No, no, no, no,NO.
Taking in all of his delicate, erudite features, I cannot deny the pull he has on me. Leaning in, I graze his forehead with a kiss.
Protect.
Mine.
Mine.
Shaking my head, I slump against the cabinets, shifting to the floor.
Why in goddess’s name would I be mated to avampire?
Just as I’m sliding into a full-on mental health crisis, Miss Lillian walks in.
“Sugar, why you on the floor?”
“Because my life as I know it is ending, and this is where I choose to be.”
Her eyes dart to the weapons strewn about the kitchen and then to the precious man on the table. “Did you…? Did you give him pillows?”
I let out a forlorn sigh. “Yes.”
“And a blanket?”
“Vampires run cold.”
She picks up the phone I left on the table. “Is this…a fated mates forum you’ve got open?”
“Obviously.” I bang the back of my head on the sturdy wood. Because what I really need right now is a concussion.
She looks between us again, and a happy, obnoxious laugh fills the kitchen. “No way.”
“Yep.” Bang, bang, bang.
More rolling laughter.
“Please don’t tell the guys. I just…this can’t be right. It ain’t right.”
“Who would believe me?” Handing me my phone, she asks, “Why don’t you get up. Go get some sleep. It’ll do you a world of good.”
“My wolf won’t let me leave him.”
“Ah.”
“And anyway, that table is terrible for his back. I’m taking him to my room.”
“To do what?” she asks, arching her brow.
I hold up my hands. “Sleep, that’s all. I promise. I just need to sleep. And I don’t think I can do that without him.”
Her usually sharp eyes soften. “Okay then. You be gentle with this boy. He’s been through a lot.”
The reminder of this boyfriend—ex-boyfriend—who tied him up in silver and abandoned him in an old warehouse draws a growl from my chest and the sharp canines from my gums.
Lil’s arch look calms my ass down, but exhaustion is quickly overtaking anger.
“Boy, go to sleep and take your woobie with you. We’ll figure this out when you get up.”
