Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 48783 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 244(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48783 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 244(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
“Pfft! I’m anything but delicate or pretty. My parents were just hippies who loved nature.” Now O me, dude. Seriously!
He stared with those intense eyes. “That is not what your name means. They understood, as I now do, that your two biggest traits are your unmovable strength—like a mountain. Yet you are not afraid to feel or care. You have a kind, delicate nature. Like a flower.”
MF’s mouth slacked as his words sank in. Her parents always said they picked her name because it represented what they wanted her to be. She always thought they wanted her to be pretty and naturally feminine.
Frankly, it never made sense because that wasn’t her at all and made her feel like she wasn’t living up to their expectations. While she loved being a woman, she wasn’t demure or quiet or overtly prissy. She was more like a cactus, if you asked her. A little prickly, but pretty in its own way. But now, after all these years, this vampire had figured out what they’d really meant.
“I can’t believe I never saw it.” Tears formed in her eyes. “Thank you.”
“For?”
“For healing an old wound.” She pressed her hand over her heart. “They did see me.”
“As do I.”
MF’s heart began beating faster. She knew he could hear it. “Are you still game for that coaster of rolls?”
Maxton flashed a warm smile. “Indeed.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
When MF parked her black Range Rover, she was still suffering from residual flutters. They had an hour before the park closed, plenty of time to do a few rides, but her stomach was a mess.
She hugged her midriff, unsure if the waves inside weren’t being caused by her supertight corset, that moment back at the mall, or all the clicking in her head.
From the first moment she’d laid her eyes on Maxton in the jungle, the wanting began. The gnawing, the carnal ache. He had been unconscious, covered in mud, wearing only a white dress shirt. From the looks of his bloody, bruised body, one might think he was in pain, but the big smile on his lips told a different story.
That was the moment she just knew. He wasn’t some ordinary vampire. This guy was fun! He loved a fair fight. He enjoyed being what he was. She wanted that kind of vampire by her side.
To her surprise, though, after Maxton was awake, he told a completely different tale. One she didn’t buy. Somewhere, beneath the layers of jungle sweat and dirt, was a great man just waiting to be happy.
I can help with that! she’d thought.
And now, after he’d said the thing about her name, all she could hear was click, click, click!
Click, he sees me for who I really am.
Click, the more I get to know him, the more connected I feel.
Click, he gave me a “cookie” without killing me.
MF felt simultaneously terrified and giddy. Could Maxton be her special someone?
She’d heard random comments from the few immortals she hung out with about this thing called “a mate,” like with Bonbon and Gorgonzolina. They believed there was only one person handpicked by the Universe to be your special someone. That didn’t mean a person couldn’t love another, but they would never be a perfect match.
MF sighed as she watched a couple stroll past holding hands. Could that be her and Maxton in the future?
“Are you having difficulties breathing?” Maxton asked.
“Oh. No. I’m just a little tired. That’s all. Maybe I donated too much blood today.” She winked.
“I am not a big eater, so that cannot be the cause.”
Time to divert his attention.
MF pointed to the ride she was itching to go on. “Look. There it is! The Wiggly Tornado of Death! It’s rated the scariest ride in North America.”
Maxton stopped walking, his eyes moving up, down, and side to side. He had excellent vision, especially at night, so he was likely checking out the sick turns.
“Well?” MF said. “You want to try?”
Maxton scoffed. “This is nothing compared to how I move.”
Oh boy. That sounded very sexy. Her cheeks grew hot as she imagined him naked, pumping himself between her thighs.
“Are you nervous?” Maxton asked. “Your face is flushed.”
God, what this vampire does to me. “I’m good.” She took his hand. “Come on! Let’s hurry. The line’s not too long, so we should be able to go a few times.”
MF had never seen a vampire vomit, and for the record, it wasn’t pretty—all that blood shooting from his mouth onto a grassy patch outside the ride.
Thankfully, it’s nighttime.
A family strolled by, their eyes filling with terror as the light from the Ferris wheel to their side caught the red of Maxton’s vomit.
MF chuckled awkwardly. “Too much cherry slushy.”
The family scurried off.
Maxton stood upright, inhaling through his nostrils with his eyes closed.
“Maxton? Are you all right? Can I get you anything? I don’t know what to do. I’ve never seen this happ—”