She didn’t even know what to think about that. Sure, she was fond of him. The sex was out of this world. The way his bite could set her off like a rocket… she had no problem with him being a Nightwalker, even though she knew that he hated his paranormal state. She liked who Adam was, and when things settled down and her hunt in Grayson was over, she was interested in sticking around him for a little longer.
But love?
Her whole life, Tabby could probably count the number of people that she said “I love you” to on one hand. She needed to be able to mean them; to her, they weren’t just empty words. Though she’d had some lovers who came close to earning that from her, no one ever quite checked all the boxes for her before.
Besides, she’d known Adam for how long? Weeks, if that. He wasn’t whistling dixie when he told her that it might be too soon. It was fucking too soon!
Yet… why did she have the urge to run back inside and tell him that it was okay? She couldn’t return the sentiment right now, but she was open to the idea of loving him someday?
Right, Tab. Because that’s just what a guy wants to hear right after being vulnerable and admitting his feelings.
Ugh!
She stomped down the porch steps, trying to put space between her and the apartment. She had this strange feeling that, if she didn’t, she might turn around and throw herself at Adam. Maybe she couldn’t say the words he wanted to hear just yet, but she could love him another way and hopefully that would be enough for him.
It had to be, because that was all she could offer until she knew how this was going to end.
He was a Para. She’d never been interested in how paranormals found, then bonded their fated mates to them. Why? She was firmly in the business of eliminating targets, and happy, mated couples were never targets. The most she knew about blood-bondings had to do with the triple blood exchange and Adam already cleared that up for her. Unless she agreed, unless she made the decision to be his betrothed, he couldn’t force her.
But, without a bond, could he change his mind? He told her he loved her, called her his betrothed—but he never said anything about bonding her to him as his fated blood mate.
And Tabby would be damned if she gave her heart to a man—Para or human—who changed his mind after she decided she loved him back.
That’s why she needed to get out. Why she needed space.
She needed to get her dang head on straight while she figured out just how she was going to answer Adam—
“Tabby. Tabby, wait up!”
She heard her name being called before her senses picked up on the figure rushing toward her.
So lost in her thoughts, she didn’t recognize the dark-haired male at first. She saw movement, assumed it was a threat, and immediately lowered herself into a crouch. Her hand slapped at her hip before she realized that, in her hurry to escape the apartment, she didn’t remember to grab Venice.
And wasn’t that a fucking first?
“Whoa.” A deep chuckle rasped over her rattled nerves. “Easy girl. I’m not your target.”
Unfortunately, Eddie was right.
“What are you doing here?” she demanded, rising up from her defensive crouch.
“Looking for you. Your phone’s been off for two days. Boone figured you had a reason to go off the grid, but after the message I got this morning for you, I had to rush over and make sure you were alright. Shit, Tab, you almost gave us a heart attack. Where have you been?”
Unconscious because a bitch of a witch zapped me with magic. Oh, and that was after I defied my uncle and started shit with the Alpha of the Eastern Pack.
“Here, obviously. My phone’s been on the fritz lately,” she lied, “and I’m looking into getting it repaired. Now, what's this about a message? For me?”
“You’re the only Tabitha Winslow I know about.”
Her full name. Interesting.
“What did it say?”
“A bunch of bullshit, if I’m being honest with you. Hey, can we go inside and talk? Might be better.”
For him, maybe.
Tabby gestured down the street. “I was actually on my way out. I hate to be rude, but can you make it quick? I’ll invite you in next time, promise.”