4. Granite

CHAPTER 4

Granite

S he's perfect. So damn heart-stopping lovely that I can't breathe this close to her. Her sweet scent, like the cake in the box on the counter, deep and rich like chocolate wraps around my body. My heart aches being this close to her.

She's mine. I knew it when I heard her voice. When I saw her through the window, I was absolutely sure.

Now I just have to convince her. Quickly.

Because there's no way in hell I can manage one second without her beside me. Let alone a solid year of stone. Staring down at her and knowing I can't touch her. Knowing that she could be distracted by something else, someone else.

No fucking way.

"I need to have you, mate." I glance down her quivering, tiny body and I can see that she wants me. Her full breasts are tipped with diamonds pressing against the front of her delicate shirt. Her breath is huffing out of her like she's run a marathon. "And you want me too. You need me like you need air to breathe. Don't fight it. The mate bond is crystallizing all around us. Give in to it."

Her green eyes like the finest emeralds darken to dewy grass at midnight in the forest. They close and I want to roar into the night. She should never close them. They draw me in, refresh my soul like cool water on my tongue, slaking my thirst.

She shudders and I see the goosebumps raise on her pale skin. Her pink tongue drags along her bottom lip and my inner beast rages at me, screaming at me to take her, own her, claim her like the beast everyone sees when they look at me.

"You can't say stuff like that," she whispers. Emerald flashes as she opens her eyes to glare at me.

"I can and I will. You belong with me, to me. And I am completely yours, body and soul, mate."

"I'm going to the ball in town," she whimpers, her eyes locked on mine.

Satisfaction roars through me. A ball? Hell yeah!

"Good. You get ready and I'll wait here for you. I will be your date tonight."

"What about….?" Her head dips and it's like she's pointing at my wings.

I throw my head back and roar with laughter. "This area is full of magical creatures, mate. They will be more surprised to see you than me. A full human around here is unusual. Haven't you noticed all the creatures here in town. It's not very far to Magic either. The shifter town is full of creatures."

I can see the shock on her face. "Shifters? Are they safe? I've heard rumors but I had no idea it was a shifter town. I just thought maybe there were a few rogue ones in town."

I lift a dark brow. "You are scared of magical creatures, mate?" I will have to change that quickly. I can't have my mate terrified of the creatures of the night that surround this little pocket of humans.

Whisper Falls is surrounded by shifters, vampires, gargoyles and other creatures of fantasy.

"They are just like humans. There are good and bad ones. The sheriff of Magic keeps that little town pretty clean of the bad ones. I'm sure it's safe. Do you wish to go visit one day? I can take you." I puff out my chest and grunt. "I will keep you safe, little one."

She rolls her eyes and slips out from under my arms. I can't help following her, my steps long and sure. Wherever she goes I will follow.

She holds out a hand. "Stop! Stop pushing me, dammit! I don't even know who you are! I'm not going anywhere with you!"

Cocking my head, I growl under my breath. "You are safe with me, mate. I would never hurt you. You're my future. The mother of my children. Together we will raise so many little ones that we will be surrounded by them every day and night. Our home will ring with their laughter."

She stomps away from me, her slim body rigid with stress. I know I'm pushing her but I can't stop. I need her to fall in love with me. Need her to realize that we are one. One heart, one soul, one future.

"You're pushy as hell," she mutters under her breath. "Is that a gargoyle thing or is it just you?"

I chuckle again. She's a fiery little thing and that fire sparks answering flames in me.

"I think all gargoyles are but maybe I'm a little bit more than most." Because I have to be. I don't have much time before I turn to stone again and it will break my heart if I can't love her, protect her every second of the next year, the next decade. The next century.

I sigh and shove my hands through my dark hair. Her eyes follow the movement and I see ripples of desire in her emerald eyes. "If you go to this ball, I can meet you there if that makes you feel better?" I want her on my arm and it takes everything I have not to insist on it.

But she needs time. Time I don't have. Time that should always be ours.

She nods. "Fine. I will meet you there."

I have to take that as her answer. Have to take the partial win although it's not what I want.

I bow my head to her. "I will see you there, mate. Save all your dances for me. I cannot wait to hold you in my arms."

She shivers again, her body softening and I know that I mean something to her.

She wants me and I hope that I can work with that. Hope that I can convince her that she's mine. Forever.