Page 38 of Chomp's Challenge

I don’t expect her response. I never anticipated it. But Ariel leans forward, smiles, and then presses her lips to mine.

Chapter

Seventeen

CHOMP

Holy fuck! Ariel’s pillow soft, sweet tasting lips are pressing to mine, and I’m so fucking shocked it takes a second for my brain to catch up.

It’s happening! It. Is. Happening! She’s kissing us! This is not a drill! my gator bellows.

He’s so dramatic. But I can feel his elation, and it matches mine. Since it’s all about her and what she’s comfortable with, I let Ariel set the pace of our kiss, instead of wrapping my arms around her and molding her into my body.

“Is this okay?” she whispers, her lips still against mine. “I… I know I’m not ready for anything sexual yet, but spending this time with you has shown me what it means to be treasured and cherished, Chomp.”

Those words whispered on her delicious lips are perfection and stir my heart.

She will definitely love us, my gator smugly reminds me.

“I find myself thinking about you when you’re not around, and I know it’s not been that often lately, but it’s still the truth.”

She has no idea how she occupies my thoughts every minute of the day. How she fucking consumes me. It’s like she’s already a part of me, and we haven’t mated yet. My fingers twitch as my claws yearn to mark her as mine.

“I wonder if you’d enjoy me cooking some of my mom’s favorite recipes for you, or whether or not you prefer distance without me constantly around.”

“There’s no need for distance,” I reply firmly. “Cook for me.”

Her lips curl, and I can tell my answer pleases her. “You’ve shown me that even though you’ve always been respectful of me, you’re still nearby and within touching distance. Patient. Kind. And I’ve found out you like to cuddle.”

With her? Yes. My gator won’t be able to handle cuddling with anyone else. He chumpfs at the mention of it.

“It’s whatever you want, Ariel,” I confess. “We can take things as slow as you need to, and in fact, I asked Callie to check with her friend for a list of trauma therapists because I think that will help you move past what was done to you. I know you’ll never truly forget, but me and my gator will do everything in our power to make sure that only good memories are made from now on, okay?”

She’s suddenly glassy eyed with tears and I wonder if I fucked up.

“I want a home, Chomp. One where I can love someone and be loved in return. Where I can have children… wait, will I give birth to live babies or eggs?” she suddenly asks, switching gears.

“How do you feel about eggs?” I tease, knowing the type of reaction she’ll have.

Her gasp is adorable. “Chomp, you better be messing with me.” She swats at my arm, and this time, I’m the one who moves in for a gentle brush across her lips.

“I am.” I bite back my chuckle when I see the relief cross her face. I know that with her being a human, all of this is new to her. Still, her expression was absolutely priceless.

I don’t think she’d care, my gator states. She likes us! She really, really likes us!

She slides her fingers up my shoulder and around my neck, lightly scratching my skin, and my gator nearly has a stroke he’s so turned on by it. Behind the neck and shoulders is an erogenous zone for us. Not that Ariel knows that. Yet.

I shudder as I claim her mouth again, pressing a little firmer, letting her dictate how long it lasts. To my surprise, she deepens the kiss. When we separate, I’m on cloud fucking nine. This is far better than I ever could have hoped. She’s tethering herself to me, growing fonder of me and my gator, accepting us both, and I hope it continues.

I’ve already fallen hard for my mate.

“You have to go, don’t you?”

She’s interpreting my silence to mean I’m concentrating on Jerry and the clubhouse instead of her. I’m not. “I do,” I answer, “but I wasn’t thinking of anything other than you just now.”

“Good.” She tucks a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “I want to come with you.”

“To the clubhouse?”

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