Page 17 of Savoring Her Snake

“Sorry.” I shake my head. “I find compliments difficult to believe.”

“I understand, but you will get plenty from me.”

I laugh shortly. “You have a way about you.” I grip the end of my shirt, twisting. How could I forget I was wearing his shirt? I walk to the couch and sit, my legs curled under me. “Why do you walk with a cane?” He follows me, fluidly sitting beside me, his arm on the back of the cushions, his fingers inches away from my shoulder.

“It is my weapon. An extension of my snake.”

“That’s why you wanted me on that side when carrying my brother.”

“Yes. It would take precious time to drop him if you were threatened.”

“You have shown more care than anyone in my life,” I whisper. I suppose that’s why it’s easy to trust him.

“That makes me angry,” he hisses, tapping his fingers.

“No need. We can’t change the past.” I shrug and bring my knees closer to the back of the couch.

“That is true.” His gaze follows my movements. It’s as if he physically touched me, and I shiver.

“What does being a mate mean?” I drop my hand to my foot. “It means you belong to me, and I belong to you. We were destined to be mated. Shifters are not meant to live their long lives alone. Most of us thrive on the touch of others. Many are in packs. We live a very long time, and sometimes, if we don’t find our mate, we will slowly go insane. Vampires are more susceptible to this.”

“Vampires?” I ask.

“Yes. Someone I consider a brother is a vampire. There are all kinds of shifters.” He pauses, tilting his head. “You haven’t reacted to my species.”

“A snake.” I prop my elbow on the back of the couch and lean my head on my hand. “That’s rare?”

“It is.”

“I never imagined a snake shifter. Would you show me your animal?” I ask, and he frowns.

“You want to see it?”

“If I am your mate, shouldn’t you share it with me?”

“I’m not used to anyone wanting to be around my animal.” He shifts in his seat. “Perhaps another time.”

“I’m not afraid,” I whisper.

“Your reaction confuses me,” he confesses.

“People are scared of you,” I assume.

“Yes.” He leans closer and plays with the ends of my hair. “I don’t like to share with people; it makes it easier to be left alone.”

“That’s what you want to be, left alone.”

“I did. Meeting you is a revelation.”

“You’ve never had a mate?”

“The universe gifts you with a mate, or multiple mates forever, once. When the bond is completed, death is the only thing that will sever it,” he says. I struggle to keep my eyes open as he runs his fingers through my hair.

“Wait,” I say, startled. “You can have more than one mate? At one time?”

“Yes, but I don’t share, ever. The universe knew I would want my mate all to myself.” His eyes blaze. “Most shifters don’t mind sharing. I know several who are very happy being in a group. Vampires are like me. I have only met two vampires who shared their mate. They are selfish, very possessive creatures.”

“Can shifters mate anyone?” Heath’s world is fascinating and I can’t help wanting to know more. Being his mate is hard to believe, but his reactions to me would be hard to fake. The idea of being his forever is alluring. I can’t deny how attracted I am, and something in my gut is pushing me to be with him.

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