“Thanks.” I give her a nod and make a gagging noise when Zav starts to kiss up her neck. “I’m out before you start humping her in the hallway. Bye!” I call out and head to the elevator.
Left alone with my thoughts once more as I ascend, I think about Zav and Celine. For the longest time I tried to set her up on dates because I wanted to see her happy. At the time, all I ever envisioned was spending the rest of my life with Spencer, and I wanted her to have that too. Fat lot of luck that did me, but now she has Zav, and I see it for what it really is, true love.
Spencer and I ended on good terms—there was still love there, but acceptance that our lives were headed in different directions. It was hard, because I think if I had begged him to stay, he would have, but I knew he wanted to go, and I couldn’t have lived with myself if he ever resented me down the road for keeping him from the opportunity.
Never in a million years did I expect Valen to show up weeks later and announce that he’s my mate. Even though I watch Celine and Zav and see their obvious connection, I still don’t know what that means for Valen and me.
The doors to the elevator open, and I still have to take another set of stairs to the roof. Residents aren’t allowed up here, but of course that wouldn’t stop a vampire.
I push the door open and gasp at the view. It’sgorgeousup here, with all of Chicago spread out before me. I can see the Chicago River clearly from here, the moon glimmering on its surface. The skyscrapers are lit up around me, making it feel as if I’ve been plunked inside some sort of glimmering snow globe—especially with the light rain coming down that could be mistaken for snow. Soon enough it will be.
After I’ve taken a moment to appreciate the view, I look around for the big vampire. I walk around for a minute before I spot him. When I do, my heart nearly falls out of my chest when I see he’s sitting on the ledge, legs dangling off the side of the building.
I don’t know why, but with the city lit around him, my mind conjures the image of him with wings. It makes no sense. He’s a vampire. But the image sears into my brain.
I take careful steps forward. I know he hears me. He probably smelled me the second I stepped onto the roof. Zav told me how vampires have a heightened sense of hearing and smell.
“Why are you up here?” I ask and my breath catches when I stop beside him and see how far the drop is. Surely a fall from that height would hurt even him.
He’s quiet and still. I’m not even sure he’s breathing. I start to think he won’t answer, but then he says, “I wanted to see the stars.” His voice is crackly like he hasn’t spoken in a while. He turns to me, dark brows heavy over his eyes. “I didn’t see them for a…” He pauses, a haunted look entering his eyes. “A very long time. They remind me of home.”
“Home?” I repeat. “Where is that for you?”
He shakes his head. “In a time that no longer exists, in a place I no longer belong.”
It doesn’t escape my notice that despite his cryptic statement, he’s talking more than usual. His voice is deep and sultry. It pulls me in, and I wonder if that’s the mate bond or something else.
“I brought Chinese takeout home for dinner. Would you like some of that?” He shakes his head no, but I don’t let his rejection sting. “If you’ve never tried it, you should. Spring rolls are like the best thing ever.”
He looks to me, angling his chin down. His faceis mostly bathed in darkness, but I still feel the weight of his gaze. “Will it make you happy if I eat these spring rolls with you?”
“It won’t make me unhappy,” I counter.
With a sigh, he swings his legs back over to my side of the roof. “You’ve piqued my curiosity. Lead me to these rolls.”
The laugh that comes out of me is unexpected, startling both of us. “Sorry.” I look down at my shoes. “I don’t know why I thought that was funny.”
His eyes are locked on me, and I start to squirm. I can’t resist the urge to look at him for long. When I meet his eyes, he says, “Your laugh. It is very lovely.”
“It is very lovely?” I parrot back.
Valen tilts his head, looking like an adorably confused puppy.
“It’svery lovely.” I emphasize the contraction. “I see we need a crash course in modern English. You’ve already got some contractions down at least it seems.” Part of me doesn’t want to teach him because the contraction-less sentences he mixes in are cute. “Let’s head back.”
We amble back down to the apartment for a shared meal of spring rolls where I mostly talk at him and his eyes sear into me as he listens.
Befriending Valen is going to take time, but I’m always up for a challenge.
CHAPTER 4
VALEN
I flipthe last page of the book I’m reading and close it with a sigh. Setting it on top of the growing stack next to me, I wander over to the tall windows and observe the rain as it slides down the panes.
There seems to be a consistent pattern of rain and cold weather. It’s been limiting my chances to sit out on the rooftop, which I don’t like.
Soft footfalls echo from the bedroom, and I tune in to the soft, melodic sound of Ava’s voice as she hums.
