Page 49 of Beginning Fate

But was this just the bond between us making me feel this way?

It was so confusing to think about. But for now, I decided I didn't care if it was truly him or just the bond or even just the added hormones and craziness of mating. I liked it, needed it even, and for once I was going to selfishly just accept it.

I'd always feared that if I allowed myself to grieve that it would pull me into such a dark place that I could never crawl out of it again. But I'd been wrong, and a bit of weight had lifted through my tears.

“I have a friend, a former D.O.G. brother who does counseling. I talked to him about my brother, and it really helped. If you want someone to talk to, and promise not to swoon for his Australian accent, I could convince him to come for a visit and counsel you too.”

“I don't know. I think I'd rather just talk to you, if that's okay.”

He beamed down at me and kissed the top of my head.

“You can always talk to me.”

Feeling much more calm, I watched the ripples forming from the breeze on the water, dancing in brilliant shades of orange from the setting sun.

“Red skies at night, a sailor's delight,” I murmured, remembering my father's words. “It really is hauntingly beautiful.”

“It is. I love it here. But as much as I was looking forward to seeing you wet and naked swimming in that lake, I think we're going to have to pass on that for today. I wasn't thinking, and I'm sorry.”

“Don’t be. I think I needed this more than I realized. Though when you mentioned going swimming, I hadn't considered this was what you meant.” I chuckled. “I've gotten okay, or at least tolerable, in the water, in a pool, where I can see the bottom and my feet touch.”

“I'll keep that in mind for next time.”

He grinned and winked at me.

There was so much promise in that wink.

“We missed dinner. How about we head back to the house and order pizza or something?”

I scrunched up my nose. “I saw what you consider pizza in the cafeteria. I'll pass on that.”

“So you're a pizza snob, then?” he teased.

“I'm from New York, buddy. I know good pizza, and clearly Californians do not.”

“Well, I'm from New Orleans.”

I gave him a skeptical look and barked out a laugh.

“Yeah, probably means I know even less about pizza. But Cajun food? Now that I'm an expert on.”

“Expert, huh?”

“Absolutely. I'm not cooking for you today, but someday . . . soon.”

That promise seemed to float in the air around us.

I knew things were getting serious between us. It had been a crazy day on the biggest emotional rollercoaster of my life, but at the end of it, we were still here, together. I couldn't help but wonder if life with Denny would always be this way. Because it would be so easy to just let myself fall for my mate.

Denny

Chapter 13

Something had changed between me and Lauren that day. It felt a hell of a lot deeper than the bond. In a way it scared me because if she really decided to return to New York in a few days, then I knew I was going to pack up everything I own and follow her home.

We ended up going back to the house and ordering Chinese delivery instead. It seemed safer than pizza, though I learned New York also has amazing Chinese food and ours didn't quite live up to her expectations. I discovered that my mate basically lived on Chinese takeout, pizza, hotdogs from a street vendor, and frozen chicken nuggets with boxed mac and cheese, unless her restaurant or bar was giving her leftovers to take home, then she never turned down whatever was offered.

The atmosphere was light as Remy walked in and immediately tried to help himself to our dinner. Sure, I'd gone overboard and ordered far too much when Lauren wouldn't tell me exactly what she wanted, but that didn't mean it was a free-for-all.

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