“Not until you talk to me.”
“About what?” I thrust the door open and stormed to my desk. I dropped into my chair and motioned to the chair I had on the other side. I had finally relented and let Scout bring one in here. It was supposed to be for just her, but now Aleida was sitting down looking so very smug.
“Us being soulmates.”
“We’re not soulmates, Aleida.”
“You don’t know that.”
“You don’t either.” I pointed out.
She scrunched up her nose. “What do you remember about your life before you turned? Family, friends?”
I shook my head and placed my folded hands on my desk. “My parents were your typical Bloodborns. Stuck up, old money types. I have a brother and sister, but we don’t talk. I’m the youngest. We weren’t close when I was human, and I’ve only seen them in passing as a vampire. I had no friends.”
“You don’t remember a girlfriend?” Her eyes went wide. She looked desperate for me to tell her what she wanted to hear. Again, I shook my head.
“I don’t, and you asking me over and over isn’t going to change that.”
“What about when you changed?” she asked quickly. I groaned, but she kept on. “The change. When you die as a human—you saw a demon. Everyone does. What did he say?”
“That would be part of my curse, so the answer is once again- I don’t know. And I don’t remember leaving that fucking diner either, so don’t ask.” I snapped. She perked up.
“So you did see the diner! Tell me everything you remember, food, drink, the music, anything you can see.”
I closed my eyes, regretting letting that little detail slip. To this point, I’d been avoiding saying anything about it. I let her do all the talking, and only because I couldn’t sew her fucking mouth shut.
“I’m going to tell Arsenio to fire you,” I muttered.
She laughed and stood up. “You can, but I’m not going to stop fighting for my future.”
“Your future?It’s my curse, not yours.” I stood up with her. “You’re blaming me for your fucked up memory. Get over yourself.”
“You can try to gaslight me all you want, Desiderio, but I know what I’m seeing.” She stormed around the desk, stepping up to me. I fixed my jaw and glared down at her. She didn’t flinch. “And what I’m seeing is you naked, thrusting your dick into me over and over again until we come. And then, you promising me forever.”
She took a giant breath, back-stepped to the door, and then fled.
I hurried to close and lock the door. Only when I felt safe did I return to my chair, plopped down, and tossed myself onto my desk. I slammed my head against the surface.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
That wasexactlywhat I saw.
***
One day turned into four. Scout had turned her phone off and refused to tell me what she was doing. It frustrated me to no end, but what could I do? I didn’t fucking own her. I wanted to. The primal version of me wanted to keep her in my little bubble, looking pretty and naked as much as possible, but I knew that wasn’t realistic. Scout had her own thing, and there was no taming her. Which was exactly why I wanted her so badly.
By the time she returned, I thoroughly hated myself. Aleida had me feeling so fucking shitty that I couldn’t even look at her anymore. How could sex twenty-eight years ago come back to haunt me so badly?
When Scout finally did turn up, she looked energized, happy, and had a skip in her step.
“How was your vacation?” I asked, trying to force positivity. I didn’t need her thinking her being away from me was the issue. Me being left with my apparent ex was. I followed her through the theater like a desperate puppy as she made her checks.
“Good. Got some things done. I’ve been looking at schools. Art schools.” She clarified. She looked down as if embarrassed. I grinned.
“That’s great! I should have known you’d be doing nerdy stuff. Any particular place stick out?”
“No. Not any that I can afford.” She laughed. “But it’s nice to check out. I got lots of free stuff from the tours. I have a suitcase full of shit.”
