Chapter six

Axel

Hopefully enough time has passed. I nervously hold the candy I've bought from the gas station in my hand, picking at the corner of it as I walk. I wanted to give Jeff enough time to make his phone call in peace but not leave him so long he'd be tempted to do something stupid, like leave.

As I walk up to my apartment, I do my best not to listen in, just in case he's still on the phone. I don't want to overhear anything he might be saying to his team. Being in the same house as a vampire means little to no privacy which can be jarring for a new vampire.

I run my fingers through my hair. I just want Jeff to transition into his new life as easily as possible. I want the best for him, and it's eating me up inside not telling him the truth about us.

Lady Fate, why'd you have to make this all so complicated for me?

After unlocking the door, I step inside my apartment and freeze. Oh. Oh my gods. I take in a deep breath, my body turning into putty at the scent invading my nose. Those lilies are back full force but this time there's another hint to it. Something sweet and earthy. Something that pulls at my instincts that I've kept buried deep inside for a long time. Something that makes my fangs tingle and my cock plump up.

I hear a moan coming from somewhere inside the house. If I was capable of blushing, I know my cheeks would be bright red right now. Should I just turn around and leave? Should I let Jeff finish and pretend this never happened?

I drop the candy when I hear my name. Fuck. He's calling my name.

That tether between us tightens. It has a grip around my throat like a leash, tugging me towards Jeff and without my permission, my feet begin to bring me towards my bedroom.

The sounds coming from my room are downright sinful. Moans and gasps and my name. Gods, I want to be in there with him. I want to see what he looks like when he's experiencing pleasure. I want to see him completely bare for me, offering his shoulder for my teeth.

Like a moth towards a flame, I find myself in my bedroom door.

I watch with rapt attention as Jeff touches himself, his hand moving beneath his sweatpants that he's wearing. My sweatpants. Fuck, he's beautiful. I could get completely drunk off the scent radiating from my bed. His lust is mixing with my scent to create something I don't think I'll ever get enough of.

When Jeff comes, I barely keep myself from following after him despite not even touching myself. The sight of him like this, experiencing pleasure while no doubt thinking about me is too much. My fingers grip the doorframe, just barely keeping myself from crushing it under my fingertips. I make the smallest noise and suddenly, his hazel eyes are on me.

Jeff's body locks up and his eyes widen. Oh no. I've ruined everything. I've fucked it all up. Fuck.

"Fuck."

Gods, his voice is so breathless. So fucked out. My entire body is tense, prepared to pounce and I just barely keep myself from moving. My instincts are screaming at me full force, begging me to step forward, to claim my true mate. I feel like I'm just barely keeping it together.

"Fuck," Jeff says again, covering his face with his hands.

He looks upset. I hate that he's upset. I hate that I had a hand at making him feel this way.

Without my permission, my feet are moving towards him, stepping over to the bed. I gingerly sit down on the side of my bed. Fuck, he's just come while lying in my bed. I shake the thought away, ignoring the way my cock is rock hard in my jeans.

"Hey," I say gently. "It's okay."

"It's not. I'm embarrassed that you've caught me like this."

I shake my head, my hand clenching around nothing to keep myself from reaching out further and touching Jeff. I think if I touch him I won't have the strength to pull away. "Your instincts are heightened to the max right now. Everything feels different."

"It feels different, but some things feel good," Jeff says softly, his eyes raising to meet my own.

I'm drawn to him in a way I've never experienced before, like two magnets sliding across a flat surface towards each other. One moment I'm sitting beside him and the next I'm leaning towards him, the same way he's leaning in towards me.

My eyes close as Jeff's lips touch mine, just barely. It's the briefest touch, but it's enough to completely rearrange my world. There's no turning back for me. Jeff is my true mate, and now that I know what his lips feel like, I won't ever be able to kiss another pair. I'll never be able to close this door. Gods, I really need to find the words to explain to him that I'm his true mate. I need to figure out how to explain the idea of true mates to him.

Will he hate me once he knows I was hiding this from him?

Fuck, I'm doing the thing I promised I wouldn't do. I'm taking advantage of him. I'm fucking with him before he's gotten used to everything this new life entails. Time. He needs time.

With every ounce of strength I can pull together, I break away from the kiss. Jeff makes a wounded noise, one I can feel inside my chest. My fingers grip the sheets so tight I'm positive there will be holes in them later.

"I'm sorry," I whisper, just barely choking the words out. "I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have done that."

"No, it was me--"

I cut him off, shaking my head. "I'm the one who should be in control. I shouldn't be taking advantage of you while you're figuring all of this out. I'm--" I make a frustrated noise. "I'm sorry, Jeff. I should go and give you some space," I blurt out before standing up and rushing out of the room.

I hear Jeff call my name but I don't stop until I'm back outside, breathing in fresh air that's completely void of Jeff's delicious scent. My head slowly clears and I groan. I'm so frustrated with myself. I thought I had self-control! I thought I could handle this. But apparently having a true mate is like nothing I could have prepared for.

I just hope I haven't hurt Jeff so much that he can't forgive me.