She gave me a nonchalant shrug, and I wished she would stop being such a damn tease. I could see it in her eyes that she liked the way I looked, or maybe I was a desperate man. Besides finding my freedom, I did not long for much of anything else. But this goddess made me want to fall to my knees and repent for my sins.
What would she think if she knew who she was talking to right now, and why did I care? My eyes traveled over the glowing silver tattoos on her arms, and I wanted to trace them—either with my fingers or tongue, I didn’t care.
“Is this how you always approach women?” She glanced around to see if anyone was able to see us.
“Maybe.” I watched her eyes travel over my face again. “Why? Is it working?”
“Maybe,” she said with a smirk. She released me slowly before turning and walking away. I quickly followed her though. Where the hell was she hurrying off to without a damn word? Fuck, I was a glutton for punishment as I eagerly followed her. She glanced over her shoulder to make sure I was still behind her. It could be wishful thinking, but I swore she looked pleased that I was behind her.
“Are you not cold?” I asked.
“No, I enjoy the cold.”
She was silent as she wove up the street, avoiding running into fae that would not even feel her if she did. I watched her closely, finding her pleasant, and that was probably the first sign that I should stop following her around like a lost dog. But gods be damned, I ignored all reason and continued to follow her. After another few minutes, I finally spoke. I wanted her to talk so I could memorize her pretty voice.
“Where are you going?”
She glanced at me before grinning. Her eyes twinkled with mischievous amusement.
“I was just seeing how long you would follow me for.” She stopped and stared at me. “Do you make a habit of stalking others?”
She put her hands on her hips and tilted her head to watch me.
“Let’s not pretend that you didn’t want me to follow.” I stepped toward her, and she didn’t back down. Fuck, she smelled like what I would expect heaven to smell like. That scent would forever be ingrained in my memory. “Tell me to leave, and I will.”
She paused but didn’t tell me to leave. Her eyes stayed on mine, almost like there was a silent challenge in them.
“Tell me your name.”
“Haden, what is yours?”
“None of your business.” She tried to walk off, but I pulled her back and smiled down at her.
“You playing hard to get is only making me more interested. So, if that is your intention, you are succeeding.”
Her face immediately burned red, and her pretty eyes flashed white. Fucking hell, she did like this. What a tease.
“Sorry to break your heart, but I am taken.”
Did I hear her correctly? I watched her closely to see if she was full of shit. But she just watched me curiously back.
“By who?” I was irrationally pissed that this stranger had a man already.
“My fated mate.” She frowned as her eyes fell to the space between us. “Technically, I haven’t met them yet, but I will one day, and they are the only ones we are supposed to want.”
Gods get fated mates… Did that mean that me and my siblings did too? Interesting. That would explain why no one ever appealed to me. But she did, so what did that mean?
“Well, maybe you just met him.” I smiled. “Since it's clear you like what you see.”
Her eyes traveled down the length of me and back up. I swallowed, watching for any hint that she was displeased.
She didn’t give me an answer, only raised an eyebrow at me in an adorable way. She held her hands out, as if inviting me to look her body over as well. “Do you like what you see?”
“I think that’s pretty obvious, goddess. I am following you around hoping you will talk to me some more.”
Her eyes traveled over my face, and she frowned. “You aren’t my mate.”
I stared at her. How could she be so sure when we had only just met. To me, it felt like my soul… recognized hers. “How do you know?”
