Liam
It was everything in my power that I could do not to walk over there and take her now. She had no idea how fucking sexy she was and how much she was driving me crazy.
She moved around her small kitchenette, putting the flowers I got her in a vase. She wore a floral print dress that hugged her body and flowed around her hips right to her knees. Her soft hair was pulled away from her face, tied back in a bow with a ribbon, and it fell in gentle waves down her back.
She was absolutely delectable, and it was hard just looking at her. I was trying to get my arrant body under control when she turned to me, saying, “No one has ever gotten me flowers before. I love them!”
I guess it would make sense that she had never gotten flowers if she hadn’t dated anyone these past three years. No one in the pack would have ever been that kind to her.
“It’s my pleasure Azalea,” I said, smiling. “Shall we?” I offered her my elbow like a gentleman, and she gripped my arm with her small hand. Tonight, I would be on my best behavior and spoil her. If no one had ever gotten her flowers, I bet she has never been on a proper date. And luckily, I had a plan.
We walked around the Inn and down the front driveway. Luckily, the town was small, but I was going to have to fix that motion sickness problem eventually. We walked through town, her hand still holding me. She had a small smile on her face.
“So, where are we going?” she asked sweetly. I hoped it wasn’t just the mate bond making her feel at ease with me. She was not as hesitant as she was before I confessed everything in the clearing.
“I thought it might be nice to have a cup of coffee and get to know each other a little first,” I said.
“That sounds nice,” she said with a sweet smile. If I could spend the rest of my life making her smile, I don’t think it would be enough.
“Let me talk to mate,” Gavin butted in.
“No, she isn’t ready for you. She’s barely comfortable with me,” I shot back.
“You’re hogging mate.”
“So?”
“She’s both our mate. You must share. She doesn’t have a wolf for me to bond with.”
“Not now!” I said, blocking him out.
After a few more minutes of walking, we reached the cafe in the middle of town. I led her to one of the tables on the patio. I pulled her chair out for her, letting her sit down before I scooted it back in.
“Thank you,” she said with a blush. I sat down across from her. A waitress came over to take our order. She immediately began batting her eyelashes at me, but I kept my eyes on Azalea.
“Hello! What can I get ya today?” the waitress said, almost ignoring Azalea.
“Coffee. Black for me. Azalea, baby, what would you like?”
“Coffee, two creams, and two sugars, please,” she said, looking at the waitress.
“And two slices of chocolate cake,” I said, eyes still fixed on Azalea.
“Coming right up, darling,” she said, smiling at me and walking away. I didn’t fail to notice the seductive sway of her hips out of my peripheral vision. Sorry, sweetheart, maybe two years ago when I was lonely, frustrated, and desperate. Not now that I have a chance with my mate.
“So, I think she might like you,” Azalea said.
“Who?” I said, trying to act oblivious.
“The waitress. She’s really pretty,” she said.
“She was?”
“You don’t have to act like you didn’t notice,” she said, a little sad.
“Azalea, when I am with you, I don’t notice anyone but you.”
Azalea
“So, I think she might like you,” I said, starting to think maybe this was not a good idea.
“Who?” he said, acting like he didn’t notice the waitress.
“The waitress. She’s really pretty,” I said.
“She was?”
“You don’t have to act like you didn’t notice,” I said. He didn’t have to pretend; that was just going to hurt my feelings more.
“Azalea, when I am with you, I don’t notice anyone but you.” I looked up at him with wide eyes. I think my heart skipped a beat. “Azalea, when I said I didn’t want to reject you, I meant it. I don’t just want to help you get your wolf back. I want to be the mate you deserve. I hope you’ll give me at least a chance to try,” he said earnestly.
I literally could not believe the words he was saying. Why would an Alpha want me as a mate? I was small and weak; I didn’t have a wolf and have never even turned. I was basically a human, and human mates always created problems for the wolf. I just stared at him at a loss for words.
His face fell a little. “I will understand if you don’t want to give me a chance. I don’t really deserve one. Not only was I mean to you growing up, but I also rejected you and slept with other women since then,” he said. For some reason, that last bit cut deep. He continued, “But I would like a chance. Give me a chance to show you I can make you happy. If I can’t show you, then I will walk away. I’ll reject you if you want, and we can do it correctly. Please, I would really like a chance.”
It was then that the waitress came back with our coffee and cake. She placed our order down on the table and, with a lingering look at Liam, said, “If you need anything, don’t be afraid to call for me” before leaving.
I looked at my coffee. Of course, she didn’t hear me at all and brought it black. Liam looked at me, then down at my coffee.
“Wait a moment,” he said before she got too far away.
“Yes,” she said, smiling at him. I kind of wanted to punch her in the face.
“She asked for cream and sugar. Not black coffee. I’d appreciate it if you could stop drooling at me long enough to listen to your customer. If you could bring her some cream and sugar, I would sure appreciate it. Also, this napkin seems to be soiled. We won’t need it,” he told her, handing her over a napkin that looked like it had writing on it.
She got red in the face, nodded at him, and walked away. She returned moments later with some cream and sugar. After she left us alone, I said, “Okay.”
“Okay?” He replied.
“Okay, I’ll give you a chance, but there’s something you should know,” I said, hesitating.
“Yea?” he asked.
“Well, I kind of haven’t ever… well, I just never… I have never dated anyone before,” I said finally.
“Well, at least I won’t be competing with anyone then,” he said with a large grin. This made me giggle. He had a really nice smile.
“So, how was your day so far?” he asked me.
“A little crazy,” I said with a small laugh. “I got up early so I could make sure the Inn was completely taken care of before I left today. There was a whole lot on my list for today mysteriously.” I said, thinking about the old man. I wonder if he was trying to prevent me from going with Liam today. Although, I never told him I was.
“So, what kind of stuff gets put on your list?” he asked with curiosity in his voice.
“Oh, just boring stuff. I am sure you wouldn’t care much,” I said.
“No, I want to know. I want to know everything about your life Azalea,” he said earnestly. My heart melted a little bit at this.
After that, I went on to talk about my day and my normal duties at the Inn. I felt like all I did was talk while he listened. He would ask questions or make little jokes here and there. Before I knew it, Liam was looking down at his watch.
“Oh no! I am boring you!” I said worriedly. “All I have done is talk about the Inn.”
“Oh, you have it all wrong, Azalea. I was just checking to see if it was time to head to our next destination. You couldn’t bore me if you tried,” he said. A blush crept across my cheeks. I looked towards the windows, realizing that it was now dusk.
He stood up and pulled out his wallet. Leaving some money on the table, he walked to my side of the table and offered me his arm as he had earlier. I stood up, putting my hand into the crook of his elbow. I happily noticed that we had not seen the waitress again since she brought our drinks and dessert. A small smile made its way across my lips.
“What?” Liam asked as we made our way out of the cafe and down the sidewalk.
“It’s nothing. I am just having a really lovely time,” I said, looking at him.
He smiled at me again, saying, “Good. I wouldn’t be doing my job if you weren’t.”