37

T he sun is peeking through the curtains that are swaying in the air, stirred by the ceiling fan. I slowly allow my eyes to open, taking in my surroundings in the light of day.

As I look around the room, hoping to learn anything I can about Roman, I notice everything is new and clean, but there doesn't seem to be any personal touches anywhere.

My watch is yelling at me for forgetting my vitamins last night, so I dismiss my missed alerts.

I have a handful of texts from Zoey too; I should have texted her not to wait up. There are things about having a roommate that I'm still quite accustomed to.

With a comfortable sigh, the night before comes flooding in. Those kisses. His body. I'm glad he's taking my wishes so seriously because it would have been way too easy to get carried away last night.

I fell asleep with my head on his chest, listening to his heart beat in rhythm with mine.

Now I'm lying on my right side, facing the window. There's a giant arm wrapped around my middle, anchoring me to the bed.

Memories from last night continue to flow through my mind, and they set a fire low in my belly. The very first kiss rocked me to my core. I don't know what came over me; I'm going to blame my wolf for now, because I would have never taken charge like that on my own.

Did you just snort at me? I ask my wolf, trying not to giggle.

And, oh my gosh, that second kiss.

Now I know what people mean when they say things got out of control and just happened. I felt like my need for him was taking over my body. It felt so good, but it was slightly terrifying to feel that out of control in my own body.

I'm glad I talked to him ahead of time about my expectations for the evening. It really was so perfect.

"You're thinking very loudly," the large body behind me grumbles with the most gorgeous morning gravel voice I've ever heard. The movies do not get this moment right. You can't capture or recreate this. You have to live it.

"Just how perfect last night was."

His hold on me tightens, and our bodies mold together. We truly feel made for each other in this moment, and I never want to leave.

"So what's the plan for the day?" I ask.

"Let's start with breakfast. Matilda makes the best breakfast in the world," he grumbles, his face still settled in the crook of my neck.

"Breakfast sounds perfect, but I have a request first. If it's not okay, that's totally fine; I just wanted to ask." I ask bashfully.

"I told you, anything I can give you, is yours."

I wriggle out of his hold and turn to face him with my most pitiful puppy dog eyes when I ask, "Can I snuggle your wolf for a few minutes? I've only got to see him the one time, and I haven't met my wolf yet, AND last time it was ruined by she-who-won't-be-named."

He's laughing by the time I finished, but he's stepped out of bed as I try to ignore the morning tent in his shorts, causing a fresh blush to bloom across my skin. When I cross my arms and pout like a rotten toddler, he laughs again as he shifts.

I will never get used to that. I still can't believe this is real life. How will it feel to shift? It just looks so magical.

I'm swooning all over again when he approaches me and nudges my hand with his giant nose. He's so beautiful. I guess my wolf agrees because I think she's purring.

"Pets or scratches?" I ask, holding each hand out with each option, allowing him to select the hand to tell me what he wants. He chooses scratches and rolls over on his back like an overgrown lap dog, and it's my turn to laugh.

His creamy-colored fur is so soft. "One night, can we sleep snuggled up like this?" I ask into his fur.

He looks at me, then his body, then the bed, and seems to raise an eyebrow, causing another small fit of giggles.

"You're right, it would probably be a tight squeeze. Maybe someday, in the far off future, we could get a giant bed for wolf snuggles," I think out loud.

He shifts so fast that I nearly hit the floor where I was lying against him.

He turns away to grab a robe, but not fast enough because, wow. From behind, his body is just as gorgeous. He's all golden muscles and valleys, and I just want to touch all of him. Once the robe is secure, he turns to face me, and he's just staring at me.

"D-did I do something wrong?"

He wordlessly shakes his head for a moment before explaining, "You . . . you spoke about our future like it really is OUR future," and I swear his voice cracks, splintering my heart.

Are his eyes glassy?!

With a small smile and an equally small nod, "I did. It just kind of came out."

I wait for him to say something, but he's still speechless.

"I mean, sure, I'm new to all this, but . . . but I can feel it," I say, tapping my hand over my heart and taking a step towards him. "It doesn't matter that my brain says none of this is possible. My soul is telling me that you are very important to us. If we were truly made for each other, who am I to turn against my fate?" I say with a smirk and a shrug, "I just want the human version of a happily ever after too."

I'll never get used to how fast he is.

I've barely registered that he came barreling across the room and picked me up, and now I'm being spun in a circle through the room as laughter spills from my lips all on its own.

"I'll never know what I did to deserve you, but I'll spend eternity making sure you know what you mean to me and thanking the Goddess for every minute," he says as he brings my body to his with another searing kiss.