Sophie drops her gaze, a knot forming on her brow. “But then why did you move out?”
“I knew being around you day and night without being able to touch you was going to drive me mad with longing because—” I take a deep, fortifying breath and then release it “—because you are my mate.”
Sophie springs off the bed so fast I can’t catch her. “Whoa!” She’s wearing pink-and-white shorty pajamas that are a major distraction to any serious conversation, especially now that she’s put her hands on her curvyhips. “I’m not sure whatyouthink happened last night… but we certainly didn’t mate!”
I compress my lips together to keep from chuckling, but she notices and glowers at me. “You’re myfated mate, Sophie… my match.”
Sophie returns to the bed and plonks down beside me. “I thought that only happened between two werewolves.”
“I guess there are exceptions, because you’re absolutely, positively my mate.” I pick up a lock of her chestnut hair and twist it between my fingers. “My ‘mysterious’ werewolf condition is really no mystery at all; it’s tied to this mate-bond between us. If we’re not together, it hurts so much I can’t be around anyone— especially you—during the full moon. That’s why I locked myself away in the basement for the weekend.”
Sophie is completely still and silent, so I continue to ramble. “But… er… that doesn’t meanyounecessarily have to feel the same aboutme. I have no idea how it works for faeries. And I don’t want you to feel obligated to… to…”
She puts a finger to my lips and whispers, “You don’t want me to feel obligated to do this?” Then she wraps her arms around my neck and kisses me so sweetly and completely that I forget why I was worried about telling her the truth.
When we finally break apart, I lean my forehead against hers and murmur. “I think my next full moon will be far less painful.”
She smiles. “Why is that?”
“Because I’ll be obligated to do this…” I thread my bandaged hands through her silken strands and claim her warm lips, kissing my faerie mate until she has no doubt about my true feelings.
Sophie finally pulls back and pats my cheek. “I’ve been very remiss; it’s time I start behaving like a proper nurse.”
“Aren’t nurses supposed to help their patients heal?” When Sophie nods, I draw her beautiful face toward me for one more toe-curling kiss. “Then I pronounce you the best nurse in Wisconsin… perhaps in all of North America.”
She snorts. “Now you’re just being silly.”
“I’m baring all my secrets here, so please keep up,” I tell her playfully.
But then my tone switches from lighthearted to serious. “You healed my most painful wound of all, Sophie.” I press her hand to my chest, directly over my pounding heart. “You mended the rift inside here, buried so deep within my core no surgeon’s scalpel could ever reach it.”
“Oh, Teddy,” she sighs. “Thank you for loving me back.”
I frown. “Loving you back? I loved youfirst.”
“Not really,” she says, hopping off the bed and out of reach. “One look at Leslie T. Barker, standing in my bakeshop in his blue, button-down shirt and pressed khakis, and I was a goner.”
“Really?” I ask, wondering how I could have misread her so completely. “But you started talking about a prospective boyfriend the night we met.”
“What else was I supposed to do when you started lecturing me about wills and forfeiture clauses? It was adefense mechanism.” Sophie goes to the door and pretending to be a nurse, says in clipped tones, “I shall return in ten minutes to change your dressings, Mr. Barker.”
Despite the discomfort each time my bandages are changed, I’m looking forward to Sophie’s soothing touch on my skin.
Afterward I’ll get dressed and begin making plans for our future, in between naps, meals, and meds. The ugly green armchair is actually quite comfortable for contemplation, especially with Zosia in my lap.
And I want to speak with Nash as soon as I’m able; I’d like his blessing before I propose to his daughter.
Chapter 32
Highs and Lows
SOPHIE
Monday, July 16
I’m soaring, my head in the clouds, my feet barely touching the floor as I quickly shower and dress.Teddy loves me!The kindest, sweetest, handsomest man I’ve ever known loves grumpy old me!
Grumpy old me…
