Page 22 of My Fated Minotaur Hero

“Oh, of course, right, I’m sorry, let me see what I have.” Soon he passes a shirt through the crack. It’s massive, but will kind of do as a dress I suppose.

“This might need some modifications.” I pull it over my head.

Oh what the hell.

I open the door and step out.

The moment I exit the bathroom, I realize by Kalen’s reaction that the shirt is more revealing than I thought. One side has slipped down off my shoulder, exposing a generous amount of side-boob. Kalen's cheeks flush as he tries not to stare. "Sorry," he mutters, quickly turning to find something in a nearby chest. He returns with a sash, offering it to me with averted eyes.

“Apologies, I didn't mean to ... I'll just..."

"It's okay," I say, surprising myself. "I don't mind if you see me."

We stand there for a moment, the air thick with unspoken tension. Kalen fiddles with one of his horns absently, looking almost... nervous? It's a stark contrast to his usual self-assured persona. I find myself oddly charmed by this less polished version of him. There's something refreshingly genuine about seeing the cracks in his smooth facade.

He meets my gaze, and the intensity I see there takes my breath away.

"Olivia," he says, his voice low. "I need to tell yousomething. I'm not ... I'm not always as confident as I seem. This whole charming bartender thing, it's kind of an act sometimes."

I smile, reaching out to touch his arm. "I know. And I like the real you even better."

He looks stunned. "You do?"

I nod, which seems to encourage him.

"It's just... growing up, my job was to keep my mom happy, to distract her from her problems. I never got to have problems of my own, if that makes sense."

"That must have been hard."

"I guess, I think it just became second nature. Being charming, I mean. But with you, I don't feel like I have to be 'on' all the time."

“I think that’s the most amazing thing anyone has ever said to me,” And I do. I feel my heart swell.

"Kalen, you're kind. And funny. And you make me feel ... safe. Like I can be myself around you too. Totally myself. Doesn’t hurt knowing that if anyone so much as looks at me funny, you’ll beat ‘em to a pulp though."

“Is it that obvious?” I don’t think he even heard my quip. He is actually serious. A moment later, he takes a step closer. "I've never met anyone quite like you Liv. From the moment you appeared in my storeroom, I just felt this ... connection."

"You did?” A thrill shoots through me again, from my core to my nipples and back again. “Me too," I whisper. "I thought I was going crazy."

He cups my chin again. You’re not. I tried to deny it to myself ... I told you about my friend Thokk ... he is mated now ... to another human ...

“Yeah, and he takes her for walks on a leash. How romantic ...”

“Well, I think you had to be there ... but anyhow I didn’t understand. He tried to explain it to me. The way it felt to be near her. The way he would have fought the whole village forher. I thought I understood. I heard his words ... but I had no idea. But now I do. I feel it with you Olivia.”

The feel a thrill of pleasure shoot through me as he speaks. "You know, I never really understood the appeal of riding mechanical bulls before. But suddenly, I think I get it."

I can tell he is getting, um ... excited as well. It’s obvious. Very,veryobvious.

“You are my fated mate Olivia.” I feel his hot breath on my neck.

“Call me Liv ...”

“Does that mean ‘Fuzzwhip’ is off the table?”

“Definitely.”

Now he is kissing my neck.