Page 120 of Craving Carla

“It’s just Bobby,” he explains. “I told him to meet me here. There are some things I need to discuss with him.”

“Oh,” I say, a little disappointed that our morning is being interrupted.

Amari kisses my forehead, then heads for the door, pulling it open. Bobby stands on the other side, straightening when he sees us. He bows his head to Amari, then steps inside.

“My queen,” he says to me with another bow.

I force a smile. “I’m going to have to get used to that.”

“My Lord, you requested me,” Bobby says to Amari, standing stiffly just inside the door.

Amari shuts the door and gestures toward the sofa. “Please, sit. It’s good news, I promise.”

Bobby hesitates, clearly not used to such informality with Amari. I take a moment to admire his neatly shaped afro andwell-fitted suit. He finally moves to the sofa and sits down, perching on the edge like he might need to spring up at any moment.

Amari sits in the lounge chair across from him, relaxed and confident.

Bobby looks around the cabin, taking in the simple furnishings. “This is quite different from the homes you usually occupy.”

Amari glances at me with a hint of amusement. “What Bobby is trying to say is that it’s a step down. But it’s fine—I’ve learned to appreciate the simpler things in life.”

Bobby’s eyes drift to me, then back to Amari. “Your woman is lovely.”

I blush at the compliment, shifting awkwardly. “Would you like some coffee?” I offer, trying to be hospitable. “I made coffee all the time at the station. I even know how to add the right amount of blood and set the temperature correctly.”

Amari stares at me for a moment, surprise evident in his expression. What, does he think I don’t know how to take care of a vampire or something?

I put my hands on my hips, narrowing my eyes at him. “I’ve spent a year dealing with Kade, Damon, and Amir. I know how to make vampire coffee.”

Bobby laughs, then chokes it back when Amari shoots him a look.

“That’s lovely, Carla,” Amari says, “but you don’t have to serve us. I’ll get it?—”

Before he can finish, I turn and head for the kitchen, not wanting to be left out of whatever conversation they’re about to have. As I prepare the coffee, carefully measuring the blood, I hear Bobby’s voice from the living room.

“You certainly have found quite the woman.”

I glance from the doorway, watching as Amari adjusts his suit, a smile playing at his lips. “Yes, it is truly a blessing from Mother Fate. And I won’t go a day without making sure Mother Fate knows how much I appreciate this gift.”

I groan, rolling my eyes even as warmth settles over me. I hate how easily he can make me melt with his words.

Turning back to the coffee, I’m struck by a sudden realization. I have a fated mate. A real fated mate. Someone to spend eternity with, who accepts me completely—me and my children.

But as I pour the coffee into mugs, a new worry creeps in. Amari has built quite a life for himself, with his company and his coven. I’m not sure how I’m going to fit into it, or if I even want to. After all, Wintermoon is my home now. It’s the first place I’ve felt safe in centuries.

41

Amari

Ishoot Carla a sharp glare when she approaches with coffee mugs in hand. The domesticity of the gesture unsettles me—not because I don’t appreciate it, but because my woman shouldn’t be serving anyone. She hands Bobby a mug first, then extends the second one to me.

“Carla, honey, you are a queen. You don’t serve,” I say, keeping my voice gentle but firm.

She ignores me completely, standing there with the mug extended, glaring at both of us until we take a sip. Bobby grins at me over the rim of his mug before bowing his head slightly to Carla.

“It’s perfect, my queen,” he says after taking a drink.

Carla beams, a smile spreading across her face, clearly proud of herself. It’s charming, but this isn’t how things will work. She will not serve me or anyone else again. But I decide to drop it for now, taking a sip of the coffee.