Forged by Fate (15 page)

“I didn’t enter your mind. Just got a sense of you. Though I could grab the thought if you like. Or you could tell me.” He reached to the side and snatched the latch holding the curtains back. In a swift movement, that side of the thick velvet curtain fell straight, blocking out the entire world. She reached over and did the same with her side.

“My hair’s longer. Nails longer. And I feel—I know it’s impossible—but I feel taller.”

“It’s all possible.” He turned her to face him, and he grasped her shoulders. “Your body is changing, but don’t worry, it’s normal. It started the day your Mark appeared. Then when we touched, my Mark jump-started our connection. I’m changing as well, though your changes are more dramatic since you were human.”

“Were.” She nearly choked on the word, but instead of pulling away from him, she stepped closer. “
Were
human?”

“Yes.” He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead. She rested her hands on his hips and leaned into his tender touch.

Were
human. As in, no longer human.

“So. No more job offer. No more living in an apartment. No more fun-filled Friday night eat-pizza-until-you-puke parties with Dash,” Sadie whispered.

“It’s not so bad. I promise,” he said as he leaned back. “I’ll take good care of you. You’ll never want for anything.”

“But my life. My job, Theo.” She let out a frustrated sigh. “I worked hard for that. I deserve that job. You know how many applicants, people
twice
my age, I beat out to get that position?”

“I know, love.”

“You can’t ask me to give that up.”
I’m not giving it up.

“Don’t worry about that now. It’ll work itself out. It always does.”

She looked up and saw the sincerity in his eyes.

“But right now, I need you,” he said. “Badly.” He leaned in and greedily claimed her lips.

She clamped her hands on his face and held him steady while she did some nibbling of her own. A hint of mint, too.
Yummy
.

They’d revisit the job discussion again…
later.

His tender tongue brushed her bottom lip, begging entrance. She opened, tasting him for the first time. The mint intensified, but then a wave of heady cologne swam over her.

She ran her hands down his chest, over the smooth cotton T-shirt and each and every curve of his chiseled body, then coiled her arms beneath his to latch onto his shoulders. The motion pulled her flush against him, and he took in a sharp breath.

Then dove deeper.

A thrill shot through her stomach. Heat enveloped her, hugging her waist, then worked straight to her heart.

He fisted his hand in her hair and kissed a trail along her jaw to her ear, then just behind.

“Oh.” Goose bumps claimed her skin. God, that felt good.

“You used the vanilla spray.” He licked her skin. “I was hoping you would.”

“Is that your ploy? Have things stashed in the bathroom for the women you bring here?”

He whipped his head from her neck. The pained look of shock in his eyes sent her heart thrashing even more than it already was.

His shiny lips pressed into a thin line, and she swore she heard him growl.

“You think I’ve brought other women to my sanctuary?” He stepped away, leaving a void. A cold, icy void.

She hugged her stomach, regret pricking like an ice pick.

“Have you not heard anything I’ve said?” He grabbed her shoulders again. “You’re mine. My Mate.”

“But you’re more than nine hundred years old, Theo. You had to have been with women before.” Especially to be such a good kisser.

He held her gaze, and it was then she knew. There’d been no one before her.

As in
ever
.

Tears stung. He’d truly been alone. Waiting.

For her.

Chapter Twenty-five

The sting of Sadie’s thinking he’d been with other women shouldn’t have hurt as much as it had. Of course she’d think that. He’d thought the same of her and had been so relieved when he’d found she hadn’t given her body and a part of her soul to someone else.

He would have every bit of her. And she him.

Yet, when she realized he, too, had never been with a woman, he saw fear creep into her eyes. Maybe not fear but insecurity.

She stepped toward the bed, staring at it with a far-off look in her eyes. She brought her finger to her mouth as if to chew the nail, but then shook her head. “Never, huh?”

He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. “Never. Only you.”

“No pressure there.”

He laughed against her hair, absorbing her energy. It billowed off her, fusing his muscles, his soul.

“You laugh. But I was hoping you knew what to do. It’s not like I’ve ever even had a serious boyfriend, let alone a nine-hundred-year-old
Mate
.”

God, he loved hearing that word come from her mouth. They’d learn together. Exploring everything together. He couldn’t wait, but the tension rolling off her body slowed him down. He’d take it slow, for her.

He pushed her hair back and dropped kisses along her neck. She tilted to the side, giving him better access, and his body responded in earnest. So ready to unite with her, he worried she’d be scared off when she felt him against her.

To his surprise, she leaned into him and let out a soft purr. He tightened his hold around her waist and nibbled a little harder. His fangs itched to drop, but he resisted.

He slid his hands over her hips, then back up, seeking the skin he knew lay beneath the cotton shirt. Just above the curve of her hips, his fingertips met satiny skin.

The warmth of her energy seeped into him, soothing away every concern. Every worry. Every fear of rejection. Sadie was starting to accept her fate. Would she allow him to make love to her tonight? Right now?

“You sure you don’t know what you’re doing?” she asked between heavy breaths. “I feel like I’m flying.”

“You feel amazing. Better than I’d dreamed.” He turned her to face him.

“Dreams, huh?” She groped at his chest, and he hated the cotton barriers they both wore. She sneaked her hands up the hem of his shirt and clutched his back. “I think you’re a dream.” She bit at his neck, then licked at the sting. “A fantasy.”

She pushed his shirt up, and he reached behind him and grabbed the fabric. In one quick motion, it was off and on the floor. She stepped back, sweeping her gaze over him. “I can’t believe this.”

He nudged her chin with his hand, forcing her to look into his eyes. Her dilated pupils didn’t hide the uncertainty.

“Come here.” He gathered her close, then whisked her up into his arms. She let out a squeal, but buried her face in his neck.

Gentle kisses behind his ear nearly undid him. He lowered her onto the mattress, but she didn’t let go. He knelt to the floor so he remained close. She claimed his mouth again and pulled him even closer.

Without disconnecting, he crawled over her and tented himself atop her. She skimmed her hands over his flexed arms, around his waist, then pulled him down.

“Oh,” she whispered with a little squeak.

“Too heavy for you?” He started to roll.

“Don’t you dare move.” She held him tight. “That was a good noise, believe it or not. You feel amazing.” She giggled into his mouth. “The jeans, not so much.”

He stilled. “Not fair. I’m shedding clothes and you’re not.”

Her already flushed cheeks deepened in color. “Are you betting again? Bargaining?”

“The jeans come off only if something of yours comes off. And I get to choose.”

A sense of apprehension, insecurity, from her roiled through him. She bit her swollen bottom lip. He kissed her chin, then her nose, and settled against her. She sucked in a breath through clamped teeth.

But it was from pleasure, not pain.

“My socks. I can take off my socks.”

He let out a huff.

“Okay, my watch.”

“I get to choose,” he said, shifting his weight against her slightly.

Her eyes shot wide. “Shirt. How’s the shirt?”

“Deal.” He rolled to the side and went to work on his jeans.

“But, Theo?” she whispered as she worked her shirt over her head. “Um—not all the way, okay?”

“I hear you, love. Not all the way.” Just being close to her was enough…for now.

Finally free of his jeans, he rolled to face her. She lay on her back in only shorts and a bra. Not the sports bra he’d expected, but a lacy red one he’d purchased.

“You really knew I’d come here?” She brushed her hand over her chest. “And had all these clothes delivered? How are they my size?”

He edged closer to touch her rock-hard stomach. “The saleswoman in the store was about your size, so I went with it.”

His fingers followed the dips and valleys to her navel. She giggled again. It was infectious. To have a woman’s laughter in his home after centuries of only his brother’s rocked his world.

Finally. His Mate was here with him. In his bed. In
their
bed.

“You chose well.” She smiled, and her eyelids slid shut as he caressed her smooth skin.

He leaned in and kissed her shoulder. The pulse of her Mark beat against his lips. His neck matched that pulse. Together, their lifelines beginning to join.

“That’s nice,” she whispered, palming his neck. “They’re different now.”

“Changing with us, love.” He brushed his lips along her collarbone, soaking in her energy. Her essence was intoxicating. He felt his body fortifying deep within him. Strengthening. The crackle of his fangs working to drop echoed through his mind.

He clamped his jaw, focusing on their retraction. He nuzzled between her breasts, dropping kisses, learning her topography.

“You’re right. This touching does feel good.”

He glanced down her body as he parted her legs with his knees.
Beautiful
. He settled against her, and that earned him a sharp breath.

He delved into her mouth, enjoying every instant he was close to her. Deeper. His tongue left no part undiscovered.

She gave as good as she got, too, taking control of the kiss, touching his body as they moved in time together. Her skin against his ignited a fury of heat to his chest.

“Sadie,” he gasped. His gums ached. The fangs wanted out. Not to bite, just to release. But he couldn’t risk scaring her. Not when she was finally beginning to accept things. Accept him.

She coiled a leg around him, and he grabbed her thigh, opening her to him even more as he picked up the pace.

Her back arched, and she tensed beneath him. “Theo.”

Unable to control it, his fangs dropped as he launched off the cliff with his Mate.

Chapter Twenty-six

“So, did it hurt?” Dasha asked as she leaned over in her chair, chewing a piece of bacon.

“That kind of came out of nowhere. What are you talking about?” Sadie inched toward her friend, waiting for a response. Totally confused.

Then again, she hadn’t slept as much as she’d hoped she would last night. Oh, wait, did Dash mean—?

“Sex, girl. Does it hurt?”

Sadie whipped around to make sure the guys hadn’t come downstairs yet. “Shhh.”

“Come on. I’m dying here.”

“No. It didn’t hurt because—”

“I heard it hurts the first time like a son of a bitch. Really? It didn’t hurt?” Her arms flailed.

“Calm down and listen.” She grabbed Dasha’s shoulders. “We didn’t have sex.”

“Okay. Okay. Let go, superwoman.” She shook out her arms. “You’re packing a punch this morning.”

“I’m sorry.” Sadie rubbed her friend’s arms. “Crap.”

“I’m fine.” Dasha grabbed another slice of bacon off her plate. “So, no sex, huh? What’s that all about?”

“It’s kind of a big deal, don’t you think? With all that’s happening, I’m just not ready yet.”

“You holding out for the big rock?”

Sadie shoved up her short sleeve. “This Mark is a little more permanent than a ring, so I’m thinking I don’t need any jewelry to make it official.” She smoothed out her sleeve.

“But think of the size of the diamond he
could
get you. Whew. I mean look at this place. He’s totally loaded.”

“True. But it’s way too fast. I mean, there’s still a lot of crap that needs to be sorted out. Getting my degree, setting up my apartment, which you were going to help me with, remember? And the Bendz Chem job.”

“Crap, girl. The job. What are you going to do?”

“That’s
my
job. I’ve earned it.” She hadn’t quite figured out how she’d make that work yet, but she would, damn it. “I’ve got two weeks to get things worked out.”

“The two weeks you were going to head up to Colorado, right? Still going to try and do that?”

“I want to. Maybe with Theo’s help we can find something on that nurse who took me in when I was dropped off.”

“Oh yeah. You told me one of your counselors in your last home knew about the person who took you in.” Dasha smiled. “What was the name again?”

“Nicole Carrigan.” If only Sadie could have afforded to get up there sooner. “Took me forever to track her down. If it’s even the right person.”

“Theo and Justin will help,” Dasha said. “I have a question, though.”

“What?” Sadie sat up and drank her juice. She’d swung from not being able to eat at all to not being able to eat enough.

“The demons were all up in your business around campus; how is it they’re not crawling around here, looking for you?”

“We have heavenly cloaks,” Justin said as he rounded the corner.

Dasha jumped. “Sneaky much?”

“I just like seeing you startled.” He laughed. “Or, the little squeal. That’s cute, too.”

“Jerk.”

“Heavenly cloak?” Sadie asked, watching the entryway for Theo. But he didn’t come through.

“You know how in the movies, well, some of them, you’re safe from vampires or demons in a church?”

Dasha nodded.

“Same case here. The Great One provides safe compounds for his instruments. To rest. Fortify.”

“So they could be snooping around, waiting for us to leave, then.” Dasha bit at her fingernail.

“We have other entrances and exits, little one. Don’t worry. You’re safe here.”