Page 54 of Chev's Mate

Several seconds pass before she pulls away.

I can’t help but notice how thin her nightgown is. I’ve seen her wear it before when I was watching from the woods, but now I’m close enough to see detail. There is a lot of detail—particularly of the skin underneath. I can see the shape of her nipples and every curve of her body.

Has she realized she’s wearing this in front of me? It seems unlike her.

“Did you mean it?” she asks.

I blink, struggling to follow along.

“Your interview this morning,” she clarifies. “Did you mean it?”

I nod. I meant every word I said. Vanessa is everything I’ve ever wanted, and I’m honored to be her mate.

“I meant every word,” I promise her.

Vanessa pulls me back into her arms, and I’m more than happy to return the hold. She buries her head against my chest, and I rock us side to side. I am obsessed with this woman.

“How did you see it?” I ask. “I broke your phone.”

“I still have a TV. Every channel was broadcasting it.”

Of course.

Vanessa pulls away, and I push a strand of hair behind her ear. I enjoy seeing her face unobstructed, and it’s a good distraction from the breasts that threaten to steal my attention.

“Are you hungry?” Vanessa asks, a light flush spreading over her cheeks. “I’m making breakfast.”

She’s offering to cook for me? I’ve been waiting for this, and I swallow past the lump in my throat as I nod. I want to kiss her, but I refrain as she wraps her hand around mine and leads me inside.

What did I say that made her so happy? I can’t think of anything especially noteworthy or sappy. All I did was tell the truth. If this is how she reacts when I do the bare minimum, I can’t wait to see what she does when I go out of my way to please her.

I slide into a seat at the kitchen island before she sees my body’s reaction to her. Her innocent touches are arousing me, and I need to get away before I make her uncomfortable.

She must have cleaned since I was here last night, as her kitchen now spotless. I immensely enjoyed the look of her home lived-in, but I suppose this is nice, too. It’s clear Charlie decorated the place, but I see touches of Vanessa throughout. There’s a stack of cookbooks resting on the kitchen counter, and there are several short vases full of sprouting plants.

My body gradually softens, and only once I’m sure my arousal isn’t noticeable do I stand and approach one of the vases. Aziel warned me that Vanessa doesn’t like cut flowers, and she’s growing these from seed. Their tiny roots are visible, and I trace them with my eyes before turning back to my mate.

She’s pretending to be busy working, but her heart is racing. I distract her.

“Do you feel an affinity for these?” I ask, gesturing to the flowers.

Vanessa shakes her head, her lips curling down in the corners. “No,” she says. “I don’t feel anything for flowers. I just like the look of them.”

I’m going to remember that. I don’t have any flowers decorating my home, but that will be easy to change. I’ll plant some the next time I’m home, and I’ll make sure to do it from seed. Hopefully, they’ll be sprouting by the time Vanessa decides to come home with me.

Vanessa begins pulling food out of the fridge.

“How’d you sleep?” I ask.

The question is selfish, but I don’t care. She spent most of the night in my arms, and I’m eager to hear how that made her feel. I think I’ll throw myself into a volcano if she says she didn’t enjoy it, but I’m hopeful it doesn’t come to that.

“I had a good night,” Vanessa admits.

Her cheeks redden before she turns toward the stove. Her back is to me, and I quietly join her in the kitchen. I’m careful to move slowly and keep my steps noisy, not wanting to come across as frightening. I hate that Vanessa fears me, and if I could make myself a smaller man, I would.

“Did you enjoy me holding you?” I ask.

Vanessa’s grip on her spatula tightens as I approach, but it’s the only reaction she gives. She’s nervous, but I hope in a good way. She makes me nervous, too.

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