He had a mate—something he’d never thought he’d have.
A sense of pride swelled within him. She wasn’t just a partner in business; she’d become his partner in life, someone who saw him not just as a monster, but as an equal. Her acceptance was a gift he hadn’t realized he needed until she’d crashed into his life.
Finishing off the preparations for dinner, Monte found himself eagerly anticipating Kiri’s reaction to his surprise—Jasper was going to deliver his Jacuzzi before morning.
He couldn’t wait to show her. Hopefully, Jasper would make sure to have the water and chemicals delivered, so they could use it sooner than later.
He tried not to distract himself with images of Kiri enjoying herself in the water, groaning in delight from the heat as it helped her healing wounds.
Having set the table with exquisite care, Monte found himself pausing to admire his handiwork.
Everything had to be perfect—and he hoped he’d succeeded in providing her an intimate romantic atmosphere.
He wanted to prove to her his true intentions—that he was serious about having her as his mate.
As he heard Kiri’s footsteps approaching, his heart pounded in his chest. He sucked in a quick breath as Kiri entered the dining area, her hazel eyes widening in surprise at his presentation. The candlelight illuminated her delicate features, making her look even more beautiful than usual.
“Monte,” she breathed, clearly touched by his efforts. “This is amazing. You didn’t have to go to all this trouble.”
“It was no trouble at all,” Monte rumbled, his deep voice revealing the sincerity behind his words. He carefully placed the last dish on the table, then pulled out a chair for her. “I wantedto do something special to thank you for everything.” Their gazes locked for a moment, and Monte saw flush creeping up her neck as she took her seat. “This is just a small token to show how much you mean to me.”
“Thank you,” she said softly, as she took a deep breath, inhaling the delicious scent of the food. “Everything smells incredible. I’m amazed at how talented a chef you are.”
Monte ducked his head, feeling a rush of pride at her praise. “I’ve picked up a few things over the years,” he said modestly. In truth, he had spent hours peering over old cookbooks, determined to create the perfect meal for her.
As they began to eat, Monte found himself captivated by the way the candlelight played across Kiri’s features, highlighting the curve of her cheek and the sparkle in her eyes. She looked radiant, and he felt a sudden overwhelming urge to reach across the table and take her hand in his.
“Thank you for this,” Kiri said softly, meeting his gaze. “Not just for the delicious dinner, but for everything you’ve done for me since I arrived on the island. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
Monte’s heart swelled at her words. “You don’t have to thank me, Kiri. I would do anything for you.” The words slipped out before he could stop them, but he found he didn’t want to take them back. “I enjoy caring for you. I want to cherish you, spoil you, and show you every day how much you deserve love… and to be loved…”
…by me.
The two words hung on his lips, but he was afraid of rushing her with his confession. She’d requested for them to take things slow—and the last thing he wanted to do was to scare her off with his strong and primal feelings.
Curse the nearing full moon.
Kiri’s eyes shone with emotion as she reached across the table, her delicate fingers brushing against his rough, fur-covered hand. “I feel the same way,” she whispered, holding his gaze. “I never expected to find someone like you, but now I can’t imagine my life without you in it, as strange as it seems”
Monte intertwined his fingers with hers, marveling at how perfectly they fit together despite their differences.
He gently stroked the back of her hand with his thumb, savoring the softness of her skin against his callused pad. The candlelight flickered, casting a warm glow across her face and illuminating the golden strands of her hair.
“I know you have your work here on the island, and I don’t want to interfere with that. But I was wondering...” he began, tentatively broaching the subject that had been on his mind for some time now. “How difficult would it be for you to dissolve your contract with your firm, if you ever decided to do so? Would there be any fines or penalties?”
Kiri’s brow furrowed slightly as she considered his question. “I don’t want to quit just yet,” she admitted, swirling a forkful of pasta around her plate. “I still have a job to do here, and I take my responsibilities seriously. Once I start something, I tend to finish it.” She paused, biting her lower lip. “With that being said, I will need to explore the village soon, to gather information and help promote the area. It’s part of my assignment.”
Monte nodded, his heart quickening at the thought of spending more time with her, showing her the hidden wonders of his homeland. He wanted to do all he could to support Kiri in her endeavors, especially when her ankle was still tender.
“I can help you with that,” he offered, a determined glint in his eyes. “I know this island and can travel anywhere in the mountains with my eyes closed, which helped when I had to search for the magical flower in the middle of the storm. I couldtake you to all the best spots, introduce you to the locals, and make sure you have everything you need for your work.”
“Really?” Kiri’s face lit up with a grateful smile. “That would be amazing. Right now, I need pictures and information about what humans can do locally, and then I can use everything to make my page for the Monster Island tourism website.”
“Consider it done.”
As they continued eating, their conversation flowed easily, revealing deeper layers of vulnerability and trust. Monte found himself opening up about his loneliness, the isolation he’d felt due to his monstrous appearance. In turn, Kiri shared her experiences navigating the cutthroat world of technology and business, her determination to make a difference despite the setbacks she’d faced.
Monte’s heart raced as he gazed into Kiri’s hazel eyes, a soft smile playing at the corners of his lips. The candlelight flickered across her face, casting a warm glow on her delicate features. He reached out, his large hand gently brushing a stray lock of blonde hair behind her ear.
