Page 47 of Maneater

I can work with that.

I plop down on the mat and look up at him with a smile. But his eyes are averted, and he’s rubbing the back of his neck while shifting from foot to foot. Not gonna lie, watching a giant upright, nervous cryptid with glowing eyes being shy and nervous is absolutely adorable, but is about to plunge me into a fit of laughter. With how distressed he appears, I don’t dare give in.

“Is everything okay?” I reach up, encouraging him to sit down with me.

Rex presses his lips together and nods as if he’s come to an important conclusion. He clasps my hand and lowers himself to our makeshift bed, sitting with his legs crossed. Then he surprises me again by gathering me in his arms and cradling me on his lap. I decide this is even better than being carried.

Rex still won’t meet my eyes, and I’m back to being jittery. He’s holding me with such care that I can’t imagine that what he’s about to say is dire. Perhaps being back at the solstice bash is reminding him of a hurtful experience. Maybe he was crushing on someone and was rejected, or maybe…

I hold my breath. Is he melancholy because he spotted a past love and is missing them? I’m probably paranoid. Not everything has to be about me. Being a supportive partner is what Rex needs.

“You can talk to me, Rex.” I rest against his solid form and lightly stroke his chest. “I know I’m not very knowledgeable about your world, but I’m all in, you know? Even if you’re sure I couldn’t possibly understand what’s going through your head, give me a chance? Don’t give up on me.”

I half choke and let out a strangled gasp as Rex abruptly clutches me to him, the gesture bordering on desperate.

“I’m not hiding anything from you, sweetheart,” Rex whispers. “I’m amazed at how accepting you are, how genuinely happy you seem.”

I wriggle my body, and he loosens his hold. He gazes down at me. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to manhandle you.”

I chuckle. “How literal of you.”

He shakes his head, but at least I’ve gotten a hint of a smile out of him.

Rex caresses the side of my cheek with one finger. The gesture is sweet but definitely distracting. When he’s in his Howler form, everything about him is bigger.

And thicker.

“I’ve had something on my mind for the past week,” Rex begins. “And after spending the past few days on the road together, and watching how much you seemed to be enjoying yourself today, well…”

I lean forward, waiting for him to continue, but all he does is stare off into the darkness beyond the cave entrance.

“And?” The suspense is killing me.

Rex finally locks gazes. “When we get back home, will you move in with me?”

I suck in a sharp breath. I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t that.

He winces. “Too soon?”

I allow myself a minute to absorb the moment. My first instinct is fuck yeah. Then pesky thoughts creep in, trying to ruin my joy. Thoughts of what our future will hold and whether I’ll be able to handle staying with Rex long-term. That’s true of any committed relationship, of course.

However, most LTRs don’t involve mixed species.

My thoughts land on the humans I met today. They have relationships with a cryptid. They’re happy. Christopher, Bob’s human, even said they’ve been together eight decades. Eighty fucking years. I mean, holy shit. Human-on-human couples are lucky if they get half that much time together.

Rex lets out a heavy sigh and starts to ease out from under me. I throw my arms around his neck, hanging on with an iron grip.

“Oh no you don’t, Sexy Rexy.”

His eyes widen at my use of the nickname his buddies have been teasing him with all day. Rex explained it’s all in good fun, but he can’t imagine where they got it from.

I sure as hell can.

“What are you saying?” His voice holds a tinge of fear, and I’m amazed at how vulnerable he is with me.

I grin. “I’m saying yes.”

His lips stretch into a wide smile right before he rolls me under him and captures my mouth in a frenzied kiss, his hands roaming my frame, me clutching his shoulders, our bodies beginning to move in rhythm.