Page 13 of Endlessly Raphael
“Many marriages were created from less.”
I laugh. “True. I just never saw myself marrying for any reason, least of all a fake one.”
“My honest opinion of the situation is that you’ve suppressed your desire for love for too long. Haven feels like a lifeline. Just keep your expectations in check. If this is truly just for show, guard your heart. Even jaded vampires are capable of falling hard.”
“Good advice.”
He leans across the desk, placing his hand over mine. “But also be open to the possibility that it could grow into more. As we’ve seen, stranger things have happened.”
Nodding, I flip my hand to hold his and give it a gentle squeeze. “True. How are you? Hale seems to be fitting in.”
“He is. I’ve got him set up to start working at Lair soon. He’s not interested in joining Veil Protection, and we could always use more support at the club.”
“Is there…” I’m careful with my next question. Yves isn’t known for encouraging prying into his personal life.
He chuckles, clearly already picking up on my thoughts. “Interest in Hale? No. No more than as a friend.”
“It isn’t fair, you know? Fate should have chosen you first.”
His eyes soften. “Fate is on her own timeline. I accept that.”
I stand and walk around his desk, where I open my arms to him. While we long ago stopped sleeping in each other’s beds, I know that Yves still craves an intimate touch from time to time. Syn was always the one to give it, but now he’s with his mate, their touches have gone extinct.
Yves wraps his arms around my waist, pressing his cheek to my belly. It’s far from sexual, but more intimate than merely platonic. It’s centuries of shared history and affection. If fate is listening, I pray she graces this generous man with a mate of his own. If anyone deserves love, it’s him.
“Thank you,” he whispers after a moment. He squeezes my hand as we separate. “Let me know if we can do anything to help you with Haven.”
“I appreciate that. I think the further I keep him from this life, the better.”
“You’ll figure it out.”
After I leave Yves and say goodnight to the others, I head to my apartment. Everything has changed. I can’t just swing by Eros’s place and bug him now that he has a mate. Syn and Midnight are always tucked away in their own units with their mates. Thorn is out doing Thorn things. Without a job, I have nothing to do, and watching vampire movies doesn’t appeal.
Maybe agreeing to Haven’s plan isn’t the worst idea. It would give me a distraction in between jobs. Besides, what’s a year in the face of eternity? Worst case scenario, we hate each other when it’s over but he still gets his inheritance. And I definitely wouldn’t mind spending a few more nights tangled around his body.
As insane as it is, I think I’m going to do it. I’m going to marry Haven.
SIX
Haven
It’s been twenty-four hours with no call from Raphael. Ugh. Back to the drawing board, I guess. While I put the finishing touches on my face—a bit of gloss and eyeliner—I do my best to push back the disappointment. I guess I was really hoping I could stop creeping through every nightclub in the city looking for a suitable partner. Not to mention Raphael is hot. And that dick. Damn.
Maybe I should switch gears and go somewhere nerdy guys hang out. I’ve always been into brains. The fuckboi route isn’t producing any results.
With a pink jumpsuit on, black leather ankle boots, and my face as good as it’s gonna get, I grab my phone and keys for another night out. Just as I’m heading down the stairs, my phone rings, and for a second I’m hopeful it’s Raphael. It’s not.
“Hi, Auntie,” I answer. “What’s up?”
“Haven. How are you, my boy?”
“Holding up. Is everything okay?”
“Mostly, yes.”
“But?”
“We had a family meeting yesterday. Your father is preparing papers in the event that you don’t meet the terms of the inheritance. Are you making progress with that?”