Page 52 of Tainted Hearts

“I want to let her know that I know she’s my mate. But if I don’t touch her, don’t ignite the spark, it gives her the chance to say no. Or at least let her have more time to decide if that’s something she would want. I don’t want to take her choice away.”

“Fuck,” I sigh. “You're so damn good for her. I just hate that everything has to be so complicated.”

“You're telling me. Not only does she have the stress of new mates, she has the bullshit with your dad. And speaking of dads, aren’t they coming back tomorrow for Christmas?”

“Damn it. I forgot about that,” I groan, scrubbing my hand over my eyes. “Yeah, I think they are. I mean, Isaac hasn’t said anything for sure, but I know Abby’s mom is putting on a supper. I’m assuming they’re going to be there too.”

“You going to the supper?” We plan on having another one after theirs is over. We talked about just showing up to avoid the drama and partly to see if there’s anything else the guys can dig up on their dads. We’ve planted a few bugs in the places they would mostly open up in.

“Yeah. Can’t wait. Going to be quite the family party,” I deadpan.

She snorts. “Sorry, I’m going to have to miss it.”

“Just help Mom and Libby make an amazing turkey supper. That’s what I’m most excited for.”

“I got her a gift,” Frankie says, looking a little nervous.

“Really?” I smirk, raising a brow. Leo and I went to the shops in town the other day and spoiled the fuck out of her. But we plan on giving that to her at my place.

“Yes, but I don’t know if I’m going to give it to her yet.”

“What is it?”

She covers her eyes and says, “A glass heart necklace filled with my blood.”

“Wow.” My brows raise in surprise.

She peaks at me through her fingers. “Too much, isn’t it?”

“Isn’t that like a big deal to vampires?”

“Yeah.” She nods, lowering her hands. “Vampire blood is worth a lot. It’s sold on the black market in some realms for its ability to get people high fast. And it has healing properties. But it’s also the highest honor a vampire can give to their mate.”

“Don’t you want to wait until you can tell her what it means?”

“You're right,” she sighs. “I’ll wait.”

“I mean, Frank-and-beans, that’s an amazing gift.”

“Fuck off.” She snorts as I grin, the nickname she hates the most is something I love to tease her with.

“Ah, I think it’s time to go,” Noah says, walking over with a sleeping Abby in his arms. I chuckle and stand.

“What happened?”

Noah looks down at her sleeping face affectionately and kisses her temple. “We were slow dancing, and she fell asleep.”

“Oh, boy.” I laugh. “Yeah, we need to get her home. She’s had a long night.”

“Yeah, getting railed good and hard does that to a person,” Luke teases, popping up on Noah’s left side. “Right, Noah?”

Noah’s cheeks heat. “Yeah, sure.”

Rolling my eyes, I let him carry her out to the car. Frankie gets Leo, Libby, and Zack, joining us a minute later.

I take Abby and Leo home while the guys offer to take Libby and Frankie back to my place.

As we all get settled into bed, I turn the light off and snuggle up to my mate.

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