Page 60 of Savoring Her Snake

“Well, no.” I wrinkle my nose. “Most customers aren’t nice. I don’t like most of my co-workers, and I hate the uniform.”

“Don’t go,” he says, and I tilt my head. “Stay with me. You can do anything you want. Be anything you want. If you want to go to school, you can.”

“I—” Is that possible? I’ve always worried about money. I have to support myself, but even more, my family. He’s giving me a choice, and opportunities.

“Do you want to be with me?” he asks, and I can’t imagine not being with him.

“Yes,” I answer, my heart pounding.

“Do you believe we are mates?”

“I do,” I whisper.

“Then you don’t need to go,” he says.

“I’ve always worked,” I mumble.

“Darling, I have enough money.”

“I don’t want you for your money,” I say quickly.

“I know.”

“Don’t think I want to be with you because of wealth.” I know how it feels to be the bank for family.

“Juliana, do you really believe that thought would cross my mind?” he grumbles.

“No.” My stomach flips. Heath would never act like my mom.

“Good.” He sits on the bed facing me. “I want you to live with me and build a life together, away from here. Your brother is already on his way. He will live in the same town. We will have a support system. All the people you have met will be there. I apologize in advance for all the others you have yet to meet. They will show up the minute we enter town. My house is almost completed. The only things left are minor. We can move in right away. You know I can’t cook, but I’ll order breakfast every morning. We can travel, and I can show you the world.” He grips the edge of the mattress. “I want you. In every way. If you aren’t ready to complete the bond, I will continue to wait. I can be patient if you need that time, but I can’t be away from you. Every minute I was gone yesterday, my body rebelled. Would you be able to leave me?”

“No.” I shake my head rapidly, and he relaxes his hands.

“Do you need more time?” he asks.

“I can’t live without you,” I whisper, taking a step back into the room. “I’m not ready to become a snake. I know I will, though. I want to learn more and spend more time together.”

“I can do that,” he says.

“So it’s like my boyfriend is asking me to move in,” I tease, moving closer.

“If you need to think of it like that,” he grins. “What we are is much more than that simple word implies.”

“When do you want to move?” I ask, my palms sweating. I can’t believe this is happening.

“Very soon. A few days.”

“In a hurry?”

“It was the plan before we met. This place will be under new ownership. I should have had everything packed, but I put it off.”

“Because of me.”

“Yes.”

I stare at him as I get closer. This is the biggest decision I have ever made. He is the best thing to come into my life, and I can’t let fear of the unknown stop me.

“Hand me my phone,” I say softly. I left it on the bed and it’s beside his leg. “I need to quit.”

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