Page 15 of Bigfoot's Bride

"Just like that?" I ask, hoping my voice comes out teasing rather than terrified. "We barely know each other." I chuckle nervously.

He smiles softly. "For my kind, when the soulstone sings, there is no need to question. It always sings true."

I shake my head, feeling a bit overwhelmed. "Yeah. Alright. Well, that's...that's not how it works for humans. We need time. We date. We get to know each other. We...allow relationships to develop gradually."

I don’t want to hurt the big furry mushball’s feelings. He’s sweet. And if I’m being honest, I like him. A lot.

To my surprise, Gruffydd's smile only grows wider. "Then that’s what we’ll do. I’ll court you, Maria Garcia. I will pursue you, date you, and prove to you what my soulstone knows, and what my heart already feels."

I can't help but laugh, grin at the sheer absurdity of it all. "You're really going all in on this, huh?"

He nods, his expression one of pure determination. "I’m up for the challenge. You’ll see. We’re fated. Destined."

And you know what? Despite all logic, despite the voice in my head screaming that this whole thing is ludicrous...I don’t hate it.

I offer him a small smile. "Call me Kiki."

Chapter 10

Gruffydd

As I turn and continue my pacing in front of the large cave that’s been set up as a dorm, the door creaks open and out steps my Kiki, looking adorably rumpled and sleepy with her curly hair and large glasses. She stretches, yawning wide, and I get a glimpse of smooth skin as her shirt rides up.

"Good morning," I greet her, probably a little too enthusiastically judging by her wince. "Sleep well?"

"Mhgfm." She blinks at me blearily. “I don't suppose this place has a Starbucks?"

“A Starbucks?”

"You know, for coffee?"

"Coffee?" I frown, puzzled. "What is coffee?"

Kiki stares at me in disbelief. "You don't have coffee here? Like, at all?"

I shake my head apologetically. "I don't believe so. What is it?"

She groans, slumping against the wall. “The nectar of the gods. The elixir of life. The sweet, sweet fuel that keeps the human race functioning."

I can't help but chuckle at her theatrics. My mate is so expressive.

She pats my arm sending little zings of electricity through me. "It's a drink. Made from roasted beans. It has caffeine in it, a stimulant. Most humans are pretty much useless without it, especially in the morning."

"Fascinating," I say, trying to understand the appeal. "How about this? I'll show you around Grotto, and maybe we can find a suitable substitute for this coffee of yours."

She perks up at that, linking her arm through mine. "Lead the way, big guy."

As we stroll through the winding corridors, I point out various points of interest—the dining hall, the recreation areas, the workshops where we craft our furniture and tools.

"Wow, this whole set up is incredible. It’s so much more than I realized.” Kiki gestures around us and I feel a tinge of pride. I want her to like Grotto. I want her to love it so much she chooses to stay here permanently. "Do you use money? Do you have jobs?"

I shake my head. "No and yes. We don’t use currency here. We do take jobs. We all contribute based on our skills and interests, and everyone's needs are met. It's a cooperative system."

She looks impressed. "That's actually really cool. So everyone just pitches in?"

"Exactly. We grow and harvest most of our own food down here, and those of us whose job it is to hunt venture topside to bring back game. Usually venison."

I stop when we reach our final destination of the day. I hope she likes this. She’s my mate, so I’m fairly certain she will, but even so, I find myself a little tense. This is important to me.

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