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As he wiped up some sauce from his plate with the last piece of his bun, he glanced over at her. “Tell me, will you be running?”
“In the Curusm? No.” She wiped at her mouth with her napkin. “God, no. That is not for me.”
“That’s a damn shame.”
“Why’s that?”
His eyes twinkled as he leaned a little closer, studying her. She couldn’t help but glance down at his lips. Aside from her one mishap with Rafe, she’d never been kissed.
Sighing, he sat back. With a smile, he said, “I think you’d like Australia.”
“If I ever get there, you’ll have to show me around.”
His grin widened. “Introduce you to a roo burger.”
She laughed. “Oh no! I don’t think I could.” Hoping not to offend him, she quickly added, “I’ve heard it’s beautiful there.”
“It is.”
A few women sat down near them and tried to grab Daniel’s attention. It was clear he was one of the prime specimens the female runners were hoping for.
Rather than compete with them, Vivian touched his arm and thanked him for keeping her company.
Leaving him to the vultures, she recalled one of the articles from the magazines her mother pushed on her. Leave him wanting more was a rule of Attraction 101.
Maybe with a little encouragement, Daniel could be persuaded to give up his place in the Curusm, and instead agree to an arranged mating.
Australia would be a world away from Thatcher, Hara, Benjamin, and her father.
For ten minutes, she helped to clean up the empty plates and put out more food. They kept the main course out, but brought out the desserts. Immediately, the children flocked to the sugary treats.
So far, she’d been lucky to avoid Thatcher and her father. There were plenty of other people to occupy their time.
A few more hours and she could supervise the cleanup. Tonight, she’d sneak away to the tree fort for some quiet reading time, and if she was lucky, she’d miss seeing her father altogether.
As she thought through her plans, she straightened a tray on the table, and that’s when it hit her.
Or—more correctly—hit her nostrils.
The spicy, sweet scent from the other night, the one she’d thought was a cologne.
It was stronger now and immediately she realized what it was. Her mate.
For a second, she closed her eyes and just breathed in the intoxicating scent.
The noise of the crowd faded to a dull buzz. Across from her, someone shifted, and she just knew.
Looking up, there he was, the blond man—Elliot’s cousin—staring at her.
Her mouth watered as his scent flooded her senses. He was beautiful. His blond hair was darker at the roots and lighter at the tips, styled with a forelock that twisted and dipped across his forehead. A slight beard scruff covered the dimple in his chin.
He was stunning, and…related to Elliot.
Her father would never approve. Fated mate or not.
If he knew.
Her mate swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing with the motion. “It’s you.”
