“And that he’s just being stupid.”
A grin tugged at her lips. “As men often are.”
Cate glanced at the sliding glass doors. “And that I should confront him about it?”
“That would be my style,” Miranda said with a laugh. “Lay it all on him. Don’t let him off so easily.”
She chewed on her bottom lip and thought about the prospect of seeing Viktor again. Of telling him off for pushing her away and refusing to leave. What would he do? Would he be glad to see her, or would she be led away by the guards? Either way, she had nothing to lose.
“Take me to the castle,” she said suddenly, grabbing her suitcase. “I’ve got one more thing to do before I leave this country.”
Miranda whooped and jumped, her eyes turning momentarily black. They sprinted toward the exit and burst into the morning sun.
?
Viktor leaned his head out the window of the town car, cursing at his luck. A field of soft, fluffy, white sheep had invaded the road, bleating at him as if he were intruding on their day. No matter the amount of honking, they just wouldn’t move. He’d never hated an animal so much. The order of business for the rest of the day was to destroy sheep agriculture when he got back to his office.
“Can’t you just make them move?” he asked, turning to Stasia sitting in the passenger seat. “I don’t know, bark at them or something?”
“What do you think I am, a sheepdog?” Her eyebrows raised and she clicked her tongue. “Really, I ought to bite you for that one.”
He smacked his hand on the steering wheel and cursed. Cate’s plane would leave any minute now. He’d never catch her if he didn’t take things into his own hands.
“I’m getting out,” he announced, throwing his door open and standing up. “I’ll run to her if I have to. I just can’t let her leave without telling her how I feel.”
“I’m not so sure that’s going to be necessary,” Stasia replied as she stared out the windshield, her eyes growing large.
Viktor followed the direction of her gaze and had to do a double take. A compact gray car was barreling down the road toward them, its lights flashing and the horn honking. Sheep scattered everywhere, running for their lives. A few narrowly escaped and bleated their disapproval as the car passed them by.
“Is that...?” He stared in shock at the occupants of the tiny car. A woman hung from each side of the car, sticking their heads out the window and shouting curses at the farm animals. On the driver’s side was Miranda, the werewolf he’d met just last night at the ceremony. And on the other, was the woman he’d given his heart to.
“Cate!” He rushed forward, wading through the thigh-deep fluff. “Cate!”
They’d driven as far as they could into the mess and the car stalled. The passenger side door sprung open and Cate jumped out, her hair wild from the wind. She started pushing her way through the flock, swimming toward him. Finally, when they were within ten feet of each other, she stopped and placed her hands on her hips.
“Viktor Romanov, I don’t care what you’ve come to say, but you will listen to me.”
He stared at her, frozen in place, afraid one move would scare her off. She was wearing a soft blue skirt that whipped around her knees in the ocean breeze and a yellow long-sleeved tee. Her cheeks were flushed in the most alluring pink and passion flashed in her blue eyes.
“I know you’re going through a rough time with the death of your grandfather,” she said, her cheeks puffing out in anger. “But I will not allow you to push me away like that. Not until I’ve had my say.”
She paused as if she expected him to argue. When he didn’t make a sound, she inhaled a deep breath and continued.
“The last few days have been some of the most terrifying of my life. Not only did I get sucked into this crazy dating show, but then I found out I was surrounded by supernatural creatures. You can’t imagine how much that rocked my world. But most terrifying of all, I fell for you.”
A sheep baaed loudly next to her, causing her to shake her finger at it.
“I wasn’t finished,” she scolded and turned back to him. “Where was I?”
“You fell for me.” He took a step closer, his dark eyes never leaving her face.
“Right...” she said, faltering as their eyes met. ?
?And I’m pretty sure you still love me, but you’re too scared to admit it. Just hours ago, I was ready to commit to you. Become a vampire and leave my entire life in Nebraska behind. That’s not an easy decision, but I made it. I want to stand by you through this tough time. I want to help you. When someone loves you, you don’t get to push them away so easily. So, before I leave this country and all the plans that we made, I have to hear you say that you don’t love me. To my face.”
Her chin trembled as she pressed her lips together and stared him down. He could tell she was trying to be so strong and hide the gut-wrenching nerves inside of her. With another step closer, he felt her tense.
“So, let me get this straight,” he said, working his jaw. “All I have to do to get you to leave is tell you that I don’t love you.”