Smiley(102)

She tightened her hold on him and opened her eyes. “That was mean.”

“I plan to follow through. I just don’t want to really fall. I’m not risking you getting hurt, Vanni. My pants are hooked on my boots.”

She twisted enough to look down. She couldn’t see his feet for all the material covering them. He walked in small steps, his ankles hobbled. He stumbled a little but recovered. She giggled, amused.

“Smooth.”

“That’s me, babe.”

She lifted her chin and stared into his eyes, seeing the amused look in them. “I love that you have a sense of humor.”

They entered the bedroom and she gasped when he suddenly turned, hurling them both toward the bed. They hit with a bounce. The soft mattress cushioned their fall and he rolled, pinning her flat under him.

“That’s good. I like to laugh and I have the best time with you, my Vanni.”

She liked him calling her that. “I have the best time with you too, my Smiley.”

His grin faded and a serious expression wiped out all traces of humor. Vanni sobered too.

“Did I say something wrong?”

“You called me yours.”

“Sorry.”

“Don’t be. I am yours. You’re mine. We’re getting married. I already consider you my mate. Is that okay with you?” He reached up and caressed her cheek. “Don’t break my heart. It will if you deny what is between us.”

“I’d never do that,” she swore.

“I have so many feelings for you.” He played with her hair, wrapping locks of it around his fingers. “Tell me I’m important to you.”

“You are.” She took a deep breath, deciding to be totally honest. “I’m falling in love with you.”

He smiled, all the tension leaving his face. “I’m already in love with you. I have been since we bonded in the back of that SUV. You trusted me to care for you and put your faith in me. You’ll never know what that meant. I went insane when I woke up and learned you’d run away from the task force members. I couldn’t eat or sleep. I worried that you were out there afraid and alone. That someone would hurt you. I want to protect you and keep you safe. I want you in my arms, in my home and with me all the time. I hate being apart from you. You’re all I think about.”

“You’re all I think about too.”

“I’m going to make you happy, Vanni. Trust that. I’ll never hurt you or let you down. It is a good thing that I’m not human because I’ll never cheat on you. I know humans do that. Species don’t. I won’t. You’re all I’m ever going to want. I’ll never allow anyone to harm you. I’d kill them if they tried. You are my first priority. You are the most important thing in my life. That means I place you before all other Species, if you were worried about that. You won’t be an outsider here. As my mate, you are Species.”

“That’s so sweet.” She was a bit overwhelmed.

“It’s not sweet. It’s a fact.”

“Are you sure you want to marry me this fast? We could wait until—”

“Don’t,” Smiley rasped. “I am certain. Forget logic and whatever you were taught in the out world. Your rules of dating don’t apply here. We can be happy. We will be. There’s no need for us to date for months to know we’re right for each other. This is just you and me. See how well we fit together?” He adjusted his hips, his cock still hard inside her. “It’s not about the sex though. I don’t want you to think that’s all there is to our relationship. We’re so much more.”

“I know that.”

“Do you?” He studied her closely, peering deeply into her eyes. “We can get through anything together if we just talk and are honest. You could ask me anything, tell me anything, and I’m going to keep loving you. I want to have faith that you will do that with me.”

“You’re such a good man, Smiley.”

“I’m yours, Vanni. Say you’re mine. Let’s just do this. I know it might frighten you to take a mate this fast but trust me to be here for you. Take a leap. I’ll catch you. Always.”

She believed him. “Okay.”

“You’ll be happy. I’ll make sure of it.”

“I need to get a job.”

“We don’t live in a money-based system. You can find something to do if you get bored but you can stay home if you wish. I just want you happy, Vanni.”

The idea of being a housewife was appealing. “And we can try to have babies. I’d really like that.”

“I’d love to have children with you.”