When I sat, it felt amazing- like a jolt and rub in just the right place. Wyler knew what he was doing so well, it sometimes scared me. It got me thinking - how many other girls had he made wear ass jewels to dinner?
Once he pushed my chair in for me, he sat down at the opposite end of the tiny private table that was on the patio of the lodge's spiffy restaurant. I'd never eaten at a place like this before, but obviously he had – because he looked completely not phased.
He cleared his throat and it got my attention – like always. “You're not cold here, are you?”
“I'm a wolf.” I grinned at him.
“And that's supposed to mean?” His brow creased enough to make me giggle.
“That I'm not cold...” I badly wanted to add in a duh or something but I was on a mission to keep him happy. Maybe he had more gifts... like the one in his pants.
“Olivia.” He picked up a menu, flipping it open as he said, “stop thinking about my cock.”
I wanted to facepalm myself. “I... wasn't...”
He gave me a suspicious glance as I reached for the menu. “I'll order for us.”
“Right...” I nodded, should have seen that coming. I dropped my hand back to my lap.
“How's your ass?” He mumbled, looking over the menu.
“That's a super inappropriate question, Wyler.”
Caleb's eyes moved up to me again. “Is it?”
I swallowed my need to quip back something. he'd learned a valuable and horrible technique to use against me – questioning my sarcasm. “It's fine. Is it normal protocol for virginity taking?”
He put the menu down as the waitress approached. “I'm making it up as I go.”
“Oh.” I blushed as the blonde stepped up beside us, wearing a plaid shirt and black skinnies, the heels really made no sense but whatever, she only had her eyes on him anyway – I was non-existent.
“Starters?”
Caleb ordered, even wine and ice cream for dessert, but I should have seen that one coming. When she walked away he admitted, “I've over thought this night the past weeks. It may not go as planned in all areas but know, it's drove me insane in the process.”
I smiled. “I feel bad for you.”
“I'm sure.” He tapped the table. “Let's discuss how you want the night to play out. Now that you're here and you've seen the options.”
“Oh,” I stumbled over my words. “Well, aren't we just here to...”
“Use the bed?” He finished. “We could also use the walls, the counters, the coffee table, the couch... that hot tub is enticing.”
No, just he was enticing! I burned up with a hard lump in my throat. “I dunno, more your area of expertise, don't make me decide.”
“God,” He smiled at me. “I love you.”
My breathing hitched as the waitress showed up with the wine. She didn't ask for my ID, maybe because Wyler was paying up the ass – no pun intended- for the meal and private table. What I couldn't shake though, were the last words he said to me and I started drinking the wine as soon as she was gone.
Caleb eyed me with a stern expression. “Easy on the alcohol, Olivia. I saw the mess you were turning into at your parents--”
“Did you mean that?”
His brow furrowed. “Yes, you seem like a light weight.”
“That's not what I mean, Caleb.” I put my wine glass down as he stared at me, like he was rewinding the last minutes to decipher my sudden unease.
“Do I love you?”
Ah, the man was more brilliant than most his gender. it was sort of impressive but then I just nodded nervously to move the conversation along, after he'd been all brave and nonchalant about it.
He leaned back in his chair enough to square his shoulders off at me. “I care a great deal about you. You're my Luna and I would do many things to ensure your happiness and safety, which, I feel means yes, I love you.”
I tried not to let myself cream. what had happened to my hard-headedness? Wyler had sure done a number on me. I liked him and over the past weeks, I'd started to see him as my boyfriend... and maybe more. I wanted the wine to drown myself in but didn't reach for it. It would seem, I needed to say something back because he looked apprehensive toward my reply.
“Uh, yeah...” I stammered in a poor state of unknowing.
Caleb's chin dropped. “Pardon me?”
“I think that's cool.”
His eyes darkened with his voice. “You think what's cool? My devotion toward you or the elaborate plans I put together so your virginity is taken right?”
Oh god, help me!!
“All... of... it.” I grabbed the wine to shield myself.
“Olivia, you don't need to say you love me back, just say something about how you feel toward me... at least. Something semi meaningful.”
I nodded, putting my glass down. “I think...”
He waited.
“I think you're really hot... like super hot. Every girl wishes they were me and you got the Alpha thing down.”
Caleb sighed, taking up his wine then. “Well, at least you're attracted to me...”
My eyes widened. “Hey.”
“Hey, nothing!” He snapped suddenly. “Tonight I wanted to take you to bed, while trying to make it a good experience, but it's disappointing, to know I haven't won you over like I thought.”
I swallowed. “Caleb--”
“Here you are.” The waitress dropped a basket of warm bread off. “Supper will be along in a moment.”
“I didn't mean for this to get awkward but I never imagined you were going to say that to me tonight...”
He grunted. “I didn't plan on it either, Olivia. It just came the fuck out.” He looked frustrated as he stood suddenly. “I want to give you everything you want. For fuck sake, I'm in charge of everything in my life – besides you and it drives me nuts. I'll be back in a minute.” He stalked off and I slumped into my chair to wait, wine at my lips as I whined.
When I disappointed him, I always felt it right in my chest- like a damn bullet ripping through me. That's when I realized, this was our very first fight and it was all because he'd told me something I never dreamed he would have in a million years. I also didn't feel he was saying it to sweeten my virginity pot – no, Alpha Wyler really did love me!
The wine nursed my anxious thoughts and when he returned, all of ten minutes later, I wondered where he'd gone. Our meal showed up when he did and he sat, not saying a word as we started to eat.
It was awkward as hell and there was no way I had insulted him so bad it shut him up!
“Caleb...” I tried to put together an apology as he finished his meal. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean that crap about--”
He looked up to me, finally, but his expression wasn't taking my words like I'd thought. “I'm going to the room, and you'll have dessert here. While you do that, Olivia, please think about what you want.”
“Okay?”
He grumbled something out of frustration. “I'm giving you the option. Either come up stairs and start the relationship or... reject me by leaving.” He put his truck keys on the table as he stood.
I stared up at him, stunned.
“Enjoy the ice cream.” He leaned over and pressed his lips to my forehead before walking away, again. For the love of all that was holy! I didn't understand what was going on in his brain. now, of all places he was letting me choose... While one part of me said RUN, the other said go and accept your mate – a man, I'd come to enjoy the company of, physically and mentally - he stimulated a lot of areas in my life. Ones I didn't even know existed till Caleb Wyler had forced his way into my world.
Where would I go, if I didn't choose him? who would I be? And the bigger question, would I ever find another man willing and able to test the messed up kinks I had going on in my mind...
“No,” I said aloud to myself. “Never. Ever... ever...” I grabbed the truck keys as I peeled from the table, my body colliding with the waitress and the two bowls of ice cream she carried. “Oh, I'm sorry!” The bowls shattered on the stone patio but I didn't stop to help her, just needed out of that restaurant toward what I wanted.
It was time to grow up.