Page 74 of Teaching the Kot'oll Coach

“So, you’re saying that I’m keeping things from you.”

“Yes. I understand, though. Maybe we aren’t that close.” He lets out a soft sigh, it is so soft that I almost missed it.

I snuggle with him, enjoying his warmth. I can’t find the right words to tell him what I think. He doesn’t seem to be in a hurry, and I’m surely not complaining about his presence.

It is a soft and comfortable silence. My eyelids grow heavier and heavier. I’m always sleepy after meals, and this isn’t an exception.

His hand on me seems to get heavy too. Maybe he is also tired.

It will be silly for us to fall asleep on the couch together, but I don’t want to disturb what we have.

“Winnie...”

Do I reply?

“Are you asleep?” He strokes my side and I like that.

He waits for another second before he sighs. “I hope... I hope I’m not too dumb to be your mate. I’m... never the smartest male in the room.”

Oh, I don’t care about that. Who needs to be the smartest anyway? I just want someone who will love me and take care of me.

Well... I can take care of myself, but I want to have someone who will be there for me when I need him.

And... Someone who won’t lie to me and take my things.

I just want to be fine.

He shifts and holds me closer. “Winnie...”

Maybe he is checking to make sure I’m asleep.

I guess he really isn’t the brightest if he thinks I’d stay asleep when he keeps talking. He lowered his voice, and he wasn’t loud, but I could wake up regardless, and that was if I were even asleep to begin with.

He lets out another sigh without saying another word. Maybe he figured it out. Or he got bored talking into thin air.

He murmurs. “I think we’d be perfect for each other.”

He moves some more, seemingly getting comfortable on the couch.

I want him... But I shouldn’t.

I...

“Winnie... You woke up?”

Is he testing me?

He nudges me and I pretend to be awake.

“Huh?”

He grins as I turn to him. “You fell asleep.”

I rub my eyes. “I guess I did. How about you? Are you also tired?”

He still has that tempting smile on his face. “I’m tired, but not too tired to be here with you.”

I pat his stomach. “Are you too hungry to fall asleep? Or... Are you feeling well from...”

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