Free Mating Fever by Crymsyn Hart

accident. Ever since, it’s weighed on my conscience. I’ve pushed the memories down, hoping to forget them.
    “I almost had. I’d resigned myself to being alone for the rest of my life. And then you come along and become my vampire in shining armor.”
    “What happened was an accident. There is no curse. You deserve to be happy. You’ve suffered long enough. Forgive yourself.”
    I sniffled and nodded. “I’ve told myself that many times. But it never happens. I’ve gone out on dates before, but they all end badly. One guy, while crossing the street to meet me, was run over by a bus. Another one fell onto the third rail of the subway and was electrocuted while I watched. I could tell you more horror stories, but I’m sure you don’t want to hear about them.”
    He smoothed my hair and hugged me. “I can understand why you think you’re cursed. But you’ve just had a run of bad luck. Very bad luck.”
    “But I don’t want it to rub off on you. I don’t want you to get hurt because of the evil cloud that hovers over me.”
    Keaton smiled. “I won’t. I’m over two thousand years old. I can take care of myself.”
    “Yeah, but what if now that you’ve met me, the curtains fall down and you go up in flames. Or Ivan beheads you. Someone follows me here and stakes you. I couldn’t bear it.”
    “Nothing like that is going to happen. I swear.”
    “You can’t be sure of that. I —”
    He placed a finger to my lips. “Hush. I can take care of us. You are my life now. Don’t you know that?”
    I shook my head barely believing what I was hearing from him. He was willing to take care of me. He didn’t believe that I was cursed. Neither had Stephania. She had said all I had to do was tell Keaton and he would understand. It seemed that he did.
    He took another tissue and dabbed my eyes with it before handing it to me. Keaton swiped his thumbs across my cheeks taking away the excess moisture and smiled. I saw the absolute love in his gaze. He saw me as a jewel. It was evident in the way that he handled me. In the way that he loved me.
    “I don’t see how you could.” I backed away and blew my nose before taking another tissue.
    Keaton chuckled. “Madison, you’re beautiful, intelligent, and so full of passion that it burns inside of you. You’ve dampened the flame so much that you haven’t let yourself experience it for a long time, and that isn’t living. You have to let yourself live. Let me take care of you. Let me love you.” He held my face in his hands and kissed me lightly, sweeping his tongue across my lips before I opened my mouth to his. His tongue tangled with mine. A small moan let loose from my throat. I rested my hand on his chest. In that moment, I felt completely safe with him. He kissed me a little longer, lazily, letting me taste him until I pulled away.
    Some weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I did feel better, but I still wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to do. “Can I ask you something?”
    “Anything, Madi.”
    “What if I get through this mating fever and I choose not to be with you? What happens?”
    He sighed. His forehead furrowed in distress. “I hope that doesn’t happen.”
    “Why?”
    “Because I’d never be able to see you again. I’d have to take the memories of me from your mind. Or have a friend do it since I can’t penetrate the veil of your thoughts. I’d have to spend an eternity alone pining for you until there happens to be another chance of a woman coming into my life that might be my mate, but who knows if that would happen. Please don’t tell me—”
    I shook my head. “No. I don’t plan on abandoning you. I just wanted to know. Keaton, I like you. Even though you stalked me and kidnapped me.”
    “But?”
    “But, I don’t know.”
    He pulled away. “I know what your problem is.”
    My eyes widened and I crossed my arms over my chest. “Really and what is that?”
    “You think way too much. I might not be able to read your mind,