“You’re dressed nice.” She flicks her eyes up and down my suit. “She likes a date who is willing to put in the effort.”
Well, fuck a duck. Cheyenne told Junelle, or at least enough for her to make an educated guess. She hasn’t read me the riot act, at least. Maybe that’s what she’s going to do now, and I should try to deflect.
“Nothing is going to outshine your weekend,” I promise, a smile pulling at the corner of my mouth.
“So it’s like any other first date you’ve been on in the past three years?” She turns on me. “She’s just interesting enough to warm your bed for a night?”
Anyone else would know better than to use a tone like that with me. Hell, Junelle’s seen me at work. She knows what I am, what Andrea is. We don’t scare her for a moment.
I still scowl at her. “Those dates were always well aware of the situation.”
“Does she knowthe situation?” She pushes. Her dark eyes are discerning, like she’s trying to read my thoughts before I even have them. Junelle didn’t have the best introduction to our family. When Andrea said he’d found his mate, I didn’t think it would be followed withand she’s in my trunk.
“Not yet,” I say before quickly pulling my soon-to-be niece into my arms. We hug for a second before she pokes my side to give her more of an answer. “But I promise, before the end of the weekend she’ll knoweverything.”
She squeezes me quickly and then steps back to look up at me. “Good. Maybe you’ll know everything by then too.”
She smiles and walks right back out of the room.What the fuck does that mean, Junelle?From here, Andrea’s whispered voice is crystal clear. Am I okay? More than he realises despite the current shitstorm on our hands. I check my watch and head for the foyer to wait for Cheyenne.
Prowling is in my nature, stalking and lurking just a part of the job even when you’re the boss. I turn the corner but stop in my tracks when I see my girl all dressed up. My head falls back as a growl threatens to rip from my throat. Those fairy tales about wolves going after maidens are about to become so very true.
I’m not sure what this style of dress is, but the sleeves cling to her soft arms, revealing the long expanse of tan lines, sunburns, and freckles. There isn’t a bra strap in sight, and the deep cut of her dress pushes her heavy breasts up in a way that has me convinced she isn’t wearing a bra at all. My cock surges to life, knot beginning to fill as my canines extend along with my hair and ears.
The tight fit of her dress accents the natural curve of her body. The soft lavender gingham reminds me of lazy afternoons in the sun, sweet fruits, and wet pussy to drown in. A perfect way to enjoy my mate. She turns away from me, and the corset strings at the back of her dress pull me in like a dog on a leash.
Before I can control myself, I’ve got my arms wrapped around Cheyenne. I pull her plush body into mine and press my nose against her neck. Lavender, lemons, rose perfume that makes my dick twitch. I’m tempted to say we skip the date altogether and go right to my suite. Let everyone hear me claim my mate.
“I—” Her words cut off in a soft hum when I kiss her throat down to her shoulder.
“You look beautiful,” I murmur. “Good enough to eat.”
“I wasn’t sure if this was going to be nice enough. The only other dress I brought was for the wedding. My other clothes are just like beach clothes,” she rambles. “I wasn’t thinking about dates when I was packing. Junelle said this was going to be a chill trip with family, nothing fancy, but like I know that Andrea is a rich guy, and I didn’t want to look weird compared to everyone else—”
“This is perfect, Cheyenne. And nobody would ever say otherwise when you’re with me.” My fingers brush against her stomach and her hips, the generous curves calling to me from under her frilly skirt. Her body tenses against me like it did before.
Reluctantly, I let her go with a final kiss to her shoulder. First date, meet appropriate societal expectations, then worship every square inch of her body. She turns to look at me, cheeks flushed and eyes bright.
“Do you need anything else before we head out?” I ask.
“No, I shared my location with Junelle, and I’ve got my phone and card in my pocket.” She places her hand in the folds of her dress and flaps the fabric to show me. Not that she’ll need her money tonight or ever again, but it makes me happy she’s prepared. Junelle knowing where we’re going is fine. I’m sure Cheyenne will take pictures too.
“Okay then, sweetheart, let’s go.”
Cheyenne is quiet on the drive into town. Her thighs are pressed firmly together with her hands clasped just as tightly. She nods along to her music that plays but otherwise stares out the window at the scenery. I should try to make conversation, but stealing glances at her is doing more for me. Seeing her like this, guarded and tense, tells me a lot about her.
She’s nervous about our date, but her panties are still wet from when I kissed her neck. Locked in the car as we are, the air is circulating the smell of her arousal around. When we arrive at the hotel, I look over at my girl before getting out. My hand stills hers over the seatbelt.
“Are you nervous because of me or something else?” I ask.
“Being in a crowd, restaurants are loud, people might stare and judge me, what if I spill food on my dress? I barely know you, but I already feel attached to you,” she confesses in a rush before swallowing as if to keep the rest of her words down.
I curl my fingers tighter around hers as warmth swells in my chest. “Trust me, I feel very attached to you already. As for the other stuff, I’m sorry I can’t erase those thoughts from your head or make everything perfect, but give me ten minutes and I’ll make this an easier date.”
Cheyenne scrunches up her face, and it’s the cutest damn thing I’ve ever seen. I cup her cheek and pull her in for a kiss. Her breath hitches in her throat before our lips briefly meet. She is so soft under me, so giving. I want to pull at all the parts of her until she is putty in my hands and nothing makes her feel anxious again.
I climb out of the car and walk up to the valet.
“Ciao, sir, can I have your name for the reservation?” a young man asks.
