Page 27 of Little Mate
But how can he—this vampire—be my mate? How do I forgive and move past everything?
Gods, I’m confused.
“And again, you’ve been looking for me. Why?” At my words, spoken low and a bit sultry, his eyes snap from my lips to my eyes, widening as they sink in.
“Gabriella?”
“Theodore.”
The minutes pass and neither of us speak, too lost in our thoughts. However, it’s his hand on my cheek that calms me just when I think it’s better that I run. It’s the feel of his lips on my neck and the arms around my waist that anchor me as the knife slips from my fingertips, clanging on the floor.
So simple each touch, but from your mate—the one person made for you—it gives your soul purpose.
“I’m sorry.” He says it so low I almost don’t hear it, but I do, and a shuddering breath escapes me. This is the last thing I expect from the proud king, but right now he’s humbling himself while the sword he held moments ago is now astride my lap. An offering. “You are the lesson I needed to learn, Gabriella Moore. My life is yours.”
“Theo, I—”
“Say it again.” His purr-like rumble tickles, creates a vibration through me that makes me laugh. “Please.”
“Since when does a king beg?” I ask, and this flirtatious side of me is new. This is inappropriate. So wrong. And so is the way I clench at the sight of his harsh swallow—the delicious way his throat bobs with the action.
I need to reject the—
He pulls back so I can meet his eyes. I see the sincerity in them, and it nearly bowls me over. “Since the moment I laid eyes on you.”
A blush spreads across my cheeks, and I bite my bottom lip. “Does this mean you’ll stop hurting innocent people?” Please don’t disappoint me.
“This means my life is yours to command, pretty girl.”
“That’s a hard offer to deny, Mr. Astor…”
“Then don’t.” He lifts me with ease, tucking me against his chest while seating me on his lap. We’re on the floor, his body cradling mine while those lips kiss from the crown of my head to the temple. “Let me love you. Let me be the one you lean on.”
“You’ve hurt my people.”
“And I will make the reparations necessary to those who are innocent.” With the tip of two fingers, he nudges my head so we’re eye to eye. His lips hover, and I can taste him there. His natural sweetness is a tease to my senses. “Let me spend an eternity making you happy.”
“What will it cost me?”
“Your heart, and in return, I’ll give you all of me.”
8
THEODORE ASTOR
VAMPIRE KING
Fuck, she’s beautiful.
My eyes take in every stunning inch and for the first time in my life, I'm thankful to the man who fathered me. Because without his selfishness, I would've never been given such a treasure.
My life is no longer mine.
She's curvy, I can tell even from my kneeling position at her feet and the high slits of her dress that end just below the edge of each hip. It’s provocative, this thin garment with a plunging neckline and access to her body—a temptation I’m finding hard to resist.
Every time she inhales, my resolve breaks a little more.
Every time she blinks, I find myself wrapped by an enchantment I can’t fight.