Andre by V. Vaughn Read Free Book Online

with a love that will never waver. She’ll get children and the family I want, even if she doesn’t have a fancy home or car. What is wrong with me? I glance over at a house with a blue spruce tree covered in lights. They’re placed perfectly, and the glass of the car window is cold on my palm as I imagine grabbing ahold of the Christmas tree to save forever. But the illusion is gone in an instant as we drive past it.

Chapter 9
    G inny and I enter into the aroma of thyme and sage mixed with turkey. The soulful voice of Nat King Cole belts out a holiday song as Jake kisses our cheeks in greeting. We’re in the kitchen, and I notice Brita in a tight little black dress and heels. She’s wearing an apron and stirring something on the stove. It makes me think my instinct that she and Jake are a thing is right. She waves at us with her free hand. “Hey, guys!”
    Jake says, “Ladies, you can put your gifts under the tree.”
    We walk through his kitchen toward the living room, and Ginny stops to grip my fingers so tightly I wince. I guess she’s just seen the guy who must be in her dreams. A man who is as blond as Andre stands by the tree. His hair is cut short, and his long, elegant fingers are wrapped around the wine glass he holds.
    I take over for my awestruck sister. “Hi. You have got to be Andre’s brother. I’m Nessa, and this is my sister Ginny.”
    He smiles at me. “Adrian. Can I get you two a drink?”
    I think Ginny squeaks, and I say, “We’d love one. Wine would be nice, thank you.”
    I glance over at Andre, and he flashes his signature hint of a smile as I roll my eyes at him. I whisper to Ginny, “Breathe.”
    Adrian returns with two goblets, and he takes Ginny’s arm. She gazes up at him, and he says, “I believe you share my dreams. Come sit with me.”
    Smooth. I take a sip of my wine, and tart flavor fills my mouth. I inspect the tree for something to do. Andre comes to stand beside me. “Friends?”
    I’m so tempted to remind him he said that couldn’t happen, but I bite my tongue, because it’s going to be a long night if we can’t find a way to get along. I take his olive branch of peace and raise it one by lifting my glass. The crystal clinks when I connect with his. I purposely don’t speak, and when Andre offers me a smile complete with a dimple, I grin back.
    He asks, “Did you know once a couple completes the mate bond, they can speak telepathically to each other?”
    “Now that’s clever. I can see where you would enjoy that.”
    Brita steps out of the kitchen to speak before he can reply. “Dinner will be ready in five minutes. Go find your seats.”
    The table is covered with red linens, and green candles are lit. A small pouch I recognize from a local chocolate business is on each plate, and a place card designates where each of us will sit. I’m next to Adrian and across from Andre. Brita and Jake have the two ends. We’ve been coupled. Andre’s song plays in my head, and I add another line. The love that I’ve found.
    Dinner goes smoothly, and I take great amusement in watching my star-struck sister with the man she thinks is her true mate. After much wine, food, and laughter, it’s time for presents. We move to the living room, where Jake hands everyone their gifts.
    My present is in the decorative bag my sister brought. Tissue paper crinkles when I reach in, and fluffy fur-like material is soft under my fingers. I pull out a stuffed polar bear with a red pet collar around his neck, and I glance at Ginny as I shake my head. She winks before she gazes at Andre, because she knows what I got him. Paper tears as he rips it from the box, and Andre smiles slowly when he figures out what his present is. He glances over at me, and I nod. The voices of everyone else fade away for a moment as I lose myself in Andre’s gaze. I imagine he’s thanking me telepathically.
    He says, “Come show me how to use it.”
    I get up and go sit on the arm of the couch, next to Andre. I