Elizabeth
I didn’t hear my mate knock or call my name until he took the pillow from my face and I raised my head, startled.
“I’m sorry. Were you sleeping?”
I looked at his face and swallowed hard. Eric seemed shy about entering my room, or maybe he just didn’t know how to talk to me without feeling undesirable. My poor display of affection in the kitchen wasn’t my proudest moment.
Apparently, Eric was used to not having a reply from me because he just sat on my bed next to my legs and resumed his speech. “I came to check on you. The girls said you went to the practice. Is this something you want to do on a daily basis?”
“Why? Do you think I need to ask you permission for that?”
My question came out ruder than I intended. Still, it crossed my mind that he might think, because he was the male, he had some kind of higher authority over me. We were soul-mates, therefore, a couple. I almost felt like I was blushing at the word couple until I remembered that we were far from being a real couple.
“I would never forbid you from doing something you want. I only wanted to offer my help.”
“What do you mean?” I raised an eyebrow with suspicion.
“I’m offering myself to teach you. You never had defense classes, I imagine.”
“We had bodyguards to protect us. Plus, my father was old-school. Really old-fashioned. He would never let us learn that. We learned ballet and knitting,” I said with a straight face because I wasn’t joking. I was born in an entirely different century and mentality.
“So, do you want to learn?”
“Anna already offered herself to teach me,” I informed and laid down my head on a pillow as I was done talking. If things were different, I might accept his offer, but I would feel better with a girl teaching me. “Besides, you are my mate. You’ll not push me hard enough.”
“I just thought it would be nice to have something we could do together.”
I opened my eyes, feeling his words stab my heart. I was acting like a jerk, I knew that. I was pushing him away because I was feeling vulnerable. What would happen if I let him in and he broke my heart?
“There are plenty of other things we could do together.” I blushed with the ideas that crossed my mind. Yes, they included kissing and having long walks on the beach or in the rain. Whatever he would wish for.
“Like eating ice-cream together while watching a movie downstairs?” His idea was much more innocent than mine. But the words ice-cream and movie attracted my attention. “Unless you still feel tired. Have you fed yet? Do you want me to go and get you some warm blood?”
He was caring. I had to give him credit. I perceived the note of hope in his voice. He wanted to be with me, and I was doing my best to act like a cold-hearted jerk and ignore him.
“I’m not hungry. What movie will we watch?”
“I don’t know. Mom is choosing, so it must be something romantic and cheesy.”
I grinned at the affectionate tone he used whenever he referred to Jessica. He seemed like a young boy who loved his mother dearly. Jessica had won them all over. I could relate to that. She was impossible not to fall in love with.
“You don’t need to try to cheer me up and watch a movie you don’t like. I’m not that big of a fan of romantic movies.”
“I don’t mind. Besides I want to spend time with you.”
He looked away, leaving a feeling of shyness after his confession. Why would he be shy to tell me something like that? I was the one being awkward and silly. I should be jumping for joy because he wanted to spend time with me. For some, I was luckier than winning the lottery. Other women would stare at me with jealousy and disbelief. And all I did was push him away!
The silence became unpleasant, but I lacked the words to end the torment. I was glad when someone entered the room after knocking.
“Popcorn is ready! Have you convinced her to come or do I have to grab her by her feet and drag her down the stairs?”
It was Jessica. She was wearing a cute, short blue dress. Her hair was loosened, and she had the most beautiful pink gloss highlighting her plump lips. I wouldn’t mind looking a bit like her. But I just looked dull with brown hair, brown eyes, pale skin and mouth, and low-spirited personality. Dull would sum me up really well. I even had a dull life before the kidnapping. Two hundred years of living safe, playing by the rules and waiting for my prince charming to come and kiss the boredom out of me.
“I’m not in the mood for a romantic movie,” I said.
“Good because I didn’t choose a romantic one! Now get your lazy asses off the bed and join us downstairs.”
With that, she left, and Eric and I stared at each other. We got up, and I dragged myself downstairs like I was going to my execution. I was dramatic like that.