4

"No."

"What do you mean no?"

"No means no. I'm not going to kiss you. I don't even know you."

"I just told you we are mates." He said it so matter of fact. 

"I can't help it if you're delusional."

"Excuse me?" Trick's eyes narrowed at me and my pulse quickened. 

"Listen, there is no way someone like you is mated to someone like me. I mean, you get that right?" He folded his arms across his chest. 

"No I don't get it. What's wrong with being my mate?"

"Oh good grief, now you're being obtuse. You're clearly not the problem. You’re a king. You’re good looking. Women and men throw themselves at you.”

“So the problem is you?”

“Clearly. I’m a poor fat shop owner who doesn’t know the first thing about being a queen.” Damn, he really made me say it. A dark look clouded his face. I mistook it for realization. 

“What did you just call yourself?” he growled, moving toward me at a scary speed. He pinned me in place, an arm on either side of me. 

“Please don’t make me repeat it,” I said softly, looking away.

“Look. At. Me.” I shook my head. “LOOK AT ME!” he roared and I whipped my head around. “I’ve met a lot of ignorant people in my life but you might just be the worst. You’re an owner of a thriving small business with beautiful blue eyes and an ass I want to sink my fangs into. Now say it.”

“You-you’re joking,” I stammered. 

“Say. It.” His tone dropped, making him more threatening. 

“I-I’m the owner of a small business-“

“Thriving small business,” he interjected. 

“Thriving small business. And I have beautiful blue eyes and…” my voice trailed off as I felt my face heat up. 

“Keep going.”

“Seriously?” He growled again, causing my heart to beat faster. 

“Andanassyouwantosinkyourteethinto.” I rushed it out as fast as I could. 

“Fangs. But I’ll allow it.” He sat back and I let out the breath I was unintentionally holding in. 

“What is going on in here?” Chemist said from the doorway, his hands on his hips. “I asked you to observe her, not cause her more trauma.” 

“We’re simply having a conversation,” Trick said, holding my eyes with his. 

“You need to work on your people skills,” Chemist muttered, leaving again. 

“Ready for the kiss now?” Trick asked, leaning in toward me. 

“You just yelled at me! Why would I kiss you?!”

“Because I told you I like your ass! And I’m still your mate!”

“No I’m not. Stop saying that.”

“You’d know it’s true if you just kissed me,” he said through clenched teeth. 

“I don’t even like you,” I responded through my own clenched teeth.

“The feeling is becoming mutual.” We stared at each other, refusing to give in. He did have nice full looking lips though. It would probably be my one chance to kiss someone as good looking as him. Considering I just had a near death experience, perhaps I could take the risk and live a little. 

“If, and that’s a big if,” I started, putting my hand up when Trick leaned in, “I kiss you, will you leave me alone after?” He sighed and looked away. 

“Fine, if that’s what you really want, yes I will leave you alone.” Finally. I let my legs slide out in front of me and scooted closer to him. He smelled amazing, like a chocolate chip cookie. I licked my lips and his eyes darkened. He reached out and cupped my face with his hand. His palm was rough but the touch was gentle. 

“You sure?” he murmured, bringing his face within an inch of mine. One kiss and he was gone. I could do this. I answered him by closing the gap between us, putting my lips on his. Time stopped. Then an explosion of pleasure flooded my chest. I suddenly couldn’t get enough of him. Our mouths moved in sync. His tongue asked for entrance and I allowed it. The silky sensation sent fire to every inch of my body. I instantly felt secure, loved, wanted, erotic, all of the emotions, while my mind screamed “MATE!”. My hands worked their way up his chest to grip the front of his shirt, pulling him closer. He groaned into my mouth and I ate up the sound. When he pulled back, every sensation ceased and I felt alone and cold. 

“Nevermind, don’t leave,” I said breathlessly. 

“Never. I’m yours,” Trick answered, just as breathless. We leaned back in only to be interrupted by a knock at the door. 

“WHAT?!” we both yelled. The poor nurse standing at the door looked like she was going to cry. 

“Sorry, but Chemist told me to let you know I had arrived,” she said, her voice wobbling. 

“Fine, you’ve let us know, now leave,” Trick hissed, throwing daggers at her with his eyes. 

“My apologies, Your Highness, but he said that the young lady should rest now. Also, you’re needed back at the palace,” she went on, wringing her hands. 

“Should’ve been named Coward. Man sent a woman to do his dirty work,” he said under his breath. “Give us a moment.” The nurse dropped a curtsy and disappeared. 

“So, do you believe me now?” he smirked. I blushed and looked away. “I’ll take that as a yes.”  

“Let’s just say you give a convincing argument.”  He stood and placed a kiss on my forehead. I leaned into it, enjoying the warmth. 

“Rest. Do whatever the nurses tell you. I’ll be back in the morning.” I nodded. My heart suddenly began to ache at the thought of him leaving. This mate thing was ridiculous. I was missing a man I just met. He was gone in the next second, vanishing from the spot where he had been standing. I blinked and then fell back on my pillows. What. Just. Happened. 

***

The rest of the night was spent being woken up in regular intervals by the nurses, checking my vitals, pushing water, offering pain meds if I needed it. It felt like I had finally fallen into a deep sleep when an incessant pounding on my door jerked me awake.  

“Now see here, who do you think you are?” I heard the nurse demand. 

“Who am I?! Who are you?! Where’s Saraya? Saraya! Saraya! Are you here? Hey let me go!” Janus’ voice carried back to me. I quickly fought my way out of my covers and sprinted to the living room where a giant in a dark suit was holding Janus by both of her arms. 

“Stop! Please! It’s okay she’s my friend. Please let her go,” I begged. The man let Janus go and she gave him a dirty look. 

“You’re alive! You never texted last night. I’ve been so worried,” she said, throwing her arms around me. I returned the embrace. 

“I’m sorry. Something came up.” We pulled back but she didn’t let me go. 

“What happened?” she asked, concerned. 

“I uh, well, I was almost strangled to death and it turns out I’m the vampire king’s mate. So, yay for me.” Janus blinked several times. 

“Come again?”

“Yeah, you better sit down.” I led her over to the couch and sat. The nurse came over to check my vitals and Janus’ eyes grew to the size of dinner plates. “I’m fine really. This is just a precaution. The doctor just wanted me to be monitored because I passed out.”

“What happened?” I explained about the guard almost killing me. She sat there, a horrified expression on her face. 

“I don’t even know what to say. I’m just so glad you’re okay,” she said, giving me another hug. 

“Me too,” Trick’s voice rumbled as he walked in. 

“Holy Hades,” Janus breathed out. He looked sinfully good, wearing a fitted black suit with a black tie. His black hair was almost hanging into his eyes and I resisted the urge to reach out and brush it back. 

“In the flesh,” he grinned, his eyes flashing red and fangs elongating for a second. Janus looked at me, then back to him, then back to me. 

“Raya, that’s him.” 

“Yeah, I know.”

“I thought you said his mate was going to be Lily.” 

“Who’s Lily?” Trick asked, putting his hands in his pockets. He stood near my front door, giving us some space. 

“She’s twenty-one,” Janus said, clearly still trying to make sense of this situation. Truck frowned. 

“So?”

“I just thought because of the age that Lily might be the one you chose. She lives in this building and her parents are nobles,” I explained. Plus she had a banging body with platinum blonde hair and sky blue eyes. As her name came up, I secretly hoped he never met her and realized what a mistake I was as his mate. 

“Well clearly you thought wrong,” he said with a smirk and I blushed, remembering our kiss. 

“Yes I did,” I murmured.