“Hey, you almost here?” Mikhail asked.
“I’m downstairs. I figured I should check in on Mum since I’ll be here the rest of the week, so I got ready at home.” There was something in Rowan’s voice that had him frowning… almost like he wasn’t sure if he would be welcome.
“I would love to meet your mum.” Then he quickly tacked on, “when you’re ready.”
He could tell Rowan was smiling when he said, “Soon.”
“Good, and I’m glad you’ll be here the rest of the week. Maybe we should get a place.” There was dead air on the phone, and he thought maybe he’d spooked Rowan.
“Like in Manchester?” Rowan’s asked before he could prompt him to make sure he was still there.
“Yeah, I was just spitballing, though. We don’t have to,” Mikhail was quick to reassure Rowan.
“Can we talk about this face to face?” Rowan said, and he realised it was ridiculous the fact that they were talking on the phone when Rowan was downstairs.
“Be down in a second,” Mik said and hung up. He put on his shoes with record speed and was out of the door after making sure he had his wallet.
Mik exited the lift and stepped into the lobby. He didn’t even have to look around because his wolf immediately spotted Rowan leaning against the floor to ceiling windows by the exit. He walked up to his mate, and when Ro spotted him, he stood straight and grinned in his direction.
Mikhail stopped in front of Rowan and leaned down for a quick kiss. He lifted his head and searched Rowan’s gaze as he said, “Hi.”
“Hey.” Rowan smiled up at him before putting his arms around Mik’s waist and resting his head against his chest.
“Long day?” Mikhail said, stroking his back.
Rowan pulled back a little and yawned. “Not longer than usual, but I swear I could fall into bed right now.”
“Want to cancel this whole dinner thing and grab some room service?” Mikhail studied his mate’s face and frowned when he saw the start of dark circles under Rowan’s eyes.
Rowan shook his head. “I have tomorrow off, so I can sleep in.”
“You sure?” Mikhail asked.
“Yeah. Besides, you made reservations already, didn’t you?”
Mikhail nodded. “But I’m sure we can cancel.”
“No, really, I’m fine.” Rowan stepped back from his body and held his gaze. “Come on then.”
Mikhail chuckled and took Rowan’s hand in his. He decided not to drive, so they stepped out of the hotel and jumped in the black cab waiting at the kerb.
“Where to, sir?”
“The French at The Midland Hotel, please,” Mikhail told the cabbie, then leaned back in his seat and pulled Rowan into his side. “You ever been?”
“To the restaurant?” Rowan shook his head. “Never.”
“Mmm. The concierge recommended it, said it’s great French food.”
“Sounds fancy,” Rowan said.
“How was work?” Mikhail asked.
Rowan pinched his side, and he yelped. “Didn’t you already ask me that?”
“Behave.” His arms tightened around his mate.
“How was yours?” Rowan asked.
