Midnight Moonrising (Moonrising #2)(116)

His expression turned somber as he whispered through my thoughts. "How many dates do you make the guy wait before you have sex with them? 'Cause if it's four, I'm totally onboard with this being our fourth date."

I took a drink of my soda and thought about it. I had only been with two men, not counting Alex. I refused to make that mark on my bedpost; it hadn't been me he'd had sex with. I was seventeen and a virgin when I'd met Marc, and there had been many more than four dates before he even got close to my panties. Phoenix, on the other hand, well, we'd never actually gone on a real date, but it was over two weeks from the time we met before we had sex the first time.

"You could just sift through my memories and find out for yourself. Why ask?"

"Isn't the fun part of being in a relationship getting to know someone? I'm really trying to stay out of your head. I respect your privacy, Andra."

"A lot more than four dates," I said, and watched as his grin spread.

"I knew you were going to make me work for it."

"We're not having sex, Ace. Our relationship doesn't have to be like that. You know I'm with Phoenix. You can be with whomever you like."

Feeling someone's anger was a lot different from seeing it. I had to look away from him as he glared at me. My hands trembled on the table, so I placed them in my lap and curled my fingers in as his fury swept through my body. Idly, I watched the waitress as she filled coffee cups, listened to the clanging of silverware, all in an attempt to escape his anger. As soon as he spoke, though, I realized the futility of my little exercise.

"Do you honestly think you wouldn't want to kill any girl I take to my bed from now on unless that girl is you? Do you really think I could even touch any other girl but you? It makes me sick to even think about it. What I don't understand is how you can. I know you're feeling just as much of this shit as I am."

"I'm sorry—"

"You know what I think?" He didn't wait for a theory from me. "I think that you remember you loved him and you want to want to love him again so badly that you're miserable trying to make it happen."

My eyes locked with his, and I shook my head. "I still love—"

"How do you know, Andra? You haven't been to see him. You haven't asked for your phone so you could call him. Seems to me that when someone loves another person, they would at least make that much effort."

"You know I can't—"

"You can't what? Go to him? Because of me? I'll take you back to him right now if that's what you want, but what will happen if I leave the room? Huh? It won't be sex, I'll tell you that much. Do you know why you won't be able to have sex with him?" He pointed at his chest as he spoke. "Because he's not me!"

"That's not true," I whispered, and felt the hot tears as they slid down my face. "What Phoenix and I share is more than sex, but how do you explain that to someone who's never experienced love?"

Ace sighed as he leaned back. "Sadness has got to be the worst f*cking emotion ever. Guys don't have this problem. Girls get sad if it f*ckin' rains or a butterfly dies. It sucks! How the hell do any of you get out of bed in the mornings?"

"Stop giving me reasons to be sad and I won't be, jerk!"

Ace closed his eyes, drawing in a deep breath then letting it out slowly before looking at me again. Instead of speaking, he reached halfway across the table, his palm up, inviting me. I hurriedly grasped his fingers and felt instant relief.

"I'm sorry, Andromeda. I won't interfere anymore. Some things people just need to see for themselves before they will believe them."

"You're wrong."

He shook his head. "Don't hate me for hoping I'm right. You'll be happier if you will just let him go."

"I'll never let him go."

The server chose that moment to bring out our feast. I didn't want to let go of Ace's hand, knowing the uneasiness would return.

From his memories, I knew he used his right hand to do most things, but he held onto my hand with his right and picked his fork up with his left, and then began eating.

Guess he wasn't ready to feel like crap, either.





Chapter 58



Phoenix





Mena's phone chimed, signaling a text message.

Phoenix picked it up off his nightstand, seeing she had several missed texts, most from Daryn, as was the one that just came in.

Mena,

I really need you to call me. Everyone in the pack has gone rogue. I told you this would happen. We need our Alpha. Where are you? Are you with him? That damn vampire is going to cause you to lose everything. ~ Daryn.

Phoenix rubbed a hand over his chin as he read the text again. This little shit had been a thorn in his side from the very beginning. Maybe Mena would consider transferring him to another pack if he asked her to. It was either that or Phoenix would end up killing the bastard. That option was even more appealing, so he decided to just let the chips fall where they may.


A soft knock came at the door, and Phoenix looked up from the device in his hand.

"Enter."

The door slowly opened, and Mena walked into the room, followed by Ace, their hands joined. Phoenix's heart plummeted.