Page 24 of Last Shot at Love

“But how? Mate bonds are for life!” I tried to keep the horror I felt at the idea of separating from leaking into my tone.

She met my eyes, giving me a sad smile. “Well, sure. The mate bond can’t be broken, but the legal partnership can. While neither person can ever create a mate bond with a new partner, it doesn’t stop them from remarrying and creating a life with a new partner.”

For the first time since I’d accepted P-Harmony’s invitation to be matched, I experienced a pang of regret. Not over being paired with Beryl, but over my decision to leave the ocean and live predominantly on land.

How could paranormals defile the sanctity of the mate bond by creating a life with those they weren’t bonded to?

Beryl chewed her lip, her eyes tracking every micro-expression that crossed my face.

Reaching out, I gently pried her abused lip from between her teeth. “Darling, I will never dishonor our bond. My body and beast will not allow me to find another woman desirable after our mating.”

Her eyebrows rose. “You mean you can’t have sex with anyone else after we complete the bond?”

“Nope.” I grinned at her. “You will be the only woman I will crave.”

An adorable blush tinged her cheeks. “I’ve heard there are a few species where arousal can only be achieved with one’s bonded mate. If you can only be with me, are you really sure you want to be tied to me for the rest of your life? We don’t even know each other.”

Delight shot through me at the sudden emotion shimmering in her eyes. Beryl wasn’t asking because of the contract. She was asking for more personal reasons.

“I think it’s important that you know I didn’t agree to be matched through P-Harmony because I was looking for love—”

“Are you against falling in love?” I asked softly.

She looked surprised. “N-no. I don’t think so.”

“That’s good enough for me.” Taking a risk, I reached out and interlaced our fingers together, giving a tiny squeeze. “It means I have a chance to sweep you off your feet.”

“But why would you want to bother?” Beryl looked genuinely confused. “We’ll be sharing a bedroom, and I won’t deny your sexual desires. If you’d like, we can even set up a schedule to ensure your biological needs are met. All your expenses will be covered, and my assets will be shared with you. I don’t understand why you’d want to put in the effort to sweep me off my feet?”

This time, it wasn’t disappointment but pity that ricocheted through my chest. Beryl couldn’t understand the value of love… which meant she’d likely never experienced it.

“You’ll see. Besides, you’re more than worth the effort.” I winked and swallowed the lump in my throat while trying to keep my tone light.

“Fine.” She shrugged. “You’re free to do as you please with your days. If that’s how you want to spend them… it’s your choice.”

Picking up the papers from the bed, she rifled through them. “While I don’t require a prenup, I wanted to make sure you didn’t have one you wished for me to sign? I don’t mind signing it so you can have reassurance that I’m not after your assets.”

The tone of her voice gave me the distinct impression Beryl believed I was broke and spent my days lounging on a beach.

I rested my head back against the wall. “Nope. I told you, there is only one mate for my species. What I have is yours.”

Beryl didn’t look at me, but the corner of her mouth twitched up for the briefest of seconds in a hint of a smile. “Okay, Romeo.”

“Cerulean,” I corrected.

“What?” She lifted her eyes to meet mine.

“My name, it’s Cerulean.”

Beryl’s eyes widened in horror. “I can’t believe I hadn’t asked you that already. How rude! This whole thing has me rattled and feeling off-kilter. Plus, there’s a big acquisition I close on at the end of the month, so I am trying to resist the urge to check my business emails, but it’s making me terribly anxious.”

“Have you eaten dinner?” I brushed my thumb against the back of her hand.

Beryl gave a breathy laugh. “No, I was waiting for you and fell asleep.”

“Then how about this? I’ll go find us some dinner, and you check your emails while I’m gone. When I get back, we can eat, and maybe you’ll be a little less stressed.”

I’d come to land hoping this evening would go far differently, but the last thing I wanted was for my mate to be worried.

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