Bridget's Bane (Icehome, #12)

by Ruby Dixon

Will you just grunt and beat your chest and hope she decides to fling herself into your furs?" I consider this for a moment. "…yes?"

"Your hut sucks, dude. I hope you don't do everything so half-assed." "There are some things I do with my full ass," A'tam murmurs, giving me a playful look, and he tugs on my pants.

"Cooking?" I'rec asks, crossing his arms over his chest. "Pfah." "Hunting?" F'lor echoes, mocking him. "Pfah!"

Have you said, 'My lovely Bridget, I adore you and want to love you forever, but I do not understand your reticence'? Or do you just go up to her and beat your chest and declare that she is your female?" I say nothing, scowling. D'see sighs. "It's the latter, isn't it?" "…Maybe."

"If you don't tell him what he's doing wrong, how's he ever going to know how to please you?"

I'rec puts a hand on my shoulder. "A'tam, you are my clan brother. You are a good hunter and a good friend. But you are not a good listener." He pauses, then adds, "At all."

Her lower lip trembles as she gazes up at me. "I love you, A'tam. You're so good to me." "No, I am selfish and greedy and do not listen. But I am getting better." I lean down and kiss her soft, worried mouth. "We both are. But until it is perfect, we do not have to do anything." I tug at her lower lip with my fangs, because I know she likes that. "We can simply kiss, and touch, and enjoy."