I didn’t understand his meaning until he palmed my cock through my trousers. It gave a valiant attempt to rise, but it didn’t. “No,” I said. “I am happy.”
“Then why are you awake? Do you need me to move? I’m probably squishing you.”
I locked my arms around. “Don’t move.”
With a grunt, he snuggled closer, sliding until he was completely under the blanket and burrowed against my chest. “Sleep, Mindy.”
The troubles would keep until later. We had plenty of time to talk. Right here and now with my mate was enough. With my arm around him, I forced myself to sleep.
Chapter 32
Together.
I woke to a skittering, snuffling noise. Bartholomew was still draped over me, deep asleep. Carefully, I moved to the side, keeping my mate on top of me. He grunted, fisting my shirt. Teddy had insisted on us getting dressed before going to sleep. Itwascold, but I’d wanted his bare skin against mine for the entirety of the night.
I cracked the tent open; the dimmed lights shouldn’t wake Bartholomew, especially with him under the blanket, but it was enough to see by. Pookie was racing around. On the walls. That was new. I was unaware of her ability to climb walls, but she acted happy enough, so I assumed it was normal for her species. Her tongue was lolling and her spiral tail was wiggling. Herbroken leg was still elevated, but I assumed it was healing well because she’d put weight on it every few steps.
She snorted and scuttled over to me. I opened the tent wider, and she climbed in, settling beside me and Bartholomew. I ran my fingers over her soft ears, and she snorted, snuffling the blankets, and curled her legs up, making her even smaller. Pookie’s eyes closed, and she drifted off.
Here, at this moment, I was content. Bartholomew was on top of me, and Pookie was pressed against me. We were a small family, and I loved it. I’d desired this; I’d been jealous of Hallonnixmin and Gilvaxtin, then Kalvoxrencol and his mate, for quite some time. Now, I had what I’d always needed.
A hand joined mine on Pookie’s back. Bartholomew’s fingers twined with mine, and I smiled, drawing them to my lips to press gentle kisses to his knuckles. He peeked out from beneath the blankets, and I smiled.
“Good morning, Flower.”
He grunted.
Ah, my Teddy, he was not much of a talker. He did speak more now that he knew me better, but I doubted he’d ever be chatty, even with me. But I was alright with that. I loved my mate as he was.
“Did you sleep well?” I asked. He hadn’t woken with a nightmare last night, but that didn’t mean he hadn’t had one.
Another grunt.
Perhaps he was embarrassed about last night? I knew he’d enjoyed it, but in the light of day, or whatever we called this moment, perhaps he was struggling to find words. I tugged him up, making him squeak, then rolled on top of him.
Bartholomew’s cheeks were flushed. I was right, embarrassed. I nuzzled his neck, my scent growing. “I love you.”
His arms came around my back. “I love you too.”
Heat suffused my gut and spread to my limbs. I rubbed and nuzzled him. My mate. My lovely mate. I had to claim him. Everyone needed to know this small human was mine, and I had no intention of sharing or letting him go.
He hooked his legs around the backs of my thighs. “What did you want to do today?”
“Spend it with you.”
“You always spend it with me.”
“Is that a problem?” I asked, giving him a bright smile.
“No,” he answered, tracing my lips. “I want to spend every day with you.”
I squeezed him. “I love you so much, Flower. I will take care of you and make you happy and love you and—”
He covered my mouth. “I understand.”
“Good,” I said, voice muffled. “You can teach me more human games or we can play in the snow.”
“We could.” He arched beneath me, grinding his cock into me. “Or…”
