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"You don't manipulate your equal into marrying you without giving them all of the information, Callum."

That was fair.

I actually felt a small amount of guilt, which was strange for me.

"The best way to do this," she gestured between us, "is to treat it like a negotiation. I've thought about what you said, and I agree that sealing a bond tomorrow is the best route."

She explained, "You're not going to be able to let me go, and if I can't have a future with someone of my choosing, we'll have to figure out a way to make this work. On top of that, you've already made me a target for anyone in the city who might want to hurt you, so it's not like living apart is safe for me anymore."

I stared.

Had she just said she was actually willing to seal the mate bond?

"And despite your obnoxious secret keeping, I do appreciate whatever you did to make sure my cafe succeeded. And the favor you called in with Elle. Thank you."

That was... unexpected.

I just blinked.

"Now, all I care about is my freedom. I want to be able to go to my cafes whenever I want. I want to sleep where I want. I don't want to be threatened, or manipulated. Am I correct in assuming that what you care about is not being in pain?"

I dipped my head.

"What makes your pain the worst?" she asked.

Not touching her constantly.

"Sleeping. It's worse at night"

"That's why you wanted to share a bed."

"Yes." And because I wanted her body beside mine, but I wasn't going to risk pissing her off by saying that.

"Okay, that's not a big deal." She opened one of my desk drawers. Then another.

"What are you doing, Kitten?"

"Finding paper."

She lifted a pen from the top drawer, trapping it between her teeth as she continued searching.

I was officially jealous of a pen.

Fantastic.

"Bottom left."

She pulled out a sheet of paper.

I watched her write something on the page. I wanted to see what, but wasn't willing to trigger the pain by moving closer.

"So your main priority is sharing a bed."

"I thought I had made that clear."

She rolled her eyes. "That's one way to put it. Aren't you in pain whenever we're not touching?"

"Yes."