Leah

I felt like Alex was taking the whole "dinner" thing to the extreme. He took hours to prepare and when he finally arrived back at my room to collect me he was wearing a suit. I couldn't stop my giggles as I looked him over.

"Are you my dinner?" I ask cheekily, my eyes devouring his broad shoulders and the way his white, crisp shirt made his blue eyes pop. He gave me a startled look before chuckling.

"If you're a good girl, maybe for desert." He responds with a little growl that makes my heart patter hard in my chest.

I giggle again and take his outstretched hand as he leans down to kiss my cheek.

"You look beautiful." He murmurs in my ear, his lips ghosting over my skin. I smile shyly as I feel my face blush under his scrutiny.

"Thank you. You look beautiful too." I tell him and he chuckles.

"Beautiful enough to eat?" He asks with a firm, piercing gaze that makes my core clench.

"And swallow." I whisper. His eyes darken at my comment and he releases a low rumble from his chest.

"Careful what you wish for, little one." He warns before tugging on my hand and pulling me down the stairs. I try to get my body under control, still heated from our exchange.

Before I know it, I'm being pulled out into the cold evening air. Alex scoops me up and puts me in a car that's already been warmed up and I smile at his thoughtfulness. He still thinks if I get cold I'll die even though I've recovered from whatever illness I had. I look over at him in the drivers seat and watch his stiff form as he drives quietly. He looks so nervous. I reach over and pat his hand. He looks over at me and smiles a little before giving me his hand. I thread our fingers together and let our hands rest on my lap. I watch his body relax at the contact and smile.

"Why are you so nervous?" I ask. He glances over at me before chuckling.

"I've never done this before. It's nerve wracking. Humans are much braver than I gave them credit for." He says making me laugh.

"You're doing great." I tell him affectionately, running my thumb along the back of his hand. He watches the movement for a second before he continues driving. He pulls up in front of the building that will be the new bakery when it's finished. I look at him curiously, but he just winks at me before smiling. He slips out of the car and rounds to my side, pulling the door open for me. I smile at him shyly and he holds his arm out for me to take.

He opens the door to the small building, and in the middle is the most beautiful table I've ever seen. Delicious smells waft over to me, the food plated beautifully on a table with a white tablecloth. Multiple candles sorrounded by flowers. The whole shop is covered in flowers and candles, giving off a warm romantic glow. I gasp as I look around, unable to form words.

"Do you like it?" Alex asks quietly and I turn to him.

"Like it? It's incredible." I say breathlessly. His grin gets wider and some of the tension releases from his body.

"You did all of this?" I ask incredulously and he nods before pulling me into his chest.

"I even made the food." He says proudly.

"Really?" I ask. I've never seen him cook before, but he nods and smiles as he runs his hand down my cheek.

"Yes. I thought that's what a date was. The male has to show he can provide for the female." He says shrugging and I can't help but laugh at his explanation.

It's so wolfish.

"I guess... in a way that's true. Most guys just pay for dinner at a restaurant, but this. Alex. This is so much better." I say warmly, wrapping my arms around his neck and resting my head on his shoulder.

"I'm glad you like it." He murmurs and kisses the top of my head. "But we should eat before it gets cold." He says and I nod, pulling away from him.

He pulls out my chair for me and we dig into the incredible food.

"I had no idea you could cook like this! You need to do this more often." I tell him sternly and he chuckles at me.

"Only for you." He says with a warm smile that makes my stomach flip.

We sit and talk about our lives, get to know each other better. I tell him funny stories from the schoolchildren. We spend most of our time together, so he knows most of what my days hold, but there is a sense of comfort and familiarity in our closeness. He makes me feel important and safe. Something I was never used to growing up. He describes his parents to me. They were killed in the same attack that he lost his mate in. They sound wonderful and I wish I could have met them. After we finish our food, Alex stands and walks to the back of the building, and comes back out with a cake of some sort.

"Strawberry cheesecake for desert." He says happily, setting it down on the table.

He took off his jacket before we ate and rolled his sleeves up at some point, showing his forearms. He sits back down across from me and the candlelight whips at his movement, making shadows cross his face. The firm lines of his nose and jaw are accentuated by the harsh light and he looks incredibly beautiful.

I mean the cheesecake looks good, but he looks better.

I push my chair out and stand as gracefully as I can while my heart is pounding and my legs are shaking. Alex watches me curiously as I round the table. He leans back in his chair when I get close to him, and I slip onto his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck. I lean forward and peck kisses to his jaw up to his ear.

"I think I was very clear. I want you for desert." I whisper to him. His body goes rigid as he moans lightly, sparking excitement through me. I nibble gently on his earlobe and run my fingers through his hair, scratching his scalp lightly. His fingers dig into my hips, as I feel his bulge swell under me. The feeling makes me moan directly into his ear. He releases a lustful growl and pulls me back to look at him.

"What do you want, little one?" He asks, his voice lower than usual.

"Whatever you'll give me." I whisper, my eyes wide and my heart beating nervously. Alex chuckles a little before lifting his hand to cup my cheek, running his thumb along my bottom lip.

"Being with a wolf will be unlike any man you've experienced." He warns, and I can't help but snort.

"Experience? That's not something I have a lot of." I admit and Alex's eyes light up with curiosity.

"What have you done?" He asks and I shrug, my face heating with shyness.

"Kissing, some touching." I admit and he looks pleased by my response.

"You mean no man has been inside of you?" He asks quietly, pecking kisses along my collar bone. I nod at his question and he growls again, the vibrations travelling along my skin.

"Good. Because you're mine. You understand?" He asks, his voice lethal and tempting. I nod again and close my eyes as his lips sear a line of fire across my chest.

"Say it!" He snarls, catching me by surprise.

"I'm yours." I whisper nervously. I feel him smile against my skin and lean up to catch my lips in a gentle, sweet kiss.

"Good girl." He murmurs against my mouth as he kisses me again, thrusting his tongue into my mouth. I can taste the wine he just drank and that familiar masculine taste that is Alex.

"Tell me what you want, sweet girl." He whispers as his hands skate across my back until he reaches my hips and lifts me, twirling me until I'm straddling him. I groan at the movement as his erection comes into contact with my core.

"I want to taste you, Alex." I purr seductively. I have no idea where this confidence is coming from, but for some reason I want nothing more than to please this man, to have him claim me and make me his. His chest rumbles with approval as he kisses me again, hot and wet as his hands slip up my thighs to hold the orbs of my ass tight against him, rubbing his firmness against me and earning another low groan from me.

"Then take it. I'm yours to do with what you please." He murmurs with a warm smile. His eyes are darker than I have ever seen them, navy blue almost black. He looks even larger than he normally does and I can't help but be nervous that his wolf is close to the surface.

"Your wolf... he won't uh.. I'm safe, right?" I ask nervously. Alex's heated gaze turns soft and he nods, stroking the apple of my cheek with the back of his hand.

"I have Balto firmly in control." He says with a hint of humor at the name I gave his wolf. "You are perfectly safe. I will never let anyone hurt you. Especially not myself." His words are firm and ring with truth. He immediately puts me at ease and I nod before kissing him one last time.

I slide down slowly in between his legs, unbuttoning his pants and slipping the zipper down with me.