Layla could have laughed at the deflation in Marco's demeanor but she was distracted by her stranger slowly stalking toward her. The bat she had picked up to defend herself hung limp in her hand and it wasn't until he was standing directly in front of her that she realized she'd stopped breathing. Her stranger's intense stare seemed to excite and unnerve her at the same time. Layla's pounding heart felt as though it was trying to escape her chest. Taking a deep breath she stepped back and took a firmer grip on the bat.
"I didn't need your help. I was doing just fine on my own," Layla snapped trying to hide her body's traitorous reaction. The stranger's gaze warmed her skin and stained her cheeks with a rosy blush. He was the first man to ever make her feel this way. She knew nothing about him but she longed to reach out and stroke his face. She wanted to lift up on her tip toes and press her lips to his and feel his arms holding her close to his hard chest but all these new feelings only brought uncertainty. They seemed to come out of nowhere. She didn't quite trust them so she brought up her defenses.
"He was hurting you. I was just trying to help,"
"Thanks but I can take care of myself. Now, did you want to buy something or would you like a broken nose too?," Layla demanded pointing the bat at him.
"Well, I would love to buy something but a beautiful girl stole my wallet," the stranger's lips turned up in a small smirk and Layla's hazel eyes widened in surprise. In all the time she had spent daydreaming about him she had completely forgotten the circumstances of their meeting. Turning abruptly Layla went behind the counter to put some distance between them but he followed so they stood with the counter as an inadequate barrier between them.
"Look, I'm sorry I'll pay you back. I still have a few dollars left. I just . . ." Layla was flustered. She had never been confronted by a mark before and had no idea what to do besides return what little money she had left.
"Don't worry about it. I don't want the money."
"What?" Standing up from reaching for her bag Layla raised an eyebrow in suspicion. "What do you want then?"
"I'd like to spend time with you --," Disgusted, Layla turned away.
"Look, come back tomorrow and I will pay you back then," no matter how attractive she found this stranger or the impossible feelings floating through her body she was not going to pimp herself out for anything.
Understanding his mistake Rowan tried to begin again. "My name is Rowan. And I just meant that I would like to get to know you in a strictly friendly, hands-off kind of way. It's not every day I meet someone who is able to pick my pocket."
Rowan, she loved that name, uncommon and strong. It fit him. "Yea well your body guards were kind of useless. And it seems" she added looking out the window "you fired them."
"Body guards?"
"The three giant goons you had following you yesterday,"
"Oh, them," Rowan chuckled sending exciting shivers down Layla's spine. "They weren't my goons, though Dom will find it funny you thought so."
"They were watching you like goons"
"Well they're just . . . over protective. Look we could go somewhere public, while the sun is up. We could get something to eat and just talk."
Still suspicious, Layla narrowed her eyes. "I stole your wallet and you're asking me out on a date?"
"What can I say? You intrigue me. If it makes you feel any better we can call it payback for saving you from that menace."
Everything in Layla's experience told her to run. Being connected to anyone, especially strangers, no matter how hot they were, was never a good idea. You can't trust them. But something about Rowan called to Layla. His smile, his very presence, sparked something new inside her. So even though she knew better she decided to give in just this once.
"Fine, you can take me to dinner when I'm done with my shift here. Around 5?"
"I'd like that. I'll come back at 4:45 to pick you up. I don't want you leaving without me," Rowan smiled and took her hand that rested on the counter between them. The shock of the touch ran through their finger tips setting a fire alight in their eyes. "I can't wait" Rowan said raising Layla's hand to his lips and placing a soft kiss on her knuckles, never taking his lustful emerald eyes off of hers. Layla could feel the heat of the blush returning to her cheeks. No one had ever done that before. Though, truthfully, she probably would have hit anyone else who tried.
As Rowan prepared to leave another question came to Layla's mind, "Why did you call me kitten when you came in?"
Rowan pointed to the forgotten ceramic kitten she'd placed next to the register. "You seemed rather fond of it" Astonishment ran through Layla's body. How long had he been watching her before he came in?
"My name is Layla," She called as he passed over the threshold.
Rowan smiled at her over his shoulder, "I know," he said before he stepped out into the sunlight and disappeared down the street.
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All morning Rowan had watched Layla through the shop window. Each time he had tried to formulate a plan he would be distracted by the way she seemed to dance through the store. Her movements were graceful and her kind smile warmed him more than the sunshine. Few people visited Small Treasures but each person that entered the shop was treated courteously even the old man he assumed was her boss seemed to like her. Her thoughtful expression as she shelved the tiny figurines made him smile as well. Everything he noticed about his mate made his wolf see that she would make a wonderful Alpha Female. When he followed her to the café he tried to work up the nerve to talk to her but she looked so peaceful sitting at her table reading her book so he settled for watching over her.
While at the café Rowan noticed that he too was starving. He was going to eat at the café but they didn't exactly cater to the giant appetite of the shifter community. Running down the street he ate quickly at a pack run restaurant and returned just in time to see his mate's fist smash into the face of the animal who was manhandling her. A range of emotions flew through Rowan. He was furious that another man dared to touch what belonged to him yet he was so proud of the strength and courage his little mate showed. His wolf howled within him ready to tear this intruder apart but he took a deep breath and reminded his wolf that if they scared their mate she would not come to them willingly. When he had himself under control he entered the shop to save his mate.
As it turned out his mate was not too thrilled about being saved. Her spirit excited him. His wolf wanted to chase her and make her submit to him when she turned away. He wanted to run his hand along her lush curves, press her body to his, and bury his nose in her chocolate hair. Her delicious aroma wafted towards him. Warm honey and roses assaulted him and made his mouth water. Blood rushed to his cock making his pants feel tight. No woman had ever had such an instantaneous effect on him with just one glance. Her expressive eyes spoke of uncertainty and suspicion yet he also saw the longing she tried to hide and smelled a faint arousal. It was all he could do to walk away after getting her to agree to an early dinner. For the moment he could breathe. He had finally spoken to his mate, protected her, it was only a matter of time before they would complete the mating.
Five o'clock would not come around quick enough but Rowan tried to keep busy. He returned to the pack owned restaurant he'd eaten at earlier called Silver Moon. Silver Moon was an exclusive restaurant known for its exquisite cuisine and long waiting list. They always had a table ready for their Alpha in a secluded part of the restaurant and though Rowan would have loved to have Layla to himself he wanted to make sure she felt comfortable with him. As he entered the restaurant his various pack members bowed their head in respect and the manager came running up to meet him.
"Back so soon Alpha?," Ron said smiling widely.
"I'm bringing a friend to dinner. She's a little . . . shy and I wanted to see about getting a table more up front,"
"Would this be the mysterious mate everyone has been in an uproar about all day?"
Rowan sighed. He should have known the entire pack would have heard by now. Gossip, especially about the Alpha, dispersed quickly through the pack no matter how boring. It probably took seconds for everyone to know about the future Alpha Female. Even through his frustration Rowan couldn't help but grin. Just thinking about Layla was enough to cool his annoyance with the pack grapevine. He could sense every ear waiting for his response.
"Yes, we'll be here around 5," he said quickly causing Ron to practically squeal in delight. A rather exuberant pack member, he was truly happy to find out that his Alpha had finally settled.
"Excellent! I will personally put together a table for the two of you. Maybe something next to the bay window there or next to the fireplace?"
"I think she would prefer the window. Other than that I trust you will see to it,"
"Of course, of course. I will see to everything" Ron exclaimed waving Rowan out. "Oh and flowers. Let's get a fresh bouquet of flowers for the couple" Rowan heard Ron saying as he left.
Retrieving his car Rowan called Dom back at the compound. Dom quickly assured him no new wolves had shown up but the extra patrols were still going.
"X, how's your mate?" Dom asked slyly.
Rowan rolled his eyes, "When I get to spend time with her I will let you know."
"Mina, asks me every few minutes if I have an update and everyone is waiting to meet her so you better hurry up. You know how the pack is. If you take too long they will just take matters into their own hands."
"Yea, yea. We're going out to dinner in a few hours. I'll talk to you later."
"Good Luck," hanging up Rowan decided to drive around the city. Trying to waste time without appearing to be a stalker was difficult. Waiting outside the shop just wasn't enough anymore. Now that he had talked to her he wanted to go and hold her, kiss her, make love to her. Which, unfortunately, would probably end with Layla trying to kick his ass. He didn't know how he would get through the evening while keeping up with his "hands off" promise. Driving through the streets he grasped the steering wheel tightly imagining how he would like to peel off the t-shirt and jeans she was wearing and trail his hands and lips over her smooth skin. He couldn't help but think about the how he wanted to kiss her pink lips and run his tongue along her slender throat. He would even kill to argue with her. Her strength boiled his blood in the most appealing way. Rowan drove in circles barely noticing anything going on outside the window. It felt like forever until 4:45 rolled around. He parked outside the shop, unable to stop himself any longer he entered. Both the old man and Layla were busy helping customers but as he entered Layla looked up.
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Henry had noticed Layla's excitement when he returned from his break and pushed Layla to tell him about her upcoming date. Henry didn't have a daughter of his own but he was beginning to feel protective of his new employee at an alarming rate. As they worked Henry began his first fatherly lecture.