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)
“Stay away from Daniel,” I barked idiotically.
My brother would never behave inappropriately with my mate, and it wasn’t as if she had the ability to cheat anymore. Physically, at least.
“Jealousy,” she said with a huff. “Interesting.”
“I’m not jealous.”
“Sure, you’re not.”
We sat quietly for a few minutes as the effects of the mating bond calmed. The urge to let my hands roam was there, but manageable now that she was pressed against me.
“How did you get in?” she asked abruptly, lifting her head to meet my eyes.
“Broke the latch on your door.”
“What the fuck, Beau?”
“You didn’t lock the dead bolt.”
“I wasn’t expecting anyone to barge in,” she griped, pushing away from me.
“It’s a good thing I did,” I said calmly as she got to her feet.
Reese really was beautiful, especially when she was angry. She stood glaring at me, completely unconcerned with the flesh she was baring, her hands in fists at her sides. With her hair piled on top of her head in some kind of clip and her cheeks once again flushed, it took all of my willpower not to reach for her while she berated me.
As she called me every filthy name she could think of, something seemed to click in my head.
This was my mate. This woman had been chosen for me specifically.
She could’ve lived a different life. If she’d lived somewhere else, worked somewhere else, been out sick that morning, or if one of my brothers would’ve gone to the blood bank, we never would have met. She could’ve been married, and I would’ve had to make the choice again, whether or not to completely obliterate the life she’d built.
Instead, she was right there in front of me, the mating bond already cemented, angry and beautiful and mine.
The embarrassment from her unhinged behavior at dinner melted away like it had never existed.
“Are you done?” I asked, cutting off her tirade.
“No, I’m not done.”
“You keep licking your lips.”
“They’re chapped,” she snapped, her gaze moving from my neck to my face. The lie wasn’t believable.
“Come here and let me help,” I said softly.
“I don’t want your help,” she shot back, crossing her arms.
“I was a dick—”
“That’s the understatement of the fucking century.” She threw out her arms. “I can’t stand you. If I had the choice, I’d never see you again. Ever.”
“I understand.”
“I doubt that very much.”
She glared as I rose to my feet and lifted my hand to my mouth.
“Here,” I said, reaching out. She allowed me to tangle my other hand in her hair, making the clip fall to the floor. “It’ll help.”
“I’m not going to fuck you,” she blurted before greedily sucking the meat of my thumb between her lips.
I would’ve been embarrassed at the jerk of my erection if I thought she’d noticed, but she was wholly focused on my hand as I moved closer.
The blood in her veins was practically singing to me. My mouth filled with saliva as I stared at her pulse point. It was so close.
“No,” she ordered, jerking her mouth from my hand.
“What?” It took me a moment to follow.
“You’re not biting me again,” she said, pulling away. “I’m never letting you that close to my neck again.”
I stared at her blankly, my blood on fire as she crossed the room.
“What do you mean, you’re never letting me bite you again?” I asked.
“You heard me.”
“Never is a long time.”
“Let me know your favorite type, and I’ll hook you up, just like your brothers.”
The sound of my growl surprised us both.
“Thanks for the blood,” she said with a shooing motion. “You can go now.”
“You really want to go through all that again?” I asked, gesturing to the bathroom.
“Well, not especially,” she barked. “But I don’t really have a choice, do I? I don’t want you in my space.”
“Then come home with me,” I replied automatically. I hadn’t meant to say the words, but once I had, it made sense. Every argument I’d made to myself just an hour before seemed stupid and childish. My parents already knew her at this point, and she’d be surrounded by other Vampires that would keep her safe. I had to be home to meet Ambrose the next day anyway. I also didn’t feel like sleeping in my car, and I was almost positive that I wouldn’t be able to drive away from her.
“Oh, fuck off,” she spat dismissively.
“Come back with me,” I pressed. “These symptoms aren’t going to get any better, at least not for a while. You can’t deny that they’re at least manageable when we’re close.”
“Yes, but when we’re close, I also have to deal with you, which is actually worse,” she replied, her tone less biting.
“Less cold baths, though,” I joked badly.
“I have to work tomorrow.”
“I don’t think Noah will expect you.”
“It doesn’t matter. I have responsibilities.”
“Look,” I said, dragging my hands through my hair. Now that I’d asked her to come back to the house, I desperately wanted her to. It was such a change from earlier in the night that I felt like I had whiplash. From the look on her face, she was feeling the same way.