“We look like an old couple, hiding in our home on a rainy day.”
“I had no idea we were a couple,” Noah teased. Before Grace could grab a pillow to attack him, he dropped his book and raised his hands in defeat. “I’m joking. You’re my beautiful girlfriend and sexy mate.”
She huffed. “That’s better.”
“What do you want to do?”
“I want to move to your arms and read there.”
“You were the one who sat far away from me, fearing that your friends might come in here and see us.”
“I have no problem with us being a couple. Do you?”
“I need to talk to your grandfather first.” Sighing, he sat up and returned the book to the coffee table. “We haven’t talked about how we should act in public from now on. We still have a sort of teacher-student relationship.”
“I’m your assistant, not your student.”
“You attend classes here.”
“Not yours.”
Noah’s face became serious. “I have no problem announcing to the world that you’re mine.”
“There’s no rule that says we can’t be together.”
“You’re half-angel.”
“They never accepted me as one of them. I don’t agree with their philosophy and their claims of superiority above the other races.”
Noah smiled. “I’m fine with cuddling and kissing you in public. I can go downstairs and announce that we’re together if you want.”
Grace giggled. “That would be awkward and over the top. We don’t have to tell them anything. We just need to be us and do what we want.”
“Until your grandfather gets here and probably—”
Grace’s finger covered Noah’s lips. “He knows you’re mine and wants me to be happy. Whatever he told you, it was to assess your worth. Nothing more.”
His eyes softened. “You’re beautiful.”
Her skin shivered at his words and the closeness of their mouths. “It must be something inherent to the bond because I can’t take my eyes off you, either. My insides twist and turn whenever I look at you.”
“My chest burns, and it’s hard to breathe when we are together. I just want to be close to you.”
Grace’s arms circled around his neck. “Are we turning into one of those mushy couples who always say the corniest things to one another?”
“Don’t you want us to be one of those?”
“I want us to be able to say anything to one another. A mate should be an extension of ourselves. A refuge where we can feel safe and be true to our personalities.”
“My personality is rather romantic when it comes to us. Sorry about that,” Noah said with a husky voice.
“I like it.”
He furrowed his eyebrows. “I feel defenseless around you.” His hand touched her cheek. “I don’t know if I should let my guard down so much. I’m not used to feeling vulnerable like this.”
“I’d never hurt you, Noah.”
“If you leave me, you’ll hurt me.”