Page 47 of A Highland Gargoyle's Lucky Star
“All of this is really fucking wild, and I don’t know that I’ve entirely processed it all, but being fated mates is probably the least intimidating part. It’s actually super fucking cool.”
I stare at him in wonder and marvel at how different Noah is from anyone I’ve ever met. He’s so brave and bold—and honest.
More honest with himself and his feelings than I am with mine. I could stand to learn a thing or two from him, I suspect.
And I will if he’ll have me as his mate.
Hope surges anew inside me.
If he accepts me, I’ll strive to be the best partner for him that I can be. He deserves no less.
“I thought for certain you’d be horrified when we revealed the truth of the situation to you.”
His lips twitch. “Sweet Elryk, I’m getting the impression you’re maybe a bit more of a pessimist than I am. One of my greatest strengths is my unrelenting optimism.” He waves a hand in the air. “Don’t get me wrong, I have my moments when even I get down. Case in point, before I came here, I went through a pretty rough patch that had me questioning what the fuck I was doing with my life. But then I stopped in this magic shop and got a free tarot card reading that told me my life was going to change. As long as I followed my heart’s desires, I would find what I’ve beenlooking for. I decided to heed that advice, and now I’m here. I don’t think that’s mere coincidence. Not by a long shot.”
Slowly, he reaches over and takes hold of my hand. His is so much smaller and more delicate than mine. Humans tend to be more fragile in general than most Otherkind species.
But still, I want to protect this kind man whose spirit is far stronger than some of the most powerful gargoyles I know.
“I realized one of my heart’s desires was to come here to Scotland. I’ve dreamed of it ever since I was a child.” A sheepish look spreads across his face. “I used to sneak my mom’s Highlander romance novels and read them under the covers in my room. Even though I knew I had some distant relatives who’d been from here, I never learned much about them. But now I’m starting to think my fascination with this country and its people may be tied to the fact that we are fated mates. I don’t know much about this goddess you believe in, but if she foresaw that we were meant to be together, then maybe she somehow guided me to you at precisely the right time in both of our lives, when you needed my power and I needed a new path in life.” He shrugs. “It sort of seems like destiny, doesn’t it?”
I swallow convulsively. “The Goddess does not make mistakes when it comes to these matters. I do believe that.”
“Well, there you go,” he says, his lips curving up in an amused smile.
He squeezes my hand and I squeeze back, cherishing the soft warmth of him and our magical resonance as mates swirls between us. I’m not sure if he’s even fully aware of it, but we’ve already started to connect on the most fundamental of magical levels.
It bodes well for a future together.
“Do you think you could live here with me and be happy?”
My heart hammers, and I feel lightheaded as I wait for his answer.
“I don’t know for sure, but my gut instinct tells me this is where I’m meant to be and you’re who I’m meant to be with. For now, I think that’s enough. Besides, it’s not like I have a job or anything particular drawing me back to Chicago. Even my parents don’t have a set home where they stay anymore beyond their RV. Their travels take them all over. I do have some friends that I’ll miss, but I’m more than willing to uproot my life and move here with you. Are you willing to commit to me as your mate and stop being grumpy about it?” He arches a challenging eyebrow at me.
That, on top of his words, causes something to snap inside me, and with a growl, I yank him into my arms and take his mouth in the searing hot kiss I’ve dreamed of giving him ever since that moment I rescued him.
His compact, tight body feels perfect in my arms, and he immediately straddles my lap with enthusiasm.
Our mouths devour each other like we’re starving men.
Before I know it, I’m flipping him under me and laying him back on the couch, my body pressing down on top of his. I’m careful not to rest my full weight on him though.
Noah moans, and his hips rock up into mine.
“Fuck, you feel amazing,” he whispers breathlessly. “Kiss me more,” he demands, pulling my head down to his again.
I nip and lick at his swollen lips and suck on his slick tongue while he moans and shudders beneath me. When I finally pull back, panting, I’m nearly ready to blow.
Noah’s pupils are blown wide, and he looks a flushed, wanton mess—all because of me.
“You’re bloody gorgeous.”
“So are you.” He reaches his hand down between us, questing under my kilt until he grabs hold of the base of my rock-hard shaft. I have to bite my bottom lip.
“Holy shit, you’re huge.” He pauses for a second, tracing my length. “And ridged for my pleasure?”
I can’t help but grin. “Have you never been with a gargoyle before?”
