Page 25 of Mated to the Gargoyle
“Redor white?”Hugogestured to the wine bottle on the counter. “Ialso have a bottle chilled.”Hepointed to the refrigerator.
“Redis fine, please.”
Ashe opened the bottle with a corkscrew, the high from the flight still buzzed through me.I’dflown tonight.Notin an airplane, but in the arms of a gargoyle—afreakinggargoyle.Thatalmost overshadowed the dark reason why he’d brought me here—to protect me.
Afterhe poured us each a glass, we sat on the plush sofa in the living room area, a position that almost mirrored how we’d sat in my apartment, only we had the city lights sprawled out before us from the picture window.Igaped at such a magnificent view.
Hugo’smassive thigh was less than an inch from mine, andIswore the air between that tiny separation was charged with electricity.Betweenthe wine and the view and candles and the softSpanishguitar music playing in the background, the romantic ambiance was impossible to ignore.Awarm tingle curled in my stomach asIpictured his bedroom.Thedoor was ajar, tempting me to peek in.Ihad to practically sit on my hands so as not to gesture toward it, saying something goofy, such as, “What’sthat room there?”
Still, a part of me wondered…
Wait, wasInuts?Hewasn’t even human.Hewas a gargoyle.Agargoyle.Acreature who could shift to stone.Onewho had massive wings and could fly.Oneso big and muscular and…Igulped, trying not to look down between his legs because it would clearly reveal whatIwas thinking—and it wasn’t innocent.
Withour size difference, would whatI’dthought about in the shower earlier even work?
Thetemptation to find out rose.Iadjusted my position on the sofa and took another sip of wine.
“Iseverything okay,LittleSparrow?”
Little.Evenhe was aware of the size difference, which could make things—complicated.
Inmy nervousness,Ijoked, “Haveyou given me a promotion?”
Whenhe furrowed his heavy brows,Iadded, “Youcalled meLittleOnebefore.AndnowLittleSparrow.”
Hechuckled. “Well, you did just fly with me.”
Irubbed the wineglass stem and then exhaled, letting my shoulders sag. “Justa little nervous,Iguess.”
“About?”Hisbrows furrowed.
Spellbooks, hybrid-demon robbers, gigantic gargoyle statues that come to life, whether it was possible to be intimate with one.
Right,Iwould not be revealing what exactly was on my mind. “Justcoming to terms with everything.”
“Whatare you thinking?”Hisvoice lowered with concern.
Istared into his eyes beforeIconfessed my inner doubt. “Whyme?”
“Whyyou?” he echoed with a confused gleam in his eyes.
“Yes.”Iwasn’t special.Ididn’t want to share all that and spoil the mood, but admitted whatIfelt deep inside. “Nobodynotices me.I’vealways felt likeI’minvisible.”
Hestared at me with affection. “Notto me.”
Adelicious shiver rippled through me.Allthose months, he’d been watching from stone.Iwas the one who hadn’t seenhim.
“Iknow to you we’ve just met, but—my feelings for you—”Hetook a deep breath and exhaled. “They’vegrown with time.Iknow.”Heplaced his hand on his heart. “Inhere.”Hecocked his head and suddenly appeared so vulnerable for someone so massive. “Doesthat make sense?”
Mypulse raced.Aftertwo heartbeats,Iadmitted, “Yes.”Iexhaled with a breathy sigh. “Despiteall the differences,Ifeel something between us.”Itook a shaky inhale. “Morethan just desire.”
“Somethingdeeper,” he agreed with a grateful smile.
Oureyes locked for several seconds, and my heart pounded so loudlyIswore he could hear it.Hebroke eye contact when he lifted my hand and turned it to kiss my palm.Thenhe kissed my wrist, moving up on my forearm in a way that made flutters dance inside me.Warmthspread deep inside me, from my core out to every inch of my skin.Mybreath came quicker, and my pulse raced with anticipation.
Thiswas surreal.Icouldn’t believeIwas here withHugo.Hewasn’t even human.Hecaressed me with his huge hands, marking me with his surprisingly soft lips.
“Iwant you,LittleSparrow.I’vedreamed about being with you.”
