The Empath's Mate

Chapter 9

He drove for 15 minutes bringing us to a park. He parked the car before looking at me and smiling. I swear if drama had him this excited, I didn’t know what I was in for. I left my bag in the car, I knew work was off the table for the time being.

               “I found this place right after I got to town.” He said as we walked through the open area into the trees.

               “Are you going to hit me over the head with something soon? Or are you more of the chloroform type?” I joked with him realizing no one could see us.

               “I prefer kicking and screaming personally.” He winked moving a branch out of the way.

               “This is amazing!” I squealed.

               There was an open space with a picnic table that was forgotten about. He went over and pulled out the sandwiches. I was looking around at the flowers that were still as radiant as ever when a dragon fly flew past me causing me to jump back. I stumbled a few times before he caught me again.

               The last few times this happen we were both quick to break the touch, this time was different. My back leaned into him naturally, he wrapped his arm around my waste bringing his head next to my ear.

               “Still adjusting to those new feet?” He whispered.

               “Why does that feel so good?” I asked in my trance.

               He stood up removing myself from his grasp. I think a whimper left my throat, but he didn’t seem to notice. I wondered if it was him, I didn’t remember feeling it. I could start to feel the world around me again and I reached for him.

               “Sorry, here have some food.” He said stepping aside.

               “Wait, why do you keep doing that? I may be awkward, but I am not completely niave. I know you feel it too.” I allowed my determination to fill my voice. Having one man ignore me was bad enough.

               “Probably because we are met to be together.” He finally said meeting my eyes.

               “Okay, let’s take that road. Why do you keep pulling away?”

               “You’re married.” He said as a sigh.

               “And you just witnessed the end of my marriage. What is stopping you now?” I used all my strength to step towards him.

               He didn’t respond, he didn’t back away. He just stood there; his eyes fixed on me trying to read my next step. I did not try to conceal anything. I projected my feelings towards him, showing him how much I want him.

               “What is that?” He said in a hushed tone.

               “I am a special kind of empath. I can feel other people, but I can help them as well. I can… influence emotions. In this case, I am trying to show you how you make me feel.” I finished shrugging.

               “Wow.” He said stepping towards me.

               We stood about 2 feet apart for a moment. He looked like he was arguing with himself. I knew I had no business trying to pull this man into my life. He was out of my league and could have any girl he wanted. He took a step forward and my heart jumped. I tried to close the distance, but my body wouldn’t move.

               “Please, it never has to leave these woods.” I whispered staring at his lips.

               I wanted him to touch me. I wanted to throw myself at his body and press my lips to his. What does he taste like? Is he a good kisser? Will he leave me wanting more? Questions kept running through my head as I tried to force my body to lunge at him.

               He took a step forward placing his forehead on mine. His arms were holding mine to my sides. I could sense his desire, his need. He traced his fingers from my hands to my shoulders before cupping my face to bring it up.

               My lips were almost touching his, I could feel his breath on mine. I finally had the ability to push my body upwards with my toes to touch my lips to his. As soon as I did, he pulled back holding me on my shoulders.

               “We should eat.” He said turning and sitting on the other side of the table.

                I stood stunned that he just walked away from that perfect moment. My heart felt like it shattered. I ran my hands over my face as I walked over to the table, afraid I allowed a tear to escape. I didn’t have much of an appetite anymore, but I forced the food down as we sat in silence for the remaining time.

               He filled the voided space with a few stories about London. I was thrilled to hear them, keeping my disappointment buried deep so he would not sense it. I knew allowing him to feel my emotions was going to be dangerous. Everything with Nikola seemed to be so easy, I was feeling something that was one sided, again.

               Jeremy was not at the door when we arrived back at the building. I went straight to my office to prepare for my meeting with my group. I was anxious to see how Belle was out of Peter’s view. I tried to focus on work since I was rejected twice at lunch.

Nikola POV

               I am such an i***t. She was asking me to kiss her, she even made the last move and I pulled away. I knew what just happened at the bistro was bothering her. When her emotions passed through me stronger than anything because of the bond I couldn’t stop myself. Not until the last second when she lifted herself up and I pulled away.

               There was no way I would have been able to recover from that, so I just acted like it didn’t happen. That was the best option I could think of. I could sense her hurt through our bond. She didn’t know that I could already sense her emotions before, now I feel worse than I did before taking her there. I just needed some time away from her to gather my thoughts.

               We arrived back at the office earlier than expected. I texted Peter from the parking lot letting him know we were early. She went straight into her office and closed the door behind her. The soft “Thanks for lunch” was drowned out in pain. I hurt my mate for no reason other than stupidity.

               “Hey Pete, you have a minute?” I asked walking into his office closing the door behind me. He raised a brow.

               “This is a door closed minute? Is this Alpha related?” He asked with a smirk.

               “In a way, it’s Roni-related.” I said sitting down.

               “What did you do?” He said firmly, all joking had left his voice.

               “We ran into her husband, and another woman.” I said with a sigh, “she knows now. I had a feeling but it’s not like I could have said something. They were at the bistro I took her to for lunch.”

               “So you served her divorce for her first date? How will you ever top that?” He laughed to loud.

               “Is this funny to you?” I asked in a growl.

               He stopped laughing abruptly and his eyes met mine. I could feel him access his alpha powers and force me down. I was the strongest beta ever documented, he still caused me to cower like a toddler.

               “If it is funny to me, what do you have to say about it?” He asked using his alpha tone.

               “Nothing.” I said bowing my head down before I heard his chuckle.

               “You will work it out. She was bound to find out eventually, at least she had her mate there. She may not know it but you being there probably made it painless.” He observed and I nodded confirming.

               “I think the part where I almost kissed her then did not… AFTER we left the bistro, was my big mistake.” I admitted keeping my eyes on the ground.

               “You WHAT?!” He yelled.