54. You are sweet
His smile when we stand in front of his door is doing things to me.
And I can't help but smile back.
"You are sweet," I tell him, because that is exactly what I'm thinking. And my brain can't seem to think of anything else right now.
He starts laughing suddenly, one hand raking through his hair, almost as if embarrassed. I can't help but laugh too, looking at him like this.
Almost... shy.
He might be the sweetest person I know. Maybe the kindest. The strongest—and not because of physical strength, but because of his character.
I laugh again when he actually reddens a little, his cheeks coloring.
"I love being with you," I tell him. It slips out before I can think about it, but it just feels right.
And I genuinely cannot contain my happiness at being with him.
"Fuck." He breathes it out more than says it. Then his hand finds my cheek, and before I can say anything else, he lifts me up with both arms.
"You are sweet."
Immediately, I wrap my arms around him, my hands loosely circling his neck, because there is no need to hold on tightly.
He's holding me securely, with an ease that just makes me feel safe.
"Are we going to just stand in front of your door, or are we actually going to go inside?"
"Always so impatient."
"You know me."
He laughs.
"Yes, I do."
He bites his lip.
"Gotta teach you some patience at some point."
I think I feel my face redden now. Great. Good to know I'm as easily affected by him as he is by me.
I can't stop smiling. It's plastered on my lips now. "Show me. Please."
"What do you want to know?"
"What your place looks like. Where you live, where you spend your time, how it..." I pause. "I don't know. Smells."
"Almost sounding like a wolf."
"Well, I am mated to one."
"Yes, you are. And you know what that means, right?"
"What?"
"Family. Loyalty. Commitment. Protection. Love."
"This feels like we're getting married and you're telling me your vows," I say, sarcastic, but when I meet his eyes, he is serious.
"Well, I haven't shown anybody my place yet, and I haven't wanted to in the past." He pauses. "Also... my vows for a commitment ceremony are going to be a little longer."
Promise?
He says the words while slowly pushing the door open and carrying me inside.
But before I can really take in anything, he starts kissing my neck, making me lose all focus as he carries me to his bed.
It's low on the ground, but there are at least five blankets and a soft covering, and it looks like the most comfortable place on earth.
Cozy, tucked into the corner of the room.
The air in here is different from the tunnels—warmer, quieter, carrying his scent, like the space has absorbed him over time.
When he slowly lays me down on the soft bedding, he continues kissing me. Slowly. His mouth trails down my neck, his tongue warm against my skin. He bites softly—barely there—on my collarbone. And then lower.
"You need to sleep."
"Can't. I'm occupied."
"Well, as much as I love your occupation, you really need to sleep, love."
I take his face in my hands and kiss him. Slowly, as if we had all the time in the world. Then I lay his head on my chest, even though I'm slightly embarrassed by my very fast heartbeat.