“I made the bagels myself,” I tell her, sliding the egg sandwich I prepared onto the counter in front of her. I was determined to master scrambled eggs after the last disaster, and this is my newest attempt.
“Yourself?” she says in surprise. “Like from scratch?”
I nod. “It was easy enough to make the dough, and then you boil them and bake them. I hope it’s good.”
“I’m sure it’ll be delicious,” she says before taking a big bite. “Mmm,” she hums. “Oh, Valen, this is incredible. You’ve come a long way.”
I can’t stop my smile from spreading. “You like it?”
She takes another bite and chews and swallows before replying. “I love it. You should write a cookbook.”
I chuckle and sling a dishrag over my shoulder. “I don’t know about that. Let’s not get too carried away.”
While she eats her breakfast, I clean up the mess I made in the kitchen. I take the empty plate from her so she can dress for work. She already has her light pink hair swept back in a bun and her makeup done. I haven’t seen her wear her hair like this before, and it has me itching to pull the pins from it and watch the long length cascade down her back.
As desperately as I want to follow her and do just that, I stay rooted in the kitchen. I won’t be a distraction and cause her to be late for work.
The kitchen is spotless when Ava opens the bedroom door and strides out in a knee-length skirt paired with tights, a blouse, jacket, and heels.
“Ava,” I groan.
“What?” she asks innocently, grabbing her long winter coat and tugging it on.
“You know what.”
“I don’t.” She smiles innocently. “Do tell.”
“You’re testing the limits of my restraint,” I tell her. “You have no idea how badly I want to bend you over the table and lift that skirt up.”
She smiles, obviously pleased with herself. “Later,” she teases with a wink. “I have to go.”
I shrug on my own jacket. I don’t need it, but the humans stare at me strangely when I go without it, so I’ve made a habit out of being sure I have it on cold days.
“Let’s go, then, Starlight,” I say, pressing a hand to the small of her back. “The sooner you get to work, the sooner you get home.”
She smacks my stomach lightly. “You’re incorrigible.”
“I’m never getting my fill of you.” I duck down to nip her earlobe and she squeals.
I keep my hands to myself on the drive over to the precinct, but I nearly lose my resolve when she kisses me goodbye and leans over to press her hand against my cock. She’s a tempting little tease, and I love it.
When she’s safe behind the doors, I pull away and head to the library.
I don’t make it inside the doors before I realize I’m not going to find what I’m searching for here. Leviathan’s words have been haunting me since our conversation at Luna’s. I know there’s more than what the bastard demon is telling me.
Getting back into the car, I head to Jade’s. I figure if there’s someone who can help me, it’s her.
I park in the lot behind her shop and walk around to the front.
A growl rumbles out of me at the sight of Liam behind the counter. Although my annoyance is short-lived when he sees me and practically pisses himself.
“Jade! Customer for you,” he calls and disappears.
I shake my head. Anyone that pathetic could never be worthy of Ava. I don’t know why I let my possessive feelings get the best of me. I know it’ll get better once the bond is in place, and I know Ava wants it, but I’m scared.
Jade comes from the back and arches her brow in surprise when she sees me.
“Wasn’t expecting you, vampire. What can I help you with?”
