“Don’t I get a say in this?” she asks, pulling her hand away from mine.
I furrow my brow, confused by her question.
“The mate bond only happens once in a lifetime, with one person,” I say patiently. “It’s destiny.”
She keeps her clutch close to her, like I might try to take it. “You didn’t answer my question. I’m a human, not an orc. You decided I’m your mate, whatever that means?—”
“Whatever that means? It is a serious thing, mating. I don’t have a choice in it.”
She screws up her lips. “But I have a choice, don’t I?”
It hits me like a punch to the gut, what she’s saying. She’s suggesting that she won’t accept it. That she wants to deny the truth about us.
I straighten, adjusting my red tie. Losing my temper now won’t do me any favors. She needs something else, something more… tender, I believe. I need to convince her that she wants to be my mate.
“Ms. Kristoff.” I take a step toward her, then go down onto one knee. Her eyes get big as I gently scoop up her hand in mine. “No.Rosette.”
I see the shiver as it rolls up her body.
“Please, give me tonight. Let me show you, tonight, what being my mate could be like.” I bring her fingers to my lips, and I think how even now, I’ve never kissed her. If she lets me, I will rectify that this very evening.
Her mouth falls open, revealing the tip of her pink tongue. She wets her lips with it, staringdown at me with wide eyes. I think I have pushed her just a tad off-balance.
“Really, Vincent?”
I preen at the way she uses my first name.
“You’re going to get on your knees?” She shakes her head. “You never struck me as dramatic.”
“There are moments that call for it.”
Her uncertainty as she chews her lip is delicious, so close to agreeing. If she lets me, I know that I can give her a good life. A very good life.
“All right,” she says at last. “Show me, then.”
I surge to my feet and whirl her into my arms as the last word leaves her lips, and she lets out a surprised squeak as I encircle her. She vanishes inside my embrace, right where she belongs, and I wish I could keep her there for all time. I lean down to kiss her temple.
“You know what mates do, don’t you?” I ask her, her hair tangling around my tusk as I lower my head even more. “After all the dancing is over.”
“I… I think I do.”
“Good.” I release her, rising back to my full height. “Then let’s go back to the party.”
“I still need to pee,” she pouts, so I hold her bag and wait as she goes.
Ms. Kristoff is reserved when she returns, but when I hold out my elbow, she loops her hand through it, and we head back to the ballroom together. She’s elegance incarnate in the blue dress I chose for her.
We slip into our seats while an inspirational video of rescued pets plays on the screen. I skim her thigh with my palm, and she shivers under it. I know that despite how she turned me away at Octavio’s, she is undeniably attracted to me. She’s wanted me since we met, same as I have her.
Why it took us so long to get here is a mystery to me, but I’ll convince her the destination is worthwhile.
Then dinner is served, and I watch from the corner of my eye to ensure she’s getting enough. I plan to keep her up into the late, late hours tonight. My coworkers make conversation, which she easily picks up. I can see the parts of her that are Velvet as she asks questions and uses a higher-pitched voice. This is the version of her that she uses to entertain and socialize.
I am still very curious to learn who the true Ms. Kristoff is.
Then, at last, the dinner is cleared away and bidding games are played for dessert. As a cream pie goes past, Ms. Kristoff sits up abruptly.
“Is that chocolate cream?” she asks, fascinated by it.
