"I'm sure you can," Terrance smirked pulling her closer.
The meeting had been completely useless. The four Alphas argued nonstop. Hunt suggested putting a team together to look for the rogues but Terrance was in an uproar over having wolves from other packs on his land. Michaels, who had yet, to have a visit from the rogues was reluctant to get involved. After an hour Terrance and his betas stormed out as usual. Without Terrance the three remaining Alphas decided to keep each other notified and retired for the day.
On his way out Rowan's wolf began to bristle. Something was wrong but it wasn't until he exited the building that he saw the problem. Eva stood before his mate shielding her from Terrance and his men. Rushing to her, Rowan wrapped his arm around her and pulled her into him.
"Watch them!" he signaled to Dom and David as they fanned out behind the other pack.
"I guess we will see you later Terrance," he said coldly.
"Until next time," Terrance answered darkly. Terrance left taking his men with them. It wasn't until they had turned on to another street that he loosened his grip.
"Did I miss something?" Layla asked looking up at Rowan curiously.
"They are just business associates."
"Sure," Layla said with an eyebrow raised in disbelief.
"It's nothing really. We just don't exactly see eye to eye. But we can't always choose who we work with."
"Okay," Layla said letting the issue drop for now. "Well, Eva and I had a marvelous time together," she smiled over at Eva who had visibly relaxed.
"That's . . .good" Rowan said hesitantly looking at the two women. He couldn't believe he had just found his mate and he was already losing her to his other friends.
"Are you ready for lunch?"
"Yea let's go." Rowan's heart skipped a beat when he saw Layla's bright smile. Turning to face his betas Layla waved. "It was nice to meet all of you."
"Of course," Dom said grinning and making a sweeping bow. David punched Dom playfully.
"The pleasure was all ours. Don't forget you have to teach me how to pick pockets."
"No problem"
"I'm glad we got to know each other. By the way, Friday we are having a barbeque. You should come!"
"What are you doing?" Rowan asked Eva silently through their pack bond.
"Just making sure she sticks around. I like her. We can't have you scaring her off." Eva sent back innocently.
"That sounds fun."
"Good Rowan will give you the details. You two have wonderful lunch."
Rowan heaved a sigh of relief when he was in the car next to Layla. He looked over at her as she settled in putting on her seatbelt. He couldn't get over how beautiful she was. He still couldn't believe the goddess Luna gave him such an incredible mate.
"You are so beautiful," he whispered.
"You look pretty fine yourself," she smiled checking him out. "Now where are we going to eat?"
"I have a place in mind."
Rowan and Layla went out every day that week. Rowan put off work and spent every waking hour as close his mate as possible watching from the shadows. When she was working he watched her through the window from a distance. When she was on break he followed her to the table at the café where she had eaten that first day. Layla had no idea just how close Rowan was but she couldn't get over the sense that she felt safer every moment in this city than she had anywhere else in her life. Her mind tried to tell her that this wasn't normal, that something was wrong. But Layla had found that it was getting easier to close off those negative thoughts.
In the evening Rowan picked her up after work and they would spend hours talking, laughing, and eating. Rowan learned just how much Layla loved food. He loved that way she would close her eyes and hum in delight when she tasted something particularly delicious. Layla found that Rowan was very well connected in this city. Everywhere they went it seemed people knew him. Though they kept their distance she didn't miss the slight bows and acknowledgments that passed between Rowan and the various strangers. Layla found herself longing to be with him and loving every moment spent in his presence.
Every evening became a private ritual for the couple. As their evenings drew to a close Rowan could her Layla's breath hitch nervously. Rowan would walk Layla to her door and pull her close. He would take his time breathing in her scent and enjoying the feel of their bodies pressed together. Once he had gotten his fill of her scent Rowan would kiss her gently. With each passing evening Layla relaxed into his embrace just a little bit more. When he was able to let her go he would unlock the door as he had that first night, warn her to lock her door, giver her one last kiss, and wish her a good night. Rowan's wolf furiously tried to push Rowan to stay and finally lay claim to his mate but he wrestled to keep firm command.
But Thursday night something was different. Layla seemed quieter than usual. When they came to a stop in front of her door at the end of their evening Rowan just couldn't take it anymore.
"Is something bothering you?" He asked holding her hands in his. He softly rubbed his thumbs over her hands trying to keep them warm in the unseasonably chilly night. Guiding her to the steps they took a seat. He could hear her heart beating erratically and began to worry. Suddenly Layla ripped her hands away from his, wrapped them around his neck, and crushed her lips to his. Rowan was stunned and froze for a moment. She had begun to pull away when his wolf practically yelled "Kiss her you idiot!"
Layla was worried when Rowan didn't kiss her back. Maybe she shouldn't have attacked him like that. But when she felt his warm lips begin to move against hers she relaxed a little bit. The kiss became more passionate as Layla found her hands twisted in his long, silky, hair. A pleasant shock ran through her when Rowan began to gently nibble at her lower lip until she opened her mouth and felt his tongue dance against hers. He tasted better than she could have ever imagined and she moaned lost in desire. Without breaking their kiss Rowan pulled Layla over so that she straddled his lap. His arms enveloped her blocking out the breeze as his lips started to travel down her neck. Pleasure and longing was all that filled Layla's mind. Even the small voice in her head that usually warned her of dangers seemed to disappear with every second Layla spent locked in Rowan's heated embrace.
Rowan couldn't deny his erection when he heard Layla's breathy moan. And when he began to kiss her neck she threw her hair back offering him her throat and unconsciously began slowly writhing on his lap. His wolf shook with excitement at her unknown submission to him as Rowan alternated between licking and kissing her bare throat. One of his hands found the hem of her shirt and began stroking the warm flesh of her back. He pulled her closer as she groaned and the scent of her arousal filled the stairwell. She continued to grind her covered mound across his raging erection and pulling his hair while he nipped at her collarbone.
"Get a room!" a woman yelled as she ran down the stairs next them. Layla jumped off Rowan's lap her neck and cheeks slowly turning a rosy pink and making Rowan growl softly. Returning to her room she focused on pulling her keys out and unlocking the door as she tried to calm herself.
"Well, that was nice," Rowan grinned using the moment her back was turned to cover the significant bulge in his pants. After a few tries she finally got the door open and turned looking into Rowan's emerald orbs.
"I didn't mean to jump you like that," Layla confessed, "but I wanted to be the one to kiss you tonight," she said grinning up at him.
"Feel free to jump me anytime," Rowan grinned back.
"I'll keep that in mind," Layla said as she stepped into her room. Rowan peeked in the room as usual to check for threats and seeing it was clear he pulled her close again.
"Didn't we already do this part," Layla asked cheekily.
"No. You kissed me. Now I want to kiss you," Rowan whispered as his lips descended on hers. It was gently kiss but they could both feel the passion running through it. Layla sighed as their lips separated and rested her head on Rowan's chest listening to his strong heartbeat while Rowan scented her hair. She couldn't believe how attached she had become to him.
"Remember I'm picking you up here at 4:00 for the barbeque tomorrow. And don't forget to lock the door," Rowan warned when she let him go. "Sleep well Kitten," he added as he backed out of the room closing the door softly.
Rowan leaned his head against Layla's door for a moment listening to her shuffling around inside before returning to his car. He couldn't stay to watch over her tonight, he had to return to the compound and try to get some work done. It would probably take him most of the night to put a dent in all the work he had been putting off but he had a feeling after tonight's date with Layla he wouldn't be able to sleep much anyway. His wolf howled desperately within his mind with every step he took away from his mate. Rowan couldn't wait for the day when he wouldn't have to leave her.
-----------------
Layla paced in her room. She had been thinking about kissing him all day. Even Henry had noticed how distracted she was around the shop. She still couldn't believe she had attacked Rowan like that but she was glad she did. The feelings she had for Rowan seemed to bloom over night. She had very few close relationships with anyone in her life. Experience had taught her it was better to be alone than risk being hurt. The closer you allowed someone the more pain it brought when they ultimately betrayed you. But despite everything Layla desperately wanted to be close to Rowan and to prove it to herself she had kissed him with all the passion she could muster. That kiss had made her feel alive. Energy surged through her. She couldn't sleep or settle down. The alarm clock flashed 10:30 when Layla decided she couldn't stay in her room any longer. She felt confined and needed some fresh air. Wrapping herself in a light sweater she went for a walk.
______
"I'm going to go crazy just sitting here. What's the deal with this girl anyway?" Case whined.
"Terrance wants us to watch her so that's what we are going to do," Simon spat. He didn't like this assignment either but he knew it was only a matter of time before he got what he wanted.
"Since when do we follow orders?" Marco grumbled before being slammed to the ground, Simon glaring menacingly above him.
"Don't question me!" he growled viciously. "We do this and if I hear one more complaint, out of either of you, I will tear your throats out." They had been watching the girl for days and even Simon was losing his patience. Simon stood and watched as the Smith Alpha left the girl's motel room.
"I don't think she is going anywhere. Stay and watch her. If she hasn't gone anywhere by 11:00 you can return to the compound," Simon stalked off leaving Case and Marco behind.