Chapter 7

"I may have started a fire. Nothing major."

Layla's boisterous laughter made Rowan smile. Her laugh was loud and didn't seem to be able to come out of such a petite girl but it was warm and genuine. As they continued to eat Rowan noticed her eyeing his mashed potatoes and he slid the small bowl over to her.

"Have some."

"Thanks," Layla dug into the mashed potatoes with pleasure.

"Well, I love food. I love anything with cheese or chocolate. And cooking! I don't get to do it often but it can be fun."

"Maybe you could come by my place and cook for me sometime"

Layla looked up from her meal with narrowed eyes. "You move fast."

"I guess I just enjoy spending time with you."

"You are surprisingly easy to talk to as well. But we barely know each other and you're already inviting me to your house. Isn't this the part in the movie when I should start getting suspicious of your motives and checking your car for weapons?"

"I assure you I have no weapons but my motives may not be so pure" Rowan said with eyes full of heat "but I always keep my promises. And I promised to be a gentleman." The pair stared into each other's eyes. Layla felt drawn in and began to lose herself in their warmth. His gaze seemed to caress her face and pull her in. Rowan's wolf began panting in his mind as the scent of his mate's arousal drifted across the table.

Gripping the table tightly to control himself, Rowan add "beside, we can't have your boss coming after me. He could really do some damage."

Layla laughed as the tension was diffused between them. "I can't promise anything but I'll ask him to go easy on you"

The rest of dinner was spent in comfortable companionship. As they walked out of the diner Rowan held his arm out and Layla hesitantly took it. Closing her eyes for a moment Layla felt the evening sunlight on her face and when she opened them again Rowan was looking down at her. For the first time since she could remember she felt safe and completely at ease. She didn't feel the need to look over her shoulder or watch out for any unforeseen dangers. So, denying her instincts, as she found herself doing a lot lately, she nestled closer into Rowan's warmth. She felt his chest vibrate sending a similar vibration through her body and into her core causing her underwear to become damp. She found she rather enjoyed the feeling.

Rowan became very aware of the woman pressed into his side. His wolf rumbled in excitement and pranced around in joy. Just hours ago he barely knew anything about this amazing woman and now she willing snuggled into his body. It was all he could do not to pull her closer and kiss her in the street but he knew they weren't quite there yet. They walked in silence on the crowded streets until they reached the car. Helping her into the car Rowan leaned in to help with the seatbelt when she began to wrestle with it. The action brought his nose close to her neck where he inhaled her pure delicious scent.

Straightening quickly when she stiffened slightly he asked, "Would I be pushing my luck if I asked you to stay out with me tonight?"

"I have to work early tomorrow morning."

"Okay. How about tomorrow?"

"You are persistent. Tomorrow I only work until noon."

"May I pick you up for lunch?"

"I'd like that."

"I should get you home now so that tomorrow will come sooner." Rowan said giving her a hand into the car.

"I'm just staying at Central Motel at the moment. It's just a block away from Small Treasures. Not exactly a home but it works."

"I know where that is," he said with a grin.

Rushing around the car without using too much of his shifter speed Rowan hoped into the car to enjoy her scent. The drive was short and unlike their first drive this one had a more comfortable silence. Pulling up to the entrance Rowan was even more unhappy than before to see the sleazy motel. It seemed as though even more lowlifes occupied the darkening parking lot.

"My room is around back." Parking the car, Rowan was out and around to the other side of the car before Layla had taken off her seat belt. When he opened the door she jumped.

"You're quick," she said trying to slow her rapidly beating heart.

"Can I take you to your door?" Rowan said offering her his hand.

"Thank you," together they walked across the lot and up the stairs to her door. Standing outside the door Rowan took a deep breath as Layla scavenged in her bag for the room key. He was in awe of the woman standing before him. She was smart, tough, and beautiful and so close to being all his. If everything kept progressing at this rate they would be mated quite soon.

"I know I promised to be a complete gentleman but I would like to kiss you."

Layla tried to hide her shock. "Um . . . uh . . . I --"

Rowan leaned in slowly trying not to startle her. "I promise. Just one simple kiss" he whispered his face inches from hers. He could feel Layla's warm breath and hear her heartbeat increasing. When he gently stroked his fingers across her cheek her breath hitched. Her blush intrigued him and his wolf started shaking in anticipation. His green eyes began to glow and he pulled her close struggling not to ravish her.

Layla's mind went fuzzy. Her body warmed as she felt his arms wrap around her as she'd dreamed. And all she could think of was how good he smelled and how right it felt in his arms. No one had ever held her like this and it felt better than she had ever imagined. Looking up into his eyes she could have sworn she saw them glow but as his lips descended she closed her eyes her fingers unconsciously tangling in his shirt. His soft lips caressed her cheek where his fingers had been and then lightly grazed her own lips. As he pulled back a small moan escaped her lips. She heard him sigh before placing another soft kiss on her lips. The kiss was so short, their lips only touching for a brief second, but a multitude of emotions consumed her and she was lost to the moment.

The chaste kisses were barely enough for Rowan but he had made her a promise. The feel and taste of his mate's skin combined with her body pressed deliciously to his was the most amazing sensation he had ever experienced. Her response was even more appealing. It left him aching to strip her clothes off and take her rough and fast. His wolf liked the idea and kept sending him erotic images of them naked and rutting on the forest floor. It took all his strength to pull away from those lips. He pulled away, gently disentangling her fingers and grabbing her keys. Rowan opened the door, briefly scanning the tiny room for threats and ushered her through the door.

"Lock the door tight," he warned. She still seemed dazed as she nodded.

"Yea, I will"

"Good night kitten." He whispered stealing one last brief kiss before exiting the room quickly before his wolf could change his mind. Rowan drove his car around the block before parking and returning to the motel. He found a darkening corner to hide in. He couldn't see into the room but he could watch over and keep any threats away.

It took awhile for Layla to get over her haze. Rowan had left her feeling confused, aroused, and longing for one more kiss. Locking the doors she dumped her bag and collapsed on the bed. Thanks to Rowan she wouldn't need to scavenge dinner from the vending machines. Now, as she lay on the bed, Rowan kept running through her mind. She remembered how his eyes would glow with lust as he looked at her making her skin prickle appealingly. Hopping of the bed she decided a bath would be relaxing and would hopefully calm her racing nerves.

She watched the small tub fill slowly and enjoyed the steam swirling around the room. Stripping down and tying up her thick hair she gingerly climbed into the tub. The hot water swirled around her body in an inviting caress drawing her into a drowsy state. But this seemed to only increase her thoughts of Rowan. The thoughts of his broad chest, his dark hair, his full lips, the rumbling of his chest brought a deep ache to her core. She drew her washcloth across her skin and pressed her legs together but it didn't seem to help relieve the ache. The cloth rubbed against her puckered nipples sending more pleasurable tremors to her core. Letting the washcloth fall to the bottom of the tub she ran her fingers over her body. Touching herself so intimately was rare for Layla but her visions of Rowan encouraged her fingers to drift to her pussy. Opening her legs she let her fingers slide along her wet slit and across her clit sending enjoyable shivers through her body. The small tub didn't allow for much room so she lifted one leg out of the tub resting it on the ledge giving her more access and spreading her pussy to the warmth of the water.