Page 73 of Just One Bite
“So it’s all by choice? There’s not more than that?”
“Yeah, it’s voluntary. I mean there are linked mates, but—”
“What’s that?”
“Werewolves can be linked. They don’t choose it, and they pretty much always end up together.”
My heartbeat is in my ears. “And what’s that like? Are there … dreams or anything?”
He flashes his canine teeth in a smirk. “Are you still having dreams about me?”
I straighten my spine, ignoring his question. “You don’t dream?”
“It’s rare I remember a dream.”
Those blue eyes pan over my face till they’re fixed on my lips. It’s as if he’s seconds from letting go and placing his lips on my neck. “Are you afraid we’re linked mates? Is that why your heart is beating so fast?”
“I don’t know. I was curious.”
“You don’t need to worry. You’re human and I’m half vampire. All linked mates have been full-blooded werewolves.”
I let out a relieved breath. Darien was messing with me, just trying to get in my head. I don’t know why I entertained anything he said.
“Too much commitment for you?” Parker’s tone is playful.
“I don’t think I’d be a good mate.”
“It’s funny you say that because I was just about to ask you something.” His fingers rub over that spot on my neck again, and he leans in to kiss me and run his teeth over my skin.
“Let me mark you.”
Heat gathers and sinks like a stone in my stomach.
“I don’t want anyone tothinkabout touching you. I need all of you all to myself. And the mark is just for display. You don’t need to accept. They fade over time.”
“What about when this arrangement is over? What then?” I say.
He leans back to deliver his next line, with his eyes locked on mine.
“I’ll propose to you by then.”
That draws a trickling of laughter from my lips. He’s got to be joking.
“And you’re certain I’ll say yes. I have no plans to be married.”
“Oh, I’m sure. All your commitment issues don’t scare me.”
After a few more seconds, the weight of his gaze leaves me, and he retreats. I don’t scare him. There’s relief in those words. I’m not sure if he’s being serious or if I want him to be.
I’ll wait to tell him about what I learned from Eva. The electricity of the excitement is still lingering, and all I want to do is dance.
“I want to stay here and practice the variation. Is that okay?”
“Yeah, I’ll go get us some food and come back and watch. Sound good?”
I hesitate for a moment.
“You want to spend your night watching me dance? Don’t you have more important places to be?”
