Dre was so considerate that it almost made Sammy cry. “No. We’re in this together. What good would me freaking out over it on my own do? Come on. Let’s get going.”
Sammy used the bathroom first and started working on the eggs and toast while Dre took his turn. Once he had their breakfast scooped onto two plates, they sat down with two glasses of milk, only to stare at their food without eating it. Finally, Dre cleared his throat.
“Let’s try to eat before we talk. It would be a shame to let the food go to waste.”
Sammy nodded in agreement. He started shoveling the eggs into his mouth, not really tasting anything. His heart was heavy, and his stomach felt as if he were swallowing lead weights instead of pieces of buttered toast while his thoughts swirled through his head like a flock of disoriented doves. When he had eaten half of his plateful, he put the fork and knife down and simply started talking, letting it all flow out of his mouth without bothering to make it sound plausible, since he figured he’d never be able to do that.
“I like you, Dre. No, I’m sure I love you. I know that we’ve only been on four dates so far and it’sveryearly, but the things I feel for you and when you’re around, even when you’re not around— What I’m trying to say is, if this isn’t love, then I don’t know what is. To think I might be your mate is both wonderful and terrifying. Last night was—wow, just wow. I feel so in tune with you, I’m not afraid, I just sense being with you is the safest place I can be. And I’m terrified of what will happen to all that once we… Once we find out I’m not it, not your mate. And what if I am? There are just so many ‘what ifs’ and you’re the first good thing happening to me love-wise since my parents died. I can’t lose you, but I also can’t imagine living in limbo for a prolonged time. I want to know, and I don’t want to know. Gosh, I don’t make any sense at all.”
Sammy buried his face in his hands. When he felt Dre’s hand on his shoulder, he slowly looked up. The passion he saw in Dre’s eyes had tears streaming down Sammy’s cheeks.
“It’s fine,mo grah thu. You make perfect sense. It’s essentially what I feel, as well. I’ve been waiting for my mate for so long. The thought of you being it makes my heart beat faster in anticipation, yet, at the same time, I fear what will be if you aren’t. We’re so good together and I don’t want to wait even a second longer. I wish we could just stay like this forever and never have to find out.”
They looked at each other, each lost in the gaze of the other. Sammy found himself in the depths of Dre’s soul, felt a piece of the demon inside his own. It was as if they were already one, and the thought of it just being the rush of the moment was like a spike right through Sammy’s heart. It was Dre who finally broke the silence.
“Let’s wait two more weeks,mo grah thu. Let’s enjoy those weeks as if I were a mortal, just as you are, and as if you didn’t know about true mates. Let’s be just two guys, getting to know each other, having fun. When those two weeks are up, we face reality.”
“A dream. Just for the two of us.” Sammy’s voice was barely above a whisper. He couldn’t manage anything louder. “A dream to remember.”
“Yes. Our dream. Our patch of perfection.”
They kissed—slowly, sensually, full of love and with all the gentleness they had for each other. Sammy slung his arms around Dre’s neck, never wanting to let go, but the need for oxygen grew quite strong after some time and he had to lean back a bit to breathe. Dre smiled at him, still with a hint of sadness, though he was obviously determined to let deeds follow his words.
“When do you have to open the shop?”
Sammy glanced at the watch on the stove. “Now.” He chuckled. Dre pressed a kiss to his nose. “Is it okay if I stay today? Maybe I can help a bit.”
“I’d love you to stay, Dre. If it’s not too boring for you…”
“Never. I get to watch my favorite human all day. What’s boring about that?”
Sammy laughed and swatted Dre’s upper arm playfully. “Sweet talker.”
“You love it.”
“I do.”
They put the plates and cutlery in the dishwasher and hastened down to open the shop.
Chapter Nine
“Backpack with two Thermoses of hot tea?”
“Check.”
“Two hassocks to keep our butts warm when we have our picnic?”
“Check.”
“Warm clothes, not that you need them…” Sammy looked at Dre, who was busy crossing off the items on their list of things they needed for their trip to Sweden. A quick check on the web had told them that the temperatures in Sweden were still chilly, hence the need for proper outdoor gear, at least for Sammy.
“Check.”
“Camera to shoot pictures of any interesting wildlife or fauna?”
“Check.”
“Paper and crayons to trace the Tanum Petroglyphs?”
