Everything is still neat and tidy. Another tendril of guilt tightens around my already aching heart. My tidying was meant as a help. My way of showing that I care. I truly hope he hasn’t taken it as a reprimand. But that’s a problem for another day. We have a far bigger one to work through tonight. And before we tackle that, Sammy needs to be warm and dry.
Finally, I am able to present my offerings to him. He takes them and something seems to rouse within him. He stands and hurries into his bathroom and shuts the door. But he took the things I gave him and I’m fairly certain that is a good sign. Even within human customs.
My gaze fixes on the shut bathroom door and doesn’t leave. It is so hard not to fidget while I wait. My feet wish to pace. Standing still and just breathing has never been so hard.
Eventually, Sammy emerges from the bathroom. His hair is still damp and all frizzy. But he is dry and warm. I can sense health and vitality glowing from him. His unexpected late-night visit to my pool has done him no harm. My shoulders sag in relief.
He looks at me, and his blue eyes look a little clearer. His mind has had time to catch up.
“So, how does being mated work?” he asks. He sounds far calmer than he should.
I shake my head. “You don’t need to worry about that. I’m going to find a way to undo it. It was why I never told you. I thought I could fix it without you knowing.”
A strange look flows over his pretty face. “You don’t want me as your mate?”
“About as much as you want me,” I answer with a wry smile.
Sammy’s cheeks tinge pink, and he drops his gaze.
“I’ll work this out, I promise!” I say.
He nods without looking at me, and then he inhales sharply, blue eyes snapping up to meet mine.
“Is this why I couldn’t blow that guy?”
I wince. Both at the directness of his speech and the implications of his words.
“Sorry,” I plead uselessly. “I can provide for you while you cannot work.”
Sammy sighs and runs a hand through his hair, messing it up even more.
“I think that is the least of our problems.”
I don’t know what to say to that so I just say, “Sorry,” again.
Sammy raises an eyebrow, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes. “You seem to like saying sorry a lot.”
I chuckle nervously, feeling a bit relieved that he’s able to inject some humor into the situation. “I just... I feel responsible for all this. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.”
He walks over to me and places a hand on my shoulder. I tingle at the touch, but strangely, it doesn’t bother me.
“Hey, it’s not your fault. It was an accident. We’ll figure this out together, okay?”
I meet his gaze, feeling a surge of gratitude for his understanding. “Thank you, Sammy.”
He smiles warmly and then his expression turns mischievous. “So, does being mated mean we have to share everything now? Like secrets and our innermost thoughts?”
I can’t help but laugh at his question. “Maybe. But only if you’re okay with that.”
Sammy nods, looking determined. “I trust you.”
My heart does another strange flutter. I’m going to have to see Brodie for a checkup at this rate.
Potentially faulty hearts aside, my mind is faltering and cannot believe Sammy is taking this so well. I do not deserve his grace. He truly is a far better person than I will ever be.
As the truth of Sammy’s wonderful nature continues to sink in, I feel a new wave of gratitude wash over me. He trusts me. Despite the mess I’ve gotten him into, despite the bond we now share that Inever wanted for him, he still trusts me. It’s a foreign sensation, this warmth in my chest, this sense of belonging with another person.
I have absolutely no idea what I have done to deserve it. But I cherish it nonetheless.
