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nine

LAUNA

Going to the spa with Kyle was nothing like going with the other men.

When I headed for the shower, he joined me. We washed up quickly, and as soon as the soap was off our skin, he towed me toward the bathtub. We both fit inside it, and ended up spending over an hour cuddled up beneath the hot water.

We traded stories about our childhoods and our families. It was really nice, even though it made my heart ache for what I’d lost when mine rejected me for being compatible with the fae.

Hearing about his gave me hope, though.

His family was immortal, and they were loving. According to him, they would accept me with open arms, and love me for who I was.

That sounded like pure bliss.

When we eventually washed up and made it out of the tub, we headed out for food. There was a massive spread set up for us, and we feasted for a few minutes before we started talking again.

“So, what do you want from our life together?” I asked, wiping the corner of my mouth with a napkin.

“What do I want?” he asked, lifting an eyebrow at me.

“Yes. Or what do you see our future looking like?”

His lips curved upward. “I see you focusing on your research. You grumbling at me when I insist on going with you to your university’s library. Me working on my computer, in the chair next to yours.”

I bit my lip, hope blossoming in my chest.

“I see myself dragging you out of there for food when you’re so focused that you try to dodge meals. Us watching movies together at night, and getting together with the family for board games or card games once a week. Maybe twice, if you really like them.”

He captured my hand with his free one. “I see us sneaking into the library’s bathroom to fuck after I’ve watched you bite your lip like that too many times. Or after you read something that turns you on. I see us having lazy morning sex, and hot afternoon sex. All of the sex, actually.”

I laughed. “ All of the sex?”

“All of it,” he agreed, grinning. “Mostly, I just see us together, living life. Enjoying the little things. Even grocery shopping.”

“You actually shop for your own groceries?” My eyebrows shot upward. “I was under the impression you’re crazy rich.”

“Even crazy rich people shop for their own groceries.” He saw the skepticism in my gaze, and laughed. “Sometimes.”

“That’s more like it. You probably just run to the store now and then for one little thing.”

“Alright, you caught me. That can still be fun though.”

“I believe you. Is there anything else you see?” I took another bite of my food.

“I see you eventually growing a baby for us.” He patted my very flat, very not pregnant stomach.

I snorted, smacking his hand away. “If we ever get lucky enough. Some fae couples never have kids, right?”

“The luck strikes most people eventually. It’ll work for us at some point.” He grabbed a chunk of pineapple I’d left on my plate. I didn’t like pineapple, but it was mixed into the fruit bowl so there was no avoiding it. Kyle knew that, and knew I had no problem with him pulling things off my plate. It was just food.

“I hope so.” I stole a grape off his plate. He’d saved them for me, even though I knew he liked them too. Maybe that was a sign of love, or at least attachment.

Then again, what was love if it wasn’t attachment?

“What if I’m a terrible baby-incubator, and it never happens?” I asked, suddenly a little self-conscious. I had no control over my reproductive system. It could be a piece of shit for all I knew.

“Then we’ll have a lot more free time to read books, play board games, and have all the sex.” He took another piece of pineapple. “Life is good, even when it throws shit at us. We’ll wade through the crap together, and have fun doing it.”

I loved that perspective.

“I can’t believe none of the other women who played Survival picked you. They’re ridiculously stupid,” I said.

He laughed. “I’m glad they didn’t. I wouldn’t be anywhere near as happy with them as I am with you.”

“Liar. You just said you’ll be happy no matter what.”

“Assuming I have the world’s most beautiful mate, who loves reading sexy books. And informing me of all the ways we could have sex if we lived in an alternate universe, yes. I’ll be happy no matter what we go through.”

I rolled my eyes. “The other women were beautiful too.”

“In their own way, sure. None of them did it for me the way you do, though. I’d go through six months of this island hell all over again for you and that pretty little ass.”

My face burned, but I couldn’t hide my grin. “You’re ridiculous.”

“It’s fun to be ridiculous.” He grabbed more pineapple. “What do you see in our future?”

“All the things you see. Research. Working together. Reading. Fun. I might like to travel a little, after I’ve recovered from this island hell .”

He grinned back at me. “I’ve never traveled much. Focused on work for the majority of my life. We can explore new places together.”

“That sounds perfect.” I took another one of his grapes. “You know you don’t need to save these for me, right?”

“I know. I want to.” He took my last chunk of pineapple. “You have to fuck me when you get horny from reading all those books. No getting yourself off.”

“Fine.” My face was definitely red, but I didn’t mind it. He probably knew I was embarrassed anyway.

“Are you ready for bed yet, Beautiful?” Kyle asked.

“Yep.” I stood, and he did too. When he offered me his elbow, I slipped my hand in the crook of it. “Only three more days.”

“It’s about fucking time.”

Another laugh escaped me.

He pulled me closer. “That’s got to be the best sound in the world.”

“Don’t be silly.”

“I like being silly.” He tucked me closer to his side. “I didn’t show you what was in my care package.”

“That’s not the package I want to see of yours.”

He barked out a laugh. “I’ll show you every package I’ve got.”

I smiled. “What did you bring?”

“Hard candies. An assload of them. No one ever brings that shit, but it’s nice to have something to snack on during the long-ass days on the island.”

“Good idea. Grandmas all over the world agree with you.” I bumped his hip with mine. “Did you bring caramels?”

“I did.”

“Then you’re the perfect granny, aren’t you?”

“Damn straight.”

We exchanged grins, and continued to our room together.

The night was perfect.

We only had sex once before calling it a night, and stayed up late talking about everything under the sun.

Books.

Kinks we didn’t really possess.

Food

Kinks we did sort of possess.

Parenting.

Board games.

Stars.

Places we wanted to see.

It was already the next morning when we finally fell asleep.

We slept through the massages we were supposed to receive, and didn’t actually get out of bed until Jordan told us it was time to go.

“Only three days, Beautiful,” Kyle murmured, kissing me lightly on the lips. “We’ve got this.”

“We’ve got this,” I agreed, though my stomach was still a little twisted.

What if something happened?

What if Kyle got voted out after the last challenge?

What if?—

He kissed me again, slower.

Hotter.

My toes curled, but Jordan knocked again.

“The next time we’re alone together, we’re going to be sealing that mate bond.” He kissed me again. “I love you, and I’m fucking glad you’re mine.”

My eyes stung. “What if something goes wrong?”

“Do you trust me?”

I nodded.

It hadn’t been long, and Survival wasn’t a great place to build trust, but I did trust him. He’d never given me a reason not to, and he always kept his word. I suppose seeing him do the same for multiple seasons helped with that.

“Then trust that I won’t let anything go wrong. If it does, I’ll figure out a way to come out on top despite it. I’ve got this. Okay?”

“Okay.”

He gave me one last kiss before tucking me against his side and leading me out of the room.

I couldn’t prevent my nerves, but his words had definitely eased them a little.

After we got back to the island, the final two days passed even slower than I thought they would. Ian was gone, but that didn’t really matter to me.

More sweating occurred.

More feeling like I was being cooked by the sun, too.

And more discomfort.

But eventually, it did come to an end, and it was time for the final challenge.

As usual, the guys took their places in front of Jordan. I sat down on the bench off to his side, eyeing the puzzle set-up.

It was definitely the game’s usual final puzzle.

A gigantic statue of me, divided into many, many pieces. I usually enjoyed puzzles, but that was one I had no desire to touch. The thing was intense.

Jordan rattled off the rules and reward (the reward was another twelve-hour sightseeing ride on the show’s yacht), then had the men take their stations.

They all traded nods.

And then, they began.

No one moved quickly when they did. It wasn’t a fast puzzle.

Most of the guys sorted pieces by which part of my body they resembled. Nate just went for it.

I’d seen people win with both strategies, so I knew it didn’t particularly matter which one a guy went with. Sorting seemed less overwhelming to me, though.

I looked over all four men.

Nate.

Kyle.

Reid.

Ev.

I didn’t know any of them well, or even a little, except Kyle. That was my fault, and I didn’t regret it. But it did make me nervous.

What if Kyle was wrong?

What if he did get voted out?

Could I refuse to mate with anyone else? Was that even a possibility?

I didn’t think so, but shit, I hoped it was.

Ev was the best puzzle guy in the group, but he was moving so slowly that I was pretty sure he’d ruled out any desire to mate with me.

That was good. Less competition for Kyle.

Nate was making the most progress, by a long shot. Reid was probably in second, though he wasn’t anywhere near Nate. With Kyle in third and Ev in fourth, I knew my guy didn’t have a chance at winning the challenge. But he still worked through the entire time, fighting as hard as he could to win.

And I respected that, deeply.

You could fake a lot of things in life, but passion? Drive? Those weren’t among them.

Nate took his advantage and ran. No one was anywhere near close to him when he put the final piece in and stepped back to admire his work.

I sighed inwardly.

Kyle wasn’t going on the last reward, which would mean worrying about him.

Worrying a lot.

I’d just have to survive it.

He caught my eye and winked at me while the other guys congratulated Nate, then he slapped Nate on the back before he stepped away.

At Jordan’s instruction, I followed the men to the boat that would take me to the yacht. Though I wanted badly to look backward, I didn’t let myself turn around.

I definitely couldn’t put the target on Kyle at the last minute.

The ride was short, and we were seated at a table with a gorgeous view of the ocean soon enough. The yacht was moving smoothly, and I knew someone would be up with food for us anytime.

“So, who did Kyle pair you with? Reid or Ev?” Nate asked, curiosity in his voice. “I thought it was Ian for sure, up until he got voted out.”

I frowned, my forehead creasing. There was no reason to keep up the charade, because Nate was automatically included in the final three and would have no say over the final vote. “What?”

“Kyle always works with the women to pair them off with whichever guy they choose. You’re working with him, right?”

“I am working with him,” I said. “But I didn’t choose Reid or Ev. I picked Kyle.”

Nate’s eyes widened. “What?”

My lips curved upward.

“Fuck, he’s good.” The man leaned back in his chair, shaking his head. “Didn’t see that coming. He looked like he’d given up before the season started.”

“I think he had, but I wanted him before I ever made it to the island. He’s a good guy.”

“A damn good one,” Nate admitted. “Did you know that all the men he paired off so far were the oldest ones?”

My eyebrows lifted. “Seriously?”

“Yep. No one’s faded since Survival started. The closest guy to dying now is Colt, and he has a handful of years before he’s gone. The only one close to going is Kyle.”

“Damn. This game won’t be the same without him,” I said, though there was no sadness in my voice. As much as I liked watching him play, I liked watching him live a hell of a lot more.

“It won’t, but I’ll try to do what he’s been doing. He just thinks I’m too nice for it.”

I lifted an eyebrow. “Kyle told you you’re too nice for matchmaking?”

“Too nice for Survival , actually.”

I snorted. “Typical. Is he right?”

“Maybe.” Nate shrugged, giving me a good-natured smile. “But I could do worse.”

He had a point.

He’d made it to the final three, after all.

“Do you think Ev and Reid will work together to get rid of Kyle?” I asked, my nerves setting in again.

“Nah. Ev doesn’t even want to be here. He’s refused to strategize since your shitty date with him. Reid will vote with Kyle without a second thought.”

I bit my lip. “I feel kind of bad for that date. And all the others.”

“Don’t. It’s admirable not to lead anyone on. Losing would hurt a hell of a lot worse if we thought you might actually want us.”

“I hope the other guys feel that way too.”

“They do. And if they don’t right now, they will when they’ve had time to think about it.”

Our food arrived, and the conversation faded as we dug in.

If my final reward challenge couldn’t be with Kyle, I was really, really glad it was Nate.

Even if I was struggling to contain my fear for the guy I was going to choose as my mate.