Bigfoot’s Mate (Mates for Monsters: Sasquatch #3)

7. Deborah

CHAPTER 7

DEBORAH

Fifteen days ago...

We all lean forward, our eyes wide with anticipation, as Maria tells us about doing the nasty with Gruffydd last night.

“It was like...fulfilling on a deeper, more spiritual level. Definitely nothing I’ve ever experienced before." The moment the words are out of her mouth, she startles and looks around quickly, as though she’s expecting us to laugh or tease her. No one does.

Bambi’s hand flies up to her chest. “That's beautiful, Maria."

"It really is," Steph agrees, uncharacteristically serious.

Octavia and I exchange glances, both of us a bit misty-eyed.

Damn, maybe I should have stayed at Dafydd’s a little longer. I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t have refused a roll in the sheets, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned these past few months of struggling to come to terms with my fast-approaching demise, it’s carpe diem. Seize the day.

Well, if I get the chance to jump Dafydd’s Sasquatch bones, I’m not going to hesitate. Tonight. Hopefully, it’ll be tonight at the hootenanny.

"I have to admit,” I say as I study my reflection in the dorm's bathroom mirror, “this is my first hootenanny.”

Wow. I have a healthy glow in my cheeks. When was the last time I looked this...alive?

“Same.” Steph bounces on her toes beside me, wrestling her wild curls into some semblance of order. “I don’t even know what a hootenanny is.”

“Same,” I reply.

For the first time in months, I actually feel good. Physically. No, better than good—I feel fantastic. The constant nausea that's been my unwanted companion has finally taken a hike.

"So," I venture, turning to face the other women lounging around the dorm room, “Dafydd clued me in on why we’re here, but does that mean that we’re all stuck here for good? Like, permanently?”

Maria looks up from where she's perched on her bed. “Well, we get a month to decide if it’s permanent or not.”

"A month?" My eyebrows shoot up.

"Thirty days," Bambi clarifies. "That's how long we have to figure out whether we want to find a Sasquatch husband and stay in Grotto with him permanently."

I gape at her. "And if we don't?”

"Mind wipe." Steph wiggles her fingers in the air, a universal sign for woo-woo . "The Sasquatches do some kind of hypnosis thing that erases the last thirty days of memories clean outta a person’s head. You remember when they did that flashy thingy in the movie Men in Black?” She nods. “Like that.”

I blink. "They can do that?"

"Apparently." Octavia shrugs, speaking up for the first time. "Though I imagine forgetting all this would be quite a loss."

My thoughts drift to Dafydd—his gentle eyes, his rumbling laugh, the way he fusses over me like I'm something…precious. I can’t keep from smiling when I think about how he called me precious.

"Ready?" Maria stands, smoothing her dress down. “Don’t wanna be late to the hootenanny."

When the four of us arrive at Taps, which appears to be an underground bar here in Grotto, the place is filled with loud chatter, boisterous laughter, and more Sasquatches than I’ve ever seen. Okay maybe there were more when we first arrived, but I didn’t get much of a look at them before I blacked out. Now, I stand statue-still just inside the doorway gawking at all the huge, furry beasts. They look like they’re enjoying the hell out of themselves.

It’s surreal.

The party is clearly in full swing. Sasquatches of all sizes mill about, some dancing to the loud music, others gathered around what appears to be a makeshift karaoke setup.

Once the shock starts to dissipate a bit, my eyes scan the crowd for…there he is. Dafydd. The moment our gazes lock, his whole face lights up. He weaves through the crowd toward me with surprising grace for someone his size.

“Precious.” His voice wraps around me like a warm blanket.

"Well, I couldn't miss my first hootenanny, could I?" I tilt my head back to look up at him. Waaay up.

"Dance with me?" He extends one massive hand.

“You’re kind of tall. I don't really know if—” But before I can finish, he's scooped me up like I weigh nothing, bringing us chest to chest, and I bury my face in this silky fur. Height-discrepancy problem solved.

We sway to the music, my feet dangling far above the ground. It should feel ridiculous, but somehow it just feels right. His arms form a protective cage around me, and I find myself relaxing into his embrace.

"You look beautiful tonight," he murmurs.

"For a human?" I tease.

"For anyone."

Heat creeps up my neck. When was the last time someone called me beautiful? Hell, when was the last time I felt beautiful? It’s been a while.

We dance for what feels like hours. Neither of us seems to want to stop. But, unfortunately, nature calls.

“Dafydd, I need to use the ladies’ room."

I half expect him to carry me, but he lowers me to my feet. He does, however, hold my hand and walk with me to the restroom.

The restroom in Taps is surprisingly modern—another example of how the Sasquatches have mastered underground living. It’s strange, the mix of rustic furniture and stone walls combined with state-of-the-art conveniences.

As I emerge, Dafydd is waiting outside, leaning against the wall looking hot as hellfire. I don’t know what it is about him, but the guy really does it for me. Maybe it's the way he looks at me like I'm the only person in the room. Maybe it's how safe I feel with him. Maybe it's just that I feel so much more alive than I have in a long time and I want to squeeze every bit of enjoyment I can out of the time I have remaining.

Carpe diem.

Without giving it another thought, I grab his hand and tug him around the corner into a darkened passageway. His eyes widen in surprise, but he follows willingly.

In the dim light, I stand on tiptoe, reach up, cup his face between my palms, and pull him down to me. His fur is impossibly soft.

When our lips meet, the world stops spinning. His kiss is gentle, almost reverent, like he's afraid I might break. Like I'm something to be cherished.

And then things really heat up.