Page 12 of Lila

Perfect.

Beautiful.

Mate.

I remember with perfect clarity the moment he reverently called me his mate. Of course, at the time, I was too high on orgasms to be thinking clearly. Butnow? Now, everything is completely clear. He thinks I’m his mate. I don’t even know him. Don’t get me wrong, best sex of my life. And just from our one night, I know if I were to spend more time actually getting to know him, I’d be a complete goner. Butmates? That’s a little too rich for my blood.

I have to get out of here.

Creeping back into the room, I silently pick up my clothes before sneaking out into the hallway. I throw on my dress and carry my shoes as I make a hasty retreat, leaving behind my perfect man out of some irrational fear.

I stumble to the elevator, putting my shoes on as I go. I plan to call for a ride to take me back to Lav’s but as I step inside the elevator, I see a familiar map. Blinking, I step closer and study the map until it’s clear thisisLav’s apartment building. I slept with a guy that lives in my new building. I’m potentiallymateswith a guy who lives seven floors away from me.

Fuck.

Groaning, I finally press the button for Lav’s floor, lucky number six, praying I can sneak into an apartment as easily as I can sneak out.

Chapter 10

Lila

Islowlyturntheknob, praying the door doesn’t creek. Sighing when it remains silent, I tip-toe into the apartment, softly closing the door behind me. I peek my head around the corner, thankful when I see the coast is clear. I’m steps away from my bedroom door and freedom when she catches me.

Of course,I couldn’t get that lucky.

“About time you came home. Though, I thought you’d be out longer.”

“You know I’m not one to stick around in the morning.” I shrug.

She tilts her head and crosses one arm across her chest, laying the elbow of her other arm on it as she holds her chin and taps her lip with her index finger. I know that look. That look normally means trouble for me.

“What? What’s happening in that head of yours? Don’t look at me like that!”

She drops her arms and shrugs as she turns away. “If I had met one of my mates last night, I can’t say I’d ever come back.”

“Excuse me? What did you say?” I holler after her. I know she didn’t just say them-word.What is it with people and that word around here?

“Are you playing dumb or are you in denial?” she calls over her shoulder as she walks into the living room. “I’m gonna go with denial. That’s right up your alley.”

“It is not. I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I huff as I plop down on the couch next to her.

“Riiight. And I don’t eat Girl Scout cookies in the bath with a tub of ice cream.

“Shut up.” I smack her with a throw pillow.

“Sooo what’s the problem?”

“Nothing. It’s just a misunderstanding. He’s confused. The sex was world-ending. It must have fried his brain.”

“Yeah. I’m sure that’s it.” She rolls her eyes.

“Hey! Wait a second. How’d you-”

“Really?” She arches a brow at me. “How do I know anything, Lils?”

“Yousawit?!That’swhy you insisted we go to the club on my first night here.Andwhy you ditched me! You little sneak!”

“Just trying to help my best girl find her happily ever after. You would have run into him eventually. Silver Springs is a small town. I just sped the process up a little.”

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