“I’ll get there.” He held up a finger, aware he’d avoided her question—for the moment. “I had a simple routine, stayed home ninety percent of the time, hung out with the group once or twice a week, and lived my life. It was quiet, predictable, good enough.”
“Good enough?” she echoed, a sliver of a question stuck in her words.
“Yeah. I was afraid to rock the boat—and I said that to Able after I met you. You know what he said? He said the boat had already flipped.”
Fern sniffed out a laugh.
“Thingsweregood, honestly. But you took a wrong turn and showed up crunching gravel and blaringsmut—”
“It’s romance!” she scolded, sunlight streaming through the waterfall to surround her in a glowing mist.
“Mhm.” She swatted his knee, and he captured her hand, holding her tight as he continued, “You turned up in person, and I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind since. It was easy—snuck up on me really—to change my routine, to make space in my life for you.”
Her hand stiffened in his, so he gave her a squeeze.
“I can’t imagine going to sleep in my bed, working in my studio, cooking,anyof it without you there. If you’re not beside me, I need the promise that you’re coming back soon.” Slowly, he lifted her fingers and pressed a kiss to the back of her hand, his grizzly purring in support. “Things were good before. But you showed me they can be great. And, Fern, I know that’s a fucking insane speech to give ten days after meeting someone for the first time. But I mean it.”
Flushed, her eyes imploring, Fern whispered, “You better not tell me you’re waiting for your true mate.”
“I don’t have to.” Fighting through the blood rushing in his ears, he cupped her chin and made her look at him before adding, “I already found you.”
Fern pushed his arm away before immediately pulling him back in and planting her palms on his cheeks. “Wait— Are you fucking kidding me?”
“No?” He had no idea if she was about to kiss him or slap him.
It was the former. Her lips were damp from the mist. Light and warm, she feathered touches against his mouth, climbing onto his lap as she deepened their embrace.
That was a good sign.
Elliott let his hands roam her body, feeling every inch of her, memorizing her, in case she decided he was insane and ran screaming. “Fern,” he murmured against her mouth, voice rough, “we’re true mates.”
“I know,” she breathed. “You told me.”
“I felt like I needed to say the exact words.”
Laughing, she pulled away enough to shake her head at him while grinding her hot center against his growing erection. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“I’m sorry. I realized it last Monday. Noa and Liv helped me put it together.”
She scooted back, her pussy landing on his thigh. “Elliott!Everyoneknows?”
He grimaced. “I was supposed to tell you. I wanted to—I just kept chickening out. I’m sorry.”
With a frustrated sigh, she swiveled her hips, grinding against his leg.
“What are you doing?” His hands dropped to her waist, holding her firm, holding her down.
“I’m annoyed, but I get it. I also think it’sextremelyromantic that we’re fated to be together. Assuming you’re... okay with it?” She leaned in, nuzzling her nose into his neck.
“I’m more than okay with it,” he groaned as understanding dawned and his cock throbbed. After palming her ass one more time, he gripped her waist and said, “I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but there’s more to talk about, so... stop that.”
Fern pouted as he lifted her to sit beside him again, but she flung her legs over his and snuggled her head against his chest. “Is this okay?”
“Of course.” With his arm around her back, he pulled her in tightly.
“What else is there to talk about? A lot, I guess. Oh my god, oh my god!” She arched her neck, looking up at him with wide eyes. “I get an animal! Wait, how did youknowwe were true mates? How did Liv and Noa know? Why have you known for a week andnottold me?”
His little chatterbox. She went off the most when she was nervous. He could only hope these were the good sort of nerves. “I should’ve known immediately, the moment you pulled into my driveway and I scented you.”
