Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 28144 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 141(@200wpm)___ 113(@250wpm)___ 94(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 28144 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 141(@200wpm)___ 113(@250wpm)___ 94(@300wpm)
“Purple is very nice, but I think my favorite is orange.”
He pinched off a chunk of the blob and asked, “Can we make some orange too?”
My heart warmed at the sweet request as I dripped red and yellow onto the second ball, and I smiled widely as he mashed each of them until the colors were perfectly blended.
“You did such a nice job,” I praised, and received a gorgeous grin in return. “Let’s take these to the island so you can play.”
I carried the colored dough to the small island, and pulled out Tatum’s barstool. Once he was settled, I sat beside him, wishing I had a bigger kitchen table to share with him. I had lived alone for so long, I never needed one. An idea popped into my head and I asked my boy, “Would you like to help me build a dining table one day soon?”
His green eyes widened with excitement. “Really? I’d love to! I’ve never built anything before!”
“I’ll show you everything,” I promised, and Tatum clapped his hands before turning his attention to the PlayDoh.
I rested my hand on his back and watched adoringly as he squished and squashed the dough into shapes. I’d tell him how pretty each one was, and then he’d smash it to pieces with a laugh before building something else.
Looking at him now, it was impossible to tell that he had been violently ill not long ago, or carelessly tossed away shortly before that. He didn’t appear to have a care in the world. He was blissful and free. That’s all I wanted for Tatum; to enjoy a happy life without limits or judgments.
I wondered how often he’d be in little space; if he preferred a schedule or to go by how he felt. Maybe he wished to be a full-time little. I didn’t want to interrupt the moment with questions; I’d just follow his cues. Because whatever he wanted was fine with me. I just wanted him. I’d spent so long alone, dreaming of the day I’d meet my boy, but having him by my side was better than I ever imagined.
I caressed my hand up and down Tatum’s spine as he made shape after shape. He’d make little animals and march them around the countertop before squishing them back into blobs.
He stopped for a moment and tapped his chin as he studied the two balls. Then, he pinched off a large piece of each and smashed them together, kneading and squeezing until they were the color of mud.
Tatum leaned over his workspace, hiding his creation from me as he rolled and formed it. Finally, he sat back and allowed me to take a peek. “It’s you,” he announced, pointing to a dough bear he’d made.
I carefully lifted the animal and inspected it. He’d formed it in a sitting position, and had crafted two little ears and a round nose. He even poked two circles into the face for eyes. “Oh, Tatum, this is beautiful. It’s much better looking than I am.”
He giggled as he shook his head from side to side. “No way! You’re the best looking bear ever!” His cheeks burned red, but he still added, “And the most handsome Daddy.”
“And you are the most gorgeous boy.” I kissed his lips, feeling the heat radiating from his face.
Tatum thanked me before eyeing the animal again. “I don’t want to smash this one.”
“Why don’t we let it dry?” I suggested. “It will harden, and then we can display it on the dresser in the bedroom.”
He beamed and nodded enthusiastically. “That way you can see it every time you go to sleep.”
“And you can see it too,” I pointed out, but Tatum wrinkled up his nose.
“When I visit?”
I mentally kicked myself for not making my intentions clear already. First of all, there was no way in hell I’d let anyone live alone out in the woods. But especially not Tatum; he was my mate, and I needed him with me.
I placed the figure in front of him and asked, “Do you remember when I said shifters had gifts, like speed and strength, and immortal life lines?”
Tatum nodded. “Those are very good gifts.”
“They are, but they’re not the best gift shifters have.”
“What could be better than neverending life?”
“Someone to share it with,” I replied, and Tatum swallowed hard. “Every shifter has a mate, hand chosen by Fate herself. That person is the shifter’s other half, their true love, and their whole heart. Remember when I said I knew you were mine when I smelled you?” He nodded slowly. “I didn’t just know you were my boy; I knew you were my mate.”
I didn’t know his eyes could bulge so wide. “I’m…your…”
“Mate,” I finished for him when no other words left him. “We are made for each other, and destined to be together for all time. I will never desire another, and my love for you will only grow. Protecting you is my purpose and my honor. I need you by my side. I want to spend everyday with you, and I want you to share my home.”