Chapter 19
We only stayed at my parents’house for a few days before I started to miss Mate Mountain. I hadn’t expected that to happen—missing the mountain—but it did. Our house there was cozy, and the view from our balcony was stunning.
And there was privacy.
Beautiful privacy.
So, four days after we arrived, we hugged my parents goodbye and headed out. Eli met us there to help carry my bags back, which was sweet of him.
The flight back was quiet and calm. It was hard to believe I’d ever been terrified of flying when the wind was blowing through my hair.
After we landed and showered, Jasper introduced me to everyone in the thunder. It was a little awkward, but most of them were polite. I pretended not to notice the ones who weren’t.
It would take time for me to get used to them, and for them to get used to me, but I appreciated the guys who were friendly right off the bat.
When we were done with the introductions, he showed me the staircase into the prison and led me down to the cells, so he could teach me how to get in and out in case I ever needed to. Which was unlikely, but seemed like a reasonable thing to learn.
After that, we finally made our way back to our place. I was tired, but not tired enough to sleep, so I tucked myself into bed with my drawing tablet. Jasper joined me, a book in his hands.
“I didn’t know you were a reader,” I remarked.
“Yep.” He held up the book, showing me a fantasy book I’d read a dozen times through junior high and high school.
“You like fantasy romance? Have you read Soul of the Pack?”
“I have. It was pretty good.”
“That’s my favorite book of all time. Tell me all of your thoughts and feelings about it,” I demanded.
He chuckled, and set his book down.
We proceeded to spend the next few hours discussing books. By the time we went to sleep, it was well past midnight, and I was feeling insanely lucky.
To be mated to a dragon shifter was pretty insane… but to be mated to a dragon shifter who seemed like he really could become my best friend?
That was way, way better.
We fellinto a rhythm quickly after that.
Jasper worked in the prison or with his thunder for a few hours a day, then handled all of his paperwork and whatnot in our place, with me. I got caught up with my work, and only provided my boss with one more picture of us together, to sate her demands for information.
Though she posted it along with the others celebrating the fact that one of her employees was with a dragon, she really did seem happy for us. And I appreciated that tremendously.
Every night, we made food together, trying Vi’s recipes (Jas was in charge of making sure nothing burned), and ate together too.
When we were done with that, we’d snuggle up for a movie, read books, make dessert together, or I’d draw Jasper (preferably in the nude).
Most of which eventually led to sex.
But, also included a hell of a lot of talking and laughter.
It was perfect.
A few weekspassed that way before one night, Jasper led me out onto our balcony for a sunset dinner of pancakes. It was like the good old times during heat, but so damn much better.
We chatted while we ate, with Jasper telling me about an argument between two of the more dramatic members of the thunder. I laughed at their antics, and his lips were curved in one of those small half-smiles I loved as he told the whole story.
We finished eating, and I snuggled up against his side to watch the sun finish setting over the mountains. He pulled me close, holding me at his side.
“Remember when I mentioned that ring?” he asked me, catching me off guard with the question.
“Yes…” I hadn’t thought much about it, assuming he’d give it a few months before we got to that point. “Did you change your mind or something?”
“Of course not. I was just making sure you hadn’t forgotten.”
“Jas, you can’t mention proposal to a woman and then—oh. OH.” I cut myself off, my eyes widening as Jasper pulled away from me enough to kneel on one knee.
“Randa,” he said, his voice low but warm. “I’m in love with you. Will you marry me?”
There were no dramatics. No elaborate plan or staging, either.
It was so very Jasper.
And I loved that.
I couldn’t help it—I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him fiercely.
Passionately.
With everything I had.
He kissed me back for a moment before he pulled away. “Is that a yes?”
“Of course it is!”
He laughed. “Good.”
And he kissed me again.
I pulled away when I realized I hadn’t responded to his statement. “I love you too!”
“I know.”
He recaptured my lips, and the kiss went on for ages.
Life with him was everything I’d never realized I wanted… and thanks to the magic between us, it would never have to end.