Page 50 of Mated to the Human: Volume One

Looking over at the bed, Leander seemed to guess what was on his mind. “If you’re comfortable with it, I’d like to stay close tonight.”

Merrick cleared his throat. “I’d like that.”

Leander looked down at the clothes he’d been handed. “I’m sorry if it seems I’m moving slowly.” He looked like there was more he wanted to say, but Merrick didn’t want to push.

“It’s okay.” Taking the initiative, Merrick reached out this time, threading his fingers through Leander’s free hand. “I’m not really sleepy, but I’d like to get comfortable. Maybe lay down and talk for a little while?”

Leander squeezed his hand gently. “I’d like that, too.”

* * *

“So wait, how old are you?” Merrick asked, head cradled on his favorite pillow while he stared across the short expanse of bed between him and his mate.

“Technically, three hundred and seven. But I was alive for thirty of those years, so I don’t know if that counts.”

“Holy shit. I can’t even imagine that.” Merrick pressed a hand to his forehead. “Think of all the books I could read!”

Leander smirked. “Well, that answered my next question.”

Merrick chuckled. They were both in sweats and t-shirts now, and they’d been laying in bed basically playing Twenty Questions for over an hour. He fiddled with the ends of his hair while he thought of his next question. Although he never had before, he used a leave-in conditioner on it when he was getting ready for the gala. It’d left the usual frizzy strands super soft. “Where were you born?”

“Nassau,” Leander said easily.

“The Bahamas?” Merrick’s eyes narrowed, trying to do the math in his head. “Holy shit…were you a pirate baby?”

Leander outright laughed at that, and it clenched something in Merrick’s chest to see the perfectly civil mask he wore in public crumble completely.

“I guess you could say that. I never knew my father, but it makes the most sense.”

“What—”

Leander tsked. “I believe it’s my turn.”

Merrick’s teeth clicked when he snapped his mouth shut. “Oh, that’s mean. How can you drop a bomb like that and not expect me to have a million questions!”

Tentatively, Leander reached across the space between them and gently pressed the tip of his index finger to the furrow between Merrick’s eyes. “I’m sure, my mate, that you’ll have chances to ask all of them.”

Something warm unfurled in Merrick’s belly. Leander lowered his hand, but before he could pull back completely, Merrick reached up and slipped his fingers between Leander’s.

A slow, warm smile stretched over Leander’s face. Their hands settled on the stretch of empty mattress between them.

“I admit,” Leander started, voice soft. “I’m not the best at this.”

“This?”

With his free hand, Leander motioned between them. “Being open. Intimate.”

Biting at the inside of his cheek, Merrick shrugged a shoulder and rubbed his thumb over Leander’s hand. “I don’t really have much experience to compare it to, but I think you’re doing alright.” The smile he gave Leander felt soft on his face.

“Thank you, and thank you for being patient. I know the other newly mated couples seem to be moving much faster.”

“You don’t have to thank me for that. I think we should go at a pace we’re both comfortable with. Regardless of what everyone else is doing.” They sat quietly for a moment. Merrick used the comfortable silence to gather his courage. “I know you’ve lived a long time, and I can only imagine the experiences you’ve had, but is there…something that’s holding you back?”

Leander squeezed his hand and pulled away, rolling onto his back to stare at the ceiling. He folded his hands together and rested them on his stomach.

Merrick cursed himself for pushing.

“There is, actually,” Leander said a moment later. “I had a mate. Before.”

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