Page 118 of Immortal Bastard (The Order of Vampires)

They like each other.

He frowned as Delilah’s thought swept through his mind. They haven’t stopped bickering since we sat down. They despise each other.

That’s how they flirt. Trust me. She likes him and he likes her. But Gracie is saving herself for her mate. Oh! Maybe Dane’s her mate.

That would be impossible. He’s a half-breed.

A chair scraped and Sister Grace abruptly stood. “I think I’ll clear the dishes.”

Delilah’s guilt flooded him. Do you think she overheard us.

Christian couldn’t form the concern Delilah felt for such petty drama. He only wanted to leave.

“Really, Christian?” Delilah said, standing and going after Sister Grace.

Brother Cain snickered. “Gotta love a modern woman. She’s a feisty one.”

“I’ll ask you not to speak of my mate.”

“Right.”

The females cleared the table and lingered in the kitchen. He wished Delilah would return so he didn’t feel such pressure to make idle conversation with the males. They were much younger than him and he did not know their interests.

“I have a wagon that needs mending,” he told Adam.

“Of course. Bring it by tomorrow and I’ll take a look.”

The tedious task of crosstalk drained him. Why did Delilah insist they do this? He’d barely spoken to her all night. She could have simply asked to visit with the females again. He’d gladly put any trust issues aside if it meant avoiding such awkwardness in the future.

Leaning back in his chair, he glanced into the kitchen. The females gathered around the desserts and spoke in a huddle. They were always forming circles as if conjuring.

“So, how’s it going with you and Christian?” Sister Annalise asked, nibbling on the crust of the freshly baked pie.

Christian’s shoulders tensed. Another violation of their laws—gossip and a blatant disregard for the privacy of family law.

Sister Grace slapped her fingers away. “Wait until everyone takes a slice before you chew off the crust like a little mouse.”

“I can’t help it. The crust is my favorite part.”

“Well, no one wants it after your fingers have been all over it.”

“Hush, Grace. Delilah was about to spill some tea.” Sister Annalise went back to picking at the crust.

“It’s…not as bad as I thought it would be,” Delilah admitted.

“I’m sure the sex helps,” Sister Destiny teased and Christian frowned. These females were grossly indecent.

“That’s pretty much the only time we get along,” Delilah said and his scowl deepened.

She should not discuss such private matters with others, but his curiosity prevented him from correcting her.

Sister Annalise worked her way around the entire pie. “He doesn’t say much.”

“He’s quiet,” Delilah agreed. “And I guess you could say today was actually pretty nice. He took me around the farm to see all the animals. I named them.”

He smirked, recalling her peculiar but adorable need to name each creature. She had looked into the eyes of each animal, scratching their ears and speaking to them as if they might understand. He’d asked if they spoke back, wondering if she possessed some sort of discipline for communing with the wild, but she only laughed at such a question, claiming she just liked to be friendly.

How silly to name a cow Marmaduke, he thought, smothering a chuckle.

“Can I see your tattoo?” Sister Annalise asked.

“Sure.” Delilah held out her arm, drawing back her sleeve.

“You have so many.” Sister Grace admired the colorful ink. “Does it hurt?”

“Only in the beginning. Then it just feels like regular skin.” Delilah frowned. “Some of them need touching up.” She lifted her skirts and Christian’s eyes bulged. “I have more on my legs.”

The females crouched and tittered with interest. “Oh, look at this one!” Sister Grace exclaimed. “How clever!”

“I like the butterfly.”

“What’s this one?”

“Oh,” Delilah blushed. “That’s a drawing my friend made one night on a napkin. I thought it was cool so I turned it into a tattoo.”

He’d seen enough. Rising from the table, he went to the kitchen before his mate’s knees were on display. “Delilah.”

She looked up with a smile. “Yeah?”

Cover yourself.

She dropped her skirt, and her smile fell.

Sister Grace also frowned. “Did you need something, Brother Christian?”

Only to keep his mate’s modesty intact.

Delilah’s fist rested on her hip. “Why don’t you go play with the other boys?”

“I’m three centuries old, Delilah. I do not play.”

“Well, go discuss plows or whatever interests you guys. Be a good guest. Us girls are talking.” Then she sent a mental poke. And you just embarrassed me.

Shunned, he backed out of the kitchen and came face to face with Dane. The boy scowled at him and pushed past him into the kitchen, intentionally knocking his shoulder into Christian’s.

He spun, prepared to snatch the boy up by the scruff of his neck, only to hesitate when his gaze collided with Delilah’s.

Don’t you dare.

Christian scowled. He shoved me.

Get over it.

Grumbling under his breath, he returned to the den.

It never occurred to him how shy he was until God had paired him with an exuberant extrovert. By the end of the night, he would be exhausted from tedious conversations and abiding social niceties he did not see as necessary.