Free Teased by Rebecca Zanetti

be something you can do.”
    He studied her, those dark eyes seeming to see everything. “There is one thing, but it’s asking for a lot.”
    Her chin lifted. “What is it?”
    “She’s an enhanced female human, so somebody could mate her, and her chromosomal pairs would increase to near immortality, so her heart would repair itself.”
    “Enhanced?” Olivia asked.
    “Yes. I searched her apartment when she was sleeping to see if your research was hidden there, and she definitely gives out vibrations. Strong ones. I’m guessing that’s what drew you as friends, and I’m thinking she’s probably psychic.”
    “I don’t understand.”
    “Many human females are most likely distant cousins to the witch nation, and they have gifts beyond the norm like visions, empathic abilities, or many others, and they can mate an immortal.”
    “Mate?” Olivia’s voice wavered on the end.
    “Yes. It’s forever, probably. So like I said, it’s a lot to ask.” He ran the leather through his hands. “Since this is my mission, I’d be on board. So if that’s your final offer, it looks like it’d be me.”
    No! The reaction careened inside her and planted in her heart. “I assume mating means what it, well, means?”
    “Yes. Sex and a good bite…and forever.”
    She blinked. “You said probably forever.”
    He nodded. “There was a virus that attacked vampire mates, hence all the research you found, but we cured it. The queen modified the virus, so technically the mating bond of immortals can be reversed.”
    “Technically?”
    He shrugged. “The reversal has only worked on mates who’ve been widowed for centuries and not from currently living mates.”
    “Has anyone still living and mated tried?”
    “No.”
    This was all so unbelievable. “Isn’t there somebody else who could mate Ronni?” Not that Ronni would probably agree, anyway.
    “My mission, my duty.” He lifted a shoulder the size of a small mountain. “It’s how it works.”
    Olivia kicked an imaginary pebble. “I want to save my friend, but I don’t want to force you into a forever relationship with somebody you’ve never met.” With somebody that wasn’t Olivia. Geez. She had it bad for the guy.
    “A lot of matings are arranged, so it’s not unheard of in my culture.” His gaze pierced hers and deep. “I do have one condition.”
    Tingles exploded throughout her abdomen. “Which is?” she croaked.
    “One night with you.”
    Her entire body stopped moving, and her heart probably stilled for just a second. “You want to sleep with me as a condition?”
    “There won’t be any sleeping.”
    She slowly shook her head. “You’re trying to blackmail me for sex?”
    “It’s extortion, not blackmail. And you tried to extort me first.”
    This was all just way too insane. “I can’t sleep with you and then have you sleep with my best friend for life.”
    “Like I said, there won’t be any sleeping. Look at it like different lifetimes…Ronni won’t be here any longer if I mate her, and your friendship will be over.”
    Olivia blinked. “Why won’t she be here?”
    “My mate?” Both of his eyebrows rose. “She’ll be somewhere safe at headquarters whether she likes it or not.”
    The possessive tone did very unnerving things throughout Olivia’s body, the least of all creating a little jealousy. “I can’t ask you to mate forever, even to save my friend. Besides, there has to be a cure out there. Your people must have incredible resources, and I’m sure they could find one to save a heart.”
    “Perhaps.” Chalton rubbed his chin. “But I doubt it. The queen works brutal hours trying to cure diseases, and so far she hasn’t succeeded with human ones.” He dodged forward and tossed Olivia over his shoulder again.
    “What are you doing?” she squawked, once again looking down at his fine ass.
    “Done talking.” Turning, he began to move through the living room.
    Well that didn’t sound good.
     

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