Page 18 of Another Curvy Girl and Grumpy Vamp

“Merri…” I hesitate, but the words spill out. “You’ll change with time. I won’t. And while I’d like to ignore that, I can’t. Vampires… we’re not built to lose the people we care about.” My throat tightens. “Unless I—”

“Bite me?” She finishes the sentence with a wry smile, but I see the apprehensionbehind it. “Well, hate to disappoint, but I’m not exactly in a rush to sign up for the whole ‘mated for life’ package. My parents pretty much taught me that’s not all it’s cracked up to be.”

Her attempt to keep things light tugs at something inside me, and I manage a faint smile. But the sting of what she said lingers. “Your parents… they’re mated?”

“Yep.” She sighs, and I let her pull her fingers away—giving her space. “For life. They’re bound together, whether they like it or not. And let’s just say… there are days they definitely don’t.”

I nod, absorbing her words, but the idea of her turning away from the bite—not just because of me, but because she’s seen what happens when that bond doesn’t go right—it stabs into my soul with a serrated edge.

She turns her head to look at me, her eyes searching mine. “For a vamp you also seem reluctant. Most mates are like, must bite now. Not you. What is it about the bite that freaks you outso much, anyway? I mean… if you’re serious about keeping me around, wouldn’t it make sense to, you know, consider it?”

My mind circles around the past. “It’s not that simple,” I say quietly, shifting to sit up. “There was someone—someone who meant a lot to me. Her name was Claudia.”

Her eyes widen and she starts to shift away. But I squeeze her hand, bringing it to my lips for a kiss. She doesn’t have to say a word. I’d feel the same if she brought up another man’s name. Our connection is too fresh for others. Since there’s no avoiding it I let the words come. Slowly, revealing a part of my past I’ve kept locked away.

“She was my brother’s mate, but she became like family. Wethought we were untouchable, all of us.” My voice tightens, and I pause, catching my breath. “But we were wrong. We couldn’t protect her from the dangers that come with this life. She was… everything to him, and yet, all the strength we had didn’t save her.”

Merri’s hand covers mine, anchoring me with a simple touch. “I’m sorry, Baden. What happened?”

She was human. As she began to age… ” I close my eyes. “They wanted forever. They knew the danger of the bite. They risked it all for love. So fucking stupid. She died instantly and he… he walked into the sun. Choosing her over everything—everyoneelse.” I stand up and pace, my legs restless, steps weary. “Watching someone you care about suffer like that… it changes you. I can’t bear risking that again.” I look down at her, the words are almost too painful to speak. “Especially not with you.”

She’s quiet, taking it in, I’m certain I’ve laid too much bare. But then she squeezes my hand, a small, fierce gesture that says more than words.

“Look, I get it. Loss is… complicated. But you can’t keep me in a bubble just because you’re afraid of what could happen. I’m not fragile.”

I hold her gaze, caught off guard by the strength in her voice, by the conviction there. “I know you’re not Claudia,” I say, and it comes out rawer than I intend. “But it doesn’t change the fact that I’m… terrified. I’ve never felt this way before, not about anyone.”

She offers a small, understanding smile, her eyes softening. “Guess that makes two of us then.”

A beat passes between us, and for the first time, I let myself believe—just a little—that maybe she’s right. Maybe we don’t have to solve every part of this right now. Maybe, for once, I can let go of the weight I’ve been carrying and just… be here, with her.

Fate wouldn’t fuck me over twice. Right?

Merri

Will I ever get tired of this view? Umm, that's a big hell no. Baden’s penthouse windows offer a wraparound, eagle-eyed panorama of the city. But it's not just the view or the to-die-for-shower,a shower he doesn't trust me to be alone with, it's being here with him. In a place that has quickly gone from his place toours. Over the past week, this place has transformed, my stuff sneaking in piece by piece—textbooks on the coffee table, my hoodie draped over his spotless leather couch. A pair of sneakers he claims he doesn’t even notice anymore sit just under the edge of his bed. A bed which, right now, is barely visible under a layer of crumpled sheets and tangled limbs.

I prop myself up on an elbow, watching him. His good looks and washboard abs beat the window view, topping the leaderboard. His chest rises and falls in an easy rhythm. He looks so different like this, his usual stormy visage softened in sleep. If only he were this relaxed when he was awake, we’d probably be having a much smoother ride. But, the biggest bump in the Baden road is his overprotectiveness.

It's a phantom that haunted me, little by little, every day this week. A ghostly presence as his eyes follow me, his hand resting protectively on the small of my back or the way he positions himself between me and the world when we go out. He means well, I know he does. But mate or not I’m still me. And he's driving me more than a little stir-crazy.

I sigh, reluctantly pulling the sheet over him and slipping out of bed. Stealing a last look before heading to the kitchen. I’m blending a smoothie in the brand new, state of the art blender, when I hear his footsteps padding up behind me. I don’t have to turn around to feel his eyes on me, awake now and carrying that same watchful intensity. Instinct is a bitch, and I tell herto slow down and relax. I refuse to give in to the same fight-or-flight reaction of any other prey around an enormous predator.

“Couldn’t resist an early start, huh?” he murmurs, voice husky with sleep as he steps closer, wrapping his arms around me from behind.

I roll my eyes. “Couldn’t resist, or trying to escape the vampire shadowing me?”

He nuzzles his face into the crook of my neck. “Protective instincts come with the territory. If I could keep you here, safe, I would. Preferably forever.” There’s a hint of something deeper there, an edge to his words that makes my chest tighten.

“Well, lucky for us I’m not a captive” I turn in his arms, pushing gently against his chest. “Because I don't think I'd make a very good prisoner. Enjoy my freedom too much.”

"Freedom's overrated. And if we're together, why would you need to escape?” He leans down to rest his forehead on mine. "I'd happily be your prisoner." His voice drops. "Where would you chain me? To your bed? If so, have at it."

“Baden,” I say, frustration rising as I look up at him, “it's not funny. You can’t keep me on a leash just because you’re afraid of what might happen.” I shake my head, feeling a pang ofresentment that I can’t quite push down. “I want to be with you, Baden. But I can’t do that if it means giving up who I am.”

His gaze darkens. “It’s not a leash. It’s a precaution. The world is dangerous. You’re mortal, and I—” He hesitates, jaw tight as he seems to search for the right words. “I just want to protect you." Baden steps away and takes an unnecessary deep breath. A move he uses when he knows I won't like what he says next. He crosses his arms over his chest and says, “I’ve been thinking. This week has been great." He waves to my laptop bag on the kitchen's marble island where I do most of my work. "You've gotten a lot done here. Working here hasn't been so bad. We could continue—" My brows shoot up and he rushes the rest. "If I buy your ride-share company—it would give you a lot more study time. It would also provide you with protection. So, a win-win." He talks faster, ramping up his words while I ramp my temper. "You’ll still be free," air quotes, "to take shifts, but I’ll have a hand in the security.”

“You… want to buy my company? Don't you dare.” My jaw tightens at the stubborn set of his chin. A tic telling me that if he hasn't already, he plans to do so soon. Aargh. Damn him. My fingers itch to do something dramatic, like throw my smoothie in his face. Instead, I growl, “It’s practically house arrest, and you know it.”

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