35. Chapter 35

Chapter 35

Winnie

So... We end up cuddling on my couch again. I lean onto Telke as we stare blankly at the television screen. The movie is playing, but I'm not watching and not taking in a single word.

He is warm and comfortable to lean against.

"Popcorn?" He lifts one to my lips as he eats one himself.

I lick the popcorn off his fingers to my mouth. "Thanks."

He strokes Ossa, who's on his lap as he feeds both of us popcorn. He pats my side too. "Are you watching the movie?"

"Not really." I let out a breath. I feel like sitting up, but I don't want to move.

He chuckles. "Same here. At least the popcorn is good."

"Mm..." I have another, letting out a soft breath. "Indeed. I'll buy it again."

"So..." He swallows. "About that thing..."

"What thing? Floatball?"

"No, I mean... Are you feeling better?"

"What's that about? I'm not sick and not injured."

He clears his throat. "About... Whether you'll be my mate."

Is he serious?

He says, "Maybe you'd like to be the mate of someone who's in a floatball team, or smarter than me, who is only good at that. Well, not even that good at that."

"No, it's not about that. With all respect, I don't even care about floatball. I didn't even know you used to play floatball on that team until hours earlier."

"I guess." He pops another popcorn into his mouth with a sad smile. "Maybe I'm overthinking it."

"I'm just... scared."

"Of me? Because I'm a monster?"

I shake my head. "Come on. It's not about that. I like your arms."

He puts up a smile. "They are pretty cool."

"I don't know whether I... want to be with someone right after..."

"Is that because I don't look reliable?"

"I may not be ready."

"What do you need to be ready? I'm not trying to make you agree, but I'm curious. Is that a human thing? Do I have to prepare something? I know some species have special rituals."

He is funny. He can always crack me up regardless of what's happening and how my mood is.

I shrug. "I don't know."

"Maybe you want to make sure the guy you'll be with won't screw you over."

"Yeah, that'll be good."

"And he can give popcorn to everyone and also pat you and stroke the cat. All at the same time."

"Sounds like I'm going to need a guy with more than two hands for the job."

"Right?" He flexes his arms with a wide grin.

He's just... cute and makes me smile.

I watch him for another moment. Maybe I do enjoy spending time with him. Even when I first knew him, I felt the need to stay close to him after he went into the accident. None of the other teaching staff visited him as frequently.

He puts his arms back to his side and sits back on the couch. He pops another popcorn into his mouth. "Maybe..."

Ossa hops onto Telke's lap and climbs onto his stomach, sitting himself there and meowing at me.

Telke asks, "What does this mean? Do you speak cat language?"

Sadly, I don't. I have no idea what's with Ossa.

He meows again, still watching me.

Telke says, "Do you think he wants popcorn?"

"No, he doesn't eat those. I've taught him not to eat beings' food. The seasoning isn't good for him."

"Okay... So... Did you feed him?"

"Yeah, I did. You were there too."

"Right... Changed his water?"

"We did that when we fed him." I reach to stroke Ossa. "What do you want?"

He meows, which... Even though we have pretty good technology, we still don't have a translating device for cats.

I shrug. "I have no idea. Maybe he doesn't like the movie."

"Are you sure about that?"

Ossa climbs up Telke and gets to his upper arms again. Telke says, "Um... Is he in the mood of climbing things?"

I stand and reach for Ossa. "No, Ossa, don't climb up Telke, that's rude."

My hand is an inch away from Ossa when he jumps to the side. I reach further, but Ossa dodges me again.

"Ossa! Get off Telke!"

I move to catch him again, but he ducks again. With Telke, I hate how small I am. With Ossa, he is mocking my speed.

I take a breath and snatch him again. Ossa hops off Telke, but I trip on Telke's leg.

"Whoa!"

Now... I end up in Telke's arms. He grabs me before I'll fall onto the couch with my face down.

Ossa meows and walks off as if he is innocent and does no wrong.

Telke chuckles as he helps me onto the couch again. "I guess Ossa wants you in my arms."

My cheeks heat up. I look away from Telke. "Geez, how dare you use a cat to your benefit."

He winks. "Even your cat knows we're good together."

Is that the case?

He pecks a kiss on my cheek. "Tell me. What do you want? How should I prove that I mean it? Give me a chance, I'll prove myself to be the perfect mate for you."

My heart hammers even harder in my chest. My body is so hot that I can explode at any second.

"Telke... But... I have nothing but trouble and..."

He presses a finger on my lips. "No, the trouble has nothing to do with you. Troubles just happen and we're here to solve them. We can solve whatever problems come up. I may not be the smartest, but we can work out something together. Nothing can stop us unless we let it."

"But... What if this won't work out?"

He scowls at me as if I've said something dumb. "What if it will work out but you decided not to try?"

Oh... I've never thought about that.

He holds my cheek with two hands and my shoulders with the other two. "Look me in the eye. What if everything's going to go well? What if we can figure out our problems and solve them together?"

His intense eyes burn me. His face is so close that I can see myself in his eyes. I can feel his fire and I want some of that.

"So... You don't mind problems."

He smirks. "I grew up with those, so did you. But I'm still alive, same for you. Maybe you're a lot better than you give yourself credit for."

I stare at him, still...

"Is it okay if..." I take a deep breath. "Say I'm... still going to struggle some..."

"Yes, it is okay. I may struggle too."

I hug him. "Yes, let's give this a try."

He squeals and wraps me in his arms. He has quite a few arms, which makes the hug extra secure. "I'll love you with everything I got."

"Telke..."

Our lips meet. His heat burns into me. I shift to deepen the kiss. I want him. The kiss sets me on fire. His soft but hot lips devour me. With his muscular body, he gathers me in his arms, almost as if I'm melting into his embrace.

"Winnie, you have no idea. I have never felt something like this before. So much desire in me, and so much... everything."

I chuckle and bury my face in his chest. "Everything, huh?"

"Yes, everything. I knew you were special the moment I met you."

"Really? For me, the first time we met included a lot of arms that felt like they were touching me, but not really."

He wriggles his fingers. "So... You've been wanting to try out what I can do with my fingers, huh?"

I roll my eyes. "I was trying to say how it felt like you were creeping into my space during the assembly, but not really."

"Ah..." His smirk grows. He surely doesn't get his mind out of the gutter. "You've been paying attention to my arms."

"Yeah... When big butt sits there, it's hard to not see that."

"Just admit it. You want me."

I wink. "Maybe."

"Huh? Maybe?"

"If it's going to be good. I'm your mate now, you have to be giving something special, right?"

He pecks another kiss on my cheek. "Deal."