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“What does my girl want?” Another teasing stroke. “Tell me. I’m yours.”
“I haven’t been completely honest with you,” I stall. “You’re not a vampire you actually shift into a hamster?” she replies dryly.
“You’re my mate. We’re mates.” Silence. “What did you say?” she asks, nose scrunching in confusion. “You said that so fast I didn’t catch a single word.”
“Listen to me, Celine Brennan. We may be fated mates but no magnetic pull dictates who or what I do. Yes, it may initially bring us together in a way it wouldn’t for others, but we still have free will. If I wasn’t insanely attracted to you both mentally and physically, I wouldn’t be here. You are the most stunning, intelligent, kind creature I’ve ever crossed paths with, and I worship the ground you walk on.”
“Get it through that gorgeous skull of yours that I’m here for you because I want to be here. You can’t get rid of me.”
“Nah. You just have this vampire trying to get in your pants because he wants to.”
She probably doesn’t realize it, but there will never come a time when I tire of her. She is the single, most important thing, in my immortal life.
“If you’re coming”—I call back, raising my voice even though it’s unnecessary— “then that means you need to help me. That means eyes open and ears listening.” “Not a problem, dear,” he sing-songs through the door.
I startle when Ava suddenly shouts. “Zavier get your fine ass out here!”
“You rang for me and my emotional support pussy?” He strokes Midnight’s tail like an evil villain waiting expectantly in their chair.
“It was you!” “What was me?” He plays dumb like he loves to do. “My sexy stranger from the club that night.” How long has he been lurking around? How could I have been so blind? “You think I’m sexy?” His long eyelashes bat at me.
“I hope you don’t think I’m a waste of time,” Zav laughs softly. He swipes a hand through his hair and my knees go a little weak at the action. I want this man, and I want him bad. “Never.” I press a kiss to his cheek before we claim a table.
Glancing at Zavier, I find his eyes zeroed in on me and I look away. He’s oddly serious and it’s freaking me out since I’m so used to his usual comical manner. His burning stare drills into the side of my head and I shift on the seat.
A whimper so low I almost miss it comes out of his throat. That’s hot.
“What do you think?” I purr. “Can I push you over the edge before she gets back?” He whimpers again. “You are in so much trouble.”
I could get used to this feeling—knowing that my touch alone brings this vampire to his knees.
“Don’t think what you were just thinking. Anything you want to do to me is always welcome.” I think he’s done when he leans back over. “You are in for it later, though. Just because you’ve won the battle, doesn’t mean you’ve won the war. I never lose.”
“Zav,” I groan. “You almost made me spill my coffee.” “Shh,” he hushes. “I’m getting my morning cuddle time in.”
“I’m going to change and head in.” He nods. “I’ll drive you.” “You don’t—” “I’ll drive you,” he insists. I throw up my hands in a cease fire. “All right.”
“I’m her personal security detail,” Zav pipes up from behind me. “Don’t like it? Take it up with my lawyer.” I swat at the annoying vampire behind me wishing I could duct tape his mouth.
“Well, that’s the clearest what the fuck is wrong with you expression I’ve ever seen,” Zavier whistles out from behind me. “Really?” I spin on my booted heel to look at him. “With how long you’ve lived and your personality I find that hard to believe.” “True.”
He’s giving me puppy dog eyes not knowing what’s running through my head or how to help me. I still can’t believe this gorgeous, thoughtful vampire is my mate. Mate. That’s strange in itself.
“We gotta go back home. Will you be nice for once and let me grab you?” So far so good, I reach out to grab him and he takes a swipe at me. “You little shit.” “It’s because he knows you both belong with me.”
“Grab the cat, please.” I gesture toward the black void that wants nothing more than to suck me into endless darkness. “I think we need a schedule.” He doesn’t make any move to grab Midnight. “Schedule?” I question with a hand on my hip. “Childcare schedule. You get him one day and then I get him the next.”
Two socially awkward beings, one immortal and one not.
“Listen here, mate, if I had my way your ass would be over my shoulder, and I’d lock you in my bedroom until I convinced your mind and body exactly who you belong to.” He leans up to my ear and whispers. “I’d wring so much pleasure out of you you’d be boneless, and orgasm drunk for days. Maybe I’d sneak a bite in here or there but not until you were writhing beneath me and screaming my name would I claim you.” Holy. Shit.
“You can run and hide from me—from this, from us, all you want but you’re going to think about me when you touch yourself tonight.”
“Be honest. If you lie to me, I won’t hesitate to throw you over my knee and spank you.” I whimper at the warning. “I was … I was coming to get you. I didn’t have any plan after that.” He smirks. “Lucky for you, I do have a plan.”
I stroke my finger down his cheek and his eyes soften at my touch. This is what I want. He’s what I want. I know Zav, and yes won’t be a good enough answer, so instead I say, “I want you.”
“God, do I love a challenge. You’re one I look forward to conquering.”
“Are you laughing at me?” “No,” I giggle, unable to help myself.
“You were made for me, Celine. This is fated. We were fated and I’ll thank the universe for giving you to me every single damn day.”
“I meant I’ve never exactly had sex with a vampire. I … I’m not on birth control and I don’t know about you, but I’m not ready for any human-vampire kids running around.” His bottom lip pouts even more. “But they’d be so cute.” “Zav, be serious.”
“We’ll be needing those shortly.” “Pretty sure you’re getting seconds, are you?” I tease. He growls, biting the crook of my neck. His fangs have receded for now. “I’m getting forever, love.”
“Zav?” “Mhm?” he hums. “Shut up and fuck me.”
“Look how good you take me,” he murmurs. “This pussy was made for my cock. Nobody else will have you.” Thrust. “Ever.” Thrust. “Again.” Thrust.
“That’s it?” My voice raises a few octaves. “You and Celine have something wrong with you that you both accepted that so easily.” I’m baffled by this pair.
“Hey.” I smile, seeing his eyes begin to return to normal at my touch. “There you are. I knew you’d find me.” I wet my lips with my tongue, trying to keep my tears at bay. “I love you, Zav. I know I didn’t say it before and I’m so sorry, but I want you to know now that I love you.”
She’s in my arms. She’s alive. She’s okay.
“The next time you want to fight, please don’t tell me I can’t follow,” I beg. That pulls a watery laugh from her. “I bet you followed anyway.” “I did,” I concede. “But apparently I gave you too long of a head start.”
“Your ferocious pitbull of a friend is here.” “Pitbulls aren’t ferocious,” she retorts, stifling a yawn. “Fine,” I acquiesce. “Your dragon of a friend is here.”
She sighs dramatically. “Excellent point, roomie.” I kiss her cheek. “I think I might prefer husband.” She throws her head back and laughs. “I already accepted your mate bond.”
“Let’s wait a little while on marriage.” “But you will marry me one day?” I can’t stop my smile. “One day,” she agrees. “And have my babies?” “Zav,” she groans. “They’d be the cutest babies you ever did see.” I try to reason. “Maybe,” she muses and reaches up to adjust my glasses for me. That maybe is going to be a yes.
I kiss the skin beneath her ear. “You were worth the wait.” I sense her smile rather than see it. “Duh.” I pinch her side for that sassy comment, and she dissolves into giggles.
“No,” he answers quickly. “Everyone knows ghosts aren’t real.” “But vampires are?” she retorts.
“I wondered,” he whispers on a gasp. “But it is you.” Ava scrunches her nose. “Huh? What?” Valen takes her in like he’s seeing the sun rise for the first time. The next words out of his mouth shock us all. “You’re my mate.”
OH MY GOD YES
“I wondered,” he whispers on a gasp. “But it is you.” Ava scrunches her nose. “Huh? What?” Valen takes her in like he’s seeing the sun rise for the first time. The next words out of his mouth shock us all. “You’re my mate.”
OH MY GOD YES
