I match her lack of enthusiasm with a determined look of my own. Either it’s working, or she just feels sorry for me, because in the next second I hear the subtle click of her unlocking the door.
The house is spacious with high ceilings and an open kitchen. She stands next to the island with her arms crossed in a defensive position, ready to deflect whatever I’ve come here to say.
“Look, I’m still hungover, and I’m not in the mood, so whatever this is, can we get it over with?”
I recoil from the sting of her harsh words, but I’m starting to understand that there are two very different sides of the woman I’ve fallen for. The fun, playful and snarky side I’ve come to know, that’s the real Jo. But the Jo in front of me now, the one who retreats when things get too complicated and lashes out at those she cares about, is just a facade—a mask she pulls over her face to hide just how scared she really is.
I know this to be true like I know the sound of her beating heart.
“Jo.”
I say her name like it’s a buoy in the middle of a vast ocean. I’m offering her a hand, praying she’ll take it.
“I know this is not what you wanted,” I say calmly. “Things have changed between us, and I know you feel it too. You’re probably scared and confused, but I would rather you know the truth about what’s happening than continue to watch you punish yourself for feeling something you think you shouldn’t.”
She tucks her chin into her shoulder and trains her eyes on the floor, away from me. “What do you know about how I’m feeling?”
I take a seat in a small chair by the window and wait for her to dismiss me, but she doesn’t. “I can explain all of that, if you’ll let me.”
Her eyes narrow as she pulls out a chair from the island and sits. She doesn’t make another comment, so I take that as permission to keep going.
“I mentioned something to you on our first night together,” I start. “Do you remember talking about vampire bonds?”
She nods, unfazed.
“I explained the way donors are bonded to my kind, but I also told you about another type of bond. A mate bond.”
Joanna sits up straighter and crosses her legs as she listens intently.
I clear my throat. “I had to do some research, just to be sure, but I can’t deny the signs any longer.”
Her brown eyes peer into mine, hanging on every word, only I can’t tell if she’s anticipating or dreading whatever I have to say.
“I’m aging, Jo,” I tell her plainly. “Those gray hairs you pointed out, they’ve never been there before. I can feel my body changing, like I’ve suddenly rebooted after a long hibernation.”
She crosses her arms again, retreating into herself. “But what does that have to do with me?”
I gaze at her openly, begging for her to see me. “Everything.”
Joanna freezes, momentarily stuck on my choice of word, and I can see the debate going on in her mind as she tries to figure out if I mean it.
Getting to my feet, I take two long strides and I’m standing in front of her. She lets out a gasp, but she’s not afraid. I watch the pulse point on her neck flutter with anticipation. She has no idea what I’m about to do, but she’d let me do it. She trusts me that much, and she can’t even see it.
“You feel it,” I tell her sternly. “I know you do.” I cup her cheek, and she subconsciously turns into my touch. “We fit when we’re together. And we ache when we’re apart.”
She shakes her head and pushes me away. “No. It’s not that simple.” Her voice is strained, and I’m afraid she’s on the verge of giving herself a panic attack. “You can’t justknowthings like that. How can I believe any of this? I’m a human, Aidan. Shouldn’t I be your next victim? That makes more sense than being your fucking mate!”
I’m stunned into silence. I trusted Joanna with my darkest secret, but I never expected her to throw it back in my face like this. Does she think I’m a monster?
My feet backtrack from the kitchen without me realizing it. By the time I reach the door, Joanna’s face has morphed from rage to guilt. She smacks her hands over her mouth as if she could keep the words inside, but they’ve already escaped.
“I shouldn’t have come,” I say quietly.
Her mouth moves, desperately trying to find the right words, but there’s no need. I don’t blame her, I blame myself. I pushed her when I knew it was the wrong thing to do, and now this is what I’ve gotten in return.
I don’t say anything else as I close the door behind me. I just walk down the steps, get into my car, and leave.
Chapter Twenty-Four
