His eyes softened with understanding. He reached out to draw her closer again, but she resisted.
“I’m scared that if I stay with you,” she began hesitantly, her gaze flickering up to meet his, “that you might grow tired of me. That you might realize you don’t want a human for a mate...and I...” The words tumbled out in a rush. “I don’t think my heart can handle another break.”
“Kiri,” he said softly. His rough hand found hers and their fingers intertwined tightly as he spoke with a sincerity that tore at her defenses. “Ever since you’ve crashed into my life, you’re all I can think about.” His free hand rose to gently brush away a stray tear running down her cheek. “Every morning when I wake up… and every night before I sleep—it’s always you.”
“I’m not like you humans,” he continued, the corners of his mouth twitching upward in a half-smile full of tender affection. “I don’t have whims or fleeting desires. When I chose you, it wasn’t a decision made lightly or without thought. It meant accepting you as my mate for life.”
He brought their intertwined hands up to his chest, pressing them firmly against his thrumming heartbeats.
“I won’t lie,” he said, his gaze softening even further, “there were times when I thought I’d be alone forever. But then you came and turned everything upside down.”
His hand slipped from her cheek to cup her chin delicately, tilting her face upward until their eyes locked once again.
“But what if I can’t provide you children?” She licked her lips. “What if I don’t want any?”
“I don’t need children to be fulfilled,” he replied gently, shaking his head. “I’ve lived my whole life alone, thinking I’d never have a mate. But then you came along...you came along and filled that void.”
“Are you sure?” she asked, unable to believe what she was hearing. “You want me even if I don’t want any children?”
“What I need...” He paused, swallowed hard and his grip on her chin tightened just slightly in reassurance. “What I need is you, Kiri.”
Her heart stuttered from his sincere declaration. The intensity of his gaze was almost too much to bear—the desperate longing, the deep-seated affection, every emotion laid bare.
“I want us to build a life together—just you and me. I want to wake up each morning knowing that I’ll get to hold you close. I want to take care of you, to spoil you, and share everything with you.” He paused again, his gaze flickering down to her lips then back up to meet her eyes.
“I want us to continue with what we’ve started here,” he murmured, waving his free hand at their bustling online shop set up on a nearby table. “You can start a firm here, work for yourself and sell your services to help other monsters sell their talents to humans… and travel around Monster Island so you could continue promoting it for the firm that hired you.Whatever you want to do, as long as you stay with me… be with me.”
His thumb brushed gently against her lower lip, his gaze never straying from hers. “I can’t promise it will be easy…” Monte’s voice dropped a notch. “But I’m begging you to choose me… I want you to stay with me, Kiri. Pick me. Pick us.”
Kiri looked at Monte—this towering monster who had somehow burrowed his way into her heart—and she realized the depth of her feelings for him. She saw the future he proposed, full of potential and possibilities, and she found herself wanting to explore it… with him.
She wanted to be cared for and loved… by him.
“You want me to be your mate?” she asked, needing confirmation to ease her heart.
“By the Moon Goddess, I do.”
“Then yes.” She nodded, locking her gaze with his. “I will be your mate.”
Eleven
Monte
The rich smells of roasting meat and simmering spices filled the small space, making the air thick with a delicious aroma that was nothing short of intoxicating.
Just like Kiri…
The meal was a reflection of him, robust and hearty, much like his feelings for the human female who’d crashed into his life, forever changing it.
As he meticulously prepared the dinner for Kiri as a thank you for everything she’d done for him. He was determined to make this meal special, a symbol of his gratitude and growing affection for Kiri.
They sold out.
The flickering candlelight danced across the dark fur of his muscular arms, casting a warm glow over the elegantly set table. An array of colorful flowers served as the centerpiece, their sweet fragrance wafting through the room.
But not as sweet as Kiri’s…
As he plated their meal, his thoughts drifted back to their incredible day. Kiri’s brilliant ideas had all come together seamlessly, and she’d accepted him as her mate.
