"Hey, I'm sorry to bother you."
For decades, Rosalie warned Emmett against speaking to humans unless absolutely necessary, and he'd managed to take heed.
Yet, upon hearing this man's voice, his body was no longer under his command.
He was tall, only a few inches shorter than him, and fairly slim. A long, black beard covered his face, and his lips were large and deep pink, almost red. His hair was styled in long locs that reached the middle of his spine, and his skin was very dark.
The type of black that had a red tinge beneath it, making his skin seem purple when the light hit it.
Like the most ripe plum.
He was more than handsome to Emmett.
He was Venus as a boy.
"I'm Tory."
The human extended his hand, and he took it without thinking. It was soft and just as large as his own.
"Emmett."
Tory frowned down at his hand for a split second. No doubt noticing how cold it was. However, he chose not to comment on it.
"I'm a sculptor, and I'd love to sculpt you when you have time."
Emmett took the business card offered to him but didn't bother looking at it. Brown eyes the color of molten chocolate were fixated on his, and he could not look away.
Such confidence this human possessed. If he was experiencing any anxiety, he hid so very well.
"Do you do this all the time, or am I special?"
When the corner of Tory's lips pulled upward, revealing a gap toothed smile, Emmett mirrored it.
"I usually only take appointments, but you and this lady I met earlier look like you would be difficult to sculpt. And I enjoy a challenge."
Emmett rose a brow.
"What makes me a challenge? Am I hideous or something?"
"No," Tory laughed, blushing.
"Just... a little too perfect."
He wanted to tell him that his beauty was superficial. That, as a human, he would have been considered an average hillbilly.
Instead, his tongue moved on its own.
"You only think that because you haven't seen my girlfriend. I'll bet you a hundred dollars you can't sculpt her."
The look of disappointment on Tory's face did not escape him, but as quickly as it appeared, it vanished.
"Challenge accepted," Tory said. "Let's see what she looks like."
"Here she comes."
The moment Rosalie came to stand beside him, it was as if he didn't exist.
However, Emmett didn't mind.
This was to be expected.
Even dressed in old, destroyed overalls with her hair tied in a messy bun, his wife was a vision of beauty.
Tory grinned, shaking his head in disbelief.
"Aphrodite is your girlfriend?"
Rosalie laughed, and Emmett could not believe his ears.
"So, you met Tory. Isn't he lovely?"
Emmett frowned but didn't ask any questions. Even if he did, they wouldn't have heard him.
They were too busy talking.
"I was expecting him to be much less attractive than you."
Rosalie smirked despite herself.
"That would be cliche, wouldn't it?"
"Yes, but here you are breaking stereotypes," Tory said jovially.
"Queen behavior."
As they bantered back and forth, Emmett tried to remember the last time he'd felt so at ease in public. Nobody existed outside of their little bubble.
"We're free this Saturday."
Tory's eyes widened.
"Do you want me to sculpt you both? That would take at least two days."
"No, just me," Rosalie reassured him. "But seeing as Emmett and I both enjoy your company, I thought it would best if we both come."
Although it could not be seen by the fragile human eye, they both watched as Tory blushed profusely. His deep brown skin seemed to glow with it.
"I would like that," he said, sneaking a glance at Emmett.
"I'll see you guys then."
Rosalie softly touched his forearm, and he stopped, looking at her curiously.
"Be safe, Tory."
He inclined his head to her.
"You too, Rosalie."
As the human walked away, stumbling and muttering in disbelief under his breath, Rosalie's smile faded, but her glowing happiness remained.
Emmett would have found it strange in any other circumstances.
"It's him," Rosalie breathed.
"Isn't he beautiful?"
He nodded, smiling wider than he had in decades.
"And to think he approached us first."
They had discussed what they imagined their mate to look like, but they never dreamed he would be so exquisite.
"You realize he's homosexual, right," Rosalie whispered.
"Fully homosexual. Not half, like you."
Emmett frowned.
"No, he's just feminine. Did you see the way he was staring at you? Besides, he's at a car auction. Gay guys aren't into cars, are they?"
"Em, you can be so dense sometimes," Rosalie said, shaking her head.
"He started conversation with me by complimenting my nails and how natural my makeup was."
"You're not wearing makeup."
"God, Emmett. Are you blind?"
She rolled her eyes and pointed at the foundations just below her eyes, then towards her lips.
"Oh," Emmett muttered. "Okay... he might be eighty percent gay, but who wouldn't be attracted to you? You're everyone's type. Besides, he's our mate."
Rosalie took his hand in hers and caressed the back of it with her thumb.
"Don't worry about me. I am content either way," she said, smiling softly.
"A mate is still a mate no matter the circumstances."
They watched as Tory stole glances at them from yards away, failing to hide behind the veil of his locs.
"I will love him how he wants to be loved."