Read Online ETHAN’S MATE (Book One: The Vampire Coalition) by J. S. Scott - Free Book Online Page B

thoughts that she hadn’t seen the man even
approach the table.
    Her eyes lifted to see Rory Hale sit down directly
across from her, a piece of cake big enough to feed ten people
sitting in front of him. He slid a smaller piece--maybe only big
enough to feed five people—closer to her.
    “I don’t want that,” she told him, irritated now that
she had to actually stare at the pastry in front of her.
    “Why not?” Rory cocked his head and shot her an
I’m-so-confused smile as he started eating his piece with obvious
enjoyment. “It’s fantastic.”
    Callie rolled her eyes, trying not to be charmed by
the incredibly gorgeous specimen of manhood. For God’s sake, did
the man have to look so damn perfect? He had eaten more in one
evening than any normal man ate in a month, and he still didn’t
look like he held one ounce of fat on his body. It was disgusting.
Still…she tried to be polite. He was Brianna’s new brother-in-law.
“I’m trying not to eat sweets, Rory. I have to watch what I
eat.”
    Rory continued to grin as he consumed his giant sized
piece of cake. “Why watch it when you can eat it?” He paused to
shoot her a curious look. “How do you know that I’m Rory? Liam was
sitting here earlier.”
    “Who else would you be? We were introduced at the
rehearsal.” She shoved the piece of cake to the middle of the table
as she answered.
    “Liam and I are twins. We’re identical,” he answered,
polishing off the mammoth pastry and setting his fork on the plate.
He stared at her curiously.
    They weren’t identical, Callie mused. Not really.
Although they were both incredibly handsome with midnight black
hair that just touched the back of their collar and very dark eyes,
Rory was just…different. Yeah…they were dressed in matching tuxedos
and they looked very much alike…but she would never mistake one for
the other.
    She shook her head as she answered, “You aren’t
really exactly alike.”
    Rory looked perplexed. “Most people can’t tell us
apart.”
    Really? Liam was attractive, as was his
brother Nathan, but Rory…was a walking temptation. She looked
around for Liam, but didn’t see him in the crowd. She didn’t have
anything for comparison but she was doubtful she would ever confuse
the two. Liam didn’t make her edgy and nervous. Rory definitely
did. It was like she could feel the male hormones coming across the
table, making her want to jump the table and attack.
    Callie crossed her arms in front of her and answered
defensively, “I just don’t think you’re alike, that’s all.”
    “Does that mean I’m the handsome one?” he asked
hopefully, smiling brightly.
    It was strange, but he wasn’t flirting. It was almost
as if he wanted validation. Callie refused to give it to him. His
head was probably already fat enough. “No comment.”
    Rory’s face fell. “I guess that means I’m not.”
    Callie searched his face for signs of conceit, but
she didn’t see anything except raw honesty. As she took in his
perfect features and glanced at his wavy mass of dark hair with one
little stray strand that seemed to separate from the others, she
wanted to reach out and brush it back in place.
    Come on, Callie. Get real. The guy has to know he’s
incredibly gorgeous. Don’t feel sorry for him.
    “I guess not,” she answered, feeling even guiltier
when he looked even more dejected. Wanting to see him smile again
she offered, “Have my cake.” She pushed it in front of him.
    He pushed it back. “I know you want it.”
    “I don’t,” she answered firmly.
    “You do.” He started to smile again.
    “Don’t,” she insisted.
    “Come on, Callie. You were looking at the cake table
like a tiger looks at raw meat. You wanted it. That’s why I brought
it.”
    Oh, shit. She groaned inwardly. Was she really
that obvious? “I’m a chef. I was just checking out the
competition.”
    “You wanted to taste the competition. Admit
it.” He took the plate from her and set it in front of