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The bow shape of her lips. Silver threads woven within the blue of her eyes. Her delicate earlobes with their multiple piercings. The way her hair halos around us as we spin around the dance floor.

I feel my heartbeat find hers and match its rhythm.

My beautiful mate.

Because she’s mine. I may not have tasted her blood, but I know it in my heart. Cordelya is my mate. And with each passing day, every hour spent with her, our bond grows; my love for her grows.

Because I love her.

I love her.

My heart races as the revelation sinks in.

With that realization, I lean down to capture her lips as we dance, putting every ounce of that love into it. When we break apart, we’re both breathless, yet somehow still dancing.

Cordelya wraps her arms around my neck and goes onto her tiptoes to nip at my ear before whispering,

“Let’s go home.”

Chapter 15

I Know Better

CORDELYA

Auggie pulls back, eyes wide.

My hands slide down his arms to grasp his hands. Interlacing our fingers, I tug him behind me. He seems to be in shock at my boldness.

I’m a bit surprised, myself.

Maybe it’s the cider, its warmth humming through my body.

Maybe it’s the festival with all the merriment surrounding me.

Or maybe it’s the vampire whose firm hand in mine makes me feel like I’m the safest woman in the world.

Whatever it is, I know in this moment, with utter clarity, there is nothing I want more than to be with Auggie.

Another rule broken. Don’t want things you know you can’t have because you always leave.

I shove the thought aside even though an ache blossoms in my heart.

After what feels like the longest walk in history, we finally reach Auggie’s car.

He pulls me to a stop. “Moonlight?” There’s a question in his voice, the smallest hint of uncertainty. It’s a stark contrast to the hungry way his eyes devour me.

I gently push him against the passenger door, pulling his face down to capture his lips in a passionate kiss. My hands travel the length of his torso and slip beneath the hem of his tight shirt. His abs flex and release under my touch. I trace the waist of his jeans and slide my hands into his back pockets, kneading his ass greedily.

Auggie growls, threading his hands in my hair to tilt my head, deepening the kiss.

We break apart, only for Auggie to trail fiery kisses along my jaw to my ear.

“If you keep touching me like that, Moonlight, I’m going to either embarrass myself or take you right on the hood of my car,” he grates out as his fangs drop.

I moan in response, squeezing harder.

“Moonlight,” he growls, licking along the column of my neck.