Page 39 of Thy Heart's Desire
“She’s driving you insane! Don’t try to deny it.”
“Uh…no.”
Andy sits at the corner of the wooden desk and crosses his muscular arms in front of him. He grins, and looks at Niko.
“You’re full of shit and you need to talk to me. Why are you pushing away the only woman that I know of that pushes all of your buttons!”
“Shut up!”
“No!”
“You’re a fucking stubborn bastard!”
Niko raises his hand up and places his right hand index finger against his full lips. He moves his lips and speaks in a low tone.
“I heard the door.”
Andrei jumps from the desk and turns around to look down the tiled hallway at the front door.
He watches Sofia Rose walk down the tiled hallway, carrying coffee and a bag.
Sofia Rose looks up, raises her eyebrow and smiles.
“Hi, Mr. Bartz, would you care for some coffee? I can run back down to the bakery and get you some.”
Niko nods, telling Andy to go with hand gestures, pushing back the chair. He stands and waits for Sofia Rose to walk up.
“Hi, Ms. Nielsen. A cup of coffee sounds very tempting. I’ll go get some from the bakery.”
Sofia Rose stops at the outside of the door, raising her right eyebrow.
“Okay, I did bring a couple cupcakes if you care to have one.”
Andy glances at Niko, watches him gesture to leave, and glaring at him.
“I’ll get some donuts for the tellers. I’ll be back in a few.”
Sofia Rose nods, and smiles up at him. She moves her left hand up to push back her hair. She tucks it behind her ear. The Vhampier’s bonding mark is revealed.
Andrei swallows the lump in his throat and turns to look at Niko.
“Mr. Bartz, that’s nice of you.”
I get it! Now I know why he’s acting so fucking strange. They’re mated. Damn! I wonder why the mark is small? How odd.
Andrei turns and moves through the door, nodding.
“Excuse me, Sofia Rose.”
Sofia Rose steps back against the wall, smiling. Her hands are full with the bag and coffee. She watches him walk away and then turns to enter her office. She stops at the entrance, looking at Niko.
Sofia Rose’s color drains, and her eyes tear up. She blinks rapidly to control her emotions.
“Hi, Mr. Bartz. I’m sorry that I’m late. I was not aware that you would be here today. I had thought that you left Saint Grove.”
She tightens her hold on the bag to stop from shaking.
Niko takes a step towards her, flicking his hand up to close and lock the door.
