Page 45 of Entering a New World

“That sounds like it’s important to you?”

Our server came and handed Rhett the check, who pulled a few bills out of his wallet, then handed them to our server, his eyes never leaving mine.

“It is,” he said, smiling. “I can tell you more about it on the way home? I’m afraid it’s time for us to head out.”

Biting my lip, I let my eyes wander through the restaurant, and yeah, Rhett was right. We were some of the last few people still occupying tables, and most looked like they were about to leave. No wonder. The clock above the bar said it was past eleven already.

When did that happen?

“Sure.”

I rubbed my chest as a pang hit me right in the heart, distributing coldness that spread through my veins with every beat of my heart.

The date was about to end. We were about to drive back to the Inn, where I’d say goodnight, and then I’d head up to my room.

Alone.

Dread coiled tight in my stomach. A dread I didn’t understand. I liked my room, and I loved the Inn. It was so warm and welcoming. Every time I entered the building, it felt like I was getting a warm hug from my grandma. Sure, the interior was a bit dated, and it smelled a little dusty, but it also smelled like maple and cinnamon, the fireplace, and warmth.

Still, the prospect of returning to my room alone made me feel empty. Like there was a black hole in the pit of my stomach growing bigger with every second.

“Are you okay?” Rhett frowned at me, his eyes filled with concern.

“Yeah… I…” I shrugged, then got up from my chair. I didn’t know how to voice that feeling. Hell, I didn’t even know why I was feeling the way I did.

It’d been a great evening, an amazing one even. The best date I’d ever been on, hands down.

Rhett’s heavy, muscular arm wrapped around my shoulders and pulled me snugly against his side. Immediately, the cold disappeared, warmth returning to my body. Sighing, I leaned my head against his chest and let him walk me out.

Was this the mate bond?

I startled, almost tripping over my own feet.

“Levi?” Rhett gently held me close, making sure to keep me upright while I was having trouble finding my balance.

“Is it like this for you, too?” I asked, rubbing my chest.

“What? What are you talking about?” Rhett pulled me away from his side, his hands on my upper arms, looking at me with worry.

“This coldness… this utter emptiness whenever you’re, or I guess in your case whenever I’m, not close to you.” Shuddering, I shook my head. “It’s like you’re taking all my warmth with you when you leave.” Case in point, snuggling with him was warming me up from the inside.

Rhett blinked down at me, confusion evident in his eyes. “You… you feel that way?”

“Shouldn’t I?” I asked. “I mean, we’re mates, right? Mave said mates are irrevocably drawn to each other. That there’s a bond between us even before we… mate.”

The whole mating thing still was a bit of a mindfuck. Fucking, biting and ending up magically tied together for the rest of one’s life was not something I’d ever seen myself doing instead of, you know, getting married in a church or in a courthouse or, hell, in a botanical garden.

I’d expected a ceremony, I’d expected all my friends and family to be present and witness me committing myself to my one true love, but now I definitely didn’t want anyone besides Rhett witnessing the whole thing.

Rhett remained quiet, silently studying me, his eyes filled with questions I probably didn’t know the answer to. After all, I was the one who was new to the whole fated mates thing, not him. He should be the one to provide me with answers instead of looking at me like I was a riddle he had to solve.

“Do you… is there anything else you’re feeling that’s… off?” He finally said, scrunching up his brows.

We kept walking until we reached his truck, stopping in front of the passenger door. I quickly opened the door and climbed inside while Rhett rounded his car and got into the drivers’ seat.

As the motor rumbled to life, his eyes wandered back to me, patiently waiting for an answer.

“You mean like me being able to feel when you’re close?”

---