Page 44 of When Hairy Met Stella

“Wrong again.” She smiled at him, and it made him both happy and sad, because while he’d longed to see it again, he didn’t know how many of these moments he’d have with her. That was probably why she’d come down here this late. Probably needed to clear things up before the wedding, let him down easy. Not that he blamed her.

She leaned closer, and the warmth of her breath caressed his cheeks. Any playfulness in her eyes turned serious in an instant. “I know you’d never hurt me, Nate. I believe that with my whole heart.”

“See, that’s where you’re wr?—”

“Shh,” she whispered, placing a finger on his lips. What was with everyone interrupting him tonight? Though, even he could admit this was much more pleasurable than when his brother had. Because if Eric had gone and touched his mouth like that…

“You’ve done something to me, Nate. You’ve shown me what it feels like to have support. And it only feels right to do that for you.”

Ah, she was here out of obligation. Made sense. It wasn’t because she had feelings.

“Well, aerial courses and yoga classes don’t compare to this,” he mumbled around her finger. “So, consider your debt paid.”

Her finger fell from his mouth as her face slackened. “Is that why you think I’m here?”

He said nothing, afraid the warring emotions swirling in him would come out in his voice, and he wasn’t sure which would make an appearance—disappointment, sadness, brokenheartedness.

“Maybe I should have cut to the chase sooner.”

His eyes dropped to her lap where she fidgeted with the rings on her fingers. She was about to lower the boom. He just knew it.

“I love you, Nate.”

Wait…what?

“I fell for you. Hard. And while I’m kicking myself for not telling you last night, while I hate that I choked in a big moment, I feel like this is a bigger one. And I hope that my being here says what I couldn’t last night. That I love you…and there’s no way I’m letting you go. From now on, you’ll never have to be alone.”

He waited the span of about a thousand heartbeats, which sounded like a lot, but when his heart was hammering like his, it was probably only a few seconds. “You love me?”

“Of course I do. Is that so hard to believe?”

“Yeah, actually. I mean, I’m a monster.”

Stella brought her hands up to cup the sides of his face, her thumbs rubbing back and forth over the stubble on his cheeks. “Then I guess I know you better than you know yourself.”

“Stella,” he whispered and then swallowed. “I’d never forgive myself if I hurt you.”

“But I know that you won’t. I know your heart. And I know that beneath the gruff exterior is a good man. Agreatman. And I know that behind that werewolf exterior, that man is still there, just like you always saw the real me beneath the smiles and such that I hid behind.”

“But this is totally different.”

“Is it? Aren’t we all just trying to put our best face forward?” She pulled his face closer, so close their noses nearly brushed. “Too bad I’ve fallen in love with all parts of you.”

And then she kissed him. And when their lips collided, they shared words they’d never said. They were whispers ofI love youwith vows ofyou’re the one. Each touch was a promise that they’d be there for each other for as long as they could.

“Stells,” Nate huffed as he fought for breath. Running miles in the woods had never winded him as much as this woman had, and he didn’t mind a single bit. He pressed his forehead against hers, the rapid rise and fall of their chests syncing together. “I love you more than anything. In so many ways, I think you might be my soulmate, but…what does the future look like? Where can this go?”

“That’s the beauty of it.” Her eyes sparkled in the darkness. “We can go wherever we want. But first, let me just be here for you tonight.”

She nestled her head on his shoulder, and he instinctively wrapped his arm around her. And for a second, everything felt right with the world. Like nothing could have been more perfect in this moment with her, right there beside him, supporting him just like he’d done for her.

“I will love you for the rest of my life, Stella.” When she said nothing back, he looked down to see her long lashes fanned over her cheekbones and the steady rhythm of her breathing. She’d fallen asleep. He shook his head as he softly chuckled to himself. This woman. She’d followed a monster out into the woods and then fallen asleep on his shoulder. Maybe she really did trust him.

And that meant he needed to follow through with his plan. She deserved at least that much.

He scooped her into his arms and walked up the hill toward the lodge when a breeze rustled through the trees. A wisp of her golden hair floated across her face, and it only made her more beautiful, especially when a single beam of light shone on her face.

He jerked his head to the sky, wondering when the clouds had parted. He was too late. If this was a race against time, he was going to lose. But the one who had the most to lose was Stella. He’d promised to take care of her. And that was exactly what he was going to do.

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