Page 55 of Shifters' Fated Summer
It was tempting to turn and run, but I was not a submissive blood slave anymore. Clearing my throat, I stepped closer.
“I wanted to know, what needs to happen for you to be ready? Do we need to remove the vampires from the territory? Do you need time to process?" My fingers twisted the hem of my shirt nervously. “Or do I need to change for you to want me?”
A pained look flashed across his face as he sat back and regarded me. Finally, he sighed and his shoulders relaxed. “Look, I didn’t want this.”
“As you’ve said.” I bristled. “I didn’t want it either. But now that we’ve got it, I can’t help but want you. I know it’s just the bond making me feel that way, but I can’t stop it, we can’t turn it off. It just is. And I don’t want to fight it. And despite how you’ve treated me, Luca insists that you’re a good guy, and it probably makes me an idiot, but I’m willing to try.”
Tensing, I waited for his anger, but nothing reached me. Cade watched me with those warm, golden-brown eyes. I wanted to sink into them and lose myself.
Images flashed in my mind of me crossing the room, sinking down, and freeing his cock.
Blinking, I frowned. That didn’t feel likemyimagination.
It had to be Cade.
I wanted him so damn bad, I would do just about anything. My body was screaming for him, even across the room. Steeling myself, I stepped closer, coming to the side of his desk.
His eyes narrowed, watching me as I knelt beside his chair. Slowly, I reached for him.
Cade’s hand shot out and grabbed mine, halting me.
My stomach flipped, scared I had made a huge mistake. Humiliation burned in my cheeks.
My fated mate leaned down, his face nearing mine. The proximity sent my pulse thundering. His tone wasn’t angry, but I flinched at his words all the same.
“Let me be clear. Just because we have this mate bond, doesn’t mean I’m going to accept you. We don’t know each other. Bonds are based on trust and respect, and I don’ttrust you. And you’ve done nothing to earn my respect.”
Each word pierced my heart. Reeling, I pulled back, jerking my wrist from his grip. He watched me, expressionless, as I scrambled up and hurried to the door.
“Summer,” he called. I paused, bracing for whatever last shot he would take. “You’re going to start training to get stronger. Tomorrow, with Archer.”
I nodded stiffly and slunk through the door.
Luca was still occupied with the game, so I muttered something about taking a bath and fled upstairs.
The tears I was suppressing tumbled out. I choked on them, pressing my hands to my mouth to stifle the noise as I dropped into the bed.
Luca had convinced me that we could win Cade over. That I just had to convince him that I was safe and we would be this happy family together. I had waved my ass in Cade’s face while I sucked off his boyfriend. I was so stupid.
My skin heated until I was burning, my tears painful, and my breathing ragged. This hurt so bad. Gasping, I rolled onto my back and stared at the ceiling, trying to think of anything but the intense heartbreak.
Slowly, my crying eased. But the pain stayed, and in my calmer state, I could feel emotional pain echoed back from Cade. As if he was sad too.
Good, he should feel terrible. I hope my pain made him feel like a horrible person because he was.
The door creaked as Luca stepped in. I turned my face away, trying to hide the tear tracks.
“Hey,” he said softly, sitting on the bed.
My throat thickened, making speaking impossible.
“Cade was upset, and it took me a while to realize I could feel you were sad too, under all of his emotions. I’m really sorry. I should have noticed sooner.” His hand brushed down my arm. “Wanna talk about it?”
Sniffling, I rolled over so my body was facing away from him entirely. I could feel the mattress shift as Luca stretched out beside me. His hand rested on the curve of my waist and squeezed reassuringly.
Exhaling, I finally tried to answer. “I went to ask Cade what…” I choked, swallowed, and tried again. “What he needs to accept the mate bond. Like time, or the vampires gone…”
Luca slid closer, spooning me. We fit so perfectly like this. “That was really brave of you,” he whispered.
