Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 92941 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 465(@200wpm)___ 372(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92941 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 465(@200wpm)___ 372(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
He completely ignored her.
We didn’t stop until we’d reached the front porch, and he’d slammed the door closed behind us.
“On what planet is discussing our sex life an appropriate conversation to have with my mother and brothers?” he spat, rounding on me.
“Our sex life?” I asked dumbly. That’s what he was pissed about? “I didn’t say that you bent me over the fucking car, Beau. All I mentioned was how uncomfortable the heat was. That shit was painful.”
“So, it’s okay if you mention your arousal to my entire family, but fucking on my car is inappropriate? That’s where you draw the line?”
“I don’t know what kind of sex you’ve been having, but that wasn’t arousal, you idiot. That was some kind of torture.”
“Heat,” he ground out. “It’s called mating heat for a reason.”
My jaw dropped in surprise. “You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me,” I shot back, my voice rising. “Like a fucking dog?”
“No, not like a dog. Lower your goddamn voice.”
“I’m not lowering anything!”
“Makes sense, since you can’t seem to distinguish what should and shouldn’t be private!”
“Well, how the fuck was I supposed to know?”
“You’re drunk,” he replied derisively.
“Your dad kept pouring me wine!”
“You didn’t have to keep finishing it.”
“I was trying to be polite.”
“Well, you fucking failed.”
“Holy fuck,” I muttered, spinning away from him. I’d talked about sex with his mother. His mother. I didn’t think I’d ever been more mortified in my life—and that was saying something, considering I’d shit my pants running the mile in eighth grade because my sadist of a PE teacher wouldn’t excuse me when I told him I wasn’t feeling well.
“This is a nightmare,” Beau mumbled tiredly behind me. “Come on. Let’s say our goodbyes, and I’ll drive you home.”
“Just—” I waved him off without looking at him. “Just give me a minute, okay?”
My heart thudded like a drum as I tried to calm my breathing. It wasn’t the end of the world. No one had ever died of embarrassment. No one had ever died from humiliation. No one had ever died because they’d tied themselves to a Vampire that was a complete asshole but handed out orgasms like candy—I didn’t think. I needed to start reading those tabloids with all the salacious details.
I’d impulsively tied myself to a guy who sneered at me and treated me like crap. That was overwhelming enough. I didn’t need to overthink the fact that I’d said the wrong thing to his mother. That was inconsequential. In the larger scheme of things, that was nothing. They’d forget about it in less time than my classmates had the pooping incident.
I was strong. I was independent. Sure, I sometimes said shit that was embarrassing. Who didn’t? I was funny as hell. I knew from experience that made up for a lot of faults. I’d just go back in there, make fun of myself, and the whole thing would be laughed off. Easy.
“Okay, let’s go,” I said, pushing past him. I threw open the door and marched right back into the dining room, pretending that my face wasn’t on fire.
Mattie looked at me with concern, but the brothers watched in amusement, like they were waiting for the next unhinged thing that would come out of my mouth.
“I’m sorry for bringing up our sex life at the dinner table,” I announced, throwing my hands out at my waist and wriggling my fingers as I shook my hips. “Didn’t even realize that was what I was describing. Who knew?”
Chance and Daniel burst out laughing, their eyes on Beau.
“It’s all right, honey,” Mattie said, rounding the table. “I’m sure it’s all very confusing.”
I took a step back as she reached me. If she put her hand on me or tried to comfort me, I was sure I’d burst into tears. Beau’s mom was so fucking nice. I didn’t understand how he could’ve come from her.
“Beaumont,” Erik said firmly, his eyes on his son. “A word.”
“Have some pie,” Mattie said to me as the two of them left the room.
I dropped into my seat, glancing behind me, but they’d already disappeared from view.
Maybe his dad was going to berate him for finding the absolute worst mate in the history of mates. I hadn’t been lying when I’d told Beau I had to grow on people. I was usually either loved or hated on the spot, but eventually, the ones who hated me warmed up enough to at least find me amusing. I didn’t think that there was any way out of the mating bond beyond death. I really hoped they weren’t making a plan to off me.
“Don’t worry about it,” Chance said softly to me, pointing his fork in my direction. “Seriously. You didn’t say anything embarrassing.”
“Tell that to Beau,” I joked. “I thought that vein in his neck was going to burst.”
“So, the heat thing is real,” Daniel mused.