Page 16 of Mated to Fenrir
"Fair enough."
"Does it bother you? Having to date younger?"
He shook his head. "I guess I stopped really seeing that kind of thing a while ago. I mean, it would be weird if I'd known you since you were a child, but that's not what's happened here."
"Definitely not. You'll be glad to know that I'm a mostly-functioning adult," I joked.
"Then we don't have any issues."
"No, it seems not." I smiled at him, only noticing where we were a moment later, and trying not to feel too disappointed about arriving at our destination. "This is me," I said, gesturing to the building behind me.
He nodded, an intense expression on his face.
"I had a good time tonight," I said. "Maybe we can do it again sometime."
"Sometime soon?" he asked, a hopeful note in his voice.
I nodded. "There's a food market on Thursday that's not far from here. Would you like to go?"
"A food market?"
"Mmmhmm. It fits the parameters of what we want. There are people around, lots of food that it's hard to eat in a sexy way, and it's fun. Isn't that what we're looking for?"
"It sounds good," he promised. "Will you message me the address, and I can meet you there?"
"Of course." I hesitated a moment. As much as I wanted to avoid giving my wolftoomuch control, I really wanted to kiss him good night.
Maybe I should settle for a cheek kiss instead. I leaned in to brush my lips against his cheek, but he moved, bringing our lips closer together than I'd anticipated.
My breathing hitched, and the only thing I could think of was what it would feel like if he kissed me again. Could I do that? Could I risk what it might unleash if my wolf thought she could get her way?
"Maybe one kiss won't hurt."
He didn't need me to say it twice, and closed the gap between us to capture my lips with his. I expected his movements to be demanding, forhiswolf to be in control, but that wasn't whathappened. Instead, he kissed me with reverence, and with soft movements that made it seem as if he was committing my lips to memory.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and deepened the kiss, enjoying the reaction that was happening within me. It was nothing to do with my wolf, though she was eager for me to experience more of this.
Fenrir smoothed a hand over my lower back, the touch both completely new, and feeling like it was meant to be like that. Everything about this just felt like it was the right kind of kiss. The kind that made me weak at the knees for more reasons than just desire, even if that didn't make any sense when we'd only just started to get to know one another.
The kiss ended, but we didn't step away from one another. I met his gaze, surprised to discover how intently he was looking at me.
A small part of me wanted to ask if he would come inside, but I knew better than that. This date was supposed to be about keeping our wolves in check, not encouraging them to make their move.
"I should go," I whispered.
He nodded. "I think that's probably a good idea."
"Oh." I stepped away, only for him to reach out and grab my hand.
"Not because I want you to."
"The wolves," I said sadly.
"The wolves," he agreed. "But it'll be worth it, Delia."
The way he said my name sent a pleasant shiver through me and reminded me of what was at stake. "I'll see you on Thursday?" I asked hopefully.
"Yes," he responded. "And I look forward to it."
