Page 14 of Another Curvy Girl and Grumpy Vamp

I throw a pillow at her. “Fine. But this isn’t romance. I’m going to set him straight, and make it very clear that flowers and bought-out ride-shares aren’t getting him anywhere.”

***

By the time I’m at Baden’s penthouse, it’s barely half past six, but I’m itching to get this conversation over with. I raise my fist to knock, but an awful smell reaches me first. Burnt… something. Garlic? Onion? A failed attempt at something edible, that’s for sure.

I’m still standing there, wondering if the vampire version of Hell’s Kitchen has gone down inside, when the door swings open. Baden stands there, bathed in a cloud of smoke, looking… flustered.

I blink, the half-prepared speech dissolving into laughter that erupts faster than I can catch it. “Were you trying to impress me or burn the place down?”

He stiffens, but I can see a faint pink rise in his cheeks—a look I never thought I’d see from Mr. Stoic Vampire. “I thought you might appreciate a homemade meal.” His words are tight, defensive. “But it turns out I’m not quite as… experienced in the kitchen as I’d thought.”

I bite my lip, trying to contain the laughter that just won’t quit. “I think yourattemptprobably counts for a lot,” I manage, stillgrinning. “But you’re a vampire, Baden. No one expects you to be achef.”

He runs a hand through his hair, letting out a low, exasperated sigh. “Maybe I should’ve left it to the professionals.”

“Oh, you think?” I raise an eyebrow, finally catching my breath. The anger I’d brought with me is fading, disarmed by the very last thing I’d expected to find—a vulnerable, almost human side of him. “Maybe next time, skip the whole burning dinner bit and just stick to not setting off the fire alarms.”

To my surprise, he laughs—a deep, quiet sound that makes my stomach do an annoying, traitorous flip. “I’ll consider it.”

He runs a hand through his shaggier than normal hair. The deep waves look as if they’ve been whipped around by a tsunami. The ends are curled from the steam and ahem smoke, and I want to lay his head in my lap and brush it back into order. Instead, I smile, and suddenly, I don’t feel like yelling at him anymore. This isn’t the brooding vampire who’s been shadowing my every move; he just looks like a guy—nervous and probably a little embarrassed that his “grand gesture” has gone so far south.

He clears his throat, catching my attention again. “Would you… like to stay for dinner? I’d order something this time, I promise.” His voice is softer, almost hopeful.

I glance down at the slightly charred pan on the counter. “You sure you’re not planning to serve…that?” I gesture to what’s left of his culinary disaster.

“Absolutely not,” he says, the faintest smile quirking at his lips. “I may have better luck with takeout.”

The invitation is tempting in a way I didn’t expect. But then, the questions start flooding back, simmering beneath the surface like the burnt remnants in his pan.

“Alright, fine.” I settle myself into one of his sleek, spotless chairs, folding my arms across my chest. “But you’re going to tellmeexactlywhat you mean by this whole ‘One’ business while we wait.”

He watches me for a moment, a strange intensity in his silver eyes, like he’s weighing what to say. Finally, he inclines his head, his voice dropping to a low murmur. “If that’s what you want, Merri.”

Baden places the takeout order with swift efficiency, giving the order to the hostess on the phone. Not that it matters. Just an observation. But as he sets the phone down, he pulls out a chair opposite me, folding himself into it like he’s settling in for an interrogation.

“So… let’s hear it,” I say, crossing my arms and narrowing my eyes. “What exactly does ‘One’ mean?”

He stares at me for a long second, like he’s weighing the right words. “You’re familiar with the concept of mates?”

My pulse does a small, traitorous flutter at the word, but I keep my face blank. “Yes, I’m familiar with the concept. Also familiar with the high level of toxicity thatcomes with it.”

A jaw tics but he doesn’t flinch. “It’s… different with vampires. Most of us go our entire existence without finding a mate. The term is rare. Special.”

“Special,” I echo, the word leaving a bad taste in my mouth. “Does ‘special’ mean you get to throw flowers and fire hazards my way because of it?”

The corners of his mouth tighten, but his expression remains calm. “It means, Merri, that you’re the only one who has made me feel alive in centuries.Centuries,” he emphasizes, his gaze fixed on me like he’s daring me to brush it off. “It’s a sensation I thought I was incapable of. Until you.”

“Yeah, but I didn’t sign up for this, Baden. Just because you feel something doesn’t mean I… owe you anything.” My words come out sharper than I intend, but honestly, I’m reeling, and I don’t want him to see that.

He nods, accepting the jab, his eyes searching mine. “I don’t expect you to. You don’t have to be anything you’re not. But for me, this connection isn’t something I can walk away from.” He pauses, choosing his words carefully. “This isn’t about ownership. It’s about… purpose.”

“Purpose?” I snip, trying to mask the uncomfortable warmth spreading through me. “You can’t just pick someone and decide they’re your ‘purpose,’ Baden. I have my own life. My own path.”

“And I respect that.” His voice is level, calm. “But that doesn’t change the fact that I can’t… ignore it. Believe me, I’ve tried.” He sighs, running a hand over his jaw. “If there were a way to rid myself of this feeling, I would. This isn’t something Iwantedeither.”

My throat tightens, and I feel myself softening despite every logical reason not to. “So what? You just… expect me to be okay with this?”

“I don’t expect anything from you.” His gaze locks with mine, intensity simmering in those silver eyes. “Except for honesty. If you’re uncomfortable, if this is something you want no part of, tell me, and I’ll respect it. But don’t deny that there’s something here, Merri. Because I know you feel it too.”

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