"So, to what do I owe this visit? I assume you have a reason." He was curious after the silence stretched a little too long.
"I was wondering if you were going to ask me to the gala." She smiled brightly.
He sat up straight and tried to laugh, but it came out as more of a choking sound. "Are you crazy?"
"Actually, I have some great news for us," she said with a bitter edge. "Your parents have been visiting with my parents. I overheard them talking about how it's time for our houses to put the past behind them, and maybe if they bonded you to one of us girls, it would start the process. They would share grandchildren. It would bind our houses. They said something about a sighted ancestor of mine and a vision. I didn't get much of that part."
Chase stared at Samantha in disbelief. All the color drained from his face, and he felt sick. He knew exactly what vision she spoke of. His father had told him the story without mentioning that Chase was the focus of the tale. Many people in his family were blessed, but he had no extrasensorial ability like his father and uncle. Given the stories he had been told of past generations of gifted Deidricks, Chase hoped his children would be very powerful.
"I'm assuming, of course, that you would prefer to bond with me rather than my sister, so I need you to show some interest, or your parents may choose Brandi. She does look better on paper," Samantha continued.
Chase had to use all his strength to pull himself out of the spa. He felt as though his bones had melted. Samantha scurried out of the spa as well and hurried to follow him inside. Maybe that was why his father had recently insisted Chase take part in house business and help with council affairs. He was being groomed for a bonding.
As Chase entered his bedroom, Samantha took advantage of his weakness and tackled him, knocking him onto the bed. "Aren't you excited?" she giggled. "We can be together and not hide it anymore!" Samantha beamed with joy and anticipation of the future.
"We're not together and I'm not ready to be bonded." He dumped her onto the floor and went to dig for some clothes. He'd changed his mind. He would go to the club and get one of his girls really drunk. He was ready to be numb. This was the worst day ever. First Danielle rejected him, then his father scolded him for being lazy and loose before forcing him to help with the gala, and then Samantha had ruined his hopes for a future with Danielle. He hadn't realized he was looking to the future until Sam informed him that his was already mapped out for him. His chest ached at the thought of not having Danielle as his bonded mate. He had never wanted to be mated, never permanently tied to a female, but for the first time, he was crushed by the need for it. A painful pull in his chest was dragging his soul toward a girl he had only just met and just found out he could never have.
"I'm not ready, either. It'll probably be another two years before they start forcing the issue. The point is, our relationship will be accepted. The council is completely in agreement with bonding. The Staffords are also eager to fulfill this mystery vision. We can start over, try again," she explained.
Chase had his back to her, walking into a closet large enough to be another bedroom. He returned to find her in nothing but her thong.
"That's it!" he shouted. "Get dressed and make sure you leave the keys on the way out! I'm not in the mood for your shit! The last time we spoke, I made it clear how I felt about things! I care about you, but this is not a relationship!" Calming down, he looked her in the eyes. "Sam, I need some time to absorb this, okay?"
Samantha crossed the room and grabbed her purse, digging out a set of keys. She tossed them onto the bed and left the room wordlessly. Chase sat on the end of the bed with his head hung, listening to the click of heels coming back toward him. Her top was still on the floor. He lifted his head to find Samantha's usual perfection in nothing but the thong, red heels, and a black trench coat. Her hands on her hips and a wide smile on her recently glossed lips.
"You do what you need to do. I will let you be. But it's going to happen, and you know it. We'll be bonded, and this relationship will be forever. We'll be happy together, and our families will prosper." She retreated again. The front door slammed behind her as she left the condo.
A few weeks had passed since school started, and Dani concentrated on her studies. Olivia and the rest of the group had been going to Thirst twice a week. Olivia was annoyed with Dani for not going, but Dani had been avoiding Chase. She thought about him too much and had dreams about him that left her frustrated and wanting the real thing. Dani feared she wouldn't be able to resist touching him if she ran into him again. Now it was Friday, and after two weeks of work and no play, Jared had talked her into attending her first frat party.
Lucas called twice a day, every day. He was still trying to make up for the fight and his drinking. She'd already forgiven him, of course. After all, she'd been no angel herself that night. She hadn't done anything wrong, but the thought was there, and guilt over it assailed her. She hung up with Lucas before entering her first class of the day. He seemed agitated when she mentioned going to a party, but Dani wouldn't be holding back anymore. She told him everything, because they both had to get used to living apart. He went out with his friends, and she was learning to deal with it. Besides, she didn't drink the way he did, so he had no reason to worry.
The rest of the day dragged. She tried to think of an excuse not to go out, but she knew Olivia would be pissed if she canceled.
The fall air was crisp and clean smelling after her last class. Autumn had always been her favorite season. She stopped on a bench to enjoy the weather and admire the scenery. Her favorite area of campus, where the arching trees held hands, was starting to change colors. The leaves fluttered in the light breeze, and Dani was content just taking it all in, until she was interrupted by a voice she couldn't believe she heard. Dani snapped her head around when he said, "There you are, stranger."
"Lucas!" There he stood, looking like home. His steel-blue eyes made her heart skip.
She squeaked when he dragged her over the back of the bench and into his arms. He spun her around in circles and kissed her hard. It felt so good to be in his arms again. He whispered, "I love you," between every kiss he placed from her forehead all the way down her neck.
"What are you doing here? I can't believe you're really here," she murmured, still attached to his neck, afraid that if she let go he would disappear. She prayed it wasn't another crazy dream.
"I couldn't be away from you any longer. I had to hold you," Lucas cooed against her temple. When he finally released her, they walked hand in hand to the dorm.
A bunch of Dani's friends were there, watching TV in the common room. Olivia caught sight of them first. She jumped up and ran toward them, getting the attention of the others. All the introductions were made, with the exception of one. Jared had been there when Dani came in, but he was gone before Olivia finished squealing. Then Dani and Olivia led Lucas up to their room.
"You are still coming tonight, aren't you?" Olivia pouted.
"She'll be there with a date tonight," Lucas assured her with a smile.
"I thought you might want to be alone." Olivia winked at the couple.
"I don't want to interrupt Dani's evening. I just want to spend it with her." Lucas absently brushed his hand through her hair. He'd propped himself up against her headboard as she rested against his chest. Dani knew if they were alone, he would have her naked by now. That had been all she'd wanted for so long, but at the moment, she was hedging a bit.
"I'll tell you what. After the party, I'll go stay with Lindsay. You guys can have the room to yourselves. We just have to figure out how to sneak you in the building."
"Are you sure, O?" She felt bad about putting Olivia out of her own room, and Dani could tell by Lucas's possessive handling that there would be no going back if they had the room to themselves.
"Just call me cupid." Olivia smiled devilishly. "How long can you stay?" she asked Lucas.
"I have to leave tomorrow evening. I can't miss work on Sunday," he informed them with a frown and a shake of his beautiful blond head.
"I think we will hit the party early and get back here so we can chill alone." Dani waggled her eyebrows, and Lucas laughed at the silly gesture.
As they crossed campus in the dark, Dani gave Lucas a tour, pointing out which buildings she had classes in and anything else that was familiar to her on the way. The music from the party could be heard a block away. Earlier, she'd wanted to stay behind, but now she was excited to share the experience with Lucas.