Page 8 of Beautiful Heart

Livingston studied the woman over the top of his menu and nodded. “If you wish. Is there anything you don’t like or won’t eat?”

“Liver, watermelon, beets, and raw or bone-filled fish.”

Livingston nodded as he studied the menu. “How hungry are you? Would you like to make a meal out of appetizers and salad? Or would you prefer a full meal?”

His guts twisted when she gave him a smile that seemed to come from her heart. “The appetizers and salad would be perfect. Then maybe we can stop at Mystic’s for dessert afterward? Can we do just appetizers and salad? Is that allowed?”

Livingston smiled. This woman had just given him the perfect answer. “I think we can manage that. And who cares what they think?”

Gerri blinked and then nodded. “Indeed.”

When the waitress returned, they both ordered water to drink, and Livingston ordered several appetizers and dinner salads for them both. The waitress seemed a little surprised at the order, but smiled and decided she would have to try that the next time her husband took her out to dinner.

Once she left them, Gerri folded her hands on top of the tablecloth and took a deep breath. “So, tell me what being the mate of a vampire prince will be like.”

Chapter Five

When Livingston blinked and went still, Gerri knew her bold question had caught him off guard. But she had never been one to shy away from hard work, difficult questions, or sticky situations. Changing her entire life to become involved with a vampire was about as sticky a situation as she could come up with.

Before Livingston could answer, their server returned with the water and house salads. Though Gerri was nervous about what might develop between her and this big, beautiful supernatural, her body’s reaction to just having him touch her hand told her everything between them sexually would be amazing. And she couldn’t wait.

When his silence continued, and he still looked stunned, she dropped her gaze to her salad. Maybe he had changed his mind about taking her as his mate? Maybe he had decided she would be dinner instead? After all, she had not asked whether he would drink her blood or not.

“Never mind,” she whispered so softly she wasn’t sure he had heard her. “Forget I asked.”

“No, I won’t forget you asked. Asking means you’re more accepting of who and what I am than I anticipated after only a few hours together. Look at me, Princess.”

Reluctantly, Gerri lifted her gaze to look into his dark eyes. She shivered at the heat and hunger she saw in them.

“What will it be like to be my mate? Well, you’ll be loved and cared for and protected like you never have been before. Once we’re fully mated, I’ll ask that you quit your job and stay close. Mates don’t do well being away from one another, even for a few hours. While I’d love to keep you chained to my side, I doubt you’ll agree to that, huh?”

She frowned and shook her head slightly. “I don’t think so. Does that mean I won’t have anything to do except be there when you need blood or sex?”

This time it was Livingston who frowned. “No, of course not. I am hoping that, as my mate and princess of the coven, you might be willing to take on some of the more mothering duties that come with my job. Making sure coven members are happy and know they’re a part of the vampire family, maybe even help with negotiations between other supernatural entities. Maybe even add you to the council to provide a bland point of view in matters.”

Gerri suddenly felt overwhelmed as Livingston outlined an entire new life for her. One she wasn’t sure she was strong enough to live. After all, as he put it, she was just a bland, and until the night before had not even known the supernatural world existed outside of books, movies, and television shows. Surely his coven wouldn’t listen to her, even if she was their prince’s mate.

“So I’ll have to quit my job. What else will happen?”

“You’ll move into my apartment. I’ll set you up with accounts at all the finest stores so you can go shopping whenever you wish.”

“So I’ll be your gold-digging live-in mistress? Occupying my time shopping and spending money I haven’t earned?”

“No. You’ll be my mate. The other half of my soul. Your gentle heart will calm my warrior’s soul and make me a better prince to my people.”

Gerri shook her head as her heart and head battled. Her heart said to grab the man, hold on, and never let him go. Her head said Livingston was too good to be true, and putting herself in his hands would end up with her heart broken. She’d be unable to pull herself back together again because what she was already feeling for him was so much more than the love she’d felt for her dead husband.

“You’re overthinking things,” Livingston said as he reached across the table and laid his hand over hers.

“I always overthink things,” she said with a smirk. “I could have been the captain of the Olympic worrying team, if such a thing existed.”

“Well, you won’t have to worry any longer. That’s what I’m here for. To love and care for and protect you from anything that might make you sad or unhappy or hurt you.”

Gerri couldn’t help but smile at the so-very-assured tone in his voice. He made it sound that by mating him all her worries would magically disappear and her life would be idyllic.

If only that were true.

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