Page 97 of Tempted By the Forbidden Mate

“No.”

“I have.” Eros grips his package and then seems to remember whatever it is. He smooths down the side. “I have,” he whispers.

“Shrimp shells.”

“Just let me talk to her. Let her decide.” He’s either a great actor or he’s genuine.

“After this. But not alone. I stay.”

His eyebrows shoot up. “Come on.”

“I will stay or go back there and tell her about the history between you and Nico.”

“Fine. I’ll be in the tea shop across the market.”

“Fine. We’ll come there afterward.”

“What are you doing about Stele?” Eros tosses a glance out at the stalls where there are three, no four, Stele pod males pretending to be shopping.

“Nothing. She won’t pick them.” It’s kind of sad, really.

His head bounces in agreement. “The tea shop on the south end.”

“Right.” I kind of want to take her to the tea shop on the other end and then home. But the south end one has some of the best little sweet cakes. And I know Belle will like them. I don’t want to keep her long The only reason I could pry Belle from his side was because he went to visit Alder at the hospital and they wouldn't allow more than one visitor at a time. I pull out my block and message Nico.

How is it going?

It’s Alder.Nico’s reply is quick and infuriating. Because yes, it’s Alder. He bounces back to normal. But he’s never been shark food before.

And how is he?

Infuriating.

That makes me smile. Because he really must be getting better.Let me know when you’re on your way back.

Stay with Annabelle.

I will, just let me know when you’re coming back.

Why? So you can stop fucking my mate?

I shake my head. But it’s a good question.We’re shopping.

Good. I can practically hear him grunt as he types it.

I join them at the back of the store. I’ll give it to her, she’s a fast shopper. I went shopping once with Kai. Her mate Ari and I were in a lot of classes together, and he dragged me along. It was the longest day of my entire life. Kai sat in every chair five times, looked at every swatch of fabric twice, and still hadn’t bought anything but a vase by the end of the day. What Castor said about Kai having a crush on me makes a lot more sense now. I shiver again. That is never happening.

The clerk has a grin on his face that stretches his lips practically to cracking. His fingers fly on the tablet as he points things out. “And this one comes in dark metal or light.”

“Not that one. Tell me about this one here.” She taps a simple one.

“Oh, I see where you’re going there. That would look better with the rest of the things you’ve picked out...” He goes on about the length of the leg fitting better with... something.

I completely tune him out. Instead, I’m watching Belle. Her eyes flash around the store like she’s holding the whole picture in her head of the apartment and what’s she’s picking.

“Thank you so much.” He hands her a paper receipt since Belle doesn’t have a block. She shoots me a glance. Nico doesn’t want her to have one, not yet. We don’t know who broke into the apartment. While our tech is secure, it’s better to be safe than to let someone have access to her who means her harm. But I see her point. She’s an adult, and if she’s going to fit into life in our city, she’s going to need access to our tech. And apparently a microscope, spectrometer, and the rest of the things on my list.

“Are you thirsty?”

---