In her presence it all seems so stupid. I would give up all the riches in the world to have her love, to have her truly be my mate. A fate I used to think was worse than death until I felt that touch of her mind so long ago. Over the years, I felt it time and time again, barely there, like a whisper, and then disappearing on the wind.
I searched, I hunted, and now here we are. I know she thinks we will go our separate ways after—how wrong she is. She is mine, I’m hers, and even if I have to follow her across this world, I will. I have this trip to convince her to take a chance on me.
Truth, that’s what she said she wanted, so I will give it to her, but there is something that she doesn’t realise she needs—someone to push her. When I do, she lights up, she loves the fight, the battle and the adrenaline.
This is going to be fun, trapped for days with my mate. Hunting for her. I will give her everything she wants and everything she didn’t know she needs. She is no longer alone, and whatever secrets she is running from I will face them by her side.
I’ve lived most of my life one moment to the next, never thinking or staying too long, but she will be my stand. If she lets me, I will never leave her side, my mate, Bella. Her voice rumbles through my head tinged with hunger. That taste I had of her wasn’t enough, and now that her blood is in my system, I will be unable to drink from anyone else. Not that I’ll tell her that, she will think I’m using it as an excuse or that it’s a lie. I won’t bind her to me like that. No, I want her to choose me. For once, I want to be the one someone picks forever, not just a night.
She ignores me over the sound of the loud music, but I take the time to study her, to learn every line of her body. Every movement. Like the way she grips the wheel tightly when she turns a corner, or the way her eyes flicker over everything, a habit from someone who is always on alert. I suck in her smell and it settles into my bones, claiming my body as hers.
“Quit fucking staring,” she snaps. “Perv.”
“Is that my nickname, Bella?” I grin.
She looks over at me then, flashing a smirk. “You want a nickname? How about asshole?”
I tut. “Not very creative.”
“Prick face?”
I frown at her and she carries on.
“Cunt nugget?” I chuckle as she lists more and more.
“I know, how about Casanova, seeing as though you think you’re so smooth?” She rolls her eyes then, letting me know what she thinks of my charm. It’s so refreshing, I find myself smiling at her antics. My mate is a little bit crazy and a whole lot of angry. I bet the sex will be amazing.
“Now, Bella, I can make yours something a whole lot worse,” I warn, and she groans.
“Fine, you want a nickname?” She seems to rack her brain then and I wait. My eyebrow arches as I anticipate the next insult, but she surprises us both. “Amante?” It seems to come out of her without even thinking and I blink.
“Lover?” I question, surprised, yet a slow smirk crawls across my face. “Now we’re talking, Bella.”
“I don’t know where that came from,” she grumbles.
“Oh, I do, you want me, Bella, you just won’t admit it to yourself. So tell me, when do you plan on giving in? I can wait, it will only make it all that much sweeter and I know you will be sweet.” I lick my lips, running my eyes down her body dramatically. She shivers under my gaze and I see her nipples poking through her shirt. As much as she pretends not to want me, she does, her body responding to our bond.
She turns the music up again, trying to drown out my laughter. I let her pull away slightly, knowing she isn’t ready yet. Instead, I sit in silence, listening to her amusing thoughts. She really is quite crazy. God, I can’t wait for all that to be aimed at me.
“Oi, lover boy, wake up, we’re stopping to grab fuel and food. I have to eat. I can’t eat people like you,” she grumbles, and I blink awake, beyond shocked that I fell asleep with someone else here.
Even after I’ve lain with a woman, I slip away, not wanting them next to me as I rest. To do so gives them power, I’m at my weakest then, and even the strongest reaction time might be too late. She could have killed me. Well, shit, seems my body and my subconscious trusts her already. My eyes slide to hers to see her frowning at me. Does she even realise how huge this is?
“What? Have you hit your head? Nothing smart to say?” she teases.
I smirk, but I’m a little bit rattled still. I look over to see we are already pulled up to the pump. “Come on then, Bella, let’s feed you.”
“Fuel first,” she snaps. As she fuels up, I head inside to pay, not giving her a chance to. At least my wealth can come in handy. She deserves everything in the world. Whatever she wants, she can have it. When I come out, she’s scowling at me from behind the wheel as I slide in.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, confused.
“I can pay for my own fuel,” she growls, and my eyebrows fly high.
“I know, I wanted to, you can get the food.” I shrug.
She stares at me but starts up the car, grousing about overbearing men as she heads over to the diner next to the gas station. She parks and we both get out. I walk purposely close to her so she brushes against me with each step. She surprises me when she growls, grabs my hand, and starts to swing our arms dramatically. “This what you want? What, can’t walk alone?” she teases.
“I can’t, guess you’ll have to walk everywhere with me like this,” I fire back, and she frowns, not realising her mistake until then.
“Fuck,” she mutters, and I laugh as I pull open the door and nudge her in.
She goes inside, looking around before grabbing the booth in the back corner. It’s away from everyone else with clear views of the door and the fire exit with the wall to her back. Oh yes, my little mate knows how to look after herself.
The question is why? Who is hunting her?
She releases my hand and I find myself missing her touch and heat. I curl my fingers into my palm to hold it for as long as I can as I slide in next to her. She sighs. “Really? You can’t sit on the other side?”
“Nope,” I say, pressing my thigh to hers, leaving no room between us.
She grabs the menu, scanning it quickly before passing it to me and leaning back, watching the late night, or would that be early morning, customers here. Who, admittedly, are half asleep. I grimace at the sticky menu, but at least the table is clean. It’s one of those greasy fast food places. A tired-looking waitress serves behind a counter, and there are only four other customers here. There are two truck drivers giving each other a wide birth, one reading a newspaper and sipping coffee, the other leaning back asleep. The two other customers are a young boy and girl, giggling as they lean close and flirt.
I skim the menu and sigh.
“What? Sorry, no caviar, your fucking majesty.”
I grin down at her. “Have you ever had caviar?” I query.
“Nope.” She snorts.
“Don’t, it’s horrible. Snobs love it,” I admit, and she laughs, looking around, her eyes always scanning.
Just then the tired waitress makes her way to us, pulling out a notepad and a menu. “What can I get you?” Her voice is monotone.
“Coffee and pancakes,” Bella orders.