Page 40 of Monsters in Love: Lost in the Stars

Cal

In just over 24 hours, I’ve gone from making my mate run away with tears in her eyes, thinking I loathed her, to standing outside of her apartment, waiting to take her on a date.

Even if it’s a fake date.

As her fake boyfriend.

Or as an escort.

Maybe both.

We didn’t really discuss the particulars at the bar; I was hyper-focused on the fact that she was speaking to me at all, my dragon nature thrilled that I could finally do something to help her.

This evening would either be the start of something eternal, or an excruciatingly short-lived time of bliss in which I got to taste what being with my mate would be like for one night only.

Medea didn’t know that fate itself had tied us to each other; I wasn’t even sure humans could feel a mate bond. Their species didn’t have them with each other. And if the night went well, and we started to become intimate…

I should tell her… but how?

I’d spent the last few months fighting every instinct to lay my heart at her feet. First, she was happy with her chosen human mate. When he failed her, she needed time to heal. But now… She’s already processing so much. It felt selfish to add a mate bond on top of everything else, but also wrong to keep it to myself.

Could I? Could I tell her the truth?

I rapped my knuckles against the door to cut myself off from that line of thinking—possessive thoughts led nowhere good with a dragonkin; there’s a reason we’re known for jealously guarding our treasures. While fussing with the knot of my tie for the twentieth time since getting dressed, the door opened to reveal her, and my heart stopped.

“You got the dress.”

“I can’t believe you sent me one.” Medea lifted the sides of her sapphire blue gown and twirled, her black jeweled flats peeking out from under the fabric.

I smiled in smug satisfaction. I had chosen correctly. I had been careful to select a dress that would be long enough to accommodate her height, but not so long that it demanded heels. She rarely wore them around the office, and with dancing likely for the evening, comfort was important.

The deep blue silk shone against her fair complexion, delicately slipping over her curves in a way that accented them without being confining. It was a soft fabric that felt good against the skin, something she would be as comfortable in as she was stunning.

“You look… exquisite.”

“My date has good taste.”

I’d like to taste you.

Uh oh. That line of thinking would only lead us into dangerous territory, of confessed mate bonds and bondings. I took a deep breath to calm myself, but instead of cool air, my lungs filled with my mate’s scent.

Mine.

“Cal?” Medea reached toward me, eyes wide with concern. “You okay?”

“I’m… fine,” I grit out, trying to control my more animalistic instincts. Why?”

“You look… you look like you do when we’re at the office. Like you’re angry.”

I stop, blinking at her for a moment before bursting into peels of laughter.

Her cheeks puffed out with her irritation; it’s one of the most adorable mannerisms I’ve ever noticed in a human. “What’s so funny?”

“I just realized why you thought I hated you.”

She raised her eyebrows. “And why is that?”

“Because, apparently, every time I have to control myself around you, to stop myself from pulling you into my arms to kiss you, I look angry.”

Madea’s mouth fell open to gawk at me while I smiled back at her like a loon.

It’s bolder than I ever intended to be tonight, but perhaps that’s how I should’ve been all along. I worked hard to give her space, but maybe waiting isn’t what she needs.

“Shall we, Darling?”

“Darling?” She blinked at me, coming out of her daze.

“I’m your besotted boyfriend, remember?” I lifted her hand to my lips, flipping it gently, and kissing her wrist before tucking it into the crook of my arm. “Come now, Darling. We have a party to get to.”

The transport to the venue was quiet. Medea had stared out the window, seemingly lost to her thoughts, so I didn’t press her for more. It was a big night for her, a trying night, and I well understood needing time with your thoughts.

When the transporter stopped at the door, I got out first and extended my hand back to help her out; she smiled at me gratefully.

“Thank you.” She placed her hand in mine and squeezed, her soft, human touch warm against my scales. “Thank you for doing this, Cal.”

“You don’t have to thank me, Medea. Being here with you is more than enough. But we should talk…”

“Medea! So good to see you, and… Cal?” Jarrick nearly jogged down the steps towards us, smiling wide and making a direct path towards my mate. On instinct, I placed my body between hers and his, eyeing him up.

This was ridiculous. Jarrick was her boss and a colleague. My instincts were riding me hard, having spent too long so close to my mate but unable to connect. Jarrick pursed his lips and gave me a knowing look.

Nothing got past that Leonid.

“I hope this won’t be a problem; Medea and I work in different departments, so we didn’t think it would be an issue.”

Medea squeezed my hand, gazing up at me with a nod of thanks before turning towards Jarrick, the lion watching us with a curious expression.

“It’s not a problem, right Jarrick?”

“Not at all, Medea.” His smile returned. The man was a force to be reckoned with around the office, but he had a soft spot for her. It didn’t feel inappropriate or forward, just affectionate. The more people she had looking out for her the better.

The three of us turned as another car arrived, watching the newcomers make their way up the steps towards the party. Lights beckoned us to move further up the steps and into the rented ballroom area.

Jarrick faced me and offered me a hand. “Cal, nice to see you. Shall we all head in?”

“Of course, Jarrick. Lead the way.”

I pulled Medea close, my arm around her waist.

Did she notice how our movements aligned? Our bodies were attuned to each other, syncing more each and every moment we were together. Jarrick left to greet a few others once we reached the entrance of the venue so Medea and I proceeded together, just the two of us, her hand in mine. There were many faces among the crowd: some we both knew, some we didn’t, and others we were able to introduce to one another. Everyone seemed pleasantly surprised that we were dating, fully believing the little white lie that we had kept it hush-hush to avoid any issues at work.

“This is very cute, you know,” Camphor had declared, joining us at the bar during a break from mingling. She pointed between the two of us, the bright pink of her fingernails matching her dress, the natural hue matching the dark pink of the planet’s soil and flora.

‘Camphor, you know—” Medea started, but her friend placed a finger over her lips, eliciting a warning growl from me.

Camphor laughed, eyes darting between the two of us. “Oh, I know, ‘Dea, I know what you said this is, and I know what I see.”

Medea’s cheeks flushed; she peered up at me, blue eyes alight with… interest?

A dragon could only hope.

“Cam, it’s not—We’re just having a good time tonight, that’s all.”

I watched her closely for any sign that her words were false, but Medea wouldn’t look at me. I was hoping she was having a good night, that spending time together would help her see how drawn we were to each other so I could tell her about the bond, but if she still thought this was just one night…

“Well, it’s time for me to give the dragon here the ‘I’ll end you if you hurt my friend’ chat. Would you mind giving us a moment, Medea?”

We both turned to Camphor in surprise, the synchronized movement making her impish grin grow wider.

“Um, sure! I need to use the restroom anyways.” Medea gave my hand a gentle squeeze. “I’ll be right back.”

A nod was all I managed before Camphor latched onto my arm and pulled me so that all of my focus rested on her.

“Spill it.”

I glanced down at the empty tumbler in my hand from the drinks we had shared earlier. “There’s nothing left in my glass, Camphor, but it would seem a waste to spill it if there were.”

She rolled her eyes at me. “Not what I meant, Cal. Are you mates?”

“I—”

She squealed, the high pitched sound grating but short-lived. “I knew it! I knew something was up with you two.”

I shushed her carefully. “Medea doesn’t know yet. I haven’t had a chance to tell her.”

Camphor pinched the bridge of her nose with a deep groan. “Are all males this dense across every species? Cal, you can’t put this off. Mate bonds work fast for dragonkin; she needs to know what’s happening.”

“I know.” I sighed, “Believe me, I know. I was going to pull her to the side when we first entered, but then we kept seeing people we knew or had to speak to…”

She waved me off. “I know, I know, but you need to fix it, and soon. She’s not going to like any surprises, not after what happened with Jason.”

She was right.

I needed to find Medea right now and clarify things before the night continued. We were having a great time and had been well received by everyone we had bumped into as a couple; I didn’t want this to end at one night of pretend.