Page 17 of In the Dark

Key ground his teeth together, closing his eyes and counted to ten. He heard Kelvin chuckle again and growled. “Get out.”

“You didn’t reach ten.”

Standing, Key stormed over to Kelvin and jabbed a finger into his chest. “How the fuck do you know what I’m thinking?”

“Now that I’m not too sure about. When a vampire finds his or her mate, they don’t normally have this ability, so I don’t know. Maybe it’s because you’re human. I am curious to know if you can hear mine. Close your eyes and concentrate.”

“No fucking chance. You want to bite me.” Key gritted his teeth. Was he really believing this shit?

“Seems like it to me.”

“Stay out of my head,” he snapped, then growled.

“Once. Try it once.”

“Fine. Will you leave if I do?”

Kelvin snorted. “Not with Maxim hanging around, and not until you have improved security.”

“And I guess you know someone who can do security,” Key sneered.

“Why yes, I do.” Kelvin grinned.

“I’m gonna smack that smile off your face,” Key muttered.

“I’m not sure I’m into BDSM, but we can give it a go.”

“I want to die. Once, then you go.”

Shrugging, Kelvin grinned. “I’ll think super hard now.”

Key exhaled heavily and closed his eyes. Nothing, there was absolutely nothing except that he wanted to lick his neck and bite and taste… “No fucking chance.” He stepped back, rubbing his neck. “You’re fucked in the head.”

“I’m a vampire who has found his mate, and I want to fuck and bite and make you mine.” Kelvin’s eyes glowed again and Key whimpered turned on the spot and ran. “Where are you going?”

“Away from you, loony tunes!” Key screamed and ran straight into Kelvin, who grabbed him by the arms, steadying him.

“I won’t do anything unless you give me permission, but I am a vampire and you are my mate, I can’t walk away from you.” The words were spoken quietly and made Key pause.

“Why?”

“We only get one. I guess the paranormal shit got that right. One mate. One chance of true happiness. One person who makes you feel complete, who you know you can rely on, who has your back. The one person you will love and adore for as long as you both live. That’s you, Key. You’re that one person meant for me, and I can’t walk away, even though I should.”

“You’re scaring me,” Key murmured.

“I know, and I’m sorry. I never wanted to scare you or hurt you, but it isn’t something that you bring up in everyday conversation, is it? Oh, by the way, I’m a vampire. It goes over so well.”

Key smiled briefly, then wiped it away. He was not ready to smile with a nut job here who was doing a good job of convincing Key he was in fact, a vampire. “Show me.”

Kelvin stared at him, then opened his mouth, revealing fangs. Key moved closer, trying to see if they were fake, but if they were, they were some of the best fakes he’d ever seen. Kelvin closed his mouth and watched Key, making him squirm.

Stepping back, he ran a hand over his head and slowly rocked. He honestly didn’t know what to do. “Trust your instincts.” Key glanced at Kelvin, who had spoken, and then looked away. He stopped moving and closed his eyes and listened to what his body was telling him, but it seemed quiet. Nothing was racing.

“Your body knows what I am and who I am.”

Key opened his eyes and walked over to his bed, sitting on the end. “I don’t know…”

“I know and I’m sorry.”

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