Page 37

I’ve always been told that during the time of claiming—before the bond completely snaps into place—that it’s possible to lose all rational thinking. But it’s not something I ever gave much thought to before. After all this time alone, I didn’t think a day would ever come where I’d meet my mate.

Stepping out onto my balcony my nostrils flare as her perfumed berry scent floats from her patio door. The sounds of her getting ready meet my ears—the opening and closing of a drawer, the smooth glide of a brush through her hair. If I didn’t know it would freak her out, I’d come in right now from the back and watch her get ready.

I head back inside and busy myself straightening up around my apartment and call my contact to make sure everything is in place for the date since I had to move the timeline up.

“T-minus five minutes until pick up.” Rubbing my hands together in anticipation I sit on the couch and bounce in place.

Figuring I should have a snack just to be on the safe side, I snag a small glass of blood from the leftover supply I got from Luna. While I sip, I think about the possibility of turning Celine one day. How she might look as I drained her of nearly all of her blood and gave her mine to replace it—solidifying our bond and forever changing her into a vampire.

I’m so lost in my thoughts that when I finally look at the clock it’s two minutes past the time I’m supposed to get her.

Shit.

I’m out the door in a flash, fist raised to knock on her door. The knock sounds impossibly loud to my ears as the fresh blood fills my veins.

The door swings open revealing the most ethereal being I’ve ever seen in my life.

I think my brain short circuits at the amount of skin on display with the dress she wears. It’s not the same as the one she wore to the club when we danced, but similar in style. Blackand lacy it hits her mid-thigh and is topped with a black leather jacket. The sweetheart neckline showcases her gorgeous tits.

Her hair is pulled up in its signature high ponytail, which I love since it gives me direct access to her scent that is strongest at the pulse point in her neck.

As I continue my perusal up her body, I let out a whistle of appreciation that makes her cheeks stain with the prettiest blush. Her brown eyes flutter when they finally make contact with mine and I can see the desire reflected in hers while she gives my body a once over. I made sure to wear a black sweater and pants that would match her outfit, she didn’t need to tell me what she was wearing for me to know.

The dark clothing serves to make my hair and eyes stand out. A silver watch glints on my wrist in the light, and I spare a quick glance at it. I don’t want to look away from Celine for any longer than I have to, before offering her my arm.

“Your knight in shining armor is here.”

She accepts it with a smirk.

“Knight in shining armor,” she says in a playful, mocking tone. “I'm no damsel in distress.”

“No, you aren’t,” I concede. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t sweep you off your feet.” My brows waggle and she lightly swats me with her free hand.

“Let’s go, Casanova.”

Celine locks her door behind her, but not before I wink at Midnight who sits on the counter and watches us go. “See you later,” I mouth at him. He swishes his tail in response, and I swear his eyes are all too knowing in that moment for a simple cat. Huh.

“Where are we going?” she asks as we step onto the elevator, and I’m surprised it’s taken her this long to ask and that it wasn’t the first thing out of her mouth when she opened the door.

I smirk at her. “If I told you, it wouldn’t be much of a surprise.”

She grumbles but accepts my answer as we make our way out and I walk her to my car. I backed it in earlier, blocking the sign I painted. I know Celine isn’t an idiot. If she sees it she’ll begin to connect the dots on exactly who I am and I’m not ready for her to know that part of me.

I hold the car door open and her eyes rove over me for the fourth time—yes, I’m counting—as she slides into the passenger seat. I cross in front of the car and slip into the driver’s side. The engine purrs to life. I wet my lips with my tongue. She tracks the movement, and I smell the faint irresistible scent of her arousal. Metal crunches slightly under my grip but thankfully Celine doesn’t notice.

Oh fuck. Pressure in my gums. God help me. These insufferable fangs. Incoming boner of both kinds.

As much as Celine pretends to be unflappable the mating bond is an inevitable bitch. That’s not to say mates can’t reject the bond, because they can, but it makes it hard if there’s a natural attraction present like we have.

I take a moment to center myself before I pull out.

Pull out.

Pull-out method.

Get your head out of the gutter, Zav!

Sitting in a confined space with my mate while she’s aroused is going to test my limits and it’s just the start of our date.