Page 29 of Kentucky Nights (Dead Man’s Ranch #1)

“It’s not,” I admit, holding Kentucky’s hand to my heart.

“I want forever with him. I want to be his mate. I want him. Not because of Fate, but because of who he is as a man. I can’t believe he would bite himself to save me from being tied to him.

Why wouldn’t he tell me any of this? I deserved to know. ”

“He wanted you to love him without knowing you’re his fated mate.

He didn’t want you to feel like Fate was forcing your decision.

The most important thing to Kentucky is your right to choose.

If you’d rather have a life with him, great; if you’d rather die than live forever, he would understand.

He has been preparing for death for a very long time.

You were not expected. You’ve changed him.

In a good way. He seems more…alive than I have ever known him to be. ”

“Even with Daphne?”

“Kentucky doesn’t know this, but Daphne was a Dimseer.

Kind of like a psychic, but she had the ability to see into every dimension, past, present, and future, in all worlds.

When she met Kentucky, she saw every path his life could lead, with all the different choices he would make, leading him to the same end—death.

Until she saw you. She loved him, of course, but she kept Kentucky alive to meet you.

Dimseers are so special. They are protectors, in a way.

Kentucky’s heart was protected with her, for you, Dru. It’s also why she died like she did.”

“Of old age? Kentucky said she was in her seventies when she passed.”

“Dimseers live extra-long lives. Their normal lifespan is one hundred and fifty years. When they find someone to love, they sacrifice their ability to see into the dimensions, which also cuts their lifespan in half.”

“She sacrificed her life for us?”

“Yes, because in all the lives she saw with Kentucky, you were the only one who could truly save the man she loved. She knew they weren’t fated.

She knew the role she had to play. Kentucky loved her in the best way he could, but she knew the only woman he could ever dedicate himself to was his fated mate.

He never fed from her. They both agreed that would need to be saved for his mate, if he were to ever find her.

You. ” Lorcan boops my nose to make his point.

I clutch onto Kentucky’s hand harder, wishing I could hug Daphne for everything she sacrificed to bring Kentucky to me. She kept him alive when he ached for death. All so we could have forever together. I don’t think I’ve ever known anyone who would do such a selfless deed.

“Makes sense why I trusted him so fast. We are meant for each other, then?”

Lorcan grins. “Yes. Your souls are bound. You were both created with the other in mind. It’s unfortunate how he was turned, but the moment he was, Fate knew who his mate needed to be.

Kentucky needed a strong, kind, curious woman.

One who didn’t shy away from the truth, no matter how hard it was to accept, because he still struggles with who he is, Dru.

You don’t. You know who you are, through and through.

He doesn’t take being a vampire in stride. He hates that part of himself.”

“I love that part of him,” I state, caressing the side of Kentucky’s face. “I love him.”

“If you accept him, all of him, then eternity will be a very happy experience for both of you.”

“I have to act like I don’t know all of this? That I don’t want him to finish claiming me? I don’t know if I can.”

“Dru, I can’t emphasize this enough. If he feels that in any way your choice was taken away to make your own decision, he might not believe you want him.

He will think you were swayed. Why do you think he asked for four days?

He thought he had more time before he needed your blood, but I’m not sure if he will make it another two days without it.

You seem to be doing alright. Every human is different.

You could be fine now, and in an hour, you could be curled in on yourself crying. ”

“I did that last night,” I grumble. “When I thought he still loved Daphne.” I can’t believe I admitted that out loud.

“He will always love her, but not in the way he was meant to love you.” Lorcan places his hand on top of mine. “The mating heat will get worse too, until he bites you. Prepare yourself for that.”

“Will I be a vampire too? Also, another question, having my blood won’t seal the bond? Just the bite?”

“No, not unless you want to be? You will live as a human forever, and you won’t age. And to answer, yes, it is the bite that seals the bond. Don’t get me wrong, the blood takes you a step closer, but the bite is key.”

Okay, that’s good. We have more time then, like Kentucky wants. “And if I wanted to be? Would he still be able to feed from me? I don’t like the thought of him feeding from anyone else.”

“You would feed off each other. That wouldn’t change. Are you seriously thinking about asking him to do that? I don’t know if that’s a line he will cross, Dru. At least, not right now.”

“I want to be able to keep up with him. I want to experience what he does. There’s no rush, obviously. Being with him doesn’t scare me. None of this scares me.”

“You’re a weird human.”

“I don’t mind that one bit.” I run my fingers through Kentucky’s hair, wishing he would open his eyes. “I only have my best friend Carmen waiting for me at home. I have my job, but I think I’ll be able to be a dentist here too. I don’t have to give that part of myself up, do I?”

“No. You can do whatever you want. You’re seriously okay with all of this? You’re going to freak out later, aren’t you? The facts haven’t hit you yet, right? You’re going to panic and run away or something.”

“I’m logical, Lorcan. I wanted all the facts so I can determine what I want.

I was confused before. I didn’t understand why I felt the way I felt.

It all makes sense now. I wish he would have told me the truth.

” I continue to stroke Kentucky’s hair, missing him even though he is asleep.

“My choice is him, and it’s been him since the moment I saw him. He’s my choice, Lorcan.”

“You’re a good human, Dru. Not many would take this in stride, especially after everything you have been through.”

“It led me here. How can I be mad about that?”

“An odd human yet a good one.” Lorcan stands. “Do you need anything else?”

“Actually, yes, and I’m not sure how you’re going to feel about it. I need clothes, underwear, a bra, and feminine products. I would ask Kentucky, but…” I point to him, showing that can’t happen.

“I can do that.” A notepad and a pen appear in his hand. “I need your sizes for everything. Also, do you like a variety pack of the tampons?”

“You don’t mind? Seriously?”

“I’ve been alive for a very long time. This does not bother me. Plus, it’s the least I can do for the woman who is taking care of my friend.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it. I don’t want to leave him to go to town. I could use his old truck or…take Romeo. Not that I know how to ride a horse. It can’t be that hard. I bet I could figure it out. If I left, I’m worried Kentucky would wake up alone, thinking I left him.”

“I hope when I meet my fated mate, she’s as open-minded as you are when it comes to the paranormal world.”

I launch myself at Lorcan, giving him a big, tight hug. “And I can’t wait to meet her.”

“You and me both. Okay, I’ll be back soon.

If you want him to wake up without a headache, give him your blood, but don’t let him feed from your wrist. He’ll bite you.

He needs to do that when he is in the right frame of mind, or he will never forgive himself.

” He hands me the notepad and pen. “Now, write down your sizes so I can go shopping.”

“Do you need cash?”

“I’m a grim reaper. No, I don’t need cash.”

“Then how will you—oh.” It dawns on me how he will get all the items. If it were any other day, I would argue about how stealing is wrong.

“There it is! Okay, tootles!” He snatches the notepad from me after I get done writing, then vanishes into thin air.

I kiss Kentucky’s cheek. “You’re going to be okay. I’ll make sure of it. Don’t hide anything from me anymore, okay? I want this. I want you.” I press a kiss against his lips before easing his head onto the pillow.

I know how to get him my blood without issue. I’ll do what Daphne did.

One coffee coming up.

I dash to the kitchen, preparing the coffee pot, and allow it to brew.

Grabbing a mug from the cabinet, I take a knife and press the sharp end against my finger.

A bead of red comes to the surface, and I squeeze it, allowing the blood to drip into the coffee cup.

I don’t stop applying pressure until the bottom of the mug is completely covered and can’t be seen through the blood.

Sucking my finger into my mouth to stop the bleeding, the coffee pot beeps to signal it’s done. Pouring the hot liquid into the cup, the blood mixes in well, giving the black coffee a reddish tint.

I do my best not to spill it too much. With every step, the coffee sloshes over the rim, leaving a trail behind me as I swiftly walk to the bedroom.

“Okay, My Sweet Cowboy, it’s time to drink up.” I tilt his head back, open his mouth, and tilt the cup.

Almost instantly, he begins to heal.

The wound on his arm fades. Next, his eyes flutter open, still bright red with hunger. Groaning, he takes the mug from me and gulps the coffee down, uncaring how hot it is.

I suppose it doesn’t matter since he heals so fast.

His eyes fade to gorgeous brown as he stares at me. “You put your blood in my coffee,” he rasps, trying to sit up, but he doesn’t have enough strength yet.

“Relax. It’s okay. I’m here. No need for you to get up. And of course, I did. You needed blood, Kentucky. Be honest with me and I’ll always give you everything I can.”

He presses his forehead against mine. “Thank you, Darlin’. Thank you.”

“Always, My Sweet Cowboy. Do you need more?”

He shakes his head. “No, I feel it working. Your blood tastes better than anything I’ve ever had. I’ll want more eventually,” he smirks through his exhaustion.

“You can have as much as you want. My veins are your veins. You scared the hell out of me.”

“I’m back!” Lorcan drops a ton of bags on the floor. “I stole all of this, by the way. They said I was going to Hell but zing! I have an unlimited pass. Joke’s on them.”

I giggle, laying my head on Kentucky’s chest, and try to hide how happy I am that Kentucky is mine.