Connor mattered.
The front door opened a few moments later.
“Leyden?” Connor’s voice carried confusion and wariness.
“I’m in here.”
Connor appeared in the doorway, still in his patrol clothes, hair messy from shifting. He stopped dead, staring at the candles, the plated food, the soft music.
“What’s this?”
“Dinner.” Leyden pulled out Connor’s chair. “For you.”
Connor’s throat worked. “You cooked?”
“Don’t sound so shocked. I’m capable of basic kitchen tasks.”
“You hate cooking.”
“I don’t hate it.” Leyden waited until Connor sat before taking his own seat. “I just never had a reason to bother before. Don’t wait on me, start eating.”
Pink spread across Connor’s cheeks. He picked up his fork, took a bite, and his eyes widened.
“This is really good.”
Leyden’s chest warmed. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. Seriously.” Connor ate another bite, then another. “This is my favorite.”
“I know.”
They ate in comfortable quiet, broken by Connor’s occasional hums of appreciation. Leyden watched his mate’s shoulders gradually relax, the tension easing from his jaw, his movements becoming loose and easy.
Connor looked happy. Genuinely, completely happy.
“Tell me about patrol,” Leyden said.
Connor launched into a story about Marcus accidentally shifting mid-sentence when a rabbit startled him, ending up tangled in his clothes. Leyden laughed, and Connor chuckled alongside him. One of those precious moments when they were in accord.
They talked through dessert – a store-bought pie, because Leyden knew his limits. Connor’s laughter came easier, hissmiles lasting longer. Through the bond, Leyden could feel his mate’s happiness.
When they finished, Connor helped clear the dishes despite Leyden’s protests. When they were finished, they went back into the living room. The jazz was still playing – something slow and perfect for a date.
Connor stood in the middle of the room, chewing his lip.
“What’s wrong?” Leyden wasn’t sensing any issues through their bond.
“Will you dance with me?”
Leyden nearly dropped the beer can he’d just picked up. “Dance?”
“You said once that you’d teach me.” Connor’s voice had a nervous edge “I’ve never danced before. With anyone. I want to try. With you.”
I also said it was a good form of foreplay.Leyden set down his drink carefully. “Yeah. Yeah, I’ll dance with you.”
He closed the distance between them, placed one hand on Connor’s waist, and took Connor’s hand with his other. Connor’s free hand settled on Leyden’s shoulder.
“Just follow my lead,” Leyden murmured. “Step back with your right foot when I step forward with my left.”
