Malachi met my gaze. "They are partners destined to be together beyond all circumstances. Their bond is fierce and unbreakable. It is almost painful for them to be apart."
My heart suddenly began racing. It felt similar to anxiety, but in a good way.
"You sound like you're talking from experience," I said slowly.
"I believe I am." Malachi's cool hands reached to touch mine. Shivers crept throughout my body, making it tingle pleasantly. "Scotty… You are my fated mate."
All the air rushed out of my lungs. "What?"
"I cannot stand to be apart from you," Malachi murmured. "I've never felt a pull towards anybody like this. You are special. I need you."
I felt dizzy, but in a good way this time. Was this really happening? Surely Malachi didn't lace my fruit punch with drugs? No, he wouldn't do something like that. Malachi was kind and trustworthy.
He was special to me, too.
And I knew this couldn't be a dream because the cool touch of his hands against my blazing hot skin reminded me that this was very much real.
"Fated mates..." I liked the way it sounded on my tongue. Meaningful. Important. "But why me?"
Malachi's eyes flashed and he tightened his possessive grip on my hands. "I couldn't imagine it being anyone else. I wouldn't want it to be. I wantyou."
Butterflies erupted in my rib cage. This was too much. I felt like I was going to pass out from happiness. Except Malachi kindly got me a juice box, so I didn'tliterallyfeel like passing out anymore.
"If we're fated mates, does that mean you'll get me juice anytime I ask for it?" I asked with a sheepish grin.
"Name the flavor and it's yours."
A soft laugh came out of me. Despite his cool skin, Malachi's presence was warm and fuzzy, like being swaddled in a cozy blanket. He was right—I didn't want to be apart from him, either. I wanted to stay like this forever with him.
Working up the nerve, I asked, "Can I... kiss you?"
Malachi licked his lips. He seemed a tinge nervous. I realized why when his tongue danced over his sharp fangs.
Right. He was a vampire. One who wanted my blood. My annoying, disordered blood.
Was it stupid of me that I didn't really care if he drank some? I always made fun of characters in vampire movies who offered their blood willingly, but then I'd gone ahead and done the same thing earlier. It felt different with Malachi. He wasn't demanding it of me. Actually, he was doing a pretty damn good job of resisting right now if the urge was as strong as he said it was.
Besides, I trusted him. He was kind. He was thoughtful and cared for me. He didn'tactlike a vampire—he didn't even act like most alphas. He was one in a billion. Unique.
My fated mate...
"You can bite me if you want," I said.
Malachi froze. "Don't say things like that."
"I mean it. I'll be okay if you only take a little bit. I want you to feel good."
Malachi's jaw tensed like he was grinding his teeth. A hungry expression came over his face. I didn't know if it was from bloodlust or actual lust. Probably both.
Malachi gave me a solemn look as if he was going to say something, but then changed his mind. "Kiss me, Scotty. You take the lead. I'll feel more comfortable controlling myself that way."
I smiled. Malachi didn't seem like the type of man to lose control, even if hedidwant to drink my blood. Despite that, there was the titillating thrill of danger.
C'mon, Scotty. Live a little. Kiss a vampire.
I didn't have to mull it over. Closing my eyes, I leaned in and brushed my lips against Malachi's cool mouth. Although he let me take the lead, Malachi didn't fall behind. He kissed me back, gentle and slow at first before growing passionate. A small sound of pleasure escaped me as his tongue slipped past my lips. It was cool, just like his skin, and felt nice inside my mouth's heat.
The kiss went on like a dream. Jolts of arousal shot down my spine, making my aching cock even more desperate. It was going to rip these pants if I didn't take them off soon.
