Page 25 of Last Shot at Love

Beryl spun her pen between her fingers, something I was finding she did when anxious. “Are you sure? I don’t want to be rude…”

“I’m positive. Are there any foods I should avoid? Or food that is your favorite? And how do we feel about garlic?” I added the last with a smirk, knowing it was a ridiculous rumor that vampires and garlic didn’t mix.

Beryl rolled her eyes. “Seriously, Cer?”

My breath caught. She’d already given me a nickname. I tried to ignore how pathetic it was that something so simple could give me so much joy.

“Sorry, I couldn’t help it.” With a last tender squeeze, I released her hand and pushed to my feet.

“I’d kill for a rare steak or even a nice carpaccio. But I’m not picky. Oysters are the only thing I’m not a fan of.” She shivered.

“Got it.” I strode toward the door.

“Uh… aren’t you going to dress first?” Turning, I found Beryl’s cheeks turning an adorable shade of pink.

“You don’t think this looks good?” I couldn’t resist teasing her.

“The problem is you look too good!” Bright red bloomed in her cheeks. “I mean… you don’t want women mobbing you in the halls.”

Beryl thought I looked good, and she didn’t like the thought of other women seeing me. It was all I could do not to fist pump the air. With a grin, I allowed my magic to rush across my skin, leaving the illusion of clothing in its wake.

Her eyes widened in surprise. “If you could magically make clothes appear, then why were you naked this whole time?”

This time, it was my turn to shrug. “I don’t spend a lot of time on land, and I forget clothes are the norm. Besides, it was fun watching you trying to take peeks at my body when you thought I wouldn’t notice.”

Her jaw dropped, and she tried to stammer a denial even as I laughed and made my way out into the hall.

Mission ‘woo my mate’ was off to a wonderful start!

I spent the next thirty minutes checking emails and texts and trying not to think about the gorgeous man I’d be sharing a room—and my life—with. My assistant was doing a wonderful job of holding down the fort, so there wasn’t anything that needed my immediate attention.

Slipping both my phone and laptop into my bag, I sat drumming my fingers on the polished desk and listening to the sounds of the ocean drifting through the open balcony doors.

It had been thoughtful of Cerulean to go get us dinner to give me time to work. I doubted the rest of the couples in the resort were allowing their partner to work. Yet, he’d given me the space, which had worked wonders to calm my nerves.

I wanted to return his thoughtfulness, and I racked my brain for a handful of minutes before landing on something.

Hopping to my feet, I hurried to my suitcase and pulled out my bathing suit. He might have preferred me naked, but I needed a bit more alcohol before I was going to be ready to strip in front of a stranger… even if, on paper, the stranger was my husband and soon-to-be bonded mate.

Once dressed, or rather dressed down, I made my way out to the infinity pool and slowly sank into the warm water.

When Cerulean returned, I watched him search the room before his eyes landed on where I floated in the pool.

“I’ve brought food. Would you like to come out and eat?”

I smiled. “I thought maybe we could eat in the pool?”

His eyes glowed, and, for the second time since we’d met, his skin took on an iridescent quality. Colors rippled across his skin faster than my mind could process.

Unsure what the flash of color meant, I asked, “Is that okay with you?”

“Yes. I’d like that very much.” His voice was husky, deeper than it had been earlier.

I said nothing as Cerulean made his way onto the stone patio and down the steps leading into the pool. He held the tray, keeping it above the water as he settled beside me.

Placing the tray on the stones surrounding the pool, he rearranged the plates, setting a lovely beef carpaccio drizzled with olive oil and capers in front of me.

“Mmm,” I moaned, mouth watering. “It looks delicious.”

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