Whistling to himself, he made his way over to his jeep, opened the door, and waited for Alphie to climb up before jumping in himself. He rarely used the jeep as he preferred to walk in the open forest, to enjoy the nature surrounding him.
Being in a metal can didn’t exactly help ease any of his anxiety. Starting up his jeep, he put it in reverse, and followed the main path away from the house, moving toward the dirt path that would lead him to the main road.
Once on the road, he lowered the window down, and inhaled the fresh air that was invaded by the fumes of the car. This was another reason he hated the damn car.
“Enough with the miserable talk. Get over your shit. Come on, she doesn’t want to meet brooding Liam.”
Before they had parted the other night, Rebecca had given him her phone number, and he’d done the same. He’d been staring at his phone all day, wanting to make a date with her but worried that he’d be screwing it up, or doing something that wasn’t conventional. In his world, the men chased after the women, but after seeing a few modern-day movies, he’d discovered that the women of the world liked to chase after men.
He didn’t like it, not one bit, but he was willing to try it.
So, when Rebecca had called, he’d been fucking ecstatic.
Pushing his foot on the gas, he checked the time and saw that he was going to be twenty minutes early. He didn’t mind being early. It would give him time to think, to get accustomed to his surroundings. As he pulled into the small town, he saw the sign for the coffee shop where she wanted to meet. There was a parking bay across from the shop, and he stopped the jeep in one of the spots. Alphie jumped out, and together they crossed the empty road. The scent of vanilla filled his senses, and there she sat, her cell phone between her fingers.
She hadn’t spotted him yet, and he got the chance to simply take her all in. Her beauty, her everything. The other night hadn’t been long enough.
Alphie chose that moment to bark, drawing her attention. The moment she saw Liam, her smile did something to him. His wolf pounced against the tight cage he kept him in.
Ours!
Take her!
Breed her!
She’s ready!
The scent of her fertility was heavy in the air, and his cock hardened at the smell. She truly was an intoxicating female.
“You came,” she said.
He heard the edge to her voice, and he didn’t like it.
“You didn’t think I would?”
“I don’t know. I … I stared at my cell for, like, two days wanting to call you. I’m not this kind of woman. I mean, I’m not forward. I know we’ve only just met and you’re probably already married or have a ton of girlfriends or whatever, and I really wanted to get coffee with you. Not that I think I’m good girlfriend material, and could you please stop me now while I’m babbling?”
“I kind of like you babbling.”
“I don’t. I’m sorry. I’m so nervous.”
“How about we sit?” He nodded toward the chairs, and she smiled.
“Thank you. I was worried that I’d frightened you away.”
“I was going to call you for coffee,” he said.
“You were?”
“Yes. I didn’t want to seem too … desperate.”
She winced. “Did I sound desperate?”
“No, no, not at all. It’s just when we want a female, I mean woman, erm, I come from a pack, a family, I mean, that er, we’re the ones that chase the women.”
She frowned at him. “I find it quite refreshing how you talk. It’s, like … strange but not.”
****
Rebecca didn’t know what it was about this man, but she couldn’t stop thinking about him. He’d saved her the other night when no one else could have, and he did so without even allowing his dog to get hurt.
“I see you brought Alphie.” The dog came to her wagging his tale as he did. “He’s so cute.”
Liam lowered himself down into one of the chairs, and she was surprised it took his size.
“My dog comes everywhere with me.”
“It’s why I suggested this place. They allow for pets and dogs. There’s even a little dog bowl for water.”
“Go on, boy, go drink.”
She watched the dog go and drink some water before coming back and sitting beside his master.
Pushing some hair off her forehead, she smiled at him. “So, I wanted to thank you for the other night.”
“You don’t even have to mention it. It’s never normally like that here, at least not from what I’ve seen.”
“How do you mean?”
“Not all men behave that way in front of a lady.”
She glanced down at the table. The menu was beneath a coaster, and she picked it up. “Tell me what you’d like and I’ll go and order it.”
They only offered a small selection of sandwiches and nibbles.
Deciding what she wanted, she was about to ask him why he’d been staring at her, his menu untouched.
“You pick something for me.”
“You don’t have any allergies?”
“None.”
“Anything you don’t like?” she asked.
“I’ll like whatever you pick.”
“Oh, okay.” She got up and made her way inside. The waitress took her order and promised to bring it outside when she was done.
Rebecca’s nerves were getting to her again. She hated being out in public. It’s why she’d made a life for herself working over the Internet. No one had to see their editor in this new world of e-books.
It’s fine.
He’s not like anyone else.
Liam was still waiting, fussing with his dog as she sat back down.
She loved watching him with Alphie. It seemed so right the two of them together. Dog was after all man’s best friend.
“They’ll be out in a few minutes.”
“Do you have any pets yourself?” he asked.
“None at the moment. I’ve been working on getting my company up and running, and it’s been a full-time commitment.”
“I imagine being an editor is pretty intense.”
“Oh, believe me it can be. Everyone seems to think they’re an editor these days.”
“I’ll take your word for it.”
“What is it you do?”
He opened his mouth to answer, but the waitress came out.
Rebecca tried not to show how overwhelmed she was by the scent of the woman’s perfume. She was also thrusting her chest out, trying to catch Liam’s eye.
Mortified, Rebecca didn’t know where to look but found herself looking at Liam. The disgust on his face was clear to see. He didn’t want the woman’s flirting, and seeing that, she felt happier.
“I’m sorry about that,” Liam said after the waitress left.
“Don’t worry about it. You’re a good-looking guy.” Realizing what she said, her cheeks heated. “I mean, of course she’d want to flirt with you.”
“You think I’m good looking?” he asked. The smile he flashed her way should be illegal. Her panties went wet, and arousal flooded her body. She wanted him, and she’d never had such a strong and instant reaction before in her life.
A growl filled the air.