Page 78 of Seducing Sasquatch

Arden pulls up next to them and kills the engine. My eyes scan the front door where a wooden plaque hangs from a hook.

Hart House.

I smile. We had something similar back home…or the place I used to call home, despite it feeling more like an empty hotel. Instead of something cozy and warm, our plaque was made of steel, erected above a stone pillar that only detailed my father’s achievements.

“Ready, baby?” Arden squeezes my hips, his chin resting on my shoulder.

I swallow, my gaze traveling along the well-used porch, eyeing the large chairs facing the forest and the firepit still dusted in charcoal.

“And they’ll like me?” I ask, picking at the quick of my nail.

Arden hums behind me, “They’ll love you. You’re my mate, and what’s not to love about you?”

I scoff despite the way my heart leaps in my chest. Meeting new people always makes me uneasy, but when it’s my partner’s parents, I can’t avoid the shakes that roll through my muscles.

“And they know I’m with you?” I ask for the third time.

I feel Arden smile against my skin as he kisses my temple. “Yes, baby. They knew about you the moment I made your crown.”

Memories of our mating flood my mind but I push them aside. Meeting his parents with a hard on probably isn’t the best course of action.

Arden climbs off the seat, offering me a hand. Letting him lead me up the steps, I watch the way his muscular ass fills his blue denim cutoff jeans. It’s strange seeing him in clothes, let alone being in Sasquatch form at the same time. My brain has just gotten so used to seeing him as he is naturally. His fur clothing in itself.

Arden pauses at the front door, dipping his head to capture my lips in his. The knots in my stomach loosen as he holds me with his big hands, cupping my lower back and pulling our waists together. I melt. I’ve never known someone could love me as much as he does. My mom told me every day how special I was to her, yet she still left me behind. And my father never so much as once mentioned his love for me.

Before my mind can fall into another pit of chaos, the sound of the front door opening surrounds us.

“Sorry to interrupt, but this is private property.” A pleasant voice meets us.

I pull away from Arden, wiping my lips with the back of my hand and grasping his arm. “Sorry.”

“Mom,” Arden chuckles. “How long have you been standing at the door waiting for us to knock?”

She gives us both a brilliant smile around her canines. Just like Arden, his mother is in her Sasquatch form, dressed in a bright red dress that flows around her ankles.

“Too long,” she laughs, holding out her hand. “You must be Blake. I’ve been waiting to meet the man who’s stolen my son’s heart.”

I take her hand in mine, shaking it politely. “Thank you, Mrs. Hart.”

Her eyes brighten with amusement, her smile widens. Letting go of my hand, she grasps Arden’s shoulder. “Such manners! But please, either Sadie or Mom will do.”

I dip my chin, feeling Arden’s hand rubbing a small circle against my spine.

“Dinner’s nearly ready, come on in!” She leaves us at the door, humming to herself as she wanders into the cabin.

I peer up at Arden, my heart in my throat. Was that okay? Did I embarrass him at all? Should I have said something else?

But as my eyes meet his, all I can see is a wave of love, pouring from his glowing irises. “Gentlemen first.” He holds an arm out letting me step over the threshold.

As I pass the front door, Arden clutches my waist, his lips brushing the shell of my ear. “You’re perfect, baby. Mom already loves you.”

I shiver at the heat of his breath against my neck. “Thank you.”

Arden helps me out of my jacket, hanging it on the stand, while he kicks the door shut. The smell of pine greets me first but then the overwhelming scent of freshly baked bread has my stomach grumbling.

“I heard that!” Sadie laughs from her spot in the kitchen where she cuts thick slices of bread on the cutting board.

I blush, fidgeting with the hem of my shirt. Arden leads me deeper into the cabin. It’s larger than his. With an interconnected kitchen, living and dining space, which is overlooked by a balcony above.