thing. I just really needed to get out of the house for a bit. Then, while hiking, I saw the trail and thought ‘why not?’”
“Well, is everything okay?” he asks, his brows knitting with concern. I stare up at his handsome face, the way his blue eyes gaze at me like I’m something precious that must be protected.
It makes me blush even harder, so I lower my gaze. It falls to his lips, the ones I’d kissed the night before. And I want to do it again. I want to feel that heat buzz through me like electricity.
“I’m fine,” I say. “I just went on the hike to clear my head.” I tap my temples. “Believe it or not, there’s a lot going on up there.”
He chuckles, a deep and rumbling sound that makes my heart flutter. “I believe it. It might help if you get a second opinion, though. So what was on your mind?”
I smirk. “This.” Stretching upwards, I press a kiss to his lips. He returns it hungrily, and I wrap my arms around his shoulders, straddling him.
He pulls away, panting slightly. “Wait, your ankle…”
“Will not be needed for this kind of physical activity,” I reply with a giggle.
His blue eyes twinkle in amusement. “Well, in that case…” Our lips lock together once more, and the world fades away to nothing but touch and pleasure.
11
RENXEL
Iwasn't expecting her to make the first move. If truth be told, kissing Mira has been on my mind for days, ever since I got her. But this time with her has been...incredible. I've enjoyed myself immensely.
