No more.
Jumping up, he grabbed his cell and the card with Donnie’s number on it and held them in trembling hands. He screwed the card up, squeezing his eyes shut and paced the small room, the indecision messing with him.
He’d researched mates, knew why he felt the way he did. The pull, the connection, the need.
The cell rang and he jumped, staring at it in his hand. Colin.
His brother and parents had left the day before, and even though Jeremy had been grateful they’d been there, he’d been glad when they left. He loved his parents, but sometimes they overwhelmed him. They’d always been there for him, supporting him when he came out and doing everything they could to educate him except for one area.
Colin had sat him down and given him the sex talk, an experience Jeremy never wanted to go through again.
“Hey.”
“Jer, you good?”
“I’m fine.”
“At least one of us is. I should have come in my own car. For fuck’s sake, she never stopped talking!”
Laughing, Jeremy asked, “What about?”
“You, numb-nuts! When are you going to find a nice man? When are you going to settle down? How are you going to manage? She was going on about making up the spare room so you can move back in!”
Jeremy’s eyes widened, and even though Colin couldn’t see him, he shook his head. “Fuck no. I love them, but no, not gonna happen.”
“She wants to set you up with Jamie.”
“No! No, no, no, no, no.” Jeremy groaned, wiping a hand over his face.
“Say how you feel, Jer!”
“Could you move back in with them?”
“What? No! I love them...”
“Yeah. Who needs to hear their parents fucking?”
“At least you only heard them. I walked in on them once.”
Jeremy laughed. “And you tiptoed out!”
“Come on. Who wants to see that? Anyway, it’s just us so how are you doing?”
Sighing, Jeremy slumped on the bed. “I have a mate,” he whispered.
There was silence on the line, then Colin said, “Did you just say a mate? As in vampire mate?” Jeremy could hear the shock in Colin’s voice.
“Yeah. He pulled me from the water. He told me what he was and left when I asked him to. I’ve researched it, Col. Everything I’m feeling right now is because of him. I don’t know what to do.”
“You know they never cheat. Mates are the most important person to a vamp. Being bit is hot too.”
Jeremy’s mouth fell open. “You’ve let one bite you?” he asked incredulously.
“Yeah, I was seeing one a few months back. Gorgeous too. Being bitten during sex is amazing.”
“Ugh! Don’t talk about sex.”
“Warm, wet pussies! Juices flowing—”
“Shut the fuck up, you bastard.”
“Man, I love riling you up.” Colin went silent, then in a more serious voice, asked, “What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know.”
“Not all men are like Patrick. This vamp won’t hurt you, and the fact he’s stayed away when you asked him to says a lot about him.”
“Should I call him?” Jeremy bit his lip, waiting for Colin to answer.
“I would. Vamps only get one mate. Be honest with him and see what happens.”
Jeremy exhaled heavily. “Yeah, I will. I have his number in my hand.”
“Then call him and let me know what happens.”
“Okay, and thanks.”
“Love ya, kiddo.”
Jeremy hung up and stared at the crumpled card in his hand. Taking a deep breath, he dialed the number and waited.
His cell ringing woke Donnie, and he stared blankly at the screen, not recognizing the number. He reached out to grab it and knocked it on the floor.
“Shit,” he grumbled, leaning over the side of the bed to pick it up.
“Hello,” he answered, his voice gravelly. He coughed to clear it and almost missed the response.
“Hi, it’s Jeremy.”
“Jeremy. Hi.” He gripped the cell in his hand and opened his mouth to speak, suddenly lost for words. He sat up, leaning against the headboard, waiting for Jeremy to speak.
“Yeah, hi.”
There was silence on the line, and Donnie struggled to fill it. “How are you?” He smiled. He’d managed to ask Jeremy a question. Yay, Donnie!
“Good. You?”
“Yeah, good, thanks.”
Again, silence descended. Donnie screwed his face up, shaking his head. Shit. What did he say? “Oh, how was your house?”
“Condemned.”
“Oh, shit. Sorry.” Way to go, Donnie.
“I’m waiting for the insurance company, but you know how they are.”
“Oh, well, you still have your business, right?”
“I lived above my bakery.”
Donnie winced again. He was fucking this up. “I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, me too.”
More silence.
“So, where are you staying right now?”
“A hotel. It’s okay.”
Donnie sat up straight. No mate of his was living in a hotel. “Stay with me. I have a couple of spare rooms. You can stay in one of those until you know what’s happening with the insurance and your business.”
“Stay with you?” Jeremy spoke slowly.
“Yes. Why? Is that a problem?” Donnie furrowed his brow. He thought it was a great idea. Jeremy needed a place, he had the room, and it would save him money. Plus, Donnie would have him with him.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“Why? You’re my mate. Why wouldn’t I want to provide a place for you to stay? You’re the most important person in my life.”
“Wow,” Jeremy whispered. “I mean, I’d read about mates, but...”
“Mates are everything to us,” Donnie told him quietly.
“Okay. I... I guess... yeah, I need to think about it.”
“Just remember the offer is there.”
“Yeah, thanks.”
“Other than living in a hotel, how are you? Did your family make it home safe?”
“Yeah, they did. My parents want me to move back in with them until I get everything sorted.” Donnie chuckled when he heard Jeremy snort. “No chance of that.”
“Nah, I wouldn’t want to move back in with mine either.”
“Don’t get me wrong, they’re great. They were amazing when I told them I was gay, but no, I don’t want to be living with them again.”
Donnie inhaled deeply, calming the riot in his stomach. “Look, do you want to meet up? Have a drink or something?” He couldn’t sit still, so he stood and paced the room waiting for Jeremy to answer. The silence on the cell was deafening, and Donnie glanced at the screen, checking Jeremy was still there.
“Okay.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.” Jeremy chuckled. “I’d like that.”
“Me too.”
Chapter Four
The vampire was here. How Jeremy knew this, he didn’t know, but he was certain Donnie was waiting.
Jeremy walked into the pub he’d suggested to Donnie and quickly scanned the area looking for the vampire. When he noticed him in the corner, he took a deep breath in and breathed out slowly, trying to steady his nerves. He wiped his clammy palms and swallowed, waiting for his heart to calm down.
Here, he could see the man who claimed to be his mate. Donnie hadn’t noticed him yet, so Jeremy could take his fill.
The T-shirt he wore showed off his arms. Muscles bunched and flexed when he moved them and Jeremy could easily remember what the rest of him looked like from the hospital room. He licked his lips. Yeah, Donnie was gorgeous, and under different circumstances, Jeremy would have been trying to fuck him.
He noticed the second Donnie lifted his eyes and stared straight at him like he’d known he’d been there all along. Maybe, the whole mate thing was right. Apparently, mate
s could sense each other, or was that just vampires?
He waved and walked over, avoiding a few people, and stood by the table as Donnie also stood to greet him. He shoved out his hand in Donnie’s direction, and Donnie glanced down at it then back up at him, a frown marring his features.
“Hi,” Jeremy said, waving his hand slightly to draw Donnie’s attention back to it.
Donnie shook it slowly, his thumb rubbing over the back of Jeremy’s hand, and Jeremy swallowed hard. Shit, his body reacted to that simple touch. Dick hardening, his pulse speeding up, his mouth suddenly dry.
He quickly pulled his hand free and sat opposite Donnie, the table a barrier he needed right then. He looked around the pub, anywhere but at Donnie, waiting for his body to settle down. He didn’t want Donnie to see how much his presence affected him.
“Hi. Did you get here alright?”
Jeremy’s eyes snapped back to Donnie, and he gave him a small smile. “Shouldn’t I be asking you that? I’m sure you traveled further than I did?”
“Not too far. I was here to look into a property I’m interested in investing in.”
“Oh, really. I thought you rescued people for a living.”
“I do, but I won’t be able to do that all my life, so I’ve been looking into different investments. I want to be able to provide for my family in the years ahead.”
“You have children?”
“No, but I want them. What about you? Do you want to have children? Be a father?”
Jeremy nodded. “Sure, who doesn’t?”
“Do you want a drink?” Donnie stood as he asked, pulling his wallet from his jeans.
“I’ll have a beer, thanks. Any will do.”
Donnie went to the bar, and Jeremy watched. Man, his ass. Jeremy licked his lips again and groaned, dropping his head into his hands. He needed to keep his distance from the vampire, not be drooling over his ass.
When a pint glass appeared in front of him, Jeremy looked up, catching the smirk on Donnie’s face.
“Look, this is how it’s going to be. You feel something already, and over time that will deepen. If we take this further—” Donnie clenched his hands and glanced away—”which I would love for us to do, the connection will be amazing.”
“Like?” Jeremy leaned on the table, staring at Donnie. He wanted to hear it from the vampire, not read about it from some website.
“I knew when you arrived, and I’m sure when you walked up to the door you had a feeling I was here already. It’s slightly muted for humans, but for vampires, at first, it’s intense.” Donnie stared at him. “You knew before you walked through the door, didn’t you? Some random thought that I was here, waiting.”
Jeremy looked away. He had known. Somehow, he’d known. The second he’d put his hand on the door to open it, he’d known. Maybe even before then.
Nodding, Jeremy gulped his beer. “Shit,” he muttered.
“I know it can be overwhelming for humans at first.”
“Overwhelming?” Jeremy glared at Donnie. “I don’t need this right now.” He snapped at him. Wincing, he closed his eyes briefly and added, “Look, it isn’t your fault. I’ve not long left a relationship, and I’m not ready.”
He caught Donnie’s own wince followed by a look of pain before he blanked his face. “I see.” He leaned forward, resting his arms on the table, and looked directly at Jeremy. “I only get one mate. One, Jeremy, and you’re it. I’ll do whatever you need. Do you need more time, a chance to get to know me better? Tell me what you need, and I’ll do my best to make it happen.”
Sighing, Jeremy answered, “I need time. I need to sort my life out. I don’t have a home or a business, and if I’m honest, I don’t need a relationship.” He held his hand up when Donnie opened his mouth to speak. “I’m not blind to your side of this. I’ve read enough recently to know how important mates are, but I’m not ready. I’m not ready.” Jeremy ended on a whisper, closing his eyes.
“Was it that bad?” Jeremy looked up at Donnie when he heard the question. “Your previous relationship.”
“It wasn’t great.”
“I’m not trying to interfere, but I noticed the scars.” As Donnie spoke, his eyes dropped to Jeremy’s wrists.
“Of course you did,” Jeremy snorted, shaking his head. Donnie had seen everything.
“Did he do that to you?” he asked quietly.
“Yes, and no, I’m not going to talk about it. It’s over and in the past.”
“Is it? You won’t give us a try, so I’d say it very much isn’t over with and in the past.”
Jeremy leaned over the table, glaring at Donnie. Glancing around the pub to make sure no one was watching, he said, “You have no idea what I went through. Don’t you dare fucking judge me.” He gritted his teeth. “No idea at all.”
“Then tell me. That’s what mates are for,” Donnie implored, reaching his hand across the table and touching Jeremy’s. “Tell me everything. Let me help you.”
Jeremy wiped a shaky hand across his face, leaning back in his chair and watching Donnie’s face. He appeared to be genuinely interested, and Jeremy slowly nodded. Maybe talking about what happened with Patrick would help. He wanted to talk.
“Okay.”
“Do you need another drink?”
Jeremy stared at the empty glass, not realizing he’d finished it. He nodded and watched Donnie go to the bar, then closed his eyes. Shit, what was he doing? Was this the mate thing, him wanting to tell Donnie? He hadn’t told his family everything, not even Colin, who he was close to.
“Here, take a drink and when you’re ready, tell me.”
He lifted the drink, seeing it tremble in his hand, and lowered it again. Staring at the table, he opened his mouth, but nothing came out.
“Whenever you’re ready, Jeremy. There’s no rush.”
“Patrick,” Jeremy whispered in a shaky voice. “His name was Patrick.”
“Okay, that’s good. I’ll go and hunt down every Patrick and teach them a lesson.”
Jeremy’s eyes shot up to Donnie. “What? No!”
“Okay, maybe later then.” Donnie shrugged, acting nonchalant, but Jeremy saw the red in his grey eyes.
“This is a bad idea.”
“I’m not a child, I can handle this, and it’s no different to when you’re pissed off, except you can physically see when I’m pissed off.” He shrugged again.
Jeremy nodded. Donnie was right. “Bummer.”
“Yep. Contact lenses are a great invention.”
Jeremy chuckled, nodding in agreement. He took a deep breath and released it slowly. “I met Patrick when I was nineteen, and I left him when I was twenty-four. We were together for almost five years.”
“And you’re, what, twenty-five now?”
Nodding, he continued. “Everything was great. He was kind, considerate. I didn’t have a lot of experience, and he was gentle with me. I fell so quickly for him.” He took a sip, needing to wet his dry mouth. “For the first year or so, the relationship was everything I thought it should be, but it gradually changed once we moved in together. My parents wanted me to wait, telling me I was young, and this was my first relationship, but I didn’t want to listen. I knew best.”
“We all think we do at that age. So, you moved in together, then what?”
“It was gradual, so much so that I didn’t even notice. I was in culinary school. I always wanted to cook, and I loved to bake. At first, Patrick stopped me seeing my friends saying things like he wasn’t in the mood or he wanted it to be just us, and I wanted to keep him happy.” Jeremy paused, looking at Donnie.
Donnie smiled. “Yeah. Go on, please.”
“I hadn’t noticed, but one day there was no one but him. I didn’t see my family either. There was always one reason or another, or Patrick would say my parents didn’t like him and he felt uncomfortable. If I loved him, I wouldn’t make him do it, and so it became easier to put off seeing my family.”
“But things are good now. I saw
them at the hospital.”
“Yeah, they’re great now.” Jeremy nodded. “They haven’t mentioned it. They know some, but they don’t know everything.” Jeremy’s eyes filled with tears and he blinked rapidly. He’d cried enough over the fucker.
Donnie reached across the table, gripping his hand, and the touch helped him carry on talking. “The first time he hit me he apologized, saying he didn’t mean it and that he’d lost his temper. I asked him to go to see someone, and he promised me he would.”
“But he didn’t.”
“No, he didn’t.” Jeremy swallowed, his stomach hard. He blew out a breath and then continued. He’d started, and he’d finish because he wasn’t going through this shit again. “It happened again not long after.”
“It became regular.”
“Yeah. It got to the point that I was afraid to do anything Patrick didn’t like, go to places or see people he didn’t like. I always did what he wanted. I didn’t go out. The only place I could go was college. He liked the idea that I could provide for him.”
He stopped again, needing to take another break. The next part was the worst. “I became used to the abuse. The disparaging comments, how shit I was, how I couldn’t satisfy him. The physical abuse.” He shook his head, breaking off again.
“Tell me about the cuffs.”
“How... of course you’d recognize what the scars are,” Jeremy muttered.
“Yeah, I’ve seen them before.”
“He wanted to experiment, and I was too afraid to say no, but Patrick used them as a punishment too.”
“Experiment? Are we talking bondage?”
Jeremy nodded. “And more. The last time, he’d cuffed me to the bed and left to go out with his friends. I’d been there for two days because I hadn’t cleaned the house to his standards. I was used to that happening, so I’d had a spare key made and hidden it. I got free, grabbed all my things and left.”
“And you came here.”
“To start again. My family have been great, helping me move on, finding me a therapist.”
“I’m glad you weren’t alone.”
Thank god he understood. “Now you see why I can’t do this.”
Donnie frowned at him. “No, I don’t. Why would I let you go now? You, Jeremy Sutton, are amazing. I will give you the time you need, but please let me see you. We can date, yeah, or talk. Anything. I’ll do whatever you want, but I can’t walk away. You’re my mate.”
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