Eva felt so proud of Gabriel. He had really done a lot. For the paranormals in New Moon City, and for her.
Eva leaned back in her chair, chatting with Sonia as she did her nails. Sonia was a collared werejaguar and a single mom of an adorable werejaguar cub. From their conversations, Eva could see that the girls respected and trusted Gabriel. He was a good boss. He treated them fairly and paid them well. And if customers became unreasonable or abusive, he protected them. Sonia told her that Gabriel had once sent a big, bad wolf crashing out a window because he had stuck his paw up Sonia's skirt.
“You should have seen him. Gabriel hauled that wolf up by the scruff of his neck and sent him sailing towards the moon. There, look at that window. We had it patched up, but if you look closely, you can still see the outline of a big, dumb wolf,” Sonia joked.
Just as Sonia finished up, Gabriel poked his head round the booth and grinned at them.
“Good evening, ladies,” he purred.
Sonia giggled. “She's all ready for you.”
Gabriel smiled at her. “You look beautiful.”
Sonia leaned in and whispered loudly to Eva, “He says that to all the girls.”
“I do not!” Gabriel huffed, pretending to look outraged.
Sonia laughed and made a shooing motion with her hand.
Eva blushed as Gabriel kissed her on the cheek and tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. “I'll see you next week, Sonia,” she called over her shoulder.
As they stepped out of Widow's Parlor, Eva asked, “Where are we going?”
“Um...” Gabriel looked a little flustered. “I'd planned to get the movie tickets, I swear I did! But it turned out to be a really busy night at Widow's Haunt,” he hurried to explain. “I think I'll have to employ more wait staff. I was rushing around and there were so many things to see to. I...there's no excuse. I forgot. It just...slipped my mind. Argh!” He looked highly frustrated and furious with himself. “And when I remembered, it was too late. And all the good restaurants were already fully booked! Maybe we could try that little cafe round the corner...”
Eva leaned in and pressed her lips to his mouth to stop him. When she pulled back, he was staring at her in amazement.
“You're not mad?”
“Oh, I am. I'm mad that you're suggesting a cafe...”
“I...”
“...instead of your place,” she finished with a hand on her hip.
He stared at her dumbfounded. For a full minute, he just stood there gaping at her.
“Are you saying what I think you're saying?” he managed at last.
“Yes, Gabriel. I...I'll like to go to your place, tonight,” she answered coyly.
“Tonight,” he repeated breathlessly. “You want to come home with me tonight.”
“Yes.”
“You'll stay, tonight,” he said slowly, and Eva saw that he was holding his breath.
It made her heart clench. He wanted her, so much. And he had been so patient. He never forced her or pressured her. He had been waiting, waiting for her to come to him.
Eva gazed up at him. “Not just tonight,” she said softly. “Every night.”
“Eva.”
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him.
“Eva, do you know how long I've waited to hear these words from you?” he murmured.
She smiled and rested her hand against his chest, feeling the powerful thump of his heart. “And was the wait worth it?” she teased.
“Yes!” Gabriel said emphatically. “You are worth it, Eva. You make me want to be a better man. In fact, you've made me a better man!” he declared proudly.
“You!” She punched his arm. “You have been watching too many movies! You stole that line right out of...”
“Yeah, you're right,” he confessed with a grin. “I've been watching way too many chick flicks. You know, I actually teared up at the last few movies we watched. Remember when I asked to borrow your hanky? It was...”
“...it was because you spilled that can of fizzy blood down your shirt!” she snorted. “It wasn't to dab away a tear, you big fraud.”
Gabriel laughed out loud. His laugh was deep, hearty, and filled with pure happiness. It made Eva's heart swell with pride and joy.
He beamed down at her, and said, “You have made me so happy, Eva. So happy that I could kiss you, right now.”
Eva rolled her eyes. “So what's stopping you?”
Gabriel stared at her and she saw the heat and hunger in his eyes. “Nothing,” he growled.
Eva gasped as he grabbed her, and lowered his mouth to hers. She gulped, expecting his kiss to be hard, bruising and demanding. Instead, he brushed his lips gently against hers, and kissed her softly, tenderly.
Eva's eyelids fluttered rapidly, and she melted against him. He was sweet and gentle with her, stroking her back, her hair, her face as he kissed her.
Gabriel held her and kissed her for the longest time, his tall, broad body buffering her from the cold night wind.
Eva gasped when she heard someone cough loudly behind her. She turned to see two Enforcers standing behind them. The Enforcers were on patrol, and their expressions were straight and businesslike. The female Enforcer raised a brow slightly at her, and her brawny partner glanced across the street, surveying the area.
Eva blushed furiously, and pulled Gabriel aside to let them pass. But Gabriel winked and called out, “Hi Bryn. Hi Scott. It's a lovely night, isn't it?”
Scott chuffed under his breath and walked away without replying. But Bryn turned and sniffed over her shoulder, “Get a room.”
Gabriel laughed and his eyes glinted. “We will!”
Quietly, Gabriel slid his arms around her, capturing her in his embrace. His smile was sly and wicked.
“Tonight, I'm getting you in my room, in my bed...” he murmured softly, seductively in her ear, sending a delicious shiver through her body. “...and I'm never letting you leave.”
“We will be together, Eva. Forever. I love you.” He kissed her and whispered, “Forever.”
“I love you too, Gabriel,” she said, kissing him back. She gazed deeply into his eyes, seeing the truth of his words. He loved her, truly, eternally. He had done so much for her, for their future.
“I love you. Forever.”
the end...
some time after the end...
Bryn sat alone at the corner of the bar and scowled at the drink in her hand. It wasn't the drink's fault. Widow's Bar served the real thing. They didn't water down their drinks or sweeten them with chocolate or some other shit. Just potent, undiluted blood, with a heady shot of hard liquor.
“Rough night?” Someone slid into the bar stool beside her.
“Go away, Gabriel.”
Gabriel King laughed. “What's wrong, Bryn? You're too young to be moping.”
“Nothing's wrong. Now leave me be.”
He nodded knowingly, and kept right on sitting beside her in silence. He gestured discreetly and the bartender slid him a drink.
Finally, she sneaked him a sidelong glance and said, “I see Jett has taken off your collar.”
“Yup.” Gabriel grinned. “Your man is one helluva guy!”
Bryn started to nod, then caught herself. “He's not my man!” she huffed. “He's...unreadable, unpredictable and downright infuriating!”
She took a gulp of her drink “Is it because I'm a vamp?” she exploded, swiveling round to face him. “Is that why he won't...” she trailed off, and clamped her mouth shut. She blew out a hard breath.
Gabriel didn't speak for a moment. Then he began casually, “You know, before she knew me, Eva didn't have a single paranormal friend. She didn't date paranormals, she didn't work with paranormals. She's in the NMPD, the human police force. All her friends and family were human. She might not admit it, but I think she had this invisible, impenetrable wall around her. To protect herself and her world. And who could blame her? I mean, look at me! But now, look at her.” He gestured at himself. �
��Her mate is a vampire who runs a chain of blood bars and employs collared paranormals, and she's friends with all the girls at Widow's Parlor. Look at how far we've come.”
Gabriel smiled and raised his glass. “It's good now. But getting to where we are now sure wasn't easy. And trust me, being collared wasn't the hardest part.”
Bryn let out a small, lopsided smile.
“Eva and I had so many walls between us,” Gabriel went on. “I had to smash those walls down, one by one. Of course, kidnapping her wasn't the smartest way to go about it.” Gabriel made a face, but he didn't look too apologetic. “Well, a vamp's gotta do what a vamp's gotta do,” he declared, straightening up.
Bryn shot him a look. “Are you suggesting that I kidnap Jett?”
Gabriel spewed out his drink. When he finally stopped coughing and spluttering, he wiped his mouth and said, “Look. Jett heads the Enforcement Unit. He works closely with vamps, weres, warlocks, demons, all kinds of paranormals and humans. There are no walls...”
Bryn turned away and mumbled, “That's what you think.”
“Jett looks out for his Enforcers, and—he protects you,” Gabriel said, looking straight at her.
Bryn swallowed. She couldn't refute that. He was right on that point.
Out of the corner of her eye, Bryn saw Eva step into Widow's Bar. She was in her police uniform, and she had her cap tucked under her arm. Her eyes scanned the dim interior and she found Gabriel almost instantly. She spotted Bryn at the same time and waved.
Bryn raised her glass to her as she started to walk towards them.
Gabriel was already standing up.
He clapped a hand on her shoulder, and said quietly, “I did it. So can you. Compared to me, you're younger and prettier, so you'll probably have an easier time.”
They exchanged a look and a wry smile.
But this is Jett we're talking about, so...scratch 'easier time'.
Bryn watched Gabriel walk over to meet Eva and gather her in his arms. He twirled her around, and her joyous laughter rang out across the bar.
They were so happy together. Bryn could see that they were crazy about each other, and they cared very deeply for each other. She could see the love and passion in their eyes, in the way they touched and held each other.
Gabriel tilted Eva's smiling face up with both hands. His eyes glowed as he slanted his mouth over hers. With a fierce kiss, he misted his mate away.
Bryn turned back to her drink. She was happy for them, but seeing how happy they were made her feel worse.
She downed her drink in one gulp, and slammed the empty glass onto the counter. Swiping at her mouth, she stood up.
“Easier time, my ass,” Bryn muttered. “Kidnapping is way easier!”
BLOOD MATE
(MATE series, Book 7)
COMING SOON!
About the Author
Natalie Kristen is a writer who enjoys mixing the sweet with the spicy, the light with the dark, the possibilities with the unimaginable. She enjoys exploring paranormal and dystopian worlds, deep desires and inspiring romances. She is hopelessly addicted to coffee, chocolate, reading and writing. She loves to hear from readers so please feel free to follow her on Twitter and Facebook, or visit her blog for the latest news and updates.
Blog:
nataliekristen.blogspot.com
Twitter:
@NatKristenBooks
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www.facebook.com/NatalieKristenBooks
Dark Mate (MATE series) Page 11