Page 65 of Shifters' Fated Summer
A laugh escaped me, between mouthfuls of chip and the wonderful bacon ranch dip Holt had whipped up. Compliments to the chef.
“He won’t want to be weak. It’s just one more reason for him to get over himself and get with you.”
Nausea rolled through me. “He dislikes me so much, he would rather be sick than accept our bond. That doesn’t make me feel good about our relationship.”
Elowen paused and her hand went to cover my wrist. “I’m sorry. I can see how it seems that way. But the rest of us see him pining after you. He watches you when you’re not looking.” She chewed her lip. “It’s clear that he’s infatuated with you, but he’s decided it’s bad for both of you to be together. It’s nothing about you, love.”
I wanted so badly to believe her.
“So we are going to cheer you up and not let him ruin everything, okay?” She reached for a small plastic tub on the side table.
Sniffling, I nodded. “What’s that?”
“My manicure supplies!” She waved her pink fingernails in the air. “What color do you want?”
Eyes wide, I peered into the box. Little bottles of every color lined the bottom, along with tiny clippers and a bottle of liquid labeled nail polish remover.
“What about this?” I lifted a lavender color.
“Nice choice.”
“Are you sure you don't mind? I don’t want to be a bother. I should be helping you with stuff,” I stuttered. Elowen ignored me, seizing my hands and setting about trimming around my nails and shaping them with a file.
It was a funny feeling. I’d never gotten a manicure as a kid, and the vampires certainly didn’t care about grooming past rinsing usoff every so often.
“You have pretty hands,” Elowen said, unscrewing the bottle of light purple polish and painting the first nail.
“Oh, thanks.” I grimaced. “You are really pretty, like all of you.”
She giggled. “Thanks, sweetie. Now, while I’m painting, why don’t you tell me about Luca.”
My stomach swooped. “Luca?”
“I know how things are with Cade. But what about Luca? He seems pretty attached to you. What’s happening there?”
“Oh, I don’t know.”
“There were a lot of noises coming from his room this morning. I was headed to my room to change.” She took a sip of her lemonade, her eyebrows arched.
“Nothing happened,” I squeaked.
“Would thatnothinginclude him making you come?” She grinned wickedly.
“No, ah, well…kinda?” I gaped like a fish. She set my hand down and took the other one.
“Oh, interesting,” she said, dimples showing in her cheeks as her grin tightened.
“Is it weird to be with Luca when he’s mates with my fated mate who hates me?” I blurted. Embarrassed, I pressed my free hand to my face to cool the burn.
“No!” Elowen chided, grabbing my wrist before I could ruin my still-wet nail polish.
“Sorry. I just feel so ridiculous.”
“That’s okay,” Elowen said. “So is Luca good in bed?He looks like he would be.”
“I couldn’t say,” I said. “But he’s well-equipped, if you know what I mean.”
“Oh, really.” She finished and screwed the top back on the nail polish bottle, setting it aside. She guided my hands flat between us, and waved her hands to blow air on them.
