Page 100 of I'm Not Your Pet

He sounded unsurprised. He was used to my curious bullshit by now. A fact that made me feel warm all over.

“I do,” I grinned down at the little creatures with wonder. “They’re so tiny but so resilient.”

“Tiny, resilient things are my favorite,” Roark flirted stiffly, clearing his throat afterward like he was still shy. I got the feeling he wasn’t talking about the flowers. My cheeks warmed, and I ached to reach out to soothe his nerves.

I retreated into the bathroom for a moment, gently laying the bouquet on the counter for later. When I returned to Roark’s side, I held a hand out for him. Roark latched on to it, pulling me against his sturdy chest. A purr started up, the buzzing sensation lulling me into a sense of calm as I buried my face between his pillowy pecs, all my earlier unease forgotten.

Roark was a man of action. And though his communication was somehow even more awkward than my own, I never once doubted his intentions. I couldfeelhow earnest he was with every beat of his hearts against my own. Two hearts. Because one wouldn’t be big enough for a person as kind as he was.

It was weird being able to talk to him.

Super weird.

But in a nice way.

Averynice way.

The weight over my ear from the translator was a reminder that this wouldn’t last.

I need to make every moment count.

“No one’s ever given me flowers before,” I blurted against his chest, safe enough there I felt I could admit this. Roark grunted in question. “Back on Earth I was kind of a loser,” I admitted, ripping off the Band-Aid early. It was surprisingly easy to get the words out with my face hidden against him. He smelled good. His body was solid against my cheek as I wrapped my arms around his waist and he nuzzled my hair.

“No matter how hard I tried I was…invisible. The only thing I had going for me was the fact that I was the ‘brainy’ kid, but even that ended up meaning nothing in the end.”

“I…” Roark’s hearts were beating so incredibly fast as he gathered his words, “don’t understand.” Roark scoffed, like the idea of me being ignored was ridiculous.

I laughed, because he was sweet—and predictable, and I wasn’t surprised he thought so highly of me—not after the way he’d treated me.

“How could someone as vibrant as you ever be invisible?” Roark reiterated.

My eyes burned and I squeezed them shut. “I’ve always been easily forgotten,” I admitted. “That’s why it’s so…weird that you…”

“That I what?”

“That youseeme…the way you do. I’ve spent so long being inconsequential I thought that was my lot in life. But then you came along. And you took me in—and you treated me with such kindness. Which is why I don’t know what to do with this—with…you.” My heart was pounding. “I mean—thisisa date, isn’t it? Ushuu said it was.”

“Yes,” Roark confirmed. “I am courting you.” He sounded proud of that fact, and wasn’t that a mind-fuck of its own. Roark. Being proud to be withme.

“Courting me?”

“Yes.” Roark murmured—and no words had ever settled my heart faster.

“Why?”

“Because you are mine.”

“Yours?”

“Yes.” Roark cleared his throat. “From the moment I saw you in that window, you have been mine.” His hearts thumped erratically. “Don’t you…feel it too? I thought…”

“You thought?” I swallowed the lump in my throat, off-kilter as I decided how I felt about that particular statement.

“I thought you wanted this.” Roark sounded so lost for a moment it felt like I was breaking.

“Of course I do,” I replied immediately, now fully aware of what I was agreeing to. “Of course I want you.”

Roark relaxed with a gusty sigh, melting over me like he’d been terrified I was about to reject him. When he began purring again, I squeezed my eyes shut, inhaling his heavenly scent. Masculine and sweet all at once. Kinda pineapple-y today like his cum.

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