Page 77 of Chev's Mate

Vanessa leads me inside the facility, and I do my best to ignore the women who give me eyes. I don’t think Vanessa realizes how many females look at me, and I’d like to keep it that way. She’d be upset.

“I need to stop by my office,” Vanessa says.

I pretend to be shocked. She loves her work, and I knew she wouldn’t be able to take an entire day off.

“I’ll be in the kitchen,” I say.

Vanessa disappears down the hallway leading to her office, and I rush to the kitchen and grab a handful of the fruit packets the pantry is frequently stocked with. They’re one of my favorite snacks, and I shove as many as I can into the waistband of my leathers before grabbing two more fistfuls and heading to Vanessa’s office.

She’s on the phone, so I sit in one of the tiny chairs outside and wait. Ten minutes pass before she emerges, looking guilty.

“I’m not upset,” I promise her.

Her guilty look doesn’t diminish, and I pull her in for a kiss until she’s smiling again. I much prefer this, and I run my hand down the mating marking on her back as we finally head to the portal. I’m eager to bring her home.

“Did you finish everything you needed to do?” I ask.

Vanessa nods. “Yes. Did you clear the kitchen of snacks?”

I’m sure she can see the packets sticking out of my waistband, so I don’t bother denying it. I know she orders extra for me.

Aziel and Silas are standing around my kitchen counter when we finally arrive home.

“It looks good in here,” Aziel says.

I love having my home complimented, and I beam as I look around the space. Aziel’s the only person who’s spent considerable time here before the construction, so he can see the improvement more than anybody else.

“Thank you,” I say, glancing between him and Silas. “You may go now.”

Vanessa pinches the back of my arm, but I ignore it. I want to spend alone time with my mate, and I won’t apologize for it.

We need to unpack and fill our home with her belongings. I also need to know what side of the bed she wants to sleep on and whether or not she likes to fold or hang her shirts. There are so many things for us to learn about one another.

Silas gives me a rare smile before disappearing, and Aziel is quick to do the same. I wait until they’re gone before spinning Vanessa around.

“Welcome home,” I whisper. My voice is rougher than I’d like, and I clear my throat before continuing. “I love you.”

I’ve been waiting to say it again, not wanting to rush her, and now is the perfect moment. Vanessa’s eyes grow moist, and when she rubs her thumbs over my cheekbones and cups my face, I know she feels the same way.

“I love you, too.”

Her words are quiet and full of insecurity, but I don’t care. I know this is scary and new for her, and I’m beyond honored she’s willing to make this leap.

“Should we start unpacking?” she asks.

I nod. It’s like she read my mind.

Chapter Thirty

CHEV

THIS IS THE best day of my life.

I force myself to remain still as Vanessa pulls back the sheets and climbs into bed. It’s been a long time since I’ve slept on a mattress that fits me, and the fact that I now get to do so with my mate is better than I ever could’ve imagined.

Vanessa clears her throat as her leg brushes against mine.

“Are you wearing underwear?” she asks.

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