“I know what you’re trying to do.”
“I’m trying to get to know you,” she said.
He snorted. “Since I discovered you were my mate, there hasn’t been anyone.”
“Not one person?”
“Nope.”
This did surprise her.
“And before?”
“That’s another question.”
“No, it’s not. You’re avoiding the answer because you don’t like it.”
“Can we just leave it?” he asked.
“No. I’ll give you an answer as soon as you answer mine.” She saw his jaw clench.
“I didn’t count. There were a lot, probably more than ten girls. I didn’t care, Mabel. I know why you asked that questions. You don’t want to give us a chance, so you’re going to find any ways and means to keep us apart. To put this void up. I’m trying here, but I can’t change what happened before you.”
“Yes.”
“What?”
“I answered your question.” She tried to pull her hand away, but he held on to it even as she pulled at him. He wouldn’t let her go, and they finally started to move again.
“You’re a virgin?” he asked.
“Don’t sound so surprised. There was no one in high school, and as much as I’ve tried to avoid this mating, there hasn’t been anyone since.”
“Why?”
“It’s my turn to ask a question.”
“Damn it, Mabel.”
“Did you think of being with other girls?” she asked. “Since our mating?”
“No.”
“You didn’t even hesitate.”
“I don’t need to. Now tell me why.”
She glanced at his chest, and she couldn’t resist laying her hand on him there, feeling the rapid beat of his heart. “There was no one I wanted, Lucas, and after everything you did to me, do you think anyone would even risk being seen with me?” She removed her hand.
He opened his mouth at the same time a rumble of thunder could be heard.
Mabel looked up and frowned. Within a matter of seconds, the skies opened up, and down poured the rain.
Staring at Lucas, she laughed. “It’s your favorite weather.”
Another crack of thunder shook the ground, and she yelped as a strike of lightning shook the sky. Any humor she had faded.
“Come on.” Lucas squeezed her hand tightly, and together, they ran back toward the house. She didn’t realize they’d been walking for so long.
As another strike of lightning shook the sky, she stumbled, tripping over her feet. She nearly fell to the ground, but Lucas grabbed her, helping her to her feet as they ran for the house.
“I’ve got you,” he said.
They continued to run even as pain shot through her foot.
The sudden change in the weather scared her. What also unnerved her was the fact one touch from Lucas was all it took for her to feel safe.
****
After rushing into the house, Lucas closed the door, then went to the sitting room to quickly close the windows he remembered opening up.
He’d just finished the last one when he heard Mabel’s whimper.
Quickly, he returned to the hallway to see her holding her foot on one knee and wincing.
“Does it look bad?” she asked.
He bent down and looked at her foot. A shard of glass poked out of the ball of her foot.
Drenched through and soaked. The dress she wore today was also plastered against her skin and proving to be a distraction.
“It does.” He stood up and without waiting for her, lifted her into his arms.
“What are you doing?”
“You can’t walk on that foot.”
“I’ve got another foot, and I can walk on my toes of my other. Put me down, Lucas.”
He held her even tighter as she started to wriggle against him.
“Lucas, damn it, put me down,” she repeated.
“No.”
“Ugh! I can walk.”
“Not now.”
He carried her through his bedroom, going straight toward his bathroom. He sat her on the counter beside the sink.
“Do you know what you’re doing?” she asked.
“Between the two of us, I think we can figure it out. How did you manage to step on a piece of glass?”
“Not a clue. Running and not watching where we were going?” she asked.
He grabbed a first aid kit, opening it up. “At least we don’t suffer from infections,” he said.
“That’s not funny, and just so you know, we do.”
“No, we don’t.”
“If we’re exhausted and frail, we can succumb to fevers. I read about it. It’s rare, but it does happen.”
“You feel exhausted and frail?” he asked.
“No, I feel stupid that I managed to stand on a piece of glass. I hope it doesn’t have shards.”
He turned on the bathroom light. “I’m getting a chair.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
He returned seconds later, holding a chair. She took a deep breath, and he wondered what she was feeling.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Totally.”
He lifted her foot, placing it on his lap. “We’ve got to get the glass out.”
She gripped the edge of the counter. “Go right ahead.”
“Do you want to tell me something?” he asked.
“Er, well, I don’t like pain, nor the sight of blood. Both have a knack for making me pass out or vomit.”