Unshift 310
Unshift 310
310 Lisa: Humans Have Pheromones?
LISA
Kellan's stare leaves me unsettled. It's been intense ever since our reunion.
I'm grateful for the space he's given me-this whole fated mate business is like being slammed into by a rogue freight train-but there's a whole lot of little things that keep throwing his feelings into the foreground, making it impossible to ignore. Like how he touches me a little too often.
How he watches my every move.
He hasn't kissed me again, but it doesn't make the current situation any less awkward.
"Can't sleep?" he asks, as if us sharing a bed and him lying on his side to stare at me for the past hour is somehow conducive to falling asleep.
"Nope." The word pops out with a little more sass than I intend, but damn it, does he have to
stare at me like that?
"Oh."
And awkward silence again.
"So, why couldn't I just bunk with Dr. Blackwell?" My question breaks the uneasy tension
between us.
"They don't have an extra bed," he explains easily.
"And no empty beds anywhere else? At all? Just-none?"
"None."
"No sleeping bags?"
"No."
"Extra blanket?"
"Not even one of those."
He's lying through his damn perfect teeth.
"You have a couch," I point out. I saw it. I know it's there.
"People come in and out at all times of day. It isn't the safest place to sleep. Better to be in bed."
and warm and smelling like Downy-I dare to glance in his direction again, only to be caught
"I don't want to."
do what they
it to then a fit and damand haalaan an tha
17:09 y
Humans
an inane sort of sound and watch the ceiling in the darkness. I
like that
and Lucas are getting
I'm sure they are.
heated huskiness of his voice has all
you're his mate and he's being all caveman about
the subject from the tension simmering between us. "It's only right to give the newly mated couple their own space,
slightly. "Absolutely. Ava and Lucas need to be around each other as much as possible for the next
momentarily overriding my discomfort. "Why's
that's just been planted. It needs constant care, water, and sunlight to grow strong roots. The mate bond is similar." I let out a little hum. "So, they literally need to be
that time together. She'll feel wrong and anxious without his sense, and his aggression
bullshit. It's a lot less romantic when you suddenly get slapped with the label yourself one day out of nowhere.
it feels different now. Less awkward, more... contemplative. I find myself studying Kellan's face in the dim
you something?"
"Anything," he replies immediately.
with us? With this whole...
like he isn't even breathing, until
up
I know this is a lot to take in, and I don't expect you to just fall into
if I decide I don't want
He's quiet again.
force me, are you? Drag me into your cave and have
when he responds, "Of
tension
Lisa. Humans
realize how my words must have sounded. "No! I mean, I don't-" I stumble over my words, trying to backpedal. How do I explain that it's not him specifically,
soul. The last thing I want to do is scare you or make you feel
eyes, suspicion creeping back in. "So... does that mean you are
Kellan-half groan, half laugh. "No, Lisa. I would never do that to you. Never." His gray eyes lock onto mine, intense and sincere in the dim lighting. "I want you
everything-the chaos of the past few days, the whole mate situation being dropped on me like a bomb-I believe that Kellan won't force me into anything. ""Oh," I breathe
enticing for a woman like me. Especially when I'm trying so hard to
you need."
ask
"Of course."
well ask all the questions we humans want to know. "What exactly does being mates mean? Like, practically speaking. Is
just physical attraction, though that's certainly part of it. It's a deep, instinctual connection. Like finding a missing piece
gone."
words send a flutter through my stomach. It sounds romantic,
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
The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!