Page 16 of Wishes and Research

“Just be yourself around here and I guarantee that will be enough.” Letting my words sink in, I rose and picked up our plates to give him a moment to think.

By the time I had the table cleared, he’d turned in his seat and was watching me closely. “Be myself because it’s what people say to do or because it’s what you would like?”

Oh, someone was getting more confident.

And curious.

“Both.” Not willing to lie, I tried not to push things too much. “The locals are nuts but mean well, and I’d like to get to know the real Paxton, not the one you think I want to see.”

“I have no idea what you want.” The words popped out before he’d thought them through based on how quickly he clamped his lips shut.

Chuckling, I went back over and crouched down beside him, bracing my hands on the table and the back of his chair. “Are you ready to know what I want or should I just say I’d like to spend more time getting to know you?”

Silence stretched out between us but he didn’t seem nervous or upset. It gave me hope and made it easier to be patient. Thankfully, that paid off after a bit. “I think I’m more comfortable with the getting to know me description for right now.”

I could understand that, but he surprised me by continuing. “But I want you to be yourself too.”

No strong labels yet but I hadn’t scared him off?

I could deal with that.

“I think that’s very fair and thank you for making sure I understood how you’re feeling at the moment.” I was going to keep reinforcing that until I was blue in the face. “Can I ask you a question, though?”

Swallowing hard, he nodded and sat straighter. “Yes, that’s part of getting to know me.”

He was adorable.

And not wrong, even though the idea clearly made him nervous.

“I agree, but consent is important and not rushing you is important too.” Before he could overthink either of those things, I continued. “You might’ve said that you need a few minutes before I ask you something or you might’ve had limits on what you’re comfortable talking about.”

I could almost hear the wheels in his brain turning faster and faster, but his nod was slow and deliberate. “That’s very logical.”

He didn’t seem to know what to say past that point, so I took control again. “Are things like touching you and kissing you part of getting to know you, or should they come later?”

Silence stretched out again, but it seemed to be an important part of his thought process. Wanting to make sure he knew I respected that, I did my best to keep my expression pleasant and neutral and not to look bored or worried.

I was going to be patient.

Patience was important to my mate.

He needed silence to think.

He moved.

Thank the dragons above.

“Touching like the way you rested your hand on my back and buckled me in?” His question made me want to smile.

“First, I would like to point out that I kept my hands in appropriate places and I didn’t grope you.” My response had his lips trying to curl up even though he was doing his best to keep his blank face in place.

“You’re right.” He nodded again, his expression turning slightly suspicious. “But that’s not really an answer.”

He was so cute.

“You’re right too.” But I’d made him want to laugh and he’d softened a bit again. “Yes, those would be included in the touching part, but I’d also like to touch places like your leg or your arms. Maybe your face?”

Licking his lips as he processed what I’d said, he finally let out a soft breath. “Those are reasonable places to touch in the getting to know you phase.”

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