Page 50 of Saving Her Vampire

“I would never jeopardize the Bond between mates,” he says seriously. “I respect Bash too much, you, and the bond. It didn’t mean anything more than get your attention.”

“I know,” I say, just as serious. “I’m glad to be your friend. I haven’t had many of those in my life.”

“Same,” he grumbles. “I would advise you not to lie to Bash. We know it was an innocent gesture, but he has to hear that from you.”

“You’re right,” I sigh, wrinkling my nose. “I don’t want to fuck it up. I’m falling for him, and I don’t want to do anything to make him mad.”

“He won’t leave you because of a touch on the arm. He won’t be happy with me, but not at you. Be yourself, don’t temper your reactions just to please him. He’s feeling the Bond, too, I’ve seen him with you, remember, and I’m a guy. I know when a man is falling for a woman.”

“Thanks, Bishop,” I smile at him. “I’ll go on a stakeout with you anytime.”

“Ditto,” he says.

“I’m torn. Do we tell her that he is planning to propose tonight?”

“You have to tell her something.”

“I don’t want to ruin the surprise,” I say.

“If she doesn't show up tonight, it will be a surprise to him, and she’ll hate herself for dis-trusting him.”

“How do you know so much about relationships?” I ask.

“I watch. I’m good at reading people,” he says mysteriously.

“I’m excited to see who your mate is,” I say.

“Me too, lass,” he says wistfully.

“It will happen, and I’ll be there for you when it does,” I say.

He nods at me gratefully. He starts driving and I stare out the window. I hope Bash isn’t too mad at me. I want him to trust me, but I don’t want to stifle the woman I am. Especially since I think I’m just coming into the woman I want to be.

***

I’m excited when I see Bash’s car in the lot. Bishop went with me to explain the situation to Quinn and then to the girlfriend. She was humbled by my discovery and promised to act surprised and tell us how it went. It was a happy ending for once, and I was thrilled. Our meetings were usually filled with tears and denial. This was a refreshing change.

I rush through the door, eager to tell Bash the news, but skid to a stop when I see Bash’s face.

“Where the fuck have you been?” he growls.

My stomach drops. He’s never used that tone of voice with me. I’m scared he won’t give me a chance to explain before kicking me out.

Chapter Thirteen

Bash

The phone call was humorous. Her kiss at the end was adorable. Her hanging up on me was slightly annoying. When she didn’t answer the phone the rest of the day, worrisome. When I got home to find no sign of her or Bishop, and my last call went unanswered, my mind went to all kinds of ugly places. I feared Brandon or someone else got to her. Maybe someone from my past found her and killed her in revenge. I pictured her broken and bleeding somewhere.

I didn’t want to go back to the way it was before she crashed into my boring life. I had been starting to hope. Even though my gut told me she was fine, my head wouldn’t get on board. I tried to call Bishop, too, but getting his voicemail sealed my dreadful thoughts.

“Why didn’t you answer my calls?” I demand.

“I’m so sorry, Bash,” she says. “I turned my phone off. We were in a meeting with the girlfriend, and I didn’t want to be rude.”

“You didn’t want to be rude?” I ask harshly. “What about being rude to me?”

“Bash,” Bishop scolds.

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