by V. A. Dold
Uncertainty darkened his eyes and filled his scent.
“What’s wrong, cher?” Emma asked with concerned eyes.
“I’m finally realizing how little I truly know about women. Like when we are disagreeing and she says ‘fine,’ or I ask her what’s wrong and all she says is ‘nothing.’ I can feel her emotions and I know it’s not fine and something is wrong, but what do I do when she says stuff like that and walks off?”
Anna giggled. “I don’t think there’s a man on the planet who understands women. But, here’s a tip. When you’re having an argument and she says ‘fine,’ that means she’s had enough of the discussion, she’s right, and you need to shut up.”
“Absolutely,” Rose agreed. “And when she says ‘nothing,’ that’s code for there is something very wrong and you had better be worried and figure it out damn quick.”
Emma raised her sweet tea to her daughters-in-law in total agreement. “Oh, and if she ever says ‘go ahead’ in an annoyed voice, that’s a dare and don’t ever take the dare if you want to sleep in her bed that night.”
Stefan was rubbing his face with a very worried expression. “I’m screwed, aren’t I?”
“Not if you ask one of us for advice whenever you’re unsure how to proceed.”
“You’re all going on my speed dial. Do you have any other words of wisdom before I head back to El’s ranch?”
“Be patient and give her time. Her opinion won’t change overnight,” Emma advised.
“I realize that. I dug myself a very deep hole to crawl out from,” Stefan said sadly as he stood to go. “I’m going to take your advice, and if I need tips or ideas may I call one of you? Is that okay?”
“Oh, yeah” and “Please do” rang through the room as Stefan said goodbye. He had a lot to digest, all of it excellent advice.
Rubbing his chin in deep thought, he reviewed the suggestions and how he could best use them during his dinner date. A slow, satisfied smile spread across his face, and then he sent up a prayer to the goddess that it would work.
*****
It took less than an hour to complete his evening chores with the help of a couple ranch hands. Over the last few days he’d become rather good friends with a few of them. El’s ranch manager let him in on the secret tonight, the men were in agreement that he was a very good influence on El and he had their blessing. Now if he could get her to agree with their assessment.
A quick shower and he would be ready for his first real date with his mate. Just the thought had him running back to the house, heart pounding, and hands sweaty with nerves.
Her ears perked up when she heard the shower turn on. Stefan was in there, probably naked and wet, and slick with soap. Her nipples were hard as diamonds and now her panties were wet. Shit.
Stefan had a way of wiggling into El’s thoughts and tempting her imagination. Besides being a very intelligent man, he was a charmer and had a soft-spoken drawl that curled her toes.
She often visualized what his body looked like, too often. Sure, she had glimpsed his chest when his tuxedo shirt had ripped open at the ball, but what did he look like naked? What would he feel like?
The last thing she wanted was to unleash her attraction for him. But, she couldn't deny there was something between them that had been ignited and growing for quite a while. It was only a matter of time and she would lose the battle and land in his bed like every other woman in Louisiana. A groan ripped from her chest and she hung her head in her hands.
I can’t win this, can I?
He was so intent on looking his absolute best for his date, he didn’t notice he was being watched. From her bed, El could see into his room.
Lord have mercy!
The man was devastating, glistening wet, in only a towel. He cocked a crooked smile with a glow to his eyes when he caught her looking, then he closed the door.
DAMMIT!
She had to get hold of her libido. She had gotten ready for dinner while he was in the barn, so she busied herself unloading the dishwasher. His footsteps went unheard with all the clanging of spoons and forks, not to mention the clatter of ceramic dinner plates.
As he stepped up behind her, he stood close enough to catch her scent. Closing his eyes, he breathed deeply as he let it wrap itself around his senses. He swayed almost drunk from it.
El squeaked in surprise. “What the heck are you doing? You scared the daylights out of me.”
“I’m sorry. I thought you heard me come in the room.” He grabbed the edge of the counter to steady himself–the effects of her scent still had him a bit woozy. “Are you ready to leave, or do you need a few minutes?”
“No, I’m ready. I was just waiting for you.”
He stepped back to allow her to precede him to the front door. The night air held a chill in early winter so he helped her with her coat before he offered his arm to walk to the truck. Like a perfect gentleman he opened her door and settled her first, and then sped to the driver’s side and joined her.
Chapter Sixteen
First Date
He felt like a teenager going on his first date, oh wait, he “was” technically on his first date. A myriad of emotions raced through his heart and mind. He was excited to be on a date with his mate and terrified at the same time that he would screw it up. Desire and longing made his chest ache and his jeans shrink. El had taken Marie to visit a friend and she planned to be gone all night playing cards and doing whatever old women do. That meant the house would be empty when they got home.
They hadn’t gone more than a mile and his Levi’s were at their maximum pressure rating. First thing tomorrow he needed to pick up more jeans. At the rate he was ripping seams and popping rivets he’d be doing chores in his BVDs in three days.
El gasped as he crossed the centerline and narrowly missed an oncoming car. Damn lack of oxygen to his brain was making him woozy.
Goddess, please let her put me out of my misery soon.
Suddenly terror shot through his heart as the notion El might truly have no interest in him resurfaced. He squashed the impossible thought for a second time. There was just no way she could hold out forever. He just needed to have the fortitude to go the distance. And he’d never been accused of lacking determination.
With his adolescent fears quelled, he glanced toward El. There had been several minutes of silence and he wanted to see her face. A curtain of hair fell forward and blocked his view. His gut tightened again, and at that moment he both loved and hated her hair. So, he let his gaze roam down her lush body, breasts displayed nicely by her fitted blouse and curvy hips hugged by her tight jeans. His mouth immediately watered and he quickly tested the edges of his mouth to verify he wasn’t drooling.
Images of all the pleasurable things he wanted to do to her trailed through his mind. El’s head shot up as she gasped and stared at him as a blush crept up her neck.
Shit, I must have been imagining loudly.
The woman really was making a habit of wreaking havoc with his self-control and stealing the air from his lungs. He kept his eyes on the road and pretended nothing had happened. It must have worked, after a few seconds she looked away again.
*****
In the center of the private room, a cozy table was set with linens and candles – not what she expected in the run-down diner. She was pleasantly surprised when Stefan helped her with her chair.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Goose bumps shivered up her neck when his lips brushed against her ear as he whispered, “My pleasure, cher.”
They were finally seated in the private dining room with glasses of wine and completely alone. Stefan set his menu down and reached across the narrow expanse of table to wrap his fingers around her wrist. He felt her pulse jump as he rubbed his thumb across her soft skin. It leapt again.
His heart rate accelerated in response.
Slowly her beautiful chocolate brown eyes rose to stare into his. He saw uncertainty swirling in her gaze, but dare he believe it when he
also saw passion simmering there?
He swore she leaned toward him but at the same moment the waitress returned.
El jumped and would have pulled her hand away, but he anticipated her reaction and silently thanked the goddess for lightning fast reflexes. He tightened his grip just enough to maintain his hold on her wrist as he attempted to hide the grin tugging at his lips.
Never looking away from his mate, he cleared his throat and mind long enough to place their orders.
Heat crept up her neck again. She was really getting annoyed with her body’s reactions.
Crap.
Her stomach joined in the fun by fluttering like a butterfly on crack. Stupid body. Apparently the talk they had while Stefan was in the barn had been a complete waste of time.
She watched in horror as a smile spread across his lips and deepened his dimples. Her grand-mère’s voice telling her Stefan could hear her thoughts and feel her emotions rang in her mind.
Shit!
You would think the horror would dampen the crack-addicted butterflies? Hell, no. Her stupid stomach’s fluttering increased.
She needed a sharp comment to end this nightmare. El was the queen of one-liners, where were they when she needed one most? The damn IQ sucking Romeo must have somehow shut down her brain functions. All she heard was Scotty from Star Trek saying, “We got no power, Captain.”
Stefan was out of his chair before he realized what he was doing. Her distress was beating at him and his wolf needed to comfort its mate.
Rounding the table, he reached to gently cup her face. Watching her eyes widen, he leaned in for a kiss. The light touch of his lips to hers only lasted for a second or two, and then he withdrew to his seat without speaking a word.
She hadn’t been prepared for anything close to a kiss happening during dinner. He’d taken her completely by surprise, not only by the kiss itself, but also the utter tenderness and emotion that flowed through the tiny connection of his lips on hers. Not only was it the sweetest kiss she’d ever received, but it also sent the sensation of comfort and love wrapping around her. The feeling reminded her of her father’s strong arms holding her as a child.
The last thing she’d expected from Stefan Le Beau was this deep well of emotion she was experiencing. She wasn’t sure if he did it consciously, but he’d opened himself to her during the kiss and exposed a sensitive side she never expected.
El reached her shaking fingers for her wine and took several small sips, willing her heart rate to return to normal.
What exactly just happened here?
Stefan’s kiss brought forward emotions she didn’t want surfacing. Emotions were painful and could be used as a weapon. A dangerous, world-destroying weapon, used to wound and maim. Emotions weren’t allowed anywhere near her ever again. Sex? Yeah, she might consider a roll in the hay with him.
Now, that’s not a bad idea.
A vigorous night of sex would get him out of her system and back on track.
She bravely straightened her shoulders and sat a little taller. She had a plan. One, enjoy dinner. Two, fuck Stefan’s brains out. And, three, be done with him once and for all.
Stefan lifted his own glass and stifled a smirk.
So, she thinks she can screw me and toss me aside. Fat chance. Ma belle dame isn’t going to know what hit her.
The waitress opened the door to their private room to deliver their dinners. Each plate featured perfectly grilled steaks, baked potatoes, and sautéed vegetables. She waited patiently for them to cut into their steaks and verify they were done to order before she excused herself.
“Mmm. This looks wonderful.”
“Don’t let the diner out front fool you, they have incredible food.” He cut a piece of steak and joined her in taste bud ecstasy.
Stefan kept a watchful eye on El as she cut dainty bites of steak and ladylike bits of baked potato, dutifully ignoring him. Her refusal to admit he was in the room fueled his resolve to rock her world even more.
After a few minutes Stefan broke the silence. “Is your food to your liking?”
“Yes, very good.”
Short, sweet, and to the point.
He tried again. “Is there anything you would like to ask me about shifters?”
El spit her sip of wine across the table, splattering his shirt with speckles of red.
“Are you all right?” he asked as she coughed and tried to catch her breath.
“Yes, I’m fine. Your question caught me off guard, is all.”
“I’m sorry. I reserved this private room so you could ask questions without being overheard. I thought there might be things you wanted to ask. Among ‘other’ things.”
Her cheeks flamed again and his wolf howled in triumph.
Carefully he reached inside his jacket and pulled out a perfect single red rose as if by magic.
“A beautiful rose for my even more beautiful lady.”
El’s eyes were huge as she reached for it with trembling fingers. “For me?”
“Always for you.” He took her free hand. “I’ll keep saying it until you believe me. You’re the only woman for me, ever again.”
He searched her face, his gaze dark and serious. The longer he stared and stroked the inside of her wrist with his thumb, the harder breathing became. She was getting lightheaded when the waitress came for their plates. The interruption gave her the distraction she needed to take a breath.
He was desperate to strip her bare and taste every succulent inch of her voluptuous body. If they weren’t in public he would do just that. His cock was testing the seams of his jeans again from the images racing through his mind.
His fantasy wasn’t to fuck her hard and fast. No, he wanted to take his time and pleasure her until she begged for release. He wanted to make slow, sweet love to her. With a sly little grin he opened his mind to his mate and let his fantasies play out for her viewing.
It was time he took the chance and made a few moves on his mate. What ever happened in college he wanted to erase and replace with new, pleasurable, happy memories. Tonight he was going to give it his best and begin his all-out assault on her heart.
Desire shone on his face and made his eyes glow. Her pulse quickened again. “Is that part of being a wolf?”
“Is what part of being a wolf?”
She twirled her finger around her face. “The whole...glowy-eye..thing.”
“Yes, it is. Our eyes glow when we are amorous or angry. Trust me, mon amour, I’m not angry.”
She liked the glowy-eye thing. A lot. But, could she take that chance? He made her want to feel things again, and not just sexual things, but emotions, too. The man hadn’t even touched her yet and she couldn’t stop the word love from flitting through her thoughts. That excited and terrified her. She truly didn’t know if she could open herself to that again.
Stefan wasn’t going to give her the chance to chicken out. He swept his keys from his pocket and held the door for her to precede him to the truck. He needed to get her home ASAP. Nothing was allowed to come between him and his mate tonight. The instant he heard the word “love” slip through her mind he was hustling her out the door.
She stopped alongside the bed of the truck so he could unlock her door. When he looked up his eyes glowed a bright gold in the dark parking lot.
A moan ripped from his chest as he wrapped his palm around the back of her neck and drew her forward. Just a brush of lips that didn’t make a dent in his need and it left him shuddering. Soft little moans escaped her mouth and fueled his temperature higher. Then her body molded seamlessly to his, a perfect fit. He swore he heard the click of puzzle pieces fitting together.
His fingers worked their way up her neck and into her hair, bunching a fistful to angle her head slightly, while his other went around her waist, pulling her tighter. With his engorged erection wedged against her stomach, there was no way she couldn’t feel his frantic need for her.
The heat between them rose as he ravished her mouth, and she, his
as fervently. Stroking, licking, two tongues dancing an erotic tango. The intensity had her whimpering with need. His wolf pushed his desire for his mate higher in its frenzy to feel her skin to skin. The amplified need dwarfed his well-meaning plan to treat her like the cherished mate she was. The roar of his pounding pulse in his ears drowned the little voice in the back of his mind telling him to stop. Mindlessly his hand wedged between them so his fingers could unbutton her jacket. His wolf growled when her breasts pressed into his heated body. Her fitted blouse and lace bra did nothing to stop her pebbled nipples from rubbing his chest.
Sanity wiggled through a crack in his mind to help him regain control. With a mammoth effort he released her lips and kissed his way to her ear.
“Goddess, I want to make love to you,” he whispered huskily.
Her answer came out in a needy whimper.
He groaned as he fought the desire to bury himself deep inside her sweet heat in the middle of a dark parking lot. He pressed a kiss to her cheek, and with a ragged breath buttoned her coat before he pulled her close once again and just held her.
Brown eyes blinked in confusion. Swollen lips begged for more kisses, but he refused to yield to his desire and turn what should be a beautiful moment into a dirty fuck-fest in a public parking lot.
“What....did I do something wrong?”
“No, just the opposite. You did everything right, too right. I won't make love to you like an animal in a public place. I want you in my bed, not here. You deserve everything to be perfect, and that’s what I’m going to give you.”
She pressed her forehead to his chest, and then buried her nose in his neck and took a deep breath. A shaky sigh rushed from her lips. “I love the way you smell. Take me home, Stefan,” she murmured, her lips and tongue warm on his neck until he couldn't remember what he had intended to do.
A car horn honking on the far side of the diner brought them back to reality.
