"I've been a huge art fan for some years now. I enjoy learning everything I can about the history of them as well. I know it's a little dorky, but—"
"I think it's awesome." Wes smiled softly. "Not many people seem to care about art these days, especially the history behind the pieces."
"I do. There are some pieces that have been in our family for centuries. I would love it if one day you could look at them and maybe even restore them." He smiled. "You do amazing work."
"That's not just a pickup line?" Wes tilted his head at the alpha. "I was pretty sure you were just saying those things to try and pick me up."
Marcellus chuckled. "Not at all! I really do think you're an amazing artist. Everything you've done so far, I've fallen in love with it."
Wes smiled and glanced down at the table. "Thank you. I love the work that I do, but it's always nice to hear that someone else is a fan."
"Well, you won't find a bigger fan than me." Marcellus smiled.
To his surprise, Wes smiled right back. The tension that he'd felt before melted away, and he was left with a sense of serenity. Yeah, that was his mate. They were supposed to be together. Even if Wes was still on edge and trying to keep him at arm's length, he knew he would come around.
"Tell me everything." Marcellus leaned forward. "I want to know how you got so involved in art and ended up here in Paris."
The omega gave him a sweet smile and then he spilled. Every word Marcellus took in and committed to memory. Apparently, Wes had always been an admirer of history and then he applied that love to art and restoring his favourite pieces. Marcellus loved everything he heard about him.
"So, you're happy here?" Marcellus cut another piece of chicken and popped it into his mouth.
Wes nodded. "Happier than I've been in a really long time. I love that I'm doing so well now and that my own art is where I want it to be."
"That's amazing." Marcellus smiled at him. He shifted as he smelled something strong, something sweet. "I've been helping with the family business forever, so that's where my passion lies."
"I think it's sweet that you help your family out." He smiled at Marcellus. "It shows you're a good person."
Marcellus' heart thudded in his chest. He loved his family and the family business. Cellus wasn’t sure that made him a good person, but if his omega thought so, he would take it.
Wes was the sweetest little omega that he had ever met, and he wanted to know every detail of what he'd been hiding away in that head of his. He was about to speak when that aroma hit him again. Damn. Pecans and waffles with maple syrup. It was like a delectable breakfast aroma, just waiting for him and that he couldn't get enough of. It hit Marcellus right away that what he was inhaling had nothing to do with the food around him.
Wes was going into heat.
It wasn't full-blown yet, but it was coming. The aroma, the warmth that came off Wes' body, even the way Wes looked at him as if he wanted to devour him, it all pointed to the fact that pretty soon, he was going to be in full-blown heat.
Marcellus kept that to himself. He didn't want to push when Wes had already said he was in opposition to his tiger. Instead, he stepped back and decided to just enjoy the date. To his surprise, every bit of it was fun. Wes was funny and sweet, and he enjoyed sitting right beside him when he moved around the booth so he could be closer to Wes.
Wes dove into the dessert that Marcellus had bought the two of them—a huge piece of brownie with ice cream and chocolate sauce. Wes tucked in happily while Marcellus watched on, amused.
"Can I ask you something?" Marcellus turned his head to him. "Just one thing and I'll be done."
Wes swallowed thickly. "What is it?"
"Why do you suppress it? Your tiger?" Marcellus frowned. "It's there underneath your skin, waiting to be let out, but you just silence it."
"I already told you that I didn't want to talk about that." Wes’ face began to shutter, the openness that had been developing between them now closing.
"I know, I know." Marcellus blew out a breath to hide his disappointment. "I can't help myself, though. You're hiding things, and it feels like you need to let them out."
Wes tensed up. He pushed his fork around his dessert and slathered the ice cream around the bowl. Marcellus frowned. He still wasn't ready to talk about it, obviously. Wes dropped his silverware, jumped up, and gathered his things.
"I'm gonna head home."
Marcellus quickly tossed cash onto the table along with a sizable tip. Thank Goddess he'd got hold of some euros, so he was able to follow behind him quickly. He caught up with the omega outside and grabbed his arm.
"Look, I didn't mean to keep bringing that up. I'll stop." Wes glanced up at him, and he smiled down at the omega in return. "Why don't I get you out of here and back to your place?"
Wes frowned. "I can find my own way home." He didn't try to pull his arm away, so that was a good sign. "You can go your own way too."
