And I have no idea what to do now.
“Dixie,” I greet the longtime server here at Twisted Tina’s as I pass her. “Your booth is free now.” Dixie doesn’t know, but she’s fed me a few times when she’s gotten off work.
I don’t take too much. Just enough to get me by, and when I mystify her, it’s simple with no mental fight. She doesn’tremember a thing. The thought of her blood now makes me sick, though.
In fact, the more I think about blood, the only kind I want runs through Nariko’s veins.
I head over to my table, rubbing my chest when I feel the ache of me walking away and the pain is coming from her.
“You okay?” Jazz asks, sipping on a coffee. “So? Is she your mate? You’re sure?”
Like a magnet, I’m pulled to turn my head so I can look at her again. Fuck, she’s so goddamn gorgeous it takes my breath away. “I’m sure. I’ve never been more sure about anything in my entire life.”
Nariko must feel me watching her. Her gaze finds mine, and all I want to do is take her on this fucking table and drown myself in her while her blood pours across my tongue.
Fuck. I’m a goner.
“And how are you with her being a storm chaser?” Westin kicks back in the booth, settling in the corner, and draping his arm across the back.
Those two words have me breaking eye contact with my mate, my breath taken from my lungs as if Westin just kicked me in the stomach.
I grit my teeth, curling my fingers on the tabletop. My claws dig into the wood grain, ruining it with long scratch marks. I jerk them away and hide them in my lap.
“I’m still coming to terms with it,” I force the words out.
“Maybe she’ll quit. For you. I mean, the fated mate bond is like that, right?” Jazz asks.
“And I thought you wanted to look into breaking the bond?” Westin toys with the toothpick in his mouth.
“Even with how much I hate storm chasing, I’d never have her quit it for me. She deserves to have what makes her happy. I don’t exist to take her dreams away from her.”
“Why do you think you exist, then?”
Once my claws retract, I rub my temples. Suddenly, my vision blurs, and my hunger heightens. I don’t know how much longer I can be in this diner with Nariko here.
Her scent is fucking everywhere. It’s becoming stronger since we share the same space, and out of all the hearts pumping blood, hers is the loudest.
My fangs lengthen on their own, her blood causing my mouth to water and my eyes to shift.
“Oakley, keep it together,” Jazz warns in a whisper. “Your eyes have shifted. Your fangs are out.”
“I fucking know. I can’t stop them. Don’t you think I would if I could?” I turn my head to hide my face, not wanting this to be the way humans find out about vampires—especially Nariko.
That’s a conversation I’m not ready for.
“Sorry about the wait, fellas. It will just be a few more minutes, and your to-go order will be ready,” Dixie updates us.
I cover my mouth to hold in a growl. I push down the desperate need to run to Nariko and give us the pleasure we are both aching for. My erection presses against the hard teeth of my zipper, throbbing to be set free by my fated mate.
“Oklahoma, are you okay?” Concern laces her emotions. Dixie is one of the sweetest, caring people in this state. “Do you need water or anything, sweetheart?”
“A water would be great.” Jazz hurries to interrupt her when he hears a growl come from me.
“Sure. Coming right up.” Dixie’s heels click away, and I’m able to let out a breath, relieved I’m finally alone without a human too close.
I groan, pressing my forehead against the cool window. My skin is becoming hot and feverish. I need to get out of here. I can’t be in this diner with her. Trusting myself is too difficult.I’m too close to stealing her away from her friends and throwing her in my bed, not allowing her to leave, ever.
“I can’t. I can’t. I can’t,” I whisper to myself, sounding mad and outlandish. I roll my forehead back and forth when everyone’s emotions seep into me—not just Nariko’s.
