Page 74 of Mated To My Boss

Nate is working at a stove, turning eggs with a wooden spatula. He’s topless, providing an amazing view of his beautiful body. Rivulets of sweat run down his chest until they reach his abs.

You'd think he was performing surgery on the eggs given his serious expression. He looks relaxed and incredibly sexy.

“Nate?”

He turns to meet me. “Hi you. I didn't realize you were awake.”

“What's happening? Where are we?”

He gives a light chuckle. “What are you talking about, babe?”

Babe?

He turns off the stove and turns to the kitchen island to pick up a small bowl. He dips his pinky in it and nods. He moves about the kitchen, cleaning up after himself.

I look around. “What is this place?”

“Are you sure you're okay?” he asks. “You're acting weird.”

“I'macting weird? You called mebabea second ago.”

Nate glances my way, uncertain. “Sorry. Darling? Sweetheart?” Realization slowly descends on his face. “Oh … you're mad at me.”

“Huh?”

He drops everything and comes toward me. “Look, I'm sorry I took the kids to school without letting them tell you to have a good day. I didn't want anyone bothering you before your big case today.”

Kids? I must be losing my mind.“I need to sit down.”

Nate helps me to a stool, staring at me, worry in his eyes. “What's wrong, my love?”

“That—that right there. When did you start being so sweet to me? Where are we? What kids?”

“My love, you're starting to scare me. I'm your husband, so of course I'm nice to you.”

I jump out of the chair. “What? You're not my husband.”

“We're mates, so of course I'm your husband.”

My eyes widen slowly. “Y—you’re not my mate. Who are you?”

I hadn't noticed it before, but I don't feel a bond. The joy and excitement I feel whenever Nate is near—that fiery feeling—is gone. I feel nothing, and it scares me.

Nate looks absolutely hurt by my words. “What's gotten into you today?” he asks softly. “Are you alright? Did you hit your head? Should we call a doctor?”

I feel even more lightheaded than before, forcing me to sit yet again. “Whoa …” I mutter, grabbing my head. Ugh …” The lightheaded feeling I had turns into a full-blown headache. It's like my brain is trying to escape my skull, and I can't do anything to stop it.

“I think you're just hungry. Let me get you some food, my love.”

Nate leaves but returns in a few seconds with a plate of eggs. He loads a fork and feeds it to me. “Here you go.”

I open my mouth, and the second it touches my tongue, I spit it out and knock the plate from his hands. The bitter taste starts to travel down my throat and I scramble away from the man in front of me.

“Madeline!” he calls out. “What are you doing?”

“This isn't real. This isn't—none of this. You're not real.”

“And what if I'm not?” he challenges me. “You really want to go back to what you just escaped from? Stay with me.”

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