Page 49 of A Mate for Vasek
Dawn reached over, looking for something, and Vasek handed her the glass of nuri leaf tea he’d made for her. It must’ve been the right thing because she took several large sips before slowing down. Nuri leaf tea was good any time, but was especially useful after an evening of booze and other recreational substances. Dawn had added a fight and a kidnapping to her list. Well, technically two kidnappings, one attempted by Morad and one successful by him.
“Morning,” she said after finishing almost half the glass. She looked around his shuttle and Vasek could see all the events of last night, probably hazy through a fog of drink and Euphora, run through her head. She frowned.
“What time is it?”
“Almost midday on Vosthea at Kean’s stronghold.”
Her eyes went wide. “I’m supposed to be at work.”
“On the day after the celebration?”
“It pays twice as much today. And I wanted to build my credits.” She started to get up, but Vasek lightly pushed her back down onto his bed.
“Who are you working with?”
“Ulkin.”
Vasek huffed. He bet Kean had put her with Ulkin, hoping to get Vasek to stay and work for him. The conniving male might just get his way. But first, Vasek had to get Dawn to accept their mating. Last night proved that her body wanted and needed his, but what about her heart?
Dawn tried to get up again, so he moved, straddling her to keep her pinned. A sudden rush of lust filled the air, but he ignored it the best he could. He pulled his comm out from thepocket next to his bed and contacted Ulkin. The older medic sounded like a youngster the morning after he’d had his first encounter with hard drink.
“What do you want, Vasek? This better be you accepting my offer.”
“Unfortunately not.”
“Then how the fuck am I supposed to retire?”
Dawn listened in, amusement on her face.
“I’m just comming to let you know that I have kidnapped your newest recruit, and she will not be in today, or anytime in the near future.”
“Hey, I didn’t—”
Vasek covered her mouth with a palm and delighted in the fiery glare Dawn sent him.
“About time you took a mate!”
Dawn turned her glare on his comm even as the call disconnected from Ulkin’s side.
He replaced his palm with his mouth, and Dawn melted under him, her body softening to press against his.
“You can’t just do that every time I’m angry,” she panted when he finally released her mouth. “And I am still angry at you. Just because we fucked doesn’t mean I forgive you for disappearing. You never even gave me a reason.”
Vasek took a deep, calming breath, then launched into his story, telling her about his family’s supposed curse. He told her about his father and his half-brothers. And finally, about Ranek.
“That’s the man who came in with you to rescue me.”
“Yes. I tried to save Channa, but I couldn’t. He was so angry. He lashed out at everyone and everything. He was already at the edge of sanity after she’d rejected him so many times for another male. She’d told him she’d rather die than be with him.”
“God! That’s horrible. I’ve heard stories of Talleans going crazy because of unreciprocated mate bonds.” Her eyes softened. “So this is why you ran. Because of this… curse?”
“Yes. But that was a mistake.”
Vasek thought of his brother’s words. If Ranek was willing to take another chance on finding his mate, even after all that had happened, then Vasek could do no less.
“Now I wish to fight the curse. You are mine, Dawn. I love you, and I cannot let you go.”
“So you’ve kidnapped me to force a mate bond. You do know I’m human? I can’t form one.”
