“Yes.Havea bite.”Shegave me a forkful of her coconut-crusted seafood, andIhad to agree. “Delicious.”ThenIgave her a bite of my steak, only it was much too large for her, soIcut it into a smaller piece. “Sorry, shifter appetite.”
Shelaughed. “Isee.”
Wekept the conversation light as we enjoyed our dinner.Afterit ended,Idrove us from the restaurant.Iturned to her at a stoplight. “Wheredo you want to go next?”
Shestared at me, and her lips parted. “Ihave to go home.Paigeis there, andIshould get back for her.”
Iunderstood her concerns. “CanIsee you tomorrow?”
Herbrows drew together in question. “I’mstill not quite sure why you came all this way, but it’s hard for me to date.”
“I’mhere becauseIlike you,Cassandra,”Iadmitted. “Afteryou left,Icouldn’t stop thinking about you.Iwant to spend more time getting to know you.”
“But…” she began. “I’msure you have many women who you can spend time with at the resort.Whycome all this way to see me?”
Becauseyou’re the one.Icouldn’t scare her away, so insteadItook her hand. “Didn’tyou notice something between us in the mountains?”
“Yes, but…”
“Butwhat?”
Sheshrugged. “Youacted so strange that morning, andIfiguredImisread the signs.”
Igroaned at the mortifying memory. “Thatmorning,Iwas—confused.”
“Okay,” she said in a tone laced skepticism.
“WhatcanIdo to see you again?Hirea babysitter?Oryou can bringPaigeout with us?”
“Let’stake it slow,Valen, especially when it comes toPaige.”
“Okay.”Ineeded to calm down and not push her.
“She’llbe with her father this weekend, soI’llhave some free time then if you’re still inSalem.”
Igrinned with relief. “Perfect.”WhenIdropped her off outside her house,Iturned to her and searched her eyes. “Goodnight,Cassandra.”
“Goodnight.”
Theinstinct to move toward her propelled me in what felt like slow motion.ThenIcupped her face and pressed my lips to hers.
Thesparks that traveled through my body ignited a powerful magicIhadn’t experienced until now—oneIsensed was awakened becauseI’dfinally found my mate.
CHAPTER11
CASSANDRA
OnFridayevening, the doorbell rang.ItwasThorne.
Iopened the door and stared into the piercing hazel eyes and sharp features of someoneIliked least in the world. “Thorne.”
“IsPaigeready?”
Hedidn’t even acknowledge me.Ireleased a slow exhale from my nostrils.HowwasIever smitten by this guy?Wasit simply his looks?Hehad dirty blond, wavy hair that fell below pointy ears that humans wouldn’t notice.Ichalked my attraction up to being young and foolish, but nowIknew better.
“Sheshould be.”IcalledPaige, and she ran out of her room.
“Daddy!”Sheran to him and gave him a hug.
