Page 30 of The Jorogumo

Liam listened to the whole story, barely breathing, then leaned back with a whistle.

"Never hurt a supe's mate, got it," he said in a low voice, and I snorted.

"That's an understatement, sweetheart."

Liam stared at me, his lips parting slightly, and I tilted my head, confused.

"What's wrong?"

His mouth moved without words coming out, and he cleared his throat before speaking. "Ah, nothing. Just surprised by the pet name."

"Would you rather I didn't?" I knew some people didn't like pet names, but I'd gotten the feeling Liam would.

"No, no." His cheeks turned pink. "I like it."

"Got it, sweetheart," I added, just to see his blush deepen.

A customer came in then, a harried-looking mother with a list of comics, and I stayed out of their way as Liam helped her find all the issues.

"These are some very good choices," Liam told her as he brought everything back to the counter, and she gave him a smile.

"My kid is a bit of a comic geek. I figured there are worse things to be addicted to." She shrugged, making Liam snort.

"True that."

"Can you recommend any others they might enjoy? I want to add a few surprises."

Liam looked like someone had told him Christmas came early. The two spent another ten minutes conversing over comics as he helped her find some gifts for her kid, and I watched it all with a smile on my face.

I'd known since I figured out Liam was my mate that I'd fall in love with him at some point.

I hadn't expected how fast I'd be falling.

Liam

Haruto left when I closed the shop after giving me another brain-melting kiss, and I blamed the mate bond for how much I missed him.

I'd never felt like this in a new relationship before. Then again, I'd never dated anyone like Haruto, even if you removed all the magical bits.

Haruto understood me in a way no one else ever had. The way he instinctively took over whenever we kissed without ever feeling the need to ask me first, the way he never got annoyed when I spent minutes chatting with customers, the way hedidn't expect me to focus only on him every minute we were together...

If I honestly sat down and started making a list of all the things that made Haruto a wonderful man, it would be never-ending.

"Mate," I mumbled the word to myself. Haruto had introduced himself as my boyfriend to Diego earlier, but the word boyfriend didn't hold the same weight.

Mate was magical. It was permanent. It meant that what Haruto and I had was forever. Our bond would never break...unless one of us consciously wanted to break it.

I'd asked Haruto if that happened often, mates breaking their bond with each other, and he'd told me it was so rare he'd never heard of anyone who did it. It was a painful process, and it could be done, but no one really wanted to.

The thought brought me great comfort. It wasn't that I thought Haruto would leave me otherwise, but it gave me the assurance that he wouldn't even if I fucked up. I'd get a chance to do better instead of just being kicked to the curb because I wasn't what he wanted.

Sighing, I turned on my stomach, burying my face in my pillows. Even though I'd spent half the day with Haruto, I wished he was here now. I wondered what it would feel like to cuddle with him in bed.

I didn't think he'd be comfortable on a mattress, but his silky hammock had seemed comfy enough. What would it be like to lie on one, with Haruto's arms and legs wrapped around me? With our chests pressed so close I could feel his heart beating against mine?

I sighed happily as my imagination went wild, cuddling a pillow close since I couldn't actually hold Haruto right then.

I was falling fast, and while I was worried it wastoofast, I couldn't slow down. I wanted to spend every waking moment with Haruto, and it was only my love for my store that kept me from trying to make it a reality.

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