Page 17 of Matched By the Dragon

“Mate?” Durin said, bumping me gently with his toes.

“Yeah?” I said, trying to ignore the blush creeping up on my face.

“It’s okay. I think the yet is forever implied. Yet isn’t going to encourage me to ask you to set a date on the calendar, but sure, I’ll sleep in your bed,” he nodded. “I don’t want you to think I minded the floor, though. My bear could sleep anywhere. He just likes to sleep.”

“What about you? Would you prefer my bed?” I asked, because now that I was already blushing, why shouldn’t I just pile on more embarrassing questions?

“I would,” he nodded. “I think I’ll sleep better closer to you.”

I brushed my toes against his calf again.

“Me too. I mean, I’ll sleep better. Though, I’m already sleeping pretty good. If I sleep too much harder, the kids might take over the house,” I laughed. “I’m still rambling.”

“It’s okay,” he smiled at me. “Really. Ramble away. I prefer it over how quiet you were when we first met. I’d rather hear every thought in your head than you not tell me what you really want to because you think I won’t like it.”

I stretched out on the other side of Baby Resin and stared at Durin for a long moment.

“That’s what the claiming vows are for,” I whispered. “The hearing every thought thing. I’ve thought about what that would be like. At first, I worried you’d think I was crazy or you’d catch my panic attacks. That happens sometimes.”

“I know,” he nodded. “If that happens, we’ll deal with it. I think it’s more likely than not that we’ll find a middle ground. That’s what usually happens or I’ll know right when it starts so that I can help you.”

“I don’t want you to feel like you have to help me,” I frowned.

“I don’t have to do anything. Sure, I want to help you because you’re my mate, but also because no one should have to deal with a panic attack alone if they don’t want to. If you want some space? Sure. I’ll back off, but if you want me or need me, I want to be there.”

Feeling brave, I wiggled around just enough to press my forehead against his bicep. It wasn’t arousal I was seeking, but comfort. Only my bear still popped off into my thoughts about how big and solid Durin’s bicep was.

“Would you think I was a sexfiend who just wanted into your pants if I told you I thought about how to work out the logistics of having someone watch the kids when we’re ready for our claiming vows?” I asked not looking at him.

“No,” he said instantly. “You’re a planner but also… Maybe I’ve been thinking about the claiming vows too.”

The cubs were out cold but I still chose my next words carefully.

“The biting part or the other part or all the parts?” I asked, almost rambling off again.

“All the parts,” Durin said, keeping his voice neutral.

“Would you like to hear how I plan to make sure the kids are occupied when we’re ready?” I asked, because it was all I could give him in that moment. All I was ready to give him.

“Yes, please,” he said, leaning over to kiss the top of my head.

So I told my plan to his bicep. It was easier to talk about it when my forehead rested against his muscles and my eyes were shut.

“I’d have Alby or Raziel come over and watch them. Sure, if it was Alby, we’d probably need to plan them for during the day, but I think Raziel would stay overnight. I know he has a lot going on. They both do, but I think either of them would do it. I think Raziel fancies himself some sort of true-mate matchmaker and he might be doing better than even the most popular matchmaking service. He’s two for two as far as I know.”

“I think they’re both solid choices and it lets the kids stay at home too. I thought maybe we’d just sneak off into another room while they were asleep, but I like your idea better,” he whispered.

“Sometimes I look at you and I want you more than anything else in the world, but I’m afraid of what that means,” I whispered back to his arm. “I’m afraid that we work now because we’re in that phase of life when we’re new and interesting to each other. We work because like everyone else we can keep some of ourselves to ourselves. That maybe once you’re inside my head, you’ll realize that I’m not everything you thought and I’m way crazier. I mean, everything gives me panic attacks, Durin.”

“Not everything,” he whispered. “Not most things. Only things you perceive as threats to your cubs. Seriously, if you were paranoid not even Alby or Raziel would be good enough babysitters. And I feel the same. Like what does taking it to the next level change because while things aren’t perfect now, they’re pretty damn good.”

We lay in silence for a few long moments. For a second, I thought Durin had dozed off. I wouldn’t have blamed him for falling asleep. We were one big warm, cozy cuddle pile of bears.

“Hey, can I take you on a date? It doesn’t have to be a big affair. We’ll take the kids with us. They shouldn’t be left out of the fun. It’ll narrow down where we can go, but you, me, them, something to eat and something to do? What more do we need?” His whisper broke through the silence.

“I’d like that,” I whispered back. “There is this place. The food is mostly pizza, but they have this giant foam pit to play in. It’s for kids, but you can get in with them if you’re in the baby and toddler area. It’s called Foam’s Pit or something like that. I think Resin and Oaklan would like it. The foam is even safe to eat because it’s run by some old bears who had a bunch of kids. So they know what cubs are like. So no choking hazards or anything like that.”

“We’ll go there,” he nodded.