Twelve Dates For Christmas

Chapter 6- Alex

I accepted the midnight-black box from the woman at the register with an attempt at a smile. She blushed furiously, telling me I'd likely have the desired effect.

I couldn't help but think about how Millie would look in the item I bought for her all the way back to my apartment. Slender curves wrapped in red, contrasted against her black hair that framed her heart-shaped face. My dick hardened just picturing her purplish-blue doe eyes and plump pink lips.

She was any man's wet dream.

But she was my mate.

Well mine and Roth's and Laz's. I still wasn't sure how this whole sharing-a-mate thing would work, but if anything, I was glad it was those two. In a way, it felt right that the three of us would be bound together by something so monumentally important as Millie Davis. We'd met through the agency and practically grew up together. We were like brothers now.

The day was thankfully grey and gloomy, which made walking around doable. With the box of Louboutins in the back seat of my car, along with the Versace dress, I decided to make a stop for a...drink to help curb my appetite for Millie.

In the lethal way, anyway.

I parked in the driveway beside Roth's black Nissan GT-R. Okay then, I thought with a thread of irritation. The asshole leaned against the wide wooden porch railing, staring me down with his arms crossed.

After climbing out of the car, I made sure to lock it. Having fifteen grand stolen would not be a good start to the night. Especially considering I'd have to hunt the thief down and not tear out their throat.

I might be one of the good guys, but that didn't mean the predator in me didn't have violent urges.

"What's wrong?" I asked as I climbed the steps. Pausing at the door to get my keys, I waited for Roth's response.

"I almost turned in front of her." His admission was spoken low.

I whirled, eyes wide. "What happened? Does Laz know?" I pushed the door open, stalking inside with Roth right behind me.

He sighed heavily before running a hand through his disheveled hair. It didn't look as though he'd slept at all last night. "No, he doesn't know yet. We were decorating her house and she made cookies. At first we were talking and whatnot. But then she got close and just made a comment about the smell and I couldn't help it, I smelled her... Fuck, man. I could have hurt her."

I sighed. "But you didn't."

His voice was barely a whisper when he said, "She's a freaking mortal."

He was right. It was the same concern I had, and most likely that Laz had. It was her mortality that had been on my mind constantly, but I tried not to let it affect how I planned to act around her tonight. She was still my mate, but until she consented to completing the bond, I couldn't bring up such a heavy topic.

If she accepted, then perhaps one day she'd let me turn her. A topic for a much, much later date.

I nodded. "But she may not be forever."

Roth looked desolate. And exhausted.

"Hey." I clapped him on the shoulder, giving it a firm squeeze. "Go home and get some rest. She's fine. It was one instance. You know now not to sniff her when she's standing too close."

After a moment, he nodded and headed for the door. "See ya, Alex."

When the door shut behind him, I was left alone in the darkness. The sun was already setting, which meant it was nearly time to go pick up my date. I had to call down to the bar she worked at to make sure she had the night off, otherwise things might be a little complicated.