Mortal Mate by Viola Tempest

Author:Viola Tempest [Tempest, Viola]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Independently Published
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 9

Gemma

There’s a knock on my window, and I know there’s only one person it could be. I finish taking off my shoes and jacket, and throw them onto the bed. Sure enough, when I turn toward the fire escape, Quentin is there. His hunched figure is clad in the same cloak as last night.

I sigh, before walking over and unlatching the window, heaving it open with both hands.

“Can I come in?” he asks, and I step aside. He crawls through, landing silently on my floor. He shoves his hands into his pockets and looks around, even though he’s been here before. Finally, his body turns to face me, and his eyes land on mine. I’m shocked to see his face is peppered in bruises and cuts. Instinctively, I walk over and reach a hand up to cup his jaw.

“What happened?”

He leans into my touch. “Just a friend of mine’s cruel idea of a joke.”

“I don’t like this friend, then.”

His mouth quirks up into a grin. “It’s alright. I deserved it. Listen, I have to talk to you about something.”

I pull my hand away. I close it into a fist, unsure what to do with it after. “What is it?”

“I saw you with a man. Leaving a restaurant. He… kissed you.”

My face heats. “Jayden.”

“The bastard has a name?”

“He’s my boyfriend!” I tell him quickly. “He’s my boyfriend, and he loves me.”

“Do you love him?”

I bite my lip. Sure, I’ve told Jayden I love him, but is it real? Is it anything close to the love I feel for the one before me?

He grumbles, “Thought so,” before taking a step back. “I need you to choose, Gemma.”

“Choose what? Between you two?!” It’s a completely rational request, and yet my temper boils at the thought of it. Quentin is my everything; he’s what I’ve always wanted… but Jayden is peace; he’s safety and security. He’s the family I’ve never truly had.

“Yes, Gemma. Choose between the two of us.” He flashes his fangs, but I’m not scared. I could never be scared of him.

“I can’t choose! You came back into my life yesterday and dropped this huge idea that you’re a vampire and all that! I don’t know what to say or do about that information! I have a job, Quentin. I have a life here, and I’m… happy.” I don’t know why my mouth tripped over that last word, but I bite the inside of my cheek. “I’m happy,” I say softly. I’m not sure who I’m trying to convince more — him or me.

He gestures to himself. “This is what I am, Gemma!” He takes off his hood and bares his teeth again. He runs his tongue along his elongated canines. “You want to know what to think about it?”

Quentin disappears, but I can still hear his heavy breathing in the room. When he reappears, he’s standing behind me, his breath fanning my ear.

“I’m not afraid of you,” I tell him breathlessly. “I just… give me time. Please?”

“Unfortunately, we don’t exactly have the luxury of time,” he says softly.

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