Bound: The Hybrid's Witch Book 2

Chapter 13

It came as no surprise to me that Rebekah was using the ball as an excuse to go shopping. I was, however, shocked when she asked me to accompany her. We hadn't talked much since Nik killed Mikael. So, when she extended the invitation shortly after breakfast it may have taken me a moment longer than it should have to respond.

"You don't have to go with me if you don't want to," she finally said, sounding more than a little disgruntled.

"No. I'd love to. I'm just surprised you asked me is all."

She rolled her eyes. "Well, who else am I supposed to ask? Elena or that blonde?"

My lips twitched. And there was the Rebekah I knew and semi-tolerated. "Let me get my things and say bye to Nik. I'll meet you at the door."

She nodded and left my room where I'd been hiding from Esther. I wouldn't want to intrude on her time with her children. Or something like that. That was the line I fed her anyway. It didn't take me long to find Nik as he was in Elijah's study along with the rest of his family save Rebekah.

Though the door was open, I still knocked. Nik glanced my way and his eyes softened. He was on his feet in an instant. "I'll be right back, mother." He grasped my upper arm when he reached me and steered us both back into the hallway. After turning us so my back was against the wall, he cupped my face in his hands and kissed me gently. "God, I miss you."

I chuckled. "I've been in the same house as you all morning, Nik."

He hummed and kissed me again.

I pulled away and grinned at him. "Your sister is taking me shopping. I have no idea where we are going or how long it will take."

His brows lifted. "You're going shopping with Rebekah?"

"Apparently I was a better option than Elena or Caroline."

"I see." He licked his lips and pulled out his wallet. "I keep forgetting to give this to you, but now seems like a good time."

He handed me a pure black credit card. With my name on it. My gaze found his in surprise. "You don't have to do this, Nik."

He grinned, flashing his dimples. "I know I don't. That's precisely why I wish to do it. Go spend my money. I have too much of it."

He kissed me again then headed back into the office, promptly dismissing me.

***

It took Rebekah and I nearly three hours to find dresses we liked and another two to acquire all the needed accessories. Now, I inexplicably found myself sitting across the table from her as we had dinner together at a little restaurant I hadn't known existed until today.

"I had fun today," I told her, breaking the silence.

She looked at me with a little tilt of the head. "Your presence was not entirely intolerable."

I rolled my eye but I didn't miss the way the corners of her lips twitched as she fought a smile. "Thanks."

Rebekah leaned back in her seat and ran her eyes over me. "When I first met you, I believed that you had my brothers under some sort of spell. No one gives as much you have without wanting something in return, regardless of what you said to them."

"And now?"

"Now I believe it is just your nature to be as you are. It is slightly disturbing if I'm honest. We have encountered few like you over the centuries. I keep waiting for it to end and your true self to be revealed." After that, she turned back to her food as if the two of us were discussing the weather or something else of equal import.