Page 16 of Messy AF
Surprised laughter burst from my lips, and judging by my mate’s mischievous smirk, that had been precisely his intention.
“Don’t worry, brat. I’ll protect you from the evil androids.”
He hugged my arm tightly, swinging it back and forth as he swayed. “My hero.”
Gods, he was fucking adorable.
“I think it’s pretty clear that anything I ask is about us,” he continued, sobering. “So, what else do I need to know? Any conditions of this bond for vampires specifically?”
Though I loved how “us” sounded, his question had brought me to the confession I had been reluctant to give. While I didn’t consider it a deal breaker, I had no idea how Tobi would feel about it.
“Just one.”
“Well, that sounds ominous.”
Maybe, but it didn’t have to be. With no easy way to tell him, I decided to rip the bandage off and just say it plainly.
“Once I claim you, I won’t be able to feed from anyone else. Not even donor blood from a bag.”
“What? That’s not fair!”
I had expected surprise, maybe a hint of fear. But Tobi looked positively irate.
“What if I get hit by a bus?” he demanded. “Are you just supposed to starve to death?”
I blinked, my brain malfunctioning while I tried to untangle whatever wires had gotten crossed. “Thatis your concern?”
He huffed out an annoyed breath and shrugged. “Well, yeah. How are younotconcerned about it?”
“If you died—” I hissed in a harsh breath, just the thought of something happening to him sending a painful jolt to my heart. “—the bond would be broken.”
“So, you would be able to take blood from someone else?” he asked cautiously.
I nodded.
I wouldn’t, not even if I had the ability, but he didn’t need to know that.
“Okay.” He pulled in a deep breath, then released it slowly. “That…that’s good.”
“Angel, I appreciate your worry, but maybe save a little for yourself, hmm? I just told you that I’m going to have to feed from you for the rest of our lives.”
“Well, yes, obviously you’ll feed from me. That’s just good manners.”
“Good manners?” I couldn’t hold back my laughter.
“Okay, fine. The thought of your mouth anywhere near someone else makes me want to punch something and vomit. In that order. Happy?”
Pulling him to a stop, I whirled him around and dragged him into my arms. “If it makes it any better, I feel the same way.”
Just with more fangs and violence.
“Yes.” He gave me a sharp nod. “That makes me feel a lot better.”
We stood there for a while, letting the hush settle around us, sharing the sort of peace that didn’t require words. The colors across the lake grew richer, deepening from pastel to fire as the sun slowly dipped below the horizon.
“Warren.” Tobi turned suddenly, holding my hands in a steel grip as he stared up at me with a strange mixture of resolveand vulnerability. “I need to say this, but you don’t have to say anything back, okay?”
“Okay,” I answered, my pulse tripping with concern. “What is it?”
