Chapter 7 #2
“You’re not asking me anything. That’s kind of the problem.
” She reached across the island, taking my hand.
“Geoff, last night was amazing. This morning is amazing. You’re amazing.
And yes, we need to figure out logistics and take things at a reasonable pace and all that practical stuff.
I know we already said you want to try, but do you really want us to make it? ”
“Reasonable pace kinda went out the window already. Of course I do. Maya,” I squeezed her hand, probably too tight but unable to help it.
“I want everything with you. I want dates and sleepovers and to introduce you to my friends. I want to show you my favorite hiking trails and teach you how to cross-country ski. I want to meet your friends and take you to that restaurant in town that Everest won’t shut up about. I want all of it.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“I don’t want to be selfish. You’re just starting your life here. The last thing you need is some Yeti in the mountains demanding all your attention.”
“First of all, you couldn’t be selfish if you tried.
Second, I’m an adult who can manage her own time.
And third,” she stood, walking around the island to stand in front of me.
“I want to give you my attention. I like giving you my attention. You’re my favorite person to pay attention to. You’re my best friend.”
I pulled her between my legs, resting my forehead on top of her head. “I’m terrified of messing this up.”
“Join the club. I’m terrified too.” Her fingers threaded through the fur on my head, gentle and soothing. “But we’ve been friends for three years. We know how to communicate, how to work through problems together. This isn’t any different.”
“This is very different.”
“Okay, yes. There’s significantly more nakedness involved now. But the foundation is the same.” She tilted my head up so she could look at me. “Did I ever tell you the piece of advice my father gave me before he passed?”
I shook my head. “No. I don’t think so.”
“He told me that he hoped I fell in love with my best friend. He said that the foundation of any relationship was friendship, and there needed to be friendship when the early stages of passion wane.” She rubbed my ears and I shuddered.
“That’s how I’m so sure we can do this. Because you’re my best friend.
I know our relationship can work. We’ll do it together. ”
“He sounds like a wise man. Together,” I echoed, letting myself believe it.
She kissed me, and I lost myself in it. In her. In the knowledge that this beautiful woman wanted me despite all the reasons society as a whole said she shouldn’t.
When we broke apart, both breathing hard, Maya smiled. “So. You promised me we could go back to bed after breakfast.”
“Yes, I did say that.”
“And we’ve finished breakfast.”
“Aren’t you observant.”
“So.” She walked backwards toward the hallway, pulling me with her by the hand. “Are you going to keep your promise?”
I let her lead me, this tiny human woman pulling around a creature three times her size. “Absolutely. I always keep my promises.”
“Good. Because I have plans for you.”
“Plans?” My voice came out raspy.
“Detailed plans. With diagrams and everything.”
I laughed, scooping her up and carrying her down the hallway while she shrieked with laughter. “Diagrams?”
“I’m a visual learner!”
“You’re ridiculous.”
“You love it.”
“I love you,” I corrected, shouldering open my bedroom door. “Everything about you.”
Her expression softened. “I love you too. So much.”
I laid her on the bed, following her down, and for a while there we shared no more words other than frantic pleas and murmured names.
I couldn’t stop touching her, memorizing her soft curves.
How her back arched into my touch, how her breath hitched as I licked that sensitive spot on her collarbone.
I loved how her thighs trembled when I trailed my hand over her stomach to cup her mound - as if she was anticipating my touch.
Nothing compared to how eager, wet and responsive she was as my fingers parted her folds and explored her clit.
I grew harder than I imagined possible the more she chanted my name like a prayer.
She playfully pushed me onto my back and straddled me, lowering herself down, inch by inch until I was fully sheathed inside her.
Because of the size difference, she needed me to help lift her high enough off to get delicious friction.
Unbeknownst to her, she’d imprinted onto my soul.
There would never be anyone else for me.
She’d made sure the memories we were creating etched in my mind forever.
I reveled in the perfect fit of her body against mine, the way she looked at me like I was everything, the way she made me feel like maybe I was her everything.
I wanted to be, because for me, she was my world.
Later we lay tangled together in the afternoon light. The sheets were a disaster, my fur was thoroughly mussed, and Maya looked thoroughly satisfied.
“We should probably get up at some point,” she mumbled into my chest.
“Probably.”
“Do actual productive things.”
“Sometimes it’s good to relax and not be productive.”
Neither of us moved.
“This is real, right?” Maya asked quietly. “I’m not going to wake up and find out I dreamed all of this?”
“If you’re dreaming, we’re having the same dream. And I don’t want to wake up. It’s not virtual reality either.”
“How do you know?”
“Neither of us are wearing the VR visor, or have a controller in our hands.”
“Right.” She traced patterns on my chest, her touch light and hypnotic. “Can I ask you something?”
“Anything.” I kissed the top of her head.
“The Yeti bonding thing you mentioned last night. The all-consuming commitment thing. What does it mean?”
I went still, trying to figure out how to explain without scaring her.
“It means when we choose someone, it’s permanent.
Not in a ‘we can never break up’ way because relationships can still end, people can still choose to leave.
But the bond, the attachment,” I struggled for words.
“It doesn’t really fade. Yetis mate for life, usually. When we commit, we commit completely.”
“And you think you’ve already done that? With me?”
“I know I have.” I made myself look at her, let her see the truth in my eyes. “I told you, I’ve been falling for you for over a year. Last night just made it official. Permanent. You’re it for me, Maya.”
I braced myself for panic, for her to pull away and say this was too much too fast. Instead, she smiled.
“Good.”
“Good?”
“I don’t do things halfway either. Never have.
When I commit to something, a relationship, a friendship, a goal, I’m all in.
” She propped herself up on an elbow to look at me properly.
“So if you’re planning on being permanently attached to me, that works out perfectly.
Because I’m planning the same thing with you. ”
Relief flooded through me so intensely it was almost painful. “You’re sure? Maya, this is forever for me. I need you to understand that.”
“I understand. And I’m sure.” She kissed me.
“I’ve been looking for this my whole life, Geoff.
For someone who sees me, who makes me laugh, who makes me want to be better.
I found that three years ago through a headset.
The fact that you’re also eight feet tall and covered in fur and I can cuddle with you and I never have to be cold again?
Plus you’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen? ” She shrugged. “Bonus.”
“I’m not beautiful.”
“You absolutely are. Accept the compliment.”
“You’re the beautiful one.”
“We can both be beautiful. It’s not a competition. Well, there are pageants for that, but I don’t want to participate in one.”
I pulled her close, overwhelmed with emotion. “I don’t deserve you.”
“Wrong. You deserve everything.” She settled against my chest, fitting perfectly in my arms. “And I’m going to make sure you know that. Every single day.”
“Every single day,” I repeated, letting myself believe in it. In her. In us.