“Yep.And I’ll hang out with you.We can walk around together.I can’t wait for you to see me in my wolf form again.”
“I can’t wait too.”She turned in her seat and faced him, resting her head on his outstretched arm.“I’m so happy, Solan.You make this house feel like a home, and I haven’t had a home before.I think what I had growing up with my mom was the façade of a home.It looked good from the outside, but it was a mess inside.”
“You make this house feel like home, too.And I haven’t had that since my parents were killed.I wish you could have met them.I know my mom and dad would have loved you because you’re my truemate.”
“Why do you call meNightling?”
“It’s what my dad called my mom.I was so young when they were taken from me, but when I met you, so many memories have slowly surfaced, and that was one of them.”
“I like it,” she said.
“I have another idea,” he said.
Her body heated at his dark gaze.“Do tell.”
“A date.Friday.Out of town, somewhere special.”
“I thought you had an idea involving no clothes and orgasms.”
“Oh, I have that idea, too,” he said.He rose to his feet and grabbed her arm, and in one swift move, she found herself over his shoulder again, his hand firmly on her thigh to hold her in place.
“I think you like carrying me like this,” she said with a laugh.
“Hell yes.I get to take you where I want, and I always want to take you to bed.”
“Same.Hurry up, Solan!I’m ready for my sweet and sexy wolf mate.”
“You got it,” he said, rushing toward the bedroom, their laughter morphing into moans and cries of pleasure as they came together.Again and again.
ChapterEighteen
Solan couldn’t recall the last time he was nervous, but tonight, as he waited in the living room for Kaeli so he could take her on their first real date, he was definitely nervous.He wanted it to go well.He wanted to spoil her, treat her like a queen, and all the other clichéd things males said when they wanted to make their mate feel special.Because she was so very special to him, and they’d been through hell and back since they met, and she deserved every good thing he could give her.
Like a real date outside of Thorn Hollow.
She walked into the room like a dream come to life in a short black skirt and a gauzy, feminine top that showed just enough cleavage to make his wolf growl.Her hair was curled at the ends, and her eyes were bright with excitement.
He drew her close and kissed her.“You look amazing.”
“So do you,” she said, giving his tie a gentle tug.“I’m so excited for tonight.What’s the plan?”
“Dinner first, then something special.”
“Lead the way, sexy.”
Now that the danger to the pack was gone with Brent Foley and the H.A.S.assholes fleeing Ohio, the town of Thorn Hollow was open once more.Instead of one road in and out of town with posted security, the other roads had been opened, and no one needed security escorts to leave town.The whole pack seemed to be breathing more easily, and part of that he knew was because Kaeli was working on protection spells for the territory that would work in place of Cinder’s magical abilities until she had the baby and could use her lygisa power once more.
Solan drove a half hour away from Thorn Hollow to a restaurant Brick had suggested and that Jade had loved.The Golden Maple was a tavern that looked like it had been plucked from a fairy tale.With a white stucco exterior and dark wood, it was partially covered with ivy, had cobblestone pathways, and frosted windows.Solan held the heavy wooden door for Kaeli, and they walked inside.There were candles and oil lamps everywhere, lending a golden glow to the interior.
A hostess led them to a corner table and handed them menus, and while they looked over the offerings, a server appeared and took their drink orders.
“This place is incredible,” Kaeli said.“It’s like a step back in time.”
“I think so too.”
After getting their spiced cider from the server, they ordered their food.Solan chose short ribs and fried potatoes, and Kaeli picked herbed chicken and rice pilaf.
When they were alone again, he reached across the table and linked their fingers.