Page 24 of The Jorogumo

I smiled at Draven, who had pointy ears, a thick braided beard, and a long braid that reached his lower back. "It's nice to meet you."

"You too," he replied in a growly voice, then frowned at Keoni. "I'm still working on one for you. Iwillmake it."

Keoni gave him a soft smile, then reached over to pat his arm. "I know, Dray. I can be patient."

Khush snorted at that, and Keoni went "Hey!" and the table devolved into good-natured arguments as I started in on my—very human and very delicious—meal.

Haruto's friends were one of a kind—more so than anyone I'd ever used those words to describe—but I hada feeling that if I gave it the time and effort it deserved, they might becomemyfriends too. I'd like that.

Nine

Haruto

After a lunch whereI spent the whole meal marveling over how quickly Liam had become comfortable around everyone, we returned to my house. I was grateful Touya had helped me move my daily chores to a different day so I could spend today with Liam.

"Your friends are all really cool," Liam said as he kicked his legs, making the hammock sway gently. We were sitting side by side on the larger one I slept in, a few of my legs pressed against Liam's thigh. He didn't seem discomfited by them, so I hadn't pulled away. I liked the way I could feel the warmth from his skin soaking into mine.

"They are. I don't spend a lot of time with them, but I do care for them all." Social situations made me tired, and there was only so much time I could spendaround people—or rather, people who weren't Liam—before I wanted to hide away in my home.

"I understand. I've always been very social, and I like making friends," he said, then shrugged, his eyes sliding to his hands. "Not that that helps most of the time."

Brows furrowing, I tilted my head, watching him curiously. "What do you mean?"

He shot me a look, like he wanted to check if I was serious. Whatever he saw on my face made him relax, because he sat up straighter as he sighed. "Nothing. Most people are too intimidated by me to want to be friends, I guess, no matter how non-threatening I try to be."

I blinked, thrown off guard by his statement. I tried to look at him objectively, to see whatever the humans saw that made them feel scared of him, but I couldn't. I knew him too well, and all I could see was the sweet, gentle, thoughtful man who'd installed a button so I could open his shop's door without ever mentioning it.

"It's their loss," I said with a shrug. "Anyone would be lucky to have you as a friend, Liam. You're sweet, kind, thoughtful, and the gentlest man I've ever met. The people who are worthy of your friendship can see that. Like Dustin," I reminded him, since Dustin had known Liam before I met him.

Liam smiled at that, then chuckled. "Considering who Dustin's boyfriend is, I don't think that man is scared of anything."

That made me laugh, because I couldn't disagree.

"But yeah, I know what you mean. I have another close friend, Diego. He's blind, so we got to talking before I made any kind of impression on him, and we became friends."

I smiled, glad to know he'd had some people in his life he could count on before we met. "And now you have a pocket dimension full of potential friends."

"Yes! I would like to meet more of them. One-on-one I mean. Am I allowed to go into the other areas?"

"Of course. Only the houses are off-limits without invitation, but everything else is public space."

Liam grinned at that, then turned so we were facing each other better. He gazed at my face for so long I got lost in his dark eyes, noticing for the first time the small specks of yellow that ringed his pupils. His eyes were so beautiful, so soulful, like the rest of him.

"Liam, may I kiss you?" The words were out of my mouth before I'd consciously thought of them, before I could prequel it with a reminder of my limits, and Liam's eyes widened just a little, his lips parting on a soft gasp.

"Yes." The word was an exhalation that brushed my lips as I closed the distance between us, and I placed a hand on the back of Liam's neck, sparks of electricity snapping to life between us.

Our lips hovered millimeters apart, and I searched his eyes for any sign that he didn't want this, that he'd changed his mind, or even that he wanted more than I could give him.

"Please." This time, the words were murmured right into my lips, and I couldn't have stopped myself from pressing forward if my life depended on it.

Liam's lips were soft, so unbelievably soft, and he made a small, needy sound as I wrapped my other arm around his waist, pulling him close. Our lips moved in a delicate dance, and it felt so right, soreal. I'd never experienced anything like it before, and my body came alive as I kissed my mate for the first time.

"You're mine." The words spilled into our kiss without compunction, and it took me far too long to realize I was the one who'd said it. Before I could regret them, or apologize, Liam made another soft sound, pressing closer to me.

"Yes, all yours," he gasped into my mouth, and I slid my tongue into his, his words breaking my hold on my control. I needed to be close to him, to make sure he was reminded with every touch that he was mine.

It wasn't a sexual need—no, it was something deeper. Something strange and unfamiliar, but something that felt so very right. It felt like my soul itself had laid claim to Liam, and there was nothing I could do but make sure he knew he was mine. My mate.

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