Chapter 7

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."

"That's so cool. How's it different from your other beers?"

"It's a Berliner-style Weisse wheat beer, and we've infused it with rose hips to give it a hint of unique, sweet and tarty flavor."

"Wow, I have no idea what any of that means," she says, looking over her shoulder at me. Her wide hazel eyes are so pretty, so clear and sparkly. And her lips, curved up in an easy smile, are the most tempting thing I've ever seen.

My hooves click against the tiled floor as I shift from foot to foot. "It means I sound like one of those annoying craft-beer nerds who talk over people's heads."

The giggle she makes is light and effortless. "Well, you are literally talking over my head, because you're so tall. But I didn't take it in a condescending way at all. You sound like someone who's really into the product they're creating. I'm the same way when I'm in a good creative groove."

"I look forward to hearing you talk about your work."

Her happy glow fades. "Well, lately, everything feels more like work than good creativity, so you may have to wait a while."

The urge to tell her we have all the time in the world teeters on the tip of my tongue. Instead, I go with, "Maybe the change of scenery will spark things for you. If not the mountain landscapes, then all the colorful monsters. Like Dak, for example." I tilt my head toward the living room.

She laughs softly, covering her mouth.

If we were alone, I'd take her hand away so I could see the smile she's hiding. Hear her laughter unmuted. We'll get there. I know we will. "Want to be my first non-employee taste tester?" I point at the plain white can again. "If you don't like it, you can dump it and get something else."

"You can't count my opinion because I'm not much of a drinker in general, and definitely not a beer connoisseur, but I'd love to try it."

Leaning in to get the can is an excuse to press my chest to her back. To breathe her in from close up. There's no stopping the huff of breath I make or the wild swishing of my tail. I'm rock-hard for her and I'm sure she feels my cock against her lower back.

She doesn't move away though. The opposite. She leans against me, presses more of her small, delicate body to mine. "Are we still mutually promising nothing will happen between us tonight?"

"We probably should," I say, grazing the shell of her ear as I force myself to do the right thing. "I don't want you to wake up with regrets."

Looking deep into my eyes, a sigh leaves her rosy lips. "I wouldn't regret being with you, but I would regret it if I hurt you."

"You won't." I cup her chin and sweep the pad of my thumb over her soft skin.

"Ahem…" Rosetta calls from the living room. "We're still here, you know. And we're thirsty. Though clearly not as thirsty as the two of you…"

Shaking her head, Natalie ducks out from in front of me to look directly at her cousin. "It's good to know that true love and fresh mountain air hasn't changed you."

"Oh, it has," Rosetta counters, pushing up to her knees and hanging over the back of the couch. "But you're never going to know how if you don't stop flirting with the Minotaur and get over here so we can talk."

"Go join them. I'll bring the drinks over."