Unbound (63 page)

“If this is a dream, I better never wake up. Why are you here? How are you here? Aren’t you supposed to be happily bonded right now?” He was too afraid to be hopeful just yet.

Danielle pulled him down into her kiss and she replayed the events of her morning with Darren. He needed to see in his own mind that this was for real. Word for word, he listened to what she said and their connection allowed him to feel her emotions and listen to her thoughts unfold before him. Nothing else needed to be said. He never stopped kissing her as he led her back into his home, their home now, and took her to their bed. He removed her nightgown, marveling at the ivory perfection of her body. Her soft curves fit the hard planes of his body perfectly. He took his time tasting every inch of her and inhaled the sweet floral vanilla greedily. He stroked her damp heat with his tongue until she begged him for more. She needed more of him and he would give her all of himself forever. Sliding into her slippery darkness, he impaled her over and over until she shattered in his arms. He whispered promises of a forever love that needed no blood. They could live their entire lives unbound and the love in his heart would never change. He made love to her slowly then, dragging out the pleasure with long steady strokes until they were both spent and exhausted. But Chase wasn’t done with the center of his universe, his Soleil. He carried her to every part of his home he had tried to erase the memory of her from, and made love to her all over again.

EPILOGUE~

Six months later….

“Are you sure you want to do this?” she asked one more time.

“Yes, for the millionth time. I want to do this but I’m beginning to think you don’t.” Chase was annoyed by her lack of faith in his love for her.

“Why would you say that?” She looked like he’d slapped her.

“You keep waiting for me to back out. Maybe that’s because you want to back out and don’t want to hurt me. So you’re leaving it up to me to get cold feet.” He glared down into aquamarine pools.

“You know that’s ridiculous. I want you to be my bonded mate more than anything. I’m just afraid it won’t work on me again and that’s not fair to you. What if you bond to me and I can’t bond to you. I don’t want you to resent me for being faulty and ruining our relationship.” She’d told him this a thousand times already. It hadn’t worked for Darren and the fear of a repeat with Chase haunted her.

“Soleil, I am already bonded to you and you to me. I realize that we are taking a risk but I believe things will be fine now that you are fully a vampire. We have no history that refers to a human vamp hybrid and the bonding ritual, but you don’t have any of that tasty human blood left to interfere.” Chase was quiet for a time while she fretfully eyed him.

“My Dad told me the story about Griffin and his first mate before I knew about Tessa and you. He told me some kinds of love could never be washed away. He said he knew the two of us weren’t bonded but the connection you feel with me is as strong as any bond he’d ever witnessed. He said Griff
in
and Tessa were madly in love already when they bonded. The bond gave them a mental connection that you and I already share, but it didn’t force them to love each other. It was the best kind of bond, one done out of love instead of obligation or as a means to end suffering. That is what I am asking you for, Lovely. I want the best kind of bond. I want you to bond to me out of love. Just as you would marry me if I were human and blood bonds didn’t exist for us. Can you give me that gift? Will you be my mate as well as my bride?”

* * *

“I would give you anything to make you happy and keep you with me Chase, anything.” She was so relieved to understand his point of view. Now, she knew for sure he didn’t care how the bonding turned out. She wouldn’t question him again. Dani left their home that evening to go stay with Mason and a very pregnant Debbie because it was bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the ceremony on the day of the wedding. Of course, that was a human superstition, but Chase was humoring all of her customs. Danielle couldn’t wait to be his bride.

* * *

It was to be an evening ceremony. The celebration afterwards would be held outside under a huge sheer tent. The weather would be perfect with no
clouds in sight. His Lovely
wanted a candlelight reception so the stars could be seen through the sheer tent. He wanted everythi
ng to be perfect so he spent
most of the day overseeing the last minute set up; making sure every detail was met to her specifications. You know its love when a guy willingly spent an afternoon discussing floral centerpieces and seating charts.

Finally the time had come. Chase walked to the front of the chapel to await his Lovely’s arrival. The music started and the doors at the rear of the chapel closed. Chase noticed an envelope addressed to him on the step below him. Thinking it may be from Soleil he quickly bent to pick it up. It wasn’t from his bride and the contents made his blood run cold. It was from Darren and it was a threat.

Chase,

She is my mate. If I can’t have her, no one will. Our old friend was very interested to know Danielle was changed and she retained her human gifts. Without all that pesky human blood to block him I don’t imagine it will take him long to catch up with her. She should be a tasty treat when he drains her for real this time. You should watch your back, because I am.

Darren, your bride’s true mate

Chase tried to pull himself together when the doors in the rear of the chapel opened to admit Soleil. He would deal with the threat later. Now was a time for celebration. She was breathtaking in a white Grecian gown. Her mahog
any, white and red hair spilled
all around her. She looked at him with such love and adoration. He reflected those raw emotions right back to her. His one true mate would share his bed and his blood tonight. Just before she entered the chapel doors the lights went out. It was dark as pitch in the chapel. Chase heard the double doors slam shut. The crowd began to panic and pandemonium broke out, blocking his way when he charged the doors. They were locked. It took him and Griffin several moments to kick open the heavy wooden barrier between them and his bride. Screaming her na
me, Chase searched the entryway with Griffin on his heels. The lights flickered
back on,
but
Soleil was gone.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

To learn more about Cat Miller's books p
lease
visit
her blog at
www.
catmillerbooks.blogspot.com

You can also visit her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/catmillerbooks

Available Now:

Unforgiven~

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Coming Soon:

Unmerciful~

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