This turn of events has me squirming under his scrutiny. How do you crush a guy’s hopes? I can’t give him what he’s looking for.
“I’m sorry, Thayer. You’re a great guy, but it’s not meant to be. We are better off as friends. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I just had to ask, to make sure.”
With that, I turn and rush back inside. I can’t stand to see the hurt I’ve just caused. Once inside, I don’t make it far before I run smack into a brick wall. Well, okay, maybe it isn’t a brick wall, but the muscular chest I slammed into might as well have been.
His hands wrap around my shoulders to steady me. “Are you alright? It’s Callie, I’m assuming?”
I look up into his eyes and holy cow. I get lost in their brown depths. His expression is friendly, sincere even. His hair is blonde and cropped short. He’s so tall. I bet he towers over my five foot five by at least a good foot.
“Yes, I’m Callie. Sorry to mow you down like that. I wasn’t watching where I was going,” I offer as I shoot him a playful smile.
“I’m Devon. It’s my pleasure to have stopped you. Would you like another drink?”
Around this guy, hell yes I needed a drink. He makes me nervous and jittery in a good way.
“Um, sure. That would be great, Devon.”
He’s so fast. One minute he’s standing in front of me, and the next he’s back with a glass held out for me. I take it and smile at him in thanks before taking a sip of blood.
“So, Devon, tell me about yourself. What brings you to this fabulous blood ball?” I tease.
“Well, I’m here for you, of course, princess. I’m twenty and studying at the Northern campus in Michigan.”
“Interesting, what is your major?”
“I’m majoring in civil engineering, actually. I want to build roads and all that fun stuff. How about you? What are you going to study once you get to university?”
Suspicion crosses my features as I respond. “I’m majoring in art and minoring in vampire politics.”
He lets out a low rumble. “Don’t be so suspicious, princess. This is your coming out party. You’re eighteen so I assumed you would be going to university in the fall.”
Relief slips through me. I am being silly. For some reason though, I don’t like him calling me princess. It just doesn’t feel right.
This guy is incredibly nice and extremely easy on the eyes. I don’t want to monopolize my time too much with just one guy, so I decide to move on. I still don’t want to dismiss him yet, though.
“I have to go now, but would you like to dance with me later, Devon?”
He gives me his biggest smile and then kisses my hand. “It would be my pleasure, Callie.”
I turn and walk away, a big grin on my face. Tonight’s going pretty well. This is a lot more fun than I expected it to be. I find that I enjoy the male attention of even vampires. I practically skip off to go find Jane.
I see Jane with someone I have yet to meet, grinding on the dance floor. It looks like the two of them are hitting it off. Just the sight of them makes me happy. Maybe, just maybe, Jane and I could have our happily ever after for real.
I try to cover the ground from where I am standing to over where Jane is dancing, but I’m stopped by Winter, of all people. She looks worried and a little envious.
“Hey, Callie, do you have a minute?”
I take in her blue Cinderella dress and note that the color of her eyes complements the color of the dress. Her blonde hair is twisted into an up do and her makeup is frosted on to give her that soft, wintery effect.
“Sure, what’s up?”
I’m curious now and want to know what warrants her talking to me. We’re civil to each other, but nowhere near what you would call friends. She must have an ulterior motive for talking to me.
“So I saw you with Devon just now and I was sort of wondering…” she trails off. “I mean, I wanted to know what your intentions are with him. I think I really like him. He could be the one.”
“Don’t worry, we didn’t fall madly in love, although, he is a great catch. I will definitely let you have him. I can see how you two would be perfect for each other.”
Surprisingly, Winter reaches over and wraps her delicate arms around me. “Oh, thank you so much, Callie!! I won’t forget this.”
Then she pulls away and is gone as fast as she came. Okay, so Devon is out. No big deal, plenty of guys are left and there is always Cody.
Thinking about Cody makes me wonder what he is doing right now. I scan the room and find him sitting at a table talking to Hannah. They are having a drink and talking. He’s making her laugh by the sounds of it. I can see the interest in her eyes and know she likes him.
I can’t understand where this jealousy I suddenly feel is coming from. A day ago, I didn’t even consider him a viable mate and now I can’t seem to picture him as anything else. I have to force myself to look away and focus on meeting more eligible guys. I need this chance to find someone.
I swipe another glass of blood and drink it down before placing the empty glass back on the tray. My blood high is still going strong and I’m in a pleasant mood, despite my jealousies. I search the room once more for any attractive guys I want to dance with.
I find a bronzed guy with golden brown hair down to his shoulders. His eyes are dark; almost black. He looks intense. I start to make my way towards him.
After about ten steps in his direction, a figure blocks my way. I’m nose to nose with Jane. Surprise crosses my face. Then I pull her into a hug.
“I’m having so much fun, Jane! I’m so glad you and Mom talked some sense into me.”
Her left eyebrow rises as she stares at me quietly. Then she shatters the brief silence.
“I’m having a great time, too. I’m also invoking the “I get first dibs” clause in our friendship.” She flicked her eyes over to the mystery guy before returning her gaze to me. “He’s mine, or at least I hope so.”
“Aw, I’m so happy for you, Jane. That’s fantastic!”
“Yeah, it would be if I could keep Alice away from him long enough to win him over.”
“Good luck, I’m sure you will. You look sexy tonight and definitely have Alice beat.”
Jane winks at me and turns to make her way over to him. I sigh and search the room once again. I notice a figure making his way over to me. As he gets closer, his features become more apparent. This guy is average in every way. He has dirty blonde hair and muddy brown eyes. His height is just taller than my own.
He cracks a smile when he reaches me. The gentleman pulls my hand to his lips and gently kisses it before bringing his attention back to my face.
“Miss Callie, my name is Rylie. It is my pleasure to meet you princess.”
“Thanks, Rylie. Do you want to dance?”
A slow song pops on and he pulls me forward. Rylie tucks me against himself and we sway to the music. I’m not sure what I expected, but this is nothing like my dance with Cody. I can’t feel the tension here. There is no spark and I need that spark. I want to actually be attracted to my mate.
I have to get my mind off Cody. Hannah seems to be enjoying herself with him. Maybe I need to start looking elsewhere. Even the thought makes me kind of sad. Rylie didn’t have much to say when the song was over, so we part amicably. I thank him for the dance and turn, on a mission now.
Cody. It all comes back to Cody. He’s all I’ve thought about tonight, surprisingly. I try to figure out when this happened but then I decide it doesn’t matter. It only matters that I need more time with him before one of the other girls, namely Hannah, snaps him up.
I search the room but have no luck. Maybe he’s gone to one of the balconies with Hannah. Jealousy and despair flood me at that thought. What if I’m already too late?
My expression turns to one of defeat and despair. This was my chance and I already wasted it. How could I be so stupid? My whole family is counting on me. I don’t want to end up with Thayer or Rylie. That wou
ld be no life worth living.
A hand touches my shoulder and I whirl around, still sullen. The figure standing across from me is Cody. Instantly my face lights up and I throw my arms around his neck enthusiastically.
“Hello to you, too, Callie. I’m so glad to see you again. Why were you so sad a Moment ago?”
“Oh, it’s nothing. I was just thinking about tonight and all the people I’ve met. You’re here now, and I’m happy to see you.”
Cody pulls me closer to him and whispers in my ear like earlier. A shiver pulses down me and I sigh. “I would love to take you out on the balcony to talk. As much as I enjoyed dancing with you, I’d like a little more privacy.”
When he steps back, I catch the look he gives me. It’s nervousness. What a strange reaction to me. I feel so comfortable around him that I never thought to be nervous.
I wrap my arms around his upper left arm and enjoy the flexing of his muscles beneath. I stick to him like glue as we make our way through the crowd and out to the nearest balcony.
As we step outside, I stop to close my eyes and inhale the night air. When I open them again, Cody is facing me, silent.
All of a sudden, I start to worry about why he’s so nervous. Maybe he hit it off with Hannah and is trying to let me down easy. That would be just my luck. I finally find a guy worth paying attention to and he is going to choose someone else.
“Were you having a good time with Hannah?”
I couldn’t stop the words from coming out of my mouth. How jealous did that just sound? I think I’m going to die of embarrassment if I ever make it out of this conversation. Deep breaths, Callie, I have to remind myself.
I’m not prepared for his response. Cody chuckles and his hazel eyes light up. At first, I think he is laughing at me and I frown. Then he pulls my chin up to meet our eyes.
“Hanging out with Hannah is nowhere near as exciting as spending time with you. In fact, I came to find you early because I had something I wanted to ask you.”
I hung onto that last part and just nodded. I’m not sure where this is going, but it’s unknown and exciting. He takes a step forward and I stop breathing altogether. His thumb lightly brushes across my cheek and then his hand drops to encompass my hand.
“I don’t know if you know this or not, but I have liked you for, like, ever. You never seemed to notice me. I was looking forward to tonight just for a chance to gain your interest. When my parents told me we would be meeting before the ball, I was stoked.”
He pauses for a second and then continues. “Then you walked in and you were different. It wasn’t just a tangible thing. It was a feeling you were giving off, like a vibe. I know in the past it almost seemed like you didn’t care about finding a mate.”
At that comment, I practically choke. “Yeah, priorities change.”
“When you’ve looked at me tonight, it’s like you see me for the first time. You are so beautiful when you smile, Callie.”
Then he steps forward until we are facing each other only inches apart. “I have to ask you, do you have any interest in me?”
His eyes search mine anxiously for an answer to his question. I think about waiting a beat and letting him sweat, but I’m too excited and I just can’t do it. “Yes, Cody. More than I expected to. What happens now?”
I see the relief in his eyes as he recomposes himself. “Could I ask you for a kiss, princess?”
Now I that have a stupid grin on my face. I’m almost too quick to answer. I have to know if there is chemistry to go with this connection we seem to have.
“I would be honored.”
That was all the encouragement he needed. He closes the small gap between us and gently grasps my head in his hands. His lips softly press down against mine and I feel a slight tingling where our lips are touching.
Slowly he intensifies the kiss, parting my lips. I let out a small “mm” sound and he pulls me against him. I can feel every hard plane of his body as it’s pressed against mine. I’m very aware of his hand at the base of my neck, sending tiny shockwaves from its touch.
I let our tongues intertwine and dance together in a frenzied rhythm. The smell of cinnamon is strong and he feels like home. I only have a minute to wonder what his blood would taste like in my mouth, against my lips.
My fangs descend and nick his lip. I try to stop, but I can’t. His blood tastes like honey as I trace my tongue over the small cut. It tastes like heaven and everything good in the world. My blood begins to hum and I am on fire with desire for Cody.
Embarrassed, I snap out of it and pull myself away quickly. My fluorescent violet eyes and fangs are enough to tell me how I feel about Cody. I put my hand over my mouth to cover my fangs, but he just gently grasps my hand and looks down at me. His own hazel eyes are ablaze and I know.
This is very real. Cody is the one. We are meant to mate.
I’m not sure how long we’re standing there before the Moment shatters. We hear Hannah asking everyone if they have seen Cody recently. Great, now I have to deal with Hannah. Cody, however, has other plans.
My fangs have finally disappeared but my eyes are still bright. I’m not sure what he has planned, other than the fact that he has pulled me into the corner next to the door so we are out of sight from inside.
I think I like his idea. He gazes at me through molten, amber eyes with need and desire. I almost blush under his scrutiny. He presses me against the stone wall and places his mouth on mine again.
Cody’s like a drug. Now that I’ve had him, I need him. I return the kiss with more passion and desire than the last kiss held. I want to melt into him right here. His breathing increases and I let out a moan as he nips at my lip.
I feel the blood well up, but don’t pull away. He tastes my blood and lets out a strangled noise of desire. I run my fingers through his hair and wait for what he is going to do next. He softly licks the wound closed and plants a slow, tender kiss on my lips.
When I open my eyes, I see that our eyes are still very much alight and burning with desire for one another. Both of us are breathing heavily and all I can spit out is “wow.”
“Mm hmm, wow about covers it,” he replies lazily.
He pulls me towards himself and wraps his arms around me in a gentle embrace. There is silence between us for quite some time before I speak up.
I whisper against his neck, next to his ear. “So what happens now?”
I feel his heart speed up and then he leans into my ear until he is touching the rim and making me shiver, in a good way.
“That’s up to you, princess. If I had it my way, we would be mated tonight, but I don’t want to push you. You’re amazing and I would be the luckiest guy in the world to have you.”
“I’m pretty sure we have already performed all the prerequisites for the mating ritual tonight with the bloodletting. You are like my drug, Cody. I couldn’t walk away from you now if I tried. I would very much like to be mated with you.”
Pure happiness spreads across his features as he pulls me up and swings me around in delight. I giggle in response. I want to savor this Moment forever. I have found my meant to be, my true mate.
However, happily ever after isn’t quite ours to grasp just yet. We’re very rudely interrupted at that Moment.
“Put her down, Cody. Come along. I want to introduce you to my parents. I’m sure we can convince them that we deserve to be mated,” Hannah says snidely.
My face goes red with rage and I want to knock that pretty, little head off her shoulders. I would have, too, if Cody hadn’t held me back and shook his head no. I back down, but remain on alert.
“I’m sorry, Hannah, but we won’t be mated together. I’ve already found my mate and it’s Callie.”
“Nonsense, we’re perfect for each other. Now, let’s go. I don’t want to keep my parents waiting.”
“No! I’m not going anywhere with you,” he says more firmly. “I don’t think you’re hearing me. I’m mating with Callie. There’s no you and me. Go find anot
her guy to drag to your parents. There are plenty of them here.”
Hannah finally gets it and starts to pout. Oh, for heaven’s sake! “But they aren’t you, Cody! I want you!”
She looks like a two-year-old having a temper tantrum in a pretty dress. I want to laugh, but I’m too angry about her crashing in on my Moment.
Cody finally ignores her and turns to me. He pulls me forward and kisses my forehead. I grin ear to ear. Then he winds his hand in mine and we make our way around a very unhappy Hannah and back into the ball.
We vaguely hear her calling after Cody, but we just ignore her.
“Do you think we should celebrate with a drink?” I ask him.
He snatches two drinks from a nearby waiter and hands me one. “To new beginnings and happiness for the rest of our lives,” he toasts as we clink the glasses together.
I’m so happy. I don’t even need the blood high, but it’s welcomed nonetheless. I swallow the contents of my glass and wait for Cody to finish his. When he’s done, he grabs both of our glasses and sets them on a nearby empty table.
“Come on, we need to find Lord Dominique to make it official. Then we can tell our families.”
I smile and grasp his hand tighter. We’re really doing this. We’re going to initiate the blood bond tonight. The thought sends a thrill of excitement through me as we weave our way through the crowd of curious onlookers.
We finally reach a small, closed off room at the end of the ballroom, next to the staircase. Cody knocks loudly and we wait for permission to enter.
When the door opens, we are face to face with Lord Dominique himself.
“Well, Callie and Cody; what brings you to me tonight?”
“We wish to be mated, sir.”
He looks from me to Cody and then back again. “If you’re sure, come on in and shut the door behind you. Please, have a seat at my desk.”
Excitement races through me and I’m having a hard time keeping myself in check. Cody’s touch is the only thing grounding me right now.
“Initiating a mating is serious. There is no going back once the bond is started. I just need you both to be aware of this. This is forever binding.”
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