Page 86 of My Grumpy Alpha

“—do you want me?” I ask.

“Simple answer yes or no. Do you want me?”

His eyes well with tears.

“I’ve searched for years for my mate, of course I want you, but if it’s not you, the pain will be excruciating. And what we have will be gone. Separated.”

"I’m willing”—I take a deep breath—“I’m willing to bet on you, are you willing to bet on me? The girl who took your virginity.”

“Just had to bring that up.”

"I mean, it’s funny?”

“That I was a near thirty-year-old virgin, thanks, maybe I was just waiting for you?”

I laugh and stare him down.

“I’m serious.”

"I’m serious too. Please, get off of me, don’t make this harder than it already is, to reject you, to leave you, to walk away and not look back.”

"Maybe I want all those things, maybe that’s how it’s supposed to be, all I know is I need your bite and I need it now and I need you to make that move.”

He hesitates. His jaw clenches. He shakes his head.

“You don’t know what you’re asking, this is forever.”

“Good.” I nod, tears in my eyes.

“Good.”

"Forever is…” He turns off the stove and walks over to me, bracing me against the counter. He grips me by the hips and pulls me onto the counter and rests his head against my chest, like he’s hearing my heart, and then he rests his forehead against mine.

“You barely know me.”

"Not true.” A tear slides down my cheek.

“I think I knew you before. I think I was waiting. I think…” I don’t know why I’m so emotional, but I say it anyway, “For when…I see you again.”

His eyes light up.

He freezes completely.

His body is rigid.

And in an instant, he lifts me up into his arms.

“Who told you that phrase?”

"You know it?” I ask.

"It’s…” His eyes search mine.

“Are you, are you her?”

"Are you him?” I challenge.

“Only one way to find out.”