Being Gargoyle, Brynna was in tune with his moods, and she’d had enough lovers over the centuries to know what lust looked like. On those nights she’d spent sleeping on his sofa instead of going home to an empty house, she had heard the sounds coming from his room after he’d gone to bed. What Brynna didn’t know was who Travis was thinking about when he took care of his needs. She wanted to think it was her, but she wouldn’t blame him if he was picturing Rachel instead. He had been planning on proposing before the human was taken from him, so it made sense he had loved the girl.
“Come on, Brynna. I haven’t known you very long, but we’ve spent all my free time together. I know when you’re keeping something from me.”
“You’re right; I am. I’m just not sure how to tell you or if now’s the right time.”
“You said it wasn’t anything bad.”
“No. Not to me it isn’t. But I’m not sure how you’ll feel about it.” Brynna didn’t think it was the right time even if Banyan did. “What do you think about me remodeling the house?”
“Way to deflect.” Travis sighed. “I think you should remodel it to suit your tastes and live here a while. If you still don’t like it, make the decision, then to turn it into a hotel or sell. After our earlier discussion, it won’t take much to turn this place into something grand yet tasteful.”
“Can you see yourself living here with me? After we remodel? I know you have Trevor back in New Atlanta, but we could split our time between Norway and the States. Plus, Molly would love it here, don’t you think?”
“Why are you so worried about what I want? What’s going to happen when you find your mate? He’s not going to want me sticking around, and I wouldn’t want that either.”
“That’s not going to be an issue. There won’t be anyone else showing up.”
“How do you know that?”
Brynna took Travis’s free hand and gripped it tightly. “I know, because you’re my mate.” Brynna held her breath.
Travis narrowed his eyes at her. “What?”
“I said you’re my m—”
“I heard what you said, but I don’t understand. When did you figure this out?”
“The first day I met you.”
“I see.” It was Travis’s turn to chug his beer. When he finished, he looked off past the fountain.
“I’m sorry. I know the timing is for shit. It’s why I didn’t tell you before now, and if you don’t want this, I’ll understand.”
“What?” Travis shook his head. “Don’t repeat that. I heard you. Again. I just… I don’t understand. Or maybe I do. No, I definitely don’t. I know how the mate bond works. You’ve known for almost two months, so why didn’t you tell me? Is it because I’m human?”
“Definitely not.” Brynna did set her bottle down then. She took Travis’s empty and placed it next to hers on the concrete walkway. Lacing their fingers together, she asked, “Is this okay?”
“Yeah, sure.” Travis didn’t look sure though. He looked like he was either going to throw up or cry. Or both.
“I’m honored to have you as my mate, human or not. You’re one of the best beings I know.”
“So why now?” He tried to pull away, but Brynna didn’t let him.
“Because you were in mourning. I’ve been giving you time to get over Rachel. Not that seven months is enough time, and not that I expect you to ever forget her. She was someone special to you, so I know you’ll always have a place in your heart for her.”
“Bryn, you could do so much better than me. Do you seriously want a human for your mate?”
“Yes, I do. To me, you’re perfect. I often wondered why the fates waited so long to send my mate to me, and now I know why. They were waiting for you. And before you say you aren’t enough for me or perfect enough, think about your brother. Is he not good enough for Jasper?”
“Of course he is, but I’m not Trevor. He’s the better brother.”
“Oh, Travis. I adore Trevor, but he isn’t better than you. He’s just different than you are, but not better. You’re both intelligent, handsome men. He happens to be a little bit quirky. I think that’s what makes him and Jasper work. In this relationship, I’m the quirky one. We balance each other out. And besides all that, I’m tired of fighting my shifter. It’s been pushing me to claim you. I want to claim you, but I was trying to give you time. This probably seems too fast or too… something. I mean, we’ve known each other such a short time.”
“You’re right; it hasn’t been that long, but I know how the mate bond works from being around other Gargoyles. You don’t have a choice in who your mate is. I’m the one chosen for you, so if I turn you down, you’ll never have a mate. You won’t be given another one. And no, it hasn’t been that long since I lost Rachel, but whether I agree now or later, it is inevitable.”
“I do have a choice. I could have kept this information to myself and continued being friends. But I don’t want to be friends, Trav. I want us to be friends, lovers, and mates. I want us to be everything to each other. I want you. I want you here with me, or I want to be with you back in New Atlanta. I have all these decisions to make about the house, about where I’m going to live, and you’re part of those decisions. Well, if you want to be. If you don’t want to be my mate, then there’s no point in keeping the house. It’s too big for just me.”
“On what planet would I or anyone else not want to be your mate? God, Bryn. You’re the most amazing female I’ve ever met. I’m crazy about you, and the more time we spend together, the more my feelings will grow. Yes, I’m still getting over losing Rachel, and she will always be part of me, but you…” Releasing one of her hands, Travis cupped her face, and Brynna leaned into his palm. “They say everything happens for a reason, whoever they are. And what happened to Rachel was tragic, but people die young every day. We might not understand why a baby is taken away from its parents or why a young mother is taken from her husband and small kids. Or why good people die when the evil of the world continue getting to live.” Travis brushed his thumb over her cheek. “It’s not for us to understand; it just is. If Rachel had lived, I think you would have been given someone else as a mate. I don’t think the fates would have been that cruel to have me married to her and then you come along to disrupt our lives.”
Travis released her other hand, then threaded his fingers through her hair before caressing her other cheek. With her face gently secure in his hold, Travis leaned in and pressed their lips together. It was the softest kiss she’d ever had, but it was also the best. She always thought the moment she and her mate claimed one another would be fierce. Passionate. This was so much better.
“I would be honored to be your mate as well,” Travis whispered as he pressed his forehead to hers.
Brynna’s beast rumbled, pushing her to claim Travis. Brynna pushed back. She wasn’t going to throw him down there on the concrete as much as she’d like to. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. Travis, her sweet, shy, human, took control of the kiss and devoured her mouth. His hands moved from her face to her hair where he grabbed two fistfuls and angled her head to the right just a bit. His tongue was hot against her own as he expertly took control. Oh.