Page 119 of Just One Bite
“Come here.”
He pulls me till we’re face-to-face. The light from the hearth is dim in the corner, and his blue eyes are fully awake as a finger runs under my jaw.
“I know it’s the bond that makes you feel like this, but it’s more than that for me. I need you to know I wanted you before.”
I desperately need him to know I want to stay with him. Everyone thinks I’m not good enough for Parker, and maybe I’m not, but I want to be.
“Wait. The bond isn’t the reason I want you.”
“You don’t know that.”
It makes more sense if it is. All of it is easier to compartmentalize that way.
“Olivia, I love everything about you. Bond or not.”
Tears pool in my eyes. It’s so quick. I don’t understand why his words draw the emotion from a hidden place inside me.
“You don’t. You can’t. The bond came first and then you just accepted this. It could have been anyone.”
“Why do you think that?”
“I … don’t see how.”
“How I could love you?”
I nod. “You deserve someone better. Someone who can feel this and will be an amazing mate, who no one would say you could do better with. They wouldn’t make this so hard.”
He wipes another tear. “Is that what all this is about?” I hide in his forearm, but he turns my chin to look at him. “Tell me why.”
“You don’t know. You’ll hate me when you know. Just tell me it’s the bond, and that’s the only reason. It’s better if that’s all this is because then I can’t hurt you and you can’t hurt me.”
“Know what?” He tucks the hair behind my ear, and his voice rumbles in a low hum next to my cheek.
“That I’m the reason for all the terrible things that happened to you. My mom diedfirst. It’s my fault you never got the pack. It’s my fault you have a terrible relationship with your father. It’s … me. I’m your catalyst. Of all the mates you could have had, you’re stuck with me. A girl who doesn’t care about anything but ballet. Who’s a mediocre sister at best.”
I’m wriggling away, but Parker won’t let me hide. He hauls me beneath him, pinning my hips and kissing the tears on my cheeks away.
“Olivia, who told you that you ruin things?”
“I did. I ruin things for you. For myself. My sisters. My parents … but I don’t want to hurt you. I won’t make a good mate because you deserve more. I’m never as good as I should be, and I don’t want to let you down. You’ll end up hating me, and I couldn’t stand it ifyouhated me.”
“Baby, relax. Breathe.”
I’m crying so hard I can’t catch my breath, but Parker’s pressure is good. I can’t remember the last time I let someone see me cry like this. He’s all the things I’m not. We may be alike in almost all aspects, fated parallels, but he’s the most solid, confident person I've ever met. Immovable. I grip his arms, grounding myself in their strength.
“It’s not your fault. None of it was ever your fault. Things happen. Your mom … my mom they wouldn’t have ever wanted you to think like that. My mom would have loved you. I’m sure she does, somewhere up there in the stars. The bond … it’s a gift. What came first was you and me. I don’t need the mate bond to be in love with you. I love you.You.Olivia. I loved you before I knew we were mates. You are an amazing sister, and your mom would be so proud that despiteeverything you’ve been through, you still held yourself together and your family. But you don’t have to do it all by yourself anymore. I found you.”
“You found me,” I choke.
“I’m not going anywhere. You don’t scare me.”
There’s always been a piece missing. Even when I was certain my ballet form was at its best or my sisters threw me the best birthday party I could imagine, I always wanted more, but I didn’t understand what. I thought I could fill that want with more ballet because ballet is the only thing that’s ever made me feel whole. But the thrill was fleeting and fragile, like the idea of it had a leak because the thing I wanted was Parker. Somewhere out there I could sense him. My mate. And now I know the success would pale in comparison to being known by Parker Owens.
His kiss tastes like salt, and there’s a slight hum in his throat.
“Will you let me make love to you? Show you that it’s always been you.”
I nod while he wipes the remaining tears on my cheek.
