Craved Mate: Cybermates

by Ayers, Candace

  One thing was certain. I should have taken better care of myself. But, to be fair, I had never had sex that had inspired so much physical exertion before, so I hadn’t thought to check my sugar level.

  When Ben and Pierce decided to stay on the island an extra couple of days, Ingrid called off work saying she was sick. She claimed that if she was about to get fired anyway, she might as well stay and enjoy her last hurrah, as she put it. She didn’t fool me. I knew she stayed to have another shot at Pierce. She all but worshipped my brother, who was a pussy hound and nowhere near good enough for her.

  When Pierce chartered a fishing excursion and took off this morning before Ingrid had even rolled out of bed, she was crestfallen. We met at Latte Love for coffee.

  “Maybe we should go down to the beach.”

  “Not a bad idea.” Ingrid smiled and looked me over. “You look like a day of lounging on a beach chair in the sun might do you good.”

  “There’s a place called Bayfront Diner near West Public Beach that the locals say has great food. We could grab a couple of sandwiches and stop at a convenience store for some cold soft drinks and spend the day enjoying sun, sand, and surf.”

  “That sounds amazing, actually.”

  She went to her hotel to get changed and I hurried next door to Rise and Shine.

  What a great idea. I couldn’t wait to feel the sun on my body. I was digging around for my swimsuit top when my cell rang.

  It was Ingrid. “Mel! You’re not going to believe this. Pierce just came back from his excursion. Seems the fishing charter had engine trouble and they had to refund the fee. Isn’t that spectacular?”

  “Uh…yes…?”

  “Yes! Pierce asked if I’d like to go to the maritime museum with him. Well, technically, I asked if I could tag along with him and Ben, but same difference.”

  I grinned.

  “So, what do you say? Can we postpone our beachgoing until tomorrow and do the museum today?”

  “Of course.” I had no desire to go to the museum, but I didn’t want to be a downer. “But I’m actually lying down at the moment.” I faked a yawn. “Once I got back in the room, I realized how tired I was. I’d love to nap. Why don’t you all go ahead without me?”

  “What? No. We can go to the beach and rest as we planned.”

  “No, Ingrid, I don’t want to do that anymore either. Please go. I’ll feel less guilty about bailing on you if I knew you at least had something to do.”

  “Well, alright. If you’re sure, then.”

  I grinned. “I’m sure.”

  “You’re an angel, Mel. I’ll call later.”

  My suite had access to a beach that wasn’t too bad. After ending the call, I stepped outside my suite and walked nearer to the water’s edge where I settled in a chair, fully clothed in a shirt and leggings.

  My heart felt trampled.

  I wrapped my arms around myself. Mac had just…left me at the hospital. He hadn’t even called to see if I was okay, and I could not for the life of me understand that reaction.

  19

  Mac

  I sat in the corner of Mimi’s Cabana watching Mel slump over the bar and drink herself silly. Silently, I cursed her for being so careless. After the trip to the ER, you’d think she’d monitor herself a little better. Was this how she always behaved? As though her disease was something to play around with? Good god, she had to know people could die from uncontrolled diabetes.

  Every time she ordered another drink, I fumed and fought to keep myself from marching over there and ripping the damn thing out of her hand. To top it off, I hadn’t seen her check her blood sugar level once. If she had, I would have noticed since I was watching her like a hawk.

  Was the woman trying to kill herself?

  And where the hell was her entourage? Her brother, her cousin, her friend Ingrid, someone should be with her.

  My anger was only slightly stronger than my guilt. The light in her eyes had dimmed, and I blamed myself for that. She was sad and drinking herself silly.

  Fuck. I cursed her for being careless, but I also cursed myself for being such a dickhead. She didn’t deserve this pain. She was too good to have to deal with the dickheads of the world. Like me.

  I kept the brim of my cap low and nursed my vodka tonic.

  It killed me to see her hurting, and even more so to know I caused it, but just the thought of us spending twenty years together then having to go through watching her wither and die...

  I couldn’t do it. The more bonded we became, the harder it would be. Cutting it off now was best for both of us.

  Except, I couldn’t seem to pull myself away from her either. At least not right at the moment. Someone needed to keep an eye on Mel. I had to at least act as her bodyguard for the evening so I could trust she was safe.

  When Mel stood abruptly and swiftly left the bar, I threw a few bills down on the table to cover my drink and a decent tip and waited for her to get a head start so she wouldn’t notice she was being followed.

  Before her empty glass was removed from the bar, I crossed the room to smell the contents. I wanted to know just what I was dealing with. I sniffed again, deeper this time.

  My brow furrowed. I looked up. Mimi was shooting me a knowing glance. “Diet Coke.”

  “So she wasn’t drinking alcohol?”

  Mimi shook her head. “Not a drop.”

  Relieved, I left the bar to see if I could pick up Mel’s trail. She may be sober, and her blood sugar may be within the optimal range, but I still didn’t like the idea of her wandering around the island at night alone. I started to head in the direction of Rise and Shine B&B, but Mel’s scent trail led elsewhere.

  Discreetly, I sniffed the air again. I followed her scent down to the water’s edge.

  Her clothes were in a pile on the sand.

  Oh no… She wasn’t swimming, was she? Dammit, the waves were too rough!

  Tension stiffened my body as I scanned the water. My night vision was good, but I didn’t immediately see Mel, which sent a chill down my spine.

  The waves were deceiving. They may not look all that big, but they were powerful. Finally, I spotted her wading about waist deep. What the hell was she doing going for a swim? She was too delicate and fragile—AND ALONE!

  As though my words had a prophetic effect, I watched a large wave pick up momentum, crest, and crash over Mel’s head. Her cry of alarm was cut short. She was knocked off her feet and dragged under.

  I didn’t bother with my clothes. No time. I ran full speed through the sand, then the water, to the spot I’d seen Mel go under. I kicked my legs and moved my arms trying to locate her. I went under, but there was no use trying to see under the water in the darkness. Even my shifter night vision wasn’t helpful. I fought the waves, swimming as much as I could. The current dragged her somewhere, but where? And how far?

  A wave knocked me off my feet and then I was under too.

  I had the benefit of being shifter-strong and an excellent swimmer, but still it took me too long to get back to the surface. I knew right then and there that I was not going back to shore without Mel.

  I would die out here in this water if that was what it came to, but out here in this water was where I’d stay until I found her.

  If I found her.

  I swam farther and again ducked under, swimming near the sandy bottom, hoping to be lucky enough to stumble upon her by chance.

  And I did.

  My heart slammed to a stop in my chest. She was lying near the bottom and she wasn’t okay.

  I had to move quickly. Every second counted. With every ounce of strength I had, I fought to scoop Mel up, and gripping her tightly, yanked her above water. The waves crashed around us. My mouth, nose, and eyes stung of saltwater. I didn’t think Mel was breathing. I slapped her face, hoping she would suck in a breath of air. She didn’t. She hung there, limp, lifeless.

  No... No... No…

  I needed to get her to shore. Another wave crashed over us, but
I managed to keep us upright. I had to save Mel. Fast.

  I focused all my strength on fighting the current and keeping Mel’s head above the water, which wasn’t easy. I kept going under time and again myself. I wouldn’t let her go. I would not let her go!

  If this fucking bastard ocean took Mel, it would take me too.

  When I finally managed to drag us both out of the water, fatigued by my battle with the sea, my feet sank into the sand, but I quickly laid Mel out on the ground and started CPR. I blew a sharp breath of air into her lungs followed by chest compressions and then repeated it.

  Mel was cold. Her lips were blue. Between my breaths and chest compressions, my head rolled back and I let out a pained howl of anguish at the moon before continuing…

  …and continuing.

  It felt like hours that I’d been giving her CPR. Hours. Her slender body jerked under me and she lurched sideways, choking and coughing up water. My chest heaved and I turned away to flop down on the sand beside us. She’d almost died. She would have if I hadn’t been following her. She’d been seconds from never returning.

  Her voice was broken and rough as she sat up and looked at me. “What happened? Mac? Is that you? Are you crying?”

  I was, I guess. No, not crying, sobbing.

  Wracking sobs of emotion—anger, fear, relief, and gratitude—poured out of me. I couldn’t speak. Instead, I pulled her against my chest and held her. Her heart rate was accelerated, but at least it was still beating.

  Her blood sugar. She needed to check her blood sugar.

  I sat up with her. I couldn’t seem to be able to force my arms to release her.

  “You may need glucose.” My voice sounded almost as much like a bullfrog as hers had.

  I carried her over to her pile of clothes and she somehow managed to find her monitor and check her blood sugar while still wrapped in my arms. Then she slumped against me. “Let’s get out of here.”

  Yes. Perfect. I couldn’t get her far enough away from the ocean right then to suit me. Hell, I’d be happy to drive her to Kansas.

  Standing, I held her in my arms, carrying her nearly the length of the island, back to Rise and Shine B&B.

  I carried her up to the porch of the B&B and inside. Penny was at the desk. She gave me a strange look but said nothing. She knew me and I have no doubt she was able to discern that neither Mel nor I was in the mood for small talk or conversation of any sort. I didn’t even ask Mel which room was hers. Didn’t need to. My nose told me. I pushed open the door to her room, kicked it closed behind her, and carried her into the attached bathroom.

  I didn’t bother to remove any of our clothes. I just turned the hot water on, and with Mel still in my arms, stepped under the steamy spray. I leaned back against the tile wall and blinked as tears burned my eyes. I’d almost lost her forever.

  When she lifted her head and touched a shaking hand to my cheek, I buried my face in her wet hair and choked back sobs.

  “You saved me again.” Her voice broke and she wiggled, trying to get down, but I couldn’t let her go. “Mac, put me down.”

  “I can’t.” I held her tighter, my nose pressed against her neck, breathing in her scent. She was beginning to warm up. Her heartbeat was strong, but I couldn’t shake the image of her lifeless body from my head.

  Seeing her like that, I’d never felt so helpless in my life. I knew how lucky we were. We’d just faced a situation most people would not have survived. Burying my face in her wet hair, I reach a state of calm. “You were gone.”

  “I shouldn’t have done that. It was so stupid. I was just angry and frustrated and not thinking. If you hadn’t been there—”

  An angry snarl rose from my throat. “Don’t say it. I can’t think about it. I’m barely holding it together after seeing you like that.”

  I turned the water off and carried her into the room. I set her on her feet long enough for us to remove our clothing, then handed her a thick, complimentary terrycloth robe, and wrapped a towel around my waist before draping our soaked clothes over the shower rod.

  I didn’t say another word as I got us both under the blankets and held her tightly against my chest, pressing kisses to her forehead, temples, and eyelids.

  “I’m sorry.” She held me just as tightly. “I’m so sorry.”

  I pulled the blanket over us completely, burying us in our little cocoon. I just needed to know that she was okay. And to forget what I’d seen.

  Even when hours had passed and she’d fallen asleep, I held her. I knew I’d never be the same again. Tonight had proven how fucked up mating was.

  Sometime in the middle of the night, I got up, scribbled a note—a final goodbye—and then I slipped out.

  20

  Mel

  Leaving Sunkissed Key meant giving up on Mac.

  And I was. I blocked his number, on the off chance he might try to call, although I knew that was a long shot.

  The vacation fling was over, and I made a vow never to return to the island.

  Mac didn’t know where I lived. So, goodbye was goodbye.

  And that was the way he wanted it.

  I was gloomy and depressed, and I didn’t even try to hide it.

  As Ingrid drove us off the island and to the Miami Airport, she hummed along with the radio, but I could feel a melancholy in her too. We were an unhappy pair. I shed silent tears while staring out my window, and we didn’t talk until we were at the airport. Even then, it was only a few words here and there.

  I wanted to apologize for being the biggest downer ever, but I couldn’t figure out how to even begin the conversation without crying. Pathetic.

  The flight back to Syracuse wasn’t long, but by the time we got our luggage and an Uber to take us home, I felt like I’d run a marathon. Ingrid rested her head on my shoulder in the back seat of the car and that small contact made me feel marginally better. I was worried she was mad at me for ruining her much-deserved vacation.

  Ingrid insisted on coming with me to my house, instead of going home to hers. She helped me bring everything inside and then we both sprawled on opposite ends of the couch and stared up at the ceiling, neither of us speaking. My phone rang somewhere in the house, but it didn’t matter. I just ignored it and focused on breathing through the tightness in my chest.

  “What a trip, huh?”

  I turned my head to look at Ingrid and rolled my eyes. “I ruined it for you. I’m sorry.”

  “You didn’t ruin anything for me, Mel. The moment I watched Pierce pick up a random twat in the pub and take her back to his hotel room, it was ruined.” She sighed. “I’m glad I could help take care of you. You’ve been the one caring for me for some time now. It was my turn.”

  I blinked back tears. “We take care of each other. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  “I’m bloody sorry you got your heart broken. You don’t deserve that.”

  I groaned and rubbed my eyes. “It makes no sense for me to take it so hard, right? I mean, I barely knew him. A couple of short conversations, some really amazing sex… And then there was that whole hero thing. You know, rescuing me from being stuck in a tree and saving my life. Twice.”

  “Smoking-hot heroic firefighters who repeatedly save lives are overrated.”

  “I had these crazy ideas, Ingrid. I’m so embarrassed now.” Tears started leaking from the corners of my eyes. “That night I went to him, it just felt so right. When I woke up in bed with him, I couldn’t stop thinking about how right it was and how I wanted to do just that every single day for the rest of my life. I’m such an idiot.”

  “You’re not an idiot.”

  “I fell for a guy that was supposed to be a vacation fling. How the hell could I miss him like this? And that beautiful little baby. My heart just opened right up to both of them as though I’d known them their whole lives.”

  She clicked her tongue. “I’m so sorry, Mel. Maybe it’ll fade as fast as it came on.”

  I didn’t think it would. “You know wh
at the worst part is? The worst damn part? I still have some stupid sliver of hope that maybe he’ll come after me. That he’ll track me down and come bursting into my life to profess his love like some stupid, asinine romantic comedy. You know, like Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire? ‘You complete me.’”

  “Oh, honey.”

  I cried harder. “I know. I’m so stupid.”

  “No. You’re not stupid. He’s stupid. Men are stupid.” When my phone started ringing again, she groaned and went to find it. “It’d better be an emergency. What kind of bell-end calls multiple times in a row?”

  I heard her swear from the other room. “Who is it?”

  “Adam. He’s called seventeen times.”

  I winced. “I haven’t checked my phone.” The one person I wanted to call me didn’t have my number, so what was the point?

  She came back into the room and waved the phone at me. “Should I get rid of him?”

  I shook my head. “I don’t want to get you into any more hot water than I have already.”

  I blew out a deep breath. I had to face the music and deal with Adam sooner or later. I owed him at least that, I guessed. As soon as I answered, though, it was obvious he just wanted to hurl insults at me.

  “I can’t believe the nerve of you. Do you have any idea what you did?” I could practically see the foam collecting at the sides of his mouth. “My mother is livid.”

  Sighing, I tried to stay calm. “I’m sorry, Adam. You’re right. I could have handled that breakup better.” Ingrid was expressing her disagreement by making faces and obscene hand gestures at the phone.

  “I’m sorry if I hurt you. I truly am.”

  “Ha! Hurt me? Mel, you may think your dried-up old cunt is something special, but I assure you it’s not. What you hurt was my goddamn bank account. My mother promised to retire and hand over the reins of the company to me when you and I married. Now, that offer’s off the table. Your actions did damage to my livelihood. That’s what you fucking cost me. You’ll be hearing from my lawyers. I plan to sue for compensation.”