Page 12 of Trolling For Love (Monster Match season two)

FLYNN

W e walked into the laundromat and after a quick lesson on how things worked, Gunnar and I both sat and waited for our laundry to wash. “What did you want to do for dinner?” I asked.

“I think I’d feel better if you make that choice,” Gunnar said.

“What do you like to eat?”

“I will eat anything, and I have,” he said without humor.

“Did you really used to eat humans?” He turned to face me then where we sat on the floor against a wall and took my face in his hand.

“Yes, but it was long ago before the world became what it is today. It was a time of monsters and men who battled and killed each other without reason. That time has gone.”

“I can’t imagine you ever hurting anyone let alone eating them.” I wasn’t kidding, he was so gentle, and I hadn’t seen him act aggressive or out of control. It was just the opposite; he was always very calm and avoided any conflict.

“The world was different then,” he said, and sat back against the wall.

“Can I ask you something?” I said and hoped he wouldn’t be upset.

“Why do you ask if you can ask a question? Simply ask,” he said, and his mouth pulled up in a slight grin.

“Why do you not want anyone to touch your horns? I know you said it’s only for your mate, but is there another reason?”

“For a troll our horns are used in battle, if necessary, but they are also very sensitive to touch and part of mating. I would only allow my mate to touch them if we were to be mated, not someone who just wants to test how they feel.” He turned and met my eyes then. His were so dark I could see myself reflected back but not even an ounce of threat or coldness. He looked like a monster, but he had a heart of gold.

Before I could stop myself, I leaned in and kissed him. It was just a brief press of our lips, but when I pulled back, I was met with his wide-eyed shock. “I—I’m sorry. I didn’t—” was all I got out before his lips were pressed against mine. He cradled the back of my head in his massive hand and guided my lips where he wanted them before pressing his tongue into my mouth. It was strange and different and so fucking hot I wanted to climb him like a tree and demand he fuck me right there, or possibly the town center. I wanted everyone to know that he was mine and I was his and what the fuck was I thinking?

“I like you, Flynn Davies,” he murmured against my lips. I could feel the hard press of his lower fangs and it did even more strange things to me. I was hard, and I was shocked at how easily Gunnar had taken all my control away.

“Wow,” I whispered on a long breath.

“You make me want to do things to you I have never done with a human before, but I fear it may be more than you can take,” he said, snapping me out of my haze of attraction.

“You would never hurt me,” I said and slid closer into his side while he held me close with the same hand that had guided my lips to him.

“I would never mean to. But humans are far more breakable than you seem to understand. I would never hurt you willingly, Flynn, my Flynn,” he said, and my heart melted a little more.

“I trust you, Gunnar, with every part of me,” I said, and meant it. He’d shown me nothing but respect and a deep curiosity for learning about this new world he found himself in, and I was willing to help him all I could.

“There is so much I want to learn, so much I want to know about you and your world. Never did I think I would actually meet a human who I would want to spend any time with, but you proved me wrong. The hours we’re apart you’re always on my mind.” There was a low rumble in his chest as he spoke that I leaned in even closer to hear and feel.

“I’ll teach you anything I can, and we’ll learn together anything I can’t help with,” I promised.

“We get the whole weekend together,” he said and waggled his eyebrows shocking me and making him laugh at my reaction. “Don’t worry, little human, we can take it slow.”

“Oh, I don’t want to take it slow, I’ve just never seen you move your eyebrows like that.” He roared in laughter and slapped his leg. Laughing changed him so much I barely recognized him, but it also showed me how unhappy and unsure he’d been all week.

“You make me so happy, Flynn,” he said, and left off my last name which was apparently not easy for him.

“Good, I want you to be happy here.” I meant it, because now I was having a hard time remembering what it was like before he’d arrived at the worksite in the back of a truck. The washing machine finished and both of us shifted everything to the dryer before sitting together on the floor again. “Shouldn’t be too long now,” I said.

“I don’t mind waiting,” Gunnar said and slipped his arm around me. He was so much bigger than me and while at first that intimidated me, now it made me feel safe. He nuzzled into my hair, and I would have sworn I felt his tooth rub against my head before he took a deep breath and smelled my hair. “You smell like the trees, and fresh air.”

“Really?”

“Yes. It’s wonderful,” Gunnar said with a big exhale.