Page 13 of Her Purr-fect Christmas Mate

“I can understand why you wanted to avoid this conversation,” Mordecai said stiffly. Quiet swearing echoed at the edges of his mind. The tiny sandy-colored cat rubbed its face agitatedly. “I am sorry to have put you in this position.”

*YOU’RE sorry? Because I wanted to avoid— Oh. Right. I get it. But… you’re my mate. I’m your— Okay. This is okay.*

Mordecai had the distinct impression that ‘okay’ wasn’t the word she’d intended to use.

His stomach clenched. “Miss Fisher—”

*. . . Seriously?*The little cat blinked at him as though he’d lost his mind. *If the last time I said this didn’t stick, I think we can cut the formalities now. My name’s Peony. You might as well use it.*

“Peony.” Unbidden, a profusion of flowers burst into his mind. Pink and orange and red, voluptuous blooms that blazed like sunset but were cool and soft against the skin. Her skin. Which would be even softer, if her lips were anything to go by. Soft and sweet and…

He hauled his thoughts back into order. “We need to decide what to do next.”

*Next as in right now, or next as in…?*Her mental voice disintegrated into a buzz of confused half-thoughts. But he got the message.

Next as in the rest of our lives.

They were true mates. For whatever reason, the universe had decided that they were each other’s perfect pair. So why did the emotion welling inside him feel like dread, not joy?

“This would be easier if you were in your human form.”

*Would it?*She fell silent again.

He flicked a quick glance at Peony-the-cat. She was sitting staring at nothing.Either she’s figured out how to keep her thoughts private, or she’s so traumatized by the thought of being my mate that her brain has turned to static.

For the second time that night, he wanted to run away. Like a coward. He cleared his throat. “The board are expecting me.”

She looked at him like she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. He didn’t blame her.

“You obviously need time to come to terms with… this.”Us.

*Are you kidding me right now, you absolute prick?*

He winced.

*Oh fuck fuck fuck, he heard that.*

“And I deserved it.” Oh, fantastic. Now he sounded like amagnanimousprick. “Let me take you somewhere you can relax and think things over. I’ll attend the board meeting and meet you afterwards.”

*The hell you will!*Peony pounced. Tiny claws pierced his jacket as she scrambled up his chest until she was glaring straight into his face.

Hee, his dragon grinned. It rustled its wings, ready to rear up and display itself in response to its mate’s approach.

Absolutely not.He wrestled it back. The last thing he needed was to terrify his mate more by showing her the creature he kept locked away inside him.

Peony-the-cat glared at him. He fought the urge to grab hold of her. Not to pull her off his jacket or move her, just to touch her. As though his touch could fix anything.

“If you were in your human form—”

*It wouldn’t make a difference, would it? You already told me not to bother going.*

“Why haven’t you shifted back?”

She stared at him. The gold in her eyes rose up as her claws sliced deeper into his lapels. Her fluffy sides heaved. *I… I don’t want to.*

She’s lying,his dragon said, confused.Why is she lying?

It wouldn’t take much to find out why. If he spoke to her mind-to-mind, rather than insisting on this one-sided out-loud dialogue, it would be easier for him to sense her feelings along with her words.

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