"You eat men?" I asked.
Roshan flicked his scorpion tail. "Well, not me, personally. But other manticores have in the past. I prefer cupcakes, myself."
I chuckled. "I know you do."
He leaned in so his lion forehead pressed against mine. His skull was hard and strong his skull beneath the fur. I shuddered at the sheer power I knew he possessed. It was exhilarating.
Special. Roshan had called me special.The delayed reaction hit me like a truck. My cheeks burned hot and my skin tingled.
The overwhelming feelings bubbled out of me and I laughed nervously.
"What is it?" Roshan asked, pulling away.
"It's just... you're the one who's a freakingmanticore, yet you're callingmespecial. I'm just an average guy. Less than average, even," I said, patting my soft tummy.
Roshan growled. The reverberating sound practically made the ground shake. "That's not true. You're the most special person in the world to me, Chris."
My eyes widened. I couldn't believe what he was saying.
"There's something else," Roshan said, meeting my gaze. I was hypnotized by him. "We didn't just meet by chance. Fate wove us together."
"Fate...?"
Was he saying what I thought? No, it couldn't be...
"Chris," Roshan growled. "You're my fated mate."
My voice came out in an embarrassing peep. "...Mate?"
"I know humans don't always know that term," Roshan said slowly, like he was afraid of me rejecting him. "But it means we're destined to be together. That I would do everything and anything for you, no questions asked. That I'll protect you and care for you always."
My heart was beating so fast it could've taken flight. My body felt warm and fuzzy all over. Was Ireallythat sure this wasn't a dream?
"You mean like... soulmates?" I asked.
Roshan nodded, making his mane bounce around his head. "Yes. That's the closest human term."
I couldn't stop the big smile spreading over my face. "Are you being serious? We're really fated mates?"
I liked the way the phrase sounded on my tongue.
Roshan purred as he pressed his nose to my forehead. "Believe me, I'm more serious about this than I've been about anything else in my life."
In a whoosh of magical energy, Roshan shifted back to human form and put his arms around me in a tender embrace.
And then he kissed me.
8
Roshan
All the puzzlepieces were finally falling into place. Everything feltright.
Chris's lips were warm and pliable. A soft moan escaped his mouth as we kissed. He tilted his head, letting me in deeper, and I wasted no time slipping my tongue against his. Electric sparks flew down my spine, turning my skin hot and sensitive.
Chris's hands clutched my back. His nails dug into my shirt. He pressed the front of his chest closer to me, minimizing the space between us.
But that wasn't close enough. I wanted nothing in our way, not even a single piece of fabric.
