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I shrug. “Yeah, sure.”
A split-second later, he's already moving to get out of the pool. I catch a glimpse of his muscular backside as he stands, and wow, okay, that's...something.
"Wait. You meannow?" I ask, a bit taken aback by his enthusiasm.
He turns, water dripping from his fur, one hand still strategically placed over his groin. "Yes, now. Or...whenever you'd like."
I can't help but smile at his eagerness.
But as much as I'd love to explore this underground wonderland, my body has other ideas.
A massive yawn escapes me before I can stop it. "Can I get a rain check on that?" I ask, not wanting to hurt his feelings. "Maybe after I've had some sleep?"
His smile returns, bright and genuine. "Absolutely. Whenever you're ready."
I move to get out of the pool, but when I stand, Gruffydd’s eyes nearly bug out of his head. I look down, suddenly remembering my current state of relative undress. Sure enough, my underwear is completely soaked through, leaving little to the imagination.
"Uh, hey big guy? Mind turning around for a sec? Give a girl some privacy?"
Gruffydd slaps a hand over his eyes comically, and he spins around so fast I almost laugh aloud.
I'm not exactly shy. I did a Playboy spread, for crying out loud. But this? This feels different. Intimate. And I’m not sure I want to give the big guy false hope.
I climb out, remove my underwear, and slip on my jeans and t-shirt.
“Okay. You can turn around.”
His eyes roam over me for a moment, and I see something in his gaze that makes my breath catch. It's not just attraction or lust. I've seen plenty of that in my life. No, this is something deeper, more intense, and a little overwhelming.
Most guys I've known have been arrogant, pushy, only interested in what I could do for them or how I could boost theirimage. But Gruffydd? He looks at me like I'm the most precious thing in the world, and he can't quite believe I'm real.
It hits me then that it’s been a very long time since I’ve had sex. Being in WITSEC, living under an assumed identity, it doesn't exactly lend itself to romance. Or friendships. Or any kind of meaningful relationship at all, really.
And here I am, feeling more seen and valued by this Sasquatch than I have by any human in years. What did he call it? A connection.
Wait a minute.
Wait a stinkin’ minute.
Hold up.
“Uh…big guy…” My voice is a bit shaky. "Earlier, when you were talking about soulmates and your soulstone singing and all that...were you saying that...did you mean that...I'myour soulmate?ME?!”
Gruffydd's eyes widen, and he takes a step towards me. "Yes. That's precisely what I mean. You are my fated mate. We are soulmates."
I blink rapidly, trying to process this information. "Uh-huh.”
He places a hand over his chest, right over his heart. "You are the one I've been waiting for all my life."
My head is spinning. This is too much, too fast. Part of me wants to run, to laugh it off as some crazy misunderstanding. But another part...another part of me is intrigued, maybe even a little thrilled.
"So what does that mean, exactly?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
Gruffydd takes another step closer, his eyes never leaving mine. "It means that I will be a good male for you. The best mate. I will care for you, provide for you, and do everything in my power to ensure your happiness. You will be cherished, protected, and loved beyond measure."
Holy. Crap.
I've had guys promise me the moon before, but this? The sincerity in his eyes, the hope. This is on another level entirely, and I really don’t want to burst his bubble.
