Mabel froze as his fingers brushed against hers. The action was so subtle, but it sent a wave of pleasure rushing through her entire body. Jerking her hand back, she covered it with her other one, hoping he didn’t see. Of course, he did.

“I don’t have any diseases,” he said.

“I know. None of us do. It’s nothing.”

“You feel it too.”

She looked up. “Excuse me?”

“I believe it’s the result of our … mating. We enjoy touching each other.”

“We’re not mated.” She worked her chopsticks through the food, gathering some of the noodles.

“We’re mated, Mabel. Even if you don’t like it.”

She slurped up her noodles, chewing on the mouthful that she couldn’t deny was exquisite. So damn delicious.

Her stomach chose that minute to rumble loudly.

“No, we’re not mated. To be completely together in a union, we have to first accept each other. Then there is of course the …”

“Sex?”

Her cheeks started to heat. “Exactly. Followed by a nice bite to the neck on each of us. A claiming mark for all other mates to see. We do not possess either of those things, and we never will.”

“So, you’re not even going to give us the chance?”

“I’m here, aren’t I?” she asked, refusing to answer his question.

“Yes, because you want to sever any kind of future we might have.”

“What future do we have exactly, Lucas? Enlighten me as to what could possibly be between us.”

“You just felt it. The feeling rushing through your body when you touch me. That’s what being mates is all about. When you touch me, the more you do it, the better you’re going to feel. You’re going to want to be near me, touch me, fuck me.”

“No, I don’t!”

Lucas reached across the table and took her hand. The movement was so quick, she didn’t have time to pull back, but even that one touch set her body on fire. Wetness flooded her pussy, and her nipples grew unbearably tight. Even her neck felt tender, like she wanted to be kissed.

She pulled her hand from his grip.

“See, your body wants what it wants.”

“This doesn’t change anything. All these feelings are bound to be there because we’ve been put together as some kind of twist of fate. It sucks.”

“And I’m sorry.”

“What? Sorry that you’re mated to me or destined to be mated to me?” she asked, hating the hard spike of pain that rushed through her. This made no sense to her. The last thing she wanted to be was mated to him.

“No! I’m not sorry about you being my mate, or that we’re here. I’m sorry for all the shit I did to you in high school. For all the pain I caused.”

She couldn’t help it. She started to laugh.