Declan
Honey’s scent changed. The apples and cinnamon rang sharper in my nose, layered with the scent of wet earth. The off tang of yesterday had lessened. I had a hard time not rolling around in our bed in my wolf form. I scrunched the sheets in my fist. Fuck it. She was still in the washroom.
My wet nose met her side of the bed as I rubbed my face into her part of the sheets, sneezing so I could inhale more. Small grunts of pleasure might have accompanied a few feet kicks. She was sweeter than the cake I made for her. And sharp as a blade. Her questions told me I was running out of time to explain this situation. I needed something big to impress her.
Outside, the sun beat down with crystal clarity, sparkling across perfect, powdery snow. It was one of those days where you thought you needed a coat, but bythe time you got outside, a chunky sweater would do the trick, especially for the idea brewing in my mind. My snout burrowed deeper into the blanket pile. Her lessons had gone so well these past couple of days. Surely, she had spare time to spend having fun.
“What are you doing?”
I shifted so quickly she didn’t have time to be embarrassed that I was naked again, rolling off the bed to pull on some clothes.
“I want to show you something, Honey.”
This had to work. She squeaked as I dragged her down the hall.
“I want to practice the cake before I have another lesson with Anise. I need to know how you got such simple ingredients to work together so well.”
And past the kitchen.
“Let me show you something else first,” I said.
Her protests fell on deaf ears. My heart beat picked up as I led her to the storage closet in the back of the house.I knew this would be it. This would be the way I told Fallon she was my mate. Extra winter coats, blankets and mittens piled everywhere. Fallon picked up a wrap. My checked, threadbare scarf from childhood, actually. I think I caught her inhaling, pressing it against her face. My whole body grew tight, having her scent in such a close space.
“I hope it’s here.” I moved a few crates and found it wedged in thecorner.
The wooden slats looked in good shape. The crossbar on which to rest your feet only showed a little wear and the Old Magic imbued into the red paint still held to make it run straight and true. Fallon touched the sled with such wistfulness that I knew I was on the right track.
“I want to take you on a date, Fallon. Get you out of the house and have a good time all day, with no responsibilities.”
“Like the temple?” Her voice came out so small.
I wasn’t sure if she meant the orgasms or the card game. I chose the safe route for now because our explosive chemistry was too new, but we could nurture and build upon our friendship.
“That was a kidnapping. So, no.” Maybe she wasn’t ready for more, but I would carry us the first step. “Like, I want you to have fun and spend time with me. Rest. In a fun way.”
Her hands smoothed down her dress as if she wiped them on an apron. “I haven't finished everything on my list.” She glanced back at the kitchen with a whisper of longing.
“I’m not…” Her fumbling for words would have been cute if she hadn’t looked so serious. “Not really a date kind of girl.”
I’d never been on a date either. It wasn’t something done here when you just fell in love with your mate and that was that. When Fate drew courtship in the stars, it didn’t require much effort.
“Rest isn’t a reward, Fallon. You don’t need to deserve it,” I said.
I was reasonably confident I would pull this off despite my inexperience. While I had witnessed all manner of relationships in the outside Harrowlands, everyone tended toward torrid affairs, secret meetings, and high intrigue rather than a simple date. Even some monks snuck in women and paid me to look the other way, if you counted extra food as pay. Anything I came up with was better than that.
She stared at me as if struck dumb. I waited for her response. And idled some more as her mouth worked but nothing came out. No one had ever taken this woman on a date either? I clasped her hand.
“We can figure it out together. Make it whatever we want. Fun can’t be that hard.”
Her gaze softened. “We always have fun. There hasn’t been a day of your life you haven’t tried to make mine brighter.”
Because I love you.My courage faltered and I only said it to myself. It was such a big step and no matter how much I wanted her, there were so many ways this might end in disaster. I could be a disappointment to myself as long as I still got to have her today.
“Then this will be like looking into the face of the sun. Clementine never failed me in many winters here. I know just the hilltoo.”
She glanced toward the kitchen. “If you don’t think Anise will mind.”
My Momma wanted us in mated bliss with every fiber of her being.
