As I work, my mind wanders to the events of the night, to the passion that had consumed us both. The way she had yielded to my touch, the trust and desire in her eyes, had stirred something deep within me, a fierce longing that had lain dormant for far too long.
Nalini had been wrong. Of that, I’m certain. While she may see humans as inferior and frail creatures, Aubrey is something far more precious—a woman of depth and complexity, of humor and warmth. A woman who has chosen to stand by my side, to brave the disapproval of a society that fears the union of human and monster, in order to follow her heart.
Of course… We have only been together one night. Maybe I am getting ahead of myself.
Still, I can’t deny that a part of me hungers for her presence, craves the sound of her voice and the way she looks at me with such tenderness and understanding.
And so, I will take this chance, and allow myself to indulge in the fantasies that swirl through my mind, the dreams of a future where we are bound together in a partnership that transcends the boundaries of species.
With breakfast laid out on a tray, I return to the bedroom, quietly pushing the door open with a graceful sweep of my tail. Aubrey is awake, sitting up in bed, her hair tumbling around her shoulders like a cascade of silk. The sight of her steals my breath, and for a moment, I can do nothing but gaze at her, marveling at her beauty and the miracle of her presence.
And then her eyes meet mine, and her lips curve in a smile that warms my heart and sets it racing.
“Breakfast in bed?” she asks with a laugh. I set the tray down with a flourish, a hint of a grin on my lips.
“You deserve pampering,” I tell her, and she fights back a smile.
As we enjoy the meal together, a comfortable silence settles over us, broken only by the occasional clink of utensils or the soft rustle of fabric. It’s a quiet moment, and I relish it, savoring the simple pleasure of sharing a meal with the woman who has changed the way I see the world.
As the last dregsof tea are drained from our cups and the final crumbs of pastry disappear, Aubrey looks up at me with a sparkle in her eyes. “I suppose we should probably head downstairs and open the shop,” she says, though it sounds like she’d be happy to laze in bed with me all day.
“Yes, we wouldn’t want to keep our flood of early customers waiting,” I say, my tone laden with irony. The shop, with its cluttered shelves and dusty corners, has always been more of a private sanctuary than a bustling hub of commerce. But considering that I closed early yesterday for the estate appraisal, perhaps a bit of punctuality wouldn’t be amiss.
However, as I study Aubrey, I note the faint circles under her eyes and the pallor of her complexion. Despite her obvious eagerness to resume her duties, it’s clear that the events of last night have taken a toll on her. She is, after all, a human, and her frailties and limits are different from my own.
“On second thought,” I say slowly, “perhaps you should take the day off. You look like you could use some rest.”
A flicker of protest crosses her features, and she opens her mouth to argue, but I hold up a clawed hand to forestall her words. “I’ll hear none of it,” I say. “You’ve already given so much of yourself to me, Aubrey. Let me do the same for you.”
I reach out and cup her cheek with a tenderness that surprises even myself. This gentle side of me, this nurturing instinct, hadbeen buried beneath the scars of a past love. But now, with her, it awakens anew.
She leans into my touch with a sigh of contentment, her eyelashes fluttering closed in acceptance.
“Okay,” she whispers, as though she’s surrendering to sleep even as she speaks. “I guess I could use a shower and a change of clothes. Maybe I should pack a bag, in fact. For next time.”
The thought of there being a next time, of having her here with me, in this space that has been mine and mine alone for so long, is both a thrilling prospect and a daunting one.
My apartment, with its sparse furnishings and lack of personal touches, is a reflection of my solitary existence, a monument to the walls I’ve built in order to shield myself from hurt. Inviting her in, allowing her to leave her mark on these walls…
She laughs, having noticed my deep introspection. “Is that really such a terrible thought, Sundar?”
I shake myself free of my ruminations. “No, not at all. But you will be back tonight, right?” The words escape my lips before I can stop them, and I’m surprised by the note of vulnerability in my voice.
It’s a strange sensation, this neediness, this fear of being left alone.
Aubrey’s smile is like a beacon, cutting through my doubts and fears, her eyes sparkling with warmth. “Of course I’ll be back, you silly snake. You can’t get rid of me that easily.”
And with that, she leans in and presses a kiss to the tip of my snout. My scales, normally so cool and impervious, seem to heat beneath her touch, and I feel a stirring within me, a longing for more, a hunger that knows no bounds.
As I watch her gather her things, a mixture of emotions churn within me—anticipation, fear, hope—and I wonder at the strange alchemy of fate that has brought us together.
Not that I’m about to question it.
Whatever force has conspired to bring this woman into my life, I will forever be grateful toward.
Chapter 13
Coffee Confessions
