A small smile played on Kiri’s lips as she imagined the scene. “Sounds thrilling,” she quipped, her voice heavy with sarcasm. “Especially compared to what I’ve been through.”
“Oh, it is.” Margo raised one eyebrow, a small smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. “Imagine being stuck in one place with a giant serpent who’s got a penchant for hovering! It’s like living in a snake pit.”
Monte, who had been silently observing their exchange, shook his head in amusement, his hearty laughter filling the room.
Kiri yawned widely, covering her mouth with one hand as she tried to stifle the tired sound.
“Enough chatter for tonight,” Monte interrupted softly, his enormous hand moving down Kiri’s arm, coming to a halt at her wrist with the hand holding the vidphone, sending shivers through Kiri. “You need to rest.”
She nodded, surrendering to the weight of exhaustion that was slowly creeping over her. “All right, all right,” she conceded sleepily. “I’m going.”
“I better get going as well if I’m planning on waking up for the sunrise.” Margo stretched, arms raised, and leaned back on her chair.
“I’ll see myself out. Don’t be a stranger.”
“Don’t get entangled with Mr. Naga,” Kiri teased.
Margo jerked upright and growled. “Don’t curse me.”
They said their goodbyes and hung up.
Kiri let out another sigh as she leaned back and faced Monte. “Sorry about that,” she apologized sheepishly, placingher vidphone on the side table. “I should have checked in with her sooner.”
“There’s nothing to apologize for.”
Kiri reached out, her fingers brushing against Monte’s hand. “I want to thank you,” she said softly, locking her gaze with his. “For everything you’ve done for me.”
Monte’s gaze softened, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “There’s no need for thanks either,” he rumbled, his deep voice sending a shiver down Kiri’s spine. “I did what anyone would have done.”
But Kiri shook her head, her grip on his hand tightening. “No, you didn’t. You went above and beyond, using your time, and risking your own safety to help me. I want to repay you somehow.”
Monte’s expression turned serious, his brow furrowing. “I don’t need repayment, Kiri. Knowing that you’re safe and recovering is enough for me.”
Kiri’s heart swelled at his words, the sincerity in his tone making her breath catch. “Please, there must be something I can do,” she insisted, hating being in debt with him. “Let me show you how much I appreciate everything you’ve done.”
A moment of silence stretched between them, Monte’s eyes searching hers. Finally, he let out a soft sigh, his shoulders relaxing as his tail stilled. “If you insist on repaying me, then your companionship is all I ask for.”
Companionship. The word hung in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning. Kiri’s gaze drifted lower, taking in the broad expanse of Monte’s chest, the powerful muscles that rippled beneath his dark fur. She wondered what lay beneath his loincloth, her mind conjuring images of his hidden monster anatomy.
Heat rushed to her cheeks as she realized the direction her thoughts had taken. She quickly lifted her eyes back tohis face, hoping he hadn’t noticed her momentary distraction. “Companionship,” she repeated, her voice slightly breathless as she licked her lips. “What exactly do you mean by that?”
Monte’s eyes widened, his ears pinned back as he winced, a hint of embarrassment flashing across his features. He cleared his throat, shifting uncomfortably behind the couch. “I meant your company, your friendship. Someone to talk to, to spend time with.”
Kiri’s heart raced, her skin tingling with a sudden, intense awareness of Monte’s proximity. She knew she was treading on dangerous ground, but she couldn’t seem to stop herself. They were from two different species; she didn’t know anything about the relationships monsters had, especially minotaurs. “Is that all you want from me? Friendship?”
Kiri held her breath, waiting for Monte’s response as the question hung between them.
Kiri’s heart pounded in her chest as she anxiously waited for Monte’s reply. She fidgeted with the hem of her shirt, anxiety coursing through her body. Her eyes remained fixed on Monte, searching for any signs of his reaction.
Monte’s gaze bored into hers, his expression unreadable. For a long moment, he said nothing, the silence stretching on until Kiri thought she might have the strength to get off of the couch unassisted and wobble away to the bathroom to hide.
Then, abruptly, he stepped away, his movements stiff and awkward.
“I should go,” he mumbled, not meeting her eyes. “I need to clean up, to wash away the stench of the storm and the search party.”
Kiri watched him go, her heart sinking as he turned his back to her and walked away. She flopped back against the pillows, confusion and disappointment warring within her. Had she pushed too far, crossed some invisible line?
She closed her eyes, replaying the moment in her mind. The heat in Monte’s gaze, the way his body had tensed at her question. There was no denying the attraction that simmered between them, the unspoken desire that hung heavy in the air.
