He handed me a glass of the rich, green juice. Together, we downed the juices in seconds and placed the empty glasses on the desk. I looked down at my hands and arms and watched as the green color of the chlorophyll coursed through my veins. The euphoric feeling from the chlorophyll’s essence gave me an all-natural high. I tossed my head back against my office chair, relishing the feeling. My skin heated up and turned sunlight yellow as I came down from my high and focused on his response.
“I agree with you. I’ll put Paul and Levi on the job,” Dax stated, then he looked at me.
“Sounds like a plan. Have you and Healani set a date yet for you all’s mating ceremony?” I probed.
“We did, actually. It’s in three weeks. She wanted to throw this party for Creek’s birthday first.” He shook his head, and I laughed at him. “Healani’s ass was determined to throw that damn party. She knows how Creek feels about celebrating her birthday. Healani might not know the reason why, and neither do I, but she will not let Creek’s birthday go by without celebrating it,” Dax stated.
“Oh, I know just how determined she was because I got the bill to pay for it.” I chuckled lightly. A bit of sadness settled over me when I reflected on what she told me earlier. “It’s going to hurt Healani when she does find out, though. To hear my mate in so much pain while she relived the most terrifying and traumatizing moment in her life filled me with rage to the max. I damn near showed my true self to her,” I told Dax. “It’s also amazing that you found your mate, and she wasn’t weirdedout by our lifestyle. I believe it’s because we’re sun vampires instead of blood-drinking vampires. We’re not out attacking humans and drinking their blood. We fulfill our thirst through the chlorophyll from plants and our energy from the sun. I pray Creek doesn’t freak out because my feelings are so strong for her. She got a chance to meet those bloodthirsty savages first, so I hope they didn’t ruin the possibility of her being open and susceptible to our kind,” I mentioned.
Dax nodded in understanding as his phone rang. “Hello,” he answered. “Yes, babe, I know. We are actually on our way down to the party now. Yes ma’am. I’ll grab some more ice. Okay, baby girl. I love you too,” he cooed, then hung up. “Let’s go, bro, before Healani tries to come and get us.” He huffed quickly and stood up. I couldn’t wait until I had my mate in my arms and jumping at her every beck and call. It had always been a dream of mine, but in order to make it happen, I needed to head to Creek’s surprise party.
“Yeah, you’re right about that.” We laughed together, and this time, when we left my office, we walked at human speed and took the elevator down to the lobby.
I signaled for one of my staff members and told them to bring more ice to the conference room. When we walked in, there were streamers hanging from the chandeliers with I all over. The pink, foiled number thirty balloons plastered around definitely gave the room a feminine vibe. I honestly loved the way Healani paired the pink, white, and yellow colors together. Creek loved these colors married together, but yellow was her absolute favorite color.
There was plenty of food and sweets on the long table. Plus, there were old-fashioned cotton candy machines going with lemonade and strawberry slushy machines whirring and mixing the delicious frozen drinks.
“Hey! You guys finally made it!” Healani voiced excitedly. “Come on, big daddy. I’ve been waiting to shake my ass on you all day,” she recited as she pulled Dax onto the floor, and they immediately got to it.
I laughed as I walked around and spoke to a few of my staff. I looked around for Creek, and I spotted her talking to the first-shift receptionist, Destiny. She looked absolutely beautiful in her strapless all-white maxi dress with two high slits. Her brown curly mane was on full display, and I loved it. They laughed and self-served themselves to some slushies when Kai saddled his thirsty ass behind Creek.
I watched as she turned around and stepped away, ignoring him. Destiny seemed to be telling him to move around as she waved her hand in the air to express it. Kai gave her his middle finger as he turned back to Creek. She tossed the bean bags at the white bowling pins. Creek was able to knock two pins down before Kai felt on her ass. Creek quickly grabbed his dick and squeezed hard as hell.
“Ow, fuck! Please let me go, man!” he begged and screamed out.
“Hell no! I’ve warned you and warned you about touching me. I don’t belong to you or anyone else. Do you understand now!” she yelled as she squeezed tighter. All the color drained from his tan face as the veins in his forehead protruded to showcase his agony. I felt the nigga’s pain. My nuts ached for him, but that’s what the fuck he gets for not keeping his hands to himself.
“Yes! Yes!” he expressed in pain.
“Good because from what I can feel, you don’t have enough to satisfy any woman!” Creek hollered.
The party stopped, and everyone watched them. I intervened swiftly. “Come on, sweetness. I’ll take it from here, beautiful. It’s your birthday, and you deserve to be enjoying yourself…not entertaining this fool,” I voiced, placing my hand on her shoulder. She looked at me with eyes filled with hurt and embarrassment. Creek slowly released him and then stood next to me. Kai whined on the floor, and I lowered to his ear level so only he could hear our conversation. “Yo’ gon' die by hands for p’ttin' your nasty paws on my mate. It might not be tonight, but just know… I'ma kill you.” There was a look of fear in eyes, but immediately following it was a modicum of defiance. I smirked because he was the perfect kill for me. Kai was a weak man. Weak men were dangerous because they'd do just about anything to have their way. It was cool, though, because I preferred to show rather than tell.
I stood to my full height and signaled for my security to remove him from my hotel. “As of today, you are no longer an employee of Magers Shore Hotels. Consider yourself fired for the constant sexual harassment of an employee!” I stated sternly.
Kai yelled and shouted out obscenities as he was carried out of the conference room. “I’m going to get you, bitch! You can bet on that!” His shouts didn’t even bother my security guards as they removed him from the room.
“The show is over. Can we get back to partying?” Healani queried, and the music started back up. People picked up where they left off, but Healani rushed over to us and grabbed Creek in a tight hug. “I’m so sorry, best friend… I really am. I don’t know why my brother is so obsessed with you, but I will be letting my parents know so we can keep an eye out for him. I promise we won’t let him harm you, boo,” she stated. Healani rubbed Creek’s hair and back and comforted her as if she was her child. When they separated, they both had tears coming down their faces.
“Thank you, boo, for your support and this beautiful party, but I’m heading home. I’m just not feeling well anymore, but thank you again for everything,” Creek said with a small smile. I could tell she was putting on a brave front while trying not tohurt Healani’s feelings as well. It just further showed how kind and selfless she was. Creek gave Healani another hug before she made one last attempt to get her to stay.
“Are you sure, sis?” Healani asked. She gave Creek her best puppy dog face, but it didn't work this time.
“Yeah, I'm sure.”
“Okay, sissy. Let me know when you make it home,” Healani stated.
“I will, love,” Creek confirmed.
This was my time to shine, and I was about to take full advantage. My plan was to get some alone time with her to lock down a specific time and day for our date. Creek needed to know every move I made from here on out were very intentional. Now was the perfect opportunity. I despised Kai, but I was grateful for this moment. “Here, let me walk you home,” I offered.
She revealed a girlish grin as I extended my arm for her to take. She slid her arm into mine, and chill bumps covered my skin. This moment felt surreal but perfect, like Goldilocks in Baby Bear's bed or Prince Charming slipping the glass slipper onto Cinderella's foot. Creek was my mate, and I was determined to get my happily ever after with her.
We exited the conference room, then the hotel, and headed down the three blocks to her home. I'd followed her home every night since we first met, which was the same day I hired her as my events DJ. It probably gave creep vibes, but so what? She was my mate, and I had every right to know almost every move she made. We walked slowly down the blocks, taking in the sights and basking in each other's presence.
“I’m sorry that happened to you, especially on the day of your birthday, but you did a great job defending yourself,” I expressed. It really irked me that bad shit just kept happening to her on her birthday.
“It’s okay. These cards were drawn for me, so I’m just playing its hand, but thank you so much for the support,” she replied.
