Now that she could get behind. “So what happens? When people find their fated mates?”
His smile turned suggestive again. “I think you can guess… but does that mean you believe me?”
She was silent, thinking it over. Did she believe him? She believed in her own feelings, and her attraction to him was undeniable. But that wasn’t evidence they were meant to be together forever. “I don’t know.” She hoped he wasn’t disappointed. “I like you, and I want to spend more time with you. But I can’t jump to conclusions about us being fated mates. I don’t have proof for it. Not like you have.”
He hummed at that. “You’re right.” He squeezed her hand, then got up to get the graham crackers, chocolate bars, and the bag of marshmallows. “It’s a lot to ask.”
She smiled, relieved he didn’t mind, and glad to get started on dessert. “All good research takes time.”
He opened the bag of marshmallows and popped one in his mouth. “You can take all the time you need.” He stuck a marshmallow on a barbecue skewer and held it over a candle. “I’m not going anywhere. But if there’s anything I can do to convince you…”
She had a pretty good idea of how he wanted to convince her, judging by his smirk. She grabbed the graham crackers before skewering her own marshmallow. “We’ll need to do some experiments.” She licked her lips. “Maybe several times to be sure.”
His dark eyes met hers. “We can experiment as much as you like.”
Heat flared inside her. “As soon as I like?”
He kissed her, and she dropped her skewer.
Dessert could wait.
✽✽✽
She woke up feeling more relaxed and well-rested than she had in a long time. It took her a second to realize why she didn’t recognize the wallpaper. When she turned around in bed, intending to greet Simon, the other side of the bed was empty, covers pushed aside as if he’d left in a hurry.
She sat up, yawning and wondering if she should go downstairs to check if everything was all right. Her clothes were lying on the floor, so she could put them back on.
But the bed was warm, cozy and inviting, and it had been so long since she’d let herself sleep in. The PhD students wouldn’t arrive at the campsite until the afternoon.
She remembered the schedule she’d made and all the preparations she’d planned for this morning to make sure everything was ready.
The spike of adrenaline and stress didn’t follow. Not as strong as it usually did when she wasn’t following her well-crafted plans.
Her eyes turned to the empty half of the bed again. Maybe it wasn’t so terrible Simon had gotten up already. Now she had time to think about what he’d told her last night.
Fated mates.
She didn’t dare let herself believe it, but she didn’t reject it out of hand either. She wouldn’t have believed Simon could turn into a hawk if she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes, but this was much more difficult to prove.
Heat bloomed inside her at the memory of Simon doing his very best to prove it last night. Repeatedly.
Maybe she could get more evidence before leaving for her campsite…
The rich scent of delicious coffee drifted into the room, along with Simon muttering to himself as he climbed the stairs. “Don’t spill, don’t spill.” He entered the bedroom with his eyes on the tray. “Oh, you’re awake!”
“Definitely.” Her eyes wandered down Simon’s chest and biceps. His sweatpants wouldn’t be staying on for long.
“I didn’t know if you took anything in your coffee.” He carefully put down one steaming mug on the nightstand next to her. “We never got round to that last night.”
“We were busy.” She took the mug, blowing on it. “I drink it black, thanks.”
He carried the tray with the remaining mug to his own side of the bed. After putting the tray down, he settled next to her. “What are your plans for the day?”
“Breakfast, hopefully.” But she knew what he meant. “I’ll have to get back my tent at some point today.”
“At some point?” He smiled as he sipped his coffee. “But not immediately?”
“No. I haven’t put up any nets, so I won’t need to free any trapped birds.” Yesterday she’d wanted to talk to the mayor first, and the rest of the afternoon and evening she’d been busy. Before leaving for dinner, she had emailed the mayor her schedule for today. She wanted Mayor McFadden to know she and her team were reliable partners. “But I still have to get things in order for when the students arrive. It’ll be a preparation day for them as well, and we’ll go over bird-handling.”
He snorted into his coffee, then smirked. “Well, you are very good at that.”
She flushed at the unintended meaning. “I’m glad you think so.”
He leaned down carefully to kiss her hair. “When will they get here?”
“Early afternoon, depending on traffic.”
He put his mug down on his nightstand, then snuggled closer under the covers and wrapped one arm around her. “So what you’re saying is that you’ve got a few more hours?” He kissed her shoulder.
“Yes, but including breakfast.” She put her own mug aside, pressing against him for another kiss.
“I’ll make you breakfast.” He kissed her cheek, then moved down to her neck. “And lunch, and dinner, and snacks.”
She laughed. “Mm, I should build up an appetite, then.”
He smiled against her skin. “I think I can help with that.”
✽✽✽
Breakfast consisted of Simon making scrambled eggs and toast, and insisting she sit down and enjoy her second cup of coffee.
“I could make toast at least?” She never sat down for long during breakfast. She made her coffee while mixing cereal with yogurt, then alternated between eating cereal and drinking coffee while scrolling through emails on her phone and answering the easy ones.
He gestured at his toaster. “The bread’s already in there. But you can watch for smoke, if you like.”
“Is it likely to produce smoke?”
“Nope.” He added more cheese
