Page 52 of Cosmic Castaway

“I didn’t understand my feelings. What are your feelings?”

Hope burned in my gut. Maybe…

Serlotminden leaned over me, hair tickling my cheeks. “I will respect it if you don’t like me, but my feelings are real. I care deeply about you, Teddy.” He smiled, but it was sad. “You’re not the only one who is jealous.”

“What?”

“Vince. You and he are a couple.”

My forehead crinkled. “No. We’re friends. That’s it. Why would you even think that?”

“Truly?”

“Yeah.”

“You’re unmated?”

I grunted. He certainly got to the point. “Yeah.”

“I wish to place my claim,” he said rapidly.

“What?”

He grinned. “I want to be your mate. I’ve been courting you in the hopes of us becoming mates.”

My mouth dropped open. “Y-you…Wh-what?”

“I want to keep you, or you can keep me. I’m not sure of the words. I have been courting you.” He grabbed my hand. “Like this. We have been dating,” he said slowly like he was unsure that was the correct word. “We are together.”

My thoughts went back over his insistence at taking care of me, how he held me, how he’d enjoyed my extreme concern over him. Had we been dating, and I hadn’t realized it? How was that even possible?

“You don’t know me,” I said.

“Which is why I wish to court you. But I know enough.”

“Serlotminden.” Had he actually thought this through? I didn’t want my heart broken.

He bent closer to me, hovering right over me. “You are perfect for me, and I will prove it if you let me.”

The soft, warm emotion returned in full force. I liked Serlotminden. A lot. It could be more than like, if I allowed it. My heart pounded, but fear laced each beat. When he found out about what I’d done, would he be mad? Mindy wasn’t one to watch others be hurt, be killed, and that was exactly what I’d done. If he changed his mind, I wouldn’t get over the rejection. I wouldn’t survive it, not intact. I’d never cared about anyone like this before, and Mindy was… Fuck, he was becoming my own goddamn soul.

Still, fear aside, hope remained, burning bright—hope that I deserved what he was offering. “I want to date you.”

He beamed. “Thank you.”

I shrugged, struggling to meet his earnest gaze.

Mindy dragged me into his arms, fingers slipping under my shirt. “I’m so happy. I will make you very happy, like me right now.”

I gave a breathy chuckle. “Will you?”

“Once we discuss permissions, I will satisfy you, even if it’s quick.”

A cough burst from my lips as heat rushed into my cheeks. “Please stop talking about it. I came too fast.”

Serlotminden frowned, lifting my chin. “I liked it.”

“You did?”

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