The Mates of Monsters novel Chapter 22

I enter the master bedroom as if it belongs to a stranger. The bed is in its center, and to the left is an archway into the en suite. There is also a pair of double doors that I assume opens to the closet. I follow in his footsteps as he leads to the bed. The decorative pillows have already been shed, and it's ready for me to slide in. I stare down at the duvet and sheets and pillows in their cases and wonder if I am ever ready for anything, or if I simply convince myself that I am. I wonder if there is even a difference.

"You're allowed to change your mind," he says from behind me.

"I was hoping you would persuade me."

I feel him near as if his aura is pushing into me. With every second that passes, I expect him to reach out and touch me. Alternatively, he comes in front of me and sits on the end of the bed. "What are you scared of?" He asks.

"A lot of things."

"And how many of those things truly matter?"

I press my lips together. "I wish I knew."

Before he can speak, I ask, "Does nothing about this scare you? Worry you?"

"I'm worried that you're being pushed too far too quickly."

"Normal mates do a lot of things too quickly," I mutter.

"This is anything but a normal-mate situation."

"Do you wish it was?"

David shrugs. "Maybe at first, but not anymore. Do you wish you got away that first night?"

My lips part. "I-I haven't thought about it."

Not wanting David to get the wrong idea, I move to one side of the bed and draw back the covers. While holding my breath, I lower down onto it. I shift under his gaze and pull the duvet over my shoulder.

He gets up and walks to the wall, turning off the light, blinding me. I feel the blankets move as he lays down—depending on my other senses until my eyes adjust—listening for his breaths, cautious of accidentally touching his leg with my own. As his figure slowly starts to shape out of the blackness, he says, "I've been waiting for the night you're here with me, and now that's it's come, I don't know if I can let you go."

"I won't go."

"Are you sure?"