“Ready?” I asked.
She leaned forward and took a bite of what I offered.
“Mmm. That’s good.”
I turned the pastry and bit where she had, eating half the concoction. The subtle hint of her taste coated my tongue and hit me hard. I nearly groaned on the spot and gripped the table with my free hand, trying to control my need to toss the pastry aside and pull Olivia into my lap.
Struggling, I reached out to the only person likely to understand.
What did it feel like the first time you drank out of Michelle’s glass?I sent Emmitt.
Heaven. Like I was finally close to her, even if only for a second. Why are you asking?
Just took a bite out of Olivia’s pastry.
Are you okay?The worry he felt came through with the message.
No. My pants feel ten sizes too small, and I’m fighting not to jump across the table and bring her to the ground. It’s so intense I don’t think I can speak out loud. I’m sitting here with a wad of food in my mouth, claws jabbing the underside of the table, and a throbbing—
But no pain?Emmitt sent.
Yes, there’s pain. Do I need to clarify the pants feeling too small?
I mean the pain you felt as an Elder.
None.
“Do I get another bite?” Olivia asked, smiling slightly.
With a shaking hand, I extended the pastry toward her and hoped no one would notice my nails. She took another dainty bite and licked her lips. A soft whoosh of air escaped me like I’d been hit.
I’m asking because this doesn’t feel right. I was there when you were struggling with Michelle. I smelled your desperation and your interest. This is more. A lot more.Like I’d die if I tried walking away from her just then; but I didn’t tell Emmitt that.
Maybe your feelings are more intense because you’re an Elder,he sent back.
Maybe.
“Don’t you want any more?” Olivia asked.
I forced myself to chew twice before I tried swallowing. The food barely went down.
“Yes. More you.”
She blushed, a pretty pink to match her sweater and reached out to steal the pastry from my hand.
“You can’t have me,” she said. “I thought we’d established that.”
“That’s what you say, but I think your Lady has different ideas.”
She froze, her hand partway to her mouth. All the color drained from her face. Her scent soured with panic and fear. The combination killed the swell of desire riding me.
“Why does that scare you?” I asked. “I thought you felt the pull toward me, too.”
“I do.” This time it was her hand shaking as she put the pastry down.
“I don’t understand, then. Did I misread something? The way you hugged me, I thought…”
OLIVIA…
