“Is it comfortable?”
“It really is.” Camden looked down the sofa, then back at me. “It’s not the one from the back den, is it?”
I shook my head. “Same design though. I can try something else, but this one is super comfortable.”
Camden patted the sofa beside him. “It really is.”
I joined my One and quickly pulled him over onto my lap. That earned me another smile, which was what I was hoping for at a minimum. “How are you feeling?” I asked, suddenly serious. From what I could tell through our bond, he wasn’t feeling poorly. He’d taken two days to fully recover from his heat, and that had been three days ago. We’d had very low-key days since, but we had both agreed to go back to work next week, although neither of us was expected back for at least two more weeks, so we decided it was time to mesh our things together.
“I’m feeling okay. No changes.” Camden sighed deeply. “I’ve obviously never been pregnant, and although I’ve cared for many pregnant omegas, I don’t know what to look for so I can tell if I’m pregnant. I feel like I did before I met you.” Camden shrugged. “Well, except for the fact that I’m mated, and I have this pulsing mark on my hip that’s directly tied to your arousal.”
I chuckled. “It’s not tied to only that, but it is a very good indicator, yes. Does it bother you?”
Camden rolled his eyes before he leaned in and laid his head on my shoulder. “Do you think it bothers me? Really?”
“I would hope not, but I didn’t ask before I claimed you, nor did I discuss where to put it.”
Camden gently tugged on the buttons on my shirt. “I don’t mind that you claimed me. We’ve been over this, if I remember correctly.”
“Yes, but I should have asked where to put your claiming mark.”
Camden’s head popped up. “It’s fine where it’s at, and you know I like it there. It’s a good spot for a claiming mark; we can share that little secret.”
“I should have asked.”
Camden snorted. “You mean, like I asked where to put your claiming bite? Really?”
“That’s a given,” I told him. “Almost all shifters put their claiming bite on the shoulder where it meets the neck.”
“I almost didn’t reach that spot in time. You were lucky you didn’t end up with it on your collarbone. You’re so much taller than I am. I’m actually a bit surprised I was able to reach where I put it.”
“I did lean down for you,” I told him. “It wouldn’t have mattered to me where it was, but you seemed as if that’s where you wanted to put it, so I made sure you had complete access to my neck.”
Camden smiled up at me. “That’s so sweet of you,” he said. “Are you always so thoughtful? Because if you are, it’s going to be super easy to fall completely and hopelessly for you.” Camden sighed before he laid his head back on my shoulder.
“Can I let you in on a not-so-little non-secret?”
I felt happiness surge through our bond. “Sure.”
“I’ve already fallen for you,” I told him. “I’ve been waiting for my One for so long, and when I discovered it was you and how amazing a person you are, I was already falling for you then. But when you called out for me when you woke from your heat, I knew then that you put all of your trust in me, and how could I not love you? You’re perfect for me, in every way.”
I kissed Camden’s hair and closed my eyes. I knew before he even came into my life that I was going to fall hard for my One. Just the thought of having someone to spend my life with was what had gotten me through some lonely nights. I was optimistic that at some point I would be gifted my One. Now, I was holding him in my arms.
“Really? Already? You don’t think it’s too soon?”
“If it is for you,” I told him, “that is all right. But I know my heart and what I’m feeling for you. It’s absolutely love. I’ve always been a romantic. I love having the opportunity to take care of others, and now I get to take care of you as well. I know you aren’t invalid, and if you don’t enjoy me doing so?—”
“No. I didn’t say that,” Camden said quickly as he sat up and looked directly at me. “I love you too.” He smiled. “I’m not doubting what you feel for me. I can feel it here,” he said as he touched his chest. “I love you too,” he said again. “I fell when you said we could go as fast or slow as I was comfortable with. Fox shifters are usually fast, and I guess I’m no different.”
I leaned closer and kissed him gently before I pulled away quickly. Now wasn’t the time to take things further. Yes, Camden had most of his energy back, but he’d not shown any interest insex since. I wasn’t going to push now, nor ever. He had all of the control in our relationship when it came to things of that nature.
“Fox shifter or not, I wasn’t going to have any issues with waiting if you weren’t ready right away. It’s understandable that some want to get to know their mate first. Especially around here.”
It took Camden only a moment to pick up on what I was referring to. “I’ve never been abused in any way. Ever. I can’t imagine what some of them have gone through, and then they meet their mate on top of everything else. How does that timing work?”
“I don’t know. I’ve often wanted to ask the fates if they knew what they were doing when pairing certain couples, especially when one of them comes from a background like that. I haven’t, though, and never will. I have to trust in the fact that they know who is best fit with whom and when they are needed most.” I kissed Camden’s hair again and gave him a bit of a hug. “Just as it was with us. I wasn’t expecting you. But there you were. I’m certain there is a reason for the timing.”
Camden made a noise. “Yeah. My ma was going to drive me bonkers, so they got me out of there as fast as they could.”
