Page 73 of Tail, Dark and Handsome: Celestial Mates
“Because of pride. That is an unacceptable reason,” he replied.
“Oh, Winter. It’s more than my pride. This was my mistake, my problem, and you just fixed it without consulting me.”
“You are my mate. Is that not what mates do? Share burdens.” He sounded almost angry.
She flinched at the word burden. “I’m not your mate yet and…it feels like this is a transaction. That’s not negotiating. That’s buying a wife.”
His chest rumbled. Yup, that was the grumpy noise.
“I do not understand the purpose of having a fortune if I’m not allowed to spend it to help the people I care about.” He brushed the back of his hand against her cheek. Somehow that gesture felt more intimate than the act they just shared. “I care about you. I need to help. Allow me to help.”
She hadn’t thought about what he needed, only her own fears. “You say that now, but one day we’ll have a fight and you’ll throw it in my face.”
His fingers tangled in her hair. He tugged, forcing her head back to look him in the eyes. “No. I do not know what male in your past said such things to you, to mock you for a vulnerability, but it was a betrayal of trust. I would never.” His voice was firm, as if speaking from personal experience.
“You don’t think I’m only here for your money? Chase said—”
His snarl cut her off. “Blast Chase. He is not a part of this relationship. I do not care what he thinks.”
“Oh.” She needed a moment. Winter made his intentions clear early on, before they left Fortune. To refuse his help would be a monumental act of stubbornness and self-destruction, even if he didn’t ask her permission first. “My mother and stepfather used to argue about money. I’m projecting, I know, and it’s not fair to you, but that’s where my mind goes. He gave her the starter money for her tour company. It’s always something he used against her.”
She took a deep breath because expressing fear was always better than keeping it inside. She remembered the arguments, the helpless feeling of being a kid when her parents fought, and she never wanted to feel that way with Winter.
Or put Zero in that position.
“I’m afraid you’ll do the same. I never want to hear you say words like that,” she said. Another breath, preparing herself to the truth at the heart of her unease. “Tomas did a bunch of stuff without telling.”
“Like borrowing credit.”
“Yes. I don’t like this out-of-control feeling. Sometimes I’m angry and sometimes I’m afraid. Thank you for paying off Nox. Thank you for helping. It was thoughtful and kind, but I don’t appreciate this begging for forgiveness rather than asking permission. Not cool.”
His ears twitched. “Begging for forgiveness? Is that a human idiom?”
“Yes. If we’re going to do this, I need you to understand that jumping in and not discussing problems with me is not okay. If we’re to be mates. We share burdens. We work together.”
“As you say.” He reached for her hand. Their fingers interlaced.
“Okay, let’s negotiate. You need a mate to make the investors happy. I need to work off that money,” she added.
“No. That is a gift.”
She waved a hand, dismissing his protest. “You needed to help me. Fine. I accept. But I need to work it off. Call it pride. Whatever. I’m not crying in my sleep over it. You still need a driver and someone has to take Zero to and from school. When it’s paid off, then we can make the mate thing official.” She resisted touching the bite on her neck, because in some ways it was already done. “I know it’s silly to insist on going slow, considering what we’ve been doing—”
His chest rumbled in agreement.
“But a long engagement is good for the cameras, you know? People love a prince who falls for an ordinary girl. Plus, the media already have photos of us together on Fortune.” She hadn’t searched the news networks for mentions of Winter or herself, but Valerian helpfully forwarded all the articles.
“Consider the credits an advance on your salary. You may sign a contract for one year if you wish. If you change your mind—”
She nodded, knowing she wouldn’t but liked that he offered. “Will I be an official CayneTech employee?”
“Yes.”
“Tell me, fiancé,” she said, her voice sultry as she leaned into him, “what’s the company’s stance on fraternization? Boss-employee relations?”
His chest rumbled, the sound low and thrumming.
Someone pounded on the door. “What are you doing? Hurry up! I’m starving and the lady won’t let me eat until you get there!” Zero shouted through the door.
