Awaiting Fate by J. L. Sheppard Read Free Book Online Page B

sadness, that same deep-seated sadness he sensed weeks before she left. Perhaps, his fear wasn’t just a fear. Perhaps, she knew she was his and didn’t want him. Perhaps, she’d envisioned loving a werewolf and couldn’t stand the thought that her demon mate had come in search of her regardless of the feelings he knew she possessed for him.
    What he wouldn’t give for a glimpse into her mind. He could ask, but he knew it’d get him nowhere. She wasn’t answering any of his questions. Go figure, he wasn’t answering any of hers.
    Olivia gave him the address of a seafood restaurant on the island. He insisted he drive instead of his usual mode of transportation, materializing, figuring it would give her time to get used to his untimely arrival.
    Besides her directions, the drive to the restaurant was quiet. When they reached a small establishment near Black Beach, he opened her door and led her inside. The hostess seated them on the outside patio near the ocean. He pulled out a chair, and she sat.
    She waited until he took a seat across from her before she spoke. “Cain, what are you doing here? Doesn’t Lucas need you?”
    Wishing she’d stop questioning his reasons, his gaze on the menu in front of him, he muttered, “I’m on vacation.”
    “Really?” She sounded doubtful.
    “Yeah, a much needed one. Haven’t been on a vacation in…” He looked up to her and admitted, “Well, I’ve never been on vacation.”
    “Why here?”
    Eyes narrowing, he replied firmly, “Because you’re here.”
    Looking uncomfortable, she glanced away.
    His gaze hardened further, then he asked, “Do you want me to leave?” He didn’t know why he bothered to ask because there was no way in hell he’d leave. Still, he supposed a part of him wanted to know.
    Her gaze landed on his again.
    When she didn’t answer, he asked, “Did you have plans with someone else? Am I crashing a hot date?” Some of the anger the thought sparked leaked into his voice, despite his attempts to sound nonchalant. Is it with a werewolf? Cause I’ll kill the bastard.
    On cue, her eyes went wide, and her face flushed, tinting her cheeks a lovely rosy shade.
    God, how he’d missed that, even the simplest of things, watching her face flush.
    She swallowed visibly then, finally, she shook her head.
    He released a breath then smiled and said, “Good.”
    Looking down at her menu, she asked, “How long are you on vacation?”
    He shrugged then admitted, “As long as it takes.”
    Her head snapped back up, those crystal clear blue eyes under her furrowed brows met his. “As long as what takes?”
    As long as it takes for you to love me , he thought.
    Pausing, he analyzed her expression and demeanor realizing she continued to cower away from him and flinch every so often.
    What had happened? What had changed? Days ago, they’d been friends, good friends, who joked, laughed and teased often. There had been no uncomfortable silences, and no imaginary walls causing the cold distance that existed between them now. There had been trust, respect, attraction and love, on his part at least.
    “Why do you look scared of me?”
    She looked away from him then said, “I…I—”
    “You’ve never been scared of me before,” he pointed out, interrupting her.
    Meeting his stare again, she said, “If you were reading me, you’d know I’m not scared of you. I’m uncomfortable…I’ve never seen you like…” Her gaze scanned him from top to bottom, then she finished, “… this .”
    Like I went through hell and back in three days? Because you never left me before.
    Even as he thought it, guilt and remorse washed over him because in that moment, he realized he was screwing up his second chance.
    Reaching for her hand, he clasped it in his. The small touch was meant to comfort her, but the instant he felt her soft smooth skin, it soothed him. “I’m sorry. I’ve been through a lot the past several days. Hence, this much needed vacation.”
    Her eyes