The Tattoo Artist's Mate
The half bear morphed back into a young boy, with tears in his eyes. “Sorry.”
“Good. Remember to be and all will be well.”
“I’m sorry, we only called in to invite you to dinner tomorrow,” Silvi said.
Gaspar hugged her. “We’ll be there, won’t we, Isla?”
Did he sound worried. Isla made haste to reassure him.
“We will.” She watched as the three trooped out. Gaspar followed, and she heard the snap of the shop door lock.
Isla swallowed and cleared her throat as Gaspar returned and stared at her, wariness uppermost in his expression. “Er, did I really see what I thought I saw? Is this for real, or am I dreaming? Pinch me.”
He did, and she jumped. “Ow, that hurt.”
“You asked,” Gaspar pointed out.
“Yeah.”
“So, can you explain that?”
He nodded. “I can, but will you believe me?”
“It depends. I kept hearing growls, and had no idea why.”
He nodded. “Me, I dreamed of you. Heard you in my dreams and got hard and wanting.” He cleared his throat. “Came in my dreams, but never ever saw your face. Then when you came into the shop I knew. It was you. My future.”
“Aww.” She looked at him, eyes wet. “That’s so perfect. But why not my face?”
He shrugged. “Evidently it wasn’t the time.”
“Now it is.”
Gaspar nodded.
“Thank goodness. I needed time to become me again. I’m so glad I did. You’re everything I need and want, my Sir.”
“I had no idea that the attraction would be so instant, so deep, so meaningful, or mutual.”
She grinned. “Nor me. Boy, am I glad I saw your advert.”
“You walked into the shop and wham. My bear told me. ‘This is our mate. Our fulfilment’.”
She grinned. “Even though I can’t shift?”
He nodded. “Does that worry you? It doesn’t me. You’re mine. Our kids might be cubs or they might not. But they will be ours and loved. When you’re ready I’m here for you, however you want. Mated, married, or living together. My wish is our wish.”
“What more do we need?” Isla asked as she curled up next to him.
“Nothing. We’ve got all we will ever want need and desire. I love you.
“And I love you.”
Inside Isla two little shapes stirred. Their parents might not know it yet, but they had them as well.
However they turned out, they knew they’d be wanted and loved. Amazing what an unnoticed hole in a condom could do.
And they were.