AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It was your blood that started it. When you got those splinters in the barn, I tasted a droplet on your finger. I shouldn’t have, but I couldn’t help myself.” She swiped an agitated palm across her face. “I think it triggered something. We don’t drink from our Mates until we’re ready to bond. It’s not something we take lightly. It’s a sacred rite, a sacrifice. And usually, it’s reciprocal.”
I regarded her closely. “No offence, but I don’t think I’d like to drink your blood anytime soon. Although I’m sure it’s very tasty.”
I hastened to add that last bit. The idea held no appeal for me.
She stared wide-eyed for a beat as though she were confused. And then a small smile turned into a loud laugh, surprising a smile out of me. She laughed as though it were unfamiliar to her.
“I wasn’t going to ask you to share my blood.”
She looked more relaxed now, leaning against the kitchen counter with her arms crossed. At least she’d stopped pacing for the moment.
“Oh...okay. Good.”
“I’m trying, and perhaps failing, to tell you that I’m sorry for this mess. I shouldn’t have started it by taking your blood without your permission.”
“Well, it was just a tiny drop.” I tried to make light of it.
She sighed. “It was more than enough to start this chemical reaction between us. We’re basically strangers, and I don’t want this to get out of hand.”
I picked at the hem of my shirt.
“Oh.”
I wanted to protest, throw a tantrum and insist we weren’t strangers. My body seemed to know and recognize hers.
But I bit my lip instead.
“I don’t know if there’s a solution for this, but in the meantime, I think we should stay away from each other. Putting some distance between us might make this go away.”
My head snapped up as I tried to meet her eyes.
“You want me to leave?”
Oh gods, where would I go?
But she was already shaking her head.
“The house is big enough for both of us. We’ll be fine as long as we keep our distance.”
Right. Keep our distance. My heart dropped to my feet and I felt tears threatening, filling my eyes rapidly. How pathetic.
I refused to let her see me cry. Before she could say another word, I slid off the table and sequestered myself in the service room, barely hearing her call after me.
Embarrassment flushed my cheeks and pain filled my chest, but nothing hurt quite as much as the resounding finality of the door thudding shut, echoing through the house.
