Chapter 17 - Tolliver
Tolliver took a steadying breath as he approached Laila. He was rarely nervous about anything, but for this, he couldn’t ignore his fluttering nerves. Maybe he was being ridiculous. When did asking a woman out on a date become a nerve-wracking mission? He stopped in the living room and waited for Laila to finish her phone conversation.
“And everything is okay at the bakery?” she asked.
He figured she was talking to Cora. She hadn’t looked up when he came in, so he took the opportunity to admire her. Her luxurious dark hair hung loosely around her shoulders, and her fresh face gave her an air of sweet innocence. It was that same sweet aura that had drawn him to her years ago before he even knew she was his mate.
“Thank you so much for stepping up, Cora. I smell a promotion to manager in someone’s near future.”
Tolliver heard Cora’s squeal on the other end and smiled. The kid had grown on him fast, and he wasn’t even one to warm up to people so quickly. Not wanting to eavesdrop on them too much, he turned down his acute hearing and tuned out their conversation so he didn’t hear what else Cora said. Whatever it was made Laila laugh uproariously.
The sound wound its way around Tolliver and seeped into his pores to warm him completely. He was so in love with his ex that the sound of her laughter made his world brighter. It was time to stop beating around her bush with her. He had been patient and given her space, but she refused to come around. It was time to put everything on the table… put his entire heart on the line. And he had to start by telling her the truth. Hopefully, she accepted his offer of a date. He would wine and dine her, soften things with a little romance, and then ease into the hard conversation.
When Laila said goodbye to Cora and hung up, she looked his way. “Hey,” she greeted softly, almost shyly.
“Hey. Do you have a minute?”
She put her cell down. “Sure.” Her eyes were glued to him as he walked and sat beside her. “Is everything okay? Did you find out something else about Jonas Mercer?”
He hated the worry clouding her eyes. “We’re still searching for him, but I’m not here about that.” After endless hours spent tracking leads and investigating, Mercer was the last thing he wanted to talk about. “I actually need a break from all of that.”
Amusement lit her eyes. “You need a break from work? This must be a dream because your words can’t be real. You’re a workaholic, Tolliver Sterling.”
He shrugged. “I guess I’m a different person now. The older I get, the more I learn that other things in life are more important than my career.” He held her captive with his gaze, hoping she’d take the hint. Yes, he was still black ops, but he was willing to change things if she gave him another chance.
Laila’s eyes skated away from his, and pink highlighted her cheeks. She got uneasy every time he tried to breach the subject of their relationship, and he hated it. Not wanting the awkwardness to overshadow his date proposal, he jumped right into it. “Things have been overwhelming for both of us. You need a break, too. What do you say about going out tonight?”
She raised an eyebrow, confusion and shock flickering in her eyes. “Do you mean like a date?”
For the first time in a long time, Tolliver felt self-conscious. If she shut him down, he’d be embarrassed. He cleared his throat lightly. “Yes.”
“Do you think that’s a good idea? I mean, we’re not…”
“We’re not what?”
Laila’s blush intensified. “Couples go on dates, and we’re not a couple.”
Much to his annoyance. “I know. It’s just dinner, Laila. I thought we could get out of the house.”
“But you’ve been such a stickler about my safety, and you want to go out?”
“I’ve arranged a secure space.”
“So, you planned everything in advance?”
He shrugged. “Hoping you’d say yes.”
Her expression softened. “That’s very thoughtful, but I have nothing nice to wear to dinner. All my dresses are at my apartment in Cedar Ridge and—”
“I thought about that too. I got you something to wear.”
“Oh…” She blew out a breath. “Well, in that case, sure, let’s go out for dinner. I need a break from these four walls, anyway.”
Although she seemed reluctant, and he suspected she only accepted to be polite, he was satisfied. Tonight, they’d talk and fix things. “Great. Be ready by six.”
Later that evening, he paced the living room, waiting for Laila to come down. He took out his phone to get an update from his safe-date-with-Laila team, which only included Benny and Francisco. The two had also brought Cora in on their mission to find the safest place for a romantic dinner.
He sent Benny a text. Is the location secure?
Benny: Completely. The magical safeguards are also up, and we’ll be patrolling the area for as long as you need.
Tolliver: Great. I owe you guys.
Benny: Don’t worry about it. Here’s to hoping to get laid tonight, boss.
Staring at Benny’s response, Tolliver gave a long-suffering sigh and shook his head. The man had no filter whatsoever… but Tolliver was hoping for the same thing.
The clicking of heels on hardwood made him look up. His breath hitched, and he swore his tongue rolled out onto the floor like a cartoon. Standing at the top of the stairs was a vision that made his heart skip a beat. Laila looked stunning. Her dark hair fell in loose, silky waves over her shoulders and framed her face. She wore the emerald dress he had bought. It hugged her curves just right, and the silky fabric caught the light as she moved, shimmering with each step.
The dress dipped at the neckline, showing enough skin to make his mouth water. As she moved down the stairs, the slit on one side revealed a glimpse of her leg with each step.
She wore killer heels that elongated her legs and added to her elegant air. Her eyes were fixed on him, so when she almost reached the stairs' bottom, she missed a step and tumbled forward. Before she even had time to register the slip, Tolliver was there, moving with his natural shifter speed to catch her.
His arm wrapped around her waist, steady and strong, while his other hand braced her shoulder. She fell against him with a soft gasp, her hands instinctively clutching at his chest. Laila’s eyes widened, and then her cheeks turned hot pink. “Laila the Klutz strikes again.”
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“Fine. Great catch. After all these years, you still do that thing where you catch me before I even fall.”
Tolliver chuckled. “Old habits die hard, I guess. I’ll never understand how a shifter can be so clumsy,” he joked. “You’re truly unique, Laila.”
She stepped out of his hold and playfully swatted his arm with her purse. “With my unnatural tendency to trip even on air, I shouldn’t be wearing heels.”
“But you look so good in them.” He didn’t realize he was staring at her as if he wanted to devour her until she took another retreating step and blushed harder.
Their eyes met. Both had fallen into the past, to the way they interacted when they were together. It came naturally to them—too naturally for Laila’s comfort because the laughter and warmth that lit up her eyes faded and were replaced with uncertainty.
“About the heels and everything else,” she said, looking down at herself. “Tolliver, this is too much. The dress, shoes, accessories...” She pulled in a deep breath. “You shouldn’t spend this amount of money on me.” She then fiddled with the necklace he’d chosen to pair with the dress.
“I don’t mind. I asked you out and you’re not at home. It’s only right that I take care of everything.” The truth was, a part of him wanted to impress her. He had gone from her mate to some guy pulling out all the stops just to get her to like him even a little bit. Sometimes, he felt like he bordered on pathetic, being a smitten fool.
After a moment’s hesitation, Laila nodded. “Okay. I’m ready if you are.”
Tolliver blew out a relieved breath. He wanted nothing to ruin the night he had planned.
About a half hour later, when Tolliver passed through the bustling town, Laila turned to him. “Where are we going? I assumed we were going to have dinner somewhere in town.”
“The place is still too busy.” At that time of evening, the town bustled more than it did in the day. The nightlife in Bellefleur was one of the most active Tolliver had ever seen. “That leaves too many chances to miss something or someone. We’re going somewhere off the map, a bit more secluded.”
“I see. So, I’m not overdressed for this secluded restaurant?”
He glanced at her and smiled. “It’s not exactly a restaurant, and no, you’re overdressed for the occasion.”
She turned to look out the window and stayed quiet for the rest of the journey. Tolliver wished he could read her mind. Hopefully, she wasn’t thinking about the reasons it was a bad idea for them to rekindle their relationship.
He turned onto a narrow road—more of a dirt path—and drove until he pulled up to an unassuming structure made of weathered bricks. Trees almost completely swallowed it up.
Laila raised an eyebrow, glancing over at him in curiosity.
He smiled. “Not exactly what you expected for dinner, huh?”
“Nope,” she replied, her tone teasing. “Very… subtle.”
“Wait until you see inside,” he said, hopping out of the car and coming around to open her door. He guided her toward a metal door that looked like it was meant for storage. When he gained access through a hidden security pad and enchanted locks, Laila gave him another questioning look.
“The Black Ops use this place as a safe house sometimes,” he explained. “It has magical safeguards, and a couple of my co-workers are patrolling the area.”
“You mean your guys are out working tonight just so you can take me out to dinner? Now, I feel guilty.”
“They’re happy to do it, and we’re all invested in keeping you safe. I need you to do me a favor.”
“What’s that?”
“Relax and enjoy yourself.”
She smiled. “I can do that.”
Once they stepped through the door, the transformation was immediate. The building’s interior was worlds away from its gritty exterior. The space had been decorated to mimic a fancy five-star restaurant. A table in the center of the room was covered with a white tablecloth, lit candles, and an array of dishes. Dimmed lights were strung from rustic beams across the ceiling, and vases of fresh flowers adorned various surfaces.
Tolliver was just as shocked as Laila seemed to be. He had asked Benny, Francisco, and Cora to set up the place. His only input had been to pay for everything. The trio had really outdone themselves… although he was almost certain it was Cora who pulled off turning the bland space into a romantic atmosphere.
“Wow,” Laila breathed. “This is magnificent. It’s like we’re in an actual restaurant.”
“I’m glad you like it.” He led her to the table and pulled out her chair.
Laila sat and continued to take in the surroundings. Her eyes gleamed with excitement, and she didn’t have that uneasy air she typically got when they were alone in a non-sexual scenario. He sat beside her and began removing the polished silver dish covers.
Laila gasped when she saw the options. “Lobster bisque, truffle mashed potatoes…”
She listed each item with enthusiasm infused into her tone. Tolliver couldn’t help grinning as he listened. He’d never met anyone with such a deep appreciation for fine dining. He felt as if he was on the right track tonight.
“All my favorites. You still know me well, Tolliver.”
“Uh-huh.” He reached for the bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon, filled their glasses, and said, “I assume this is still your favorite?”
She glanced at the bottle. “Yes, but admittedly, I haven’t indulged in the expense stuff since…”
Since they broke up. He stifled a sigh because he hated being reminded of what a fool he’d been.
“That doesn’t matter now,” she eyed the wine bottle with a frown. “I’ll pass on the alcohol tonight.”
He lifted an eyebrow. “Since when?”
“Since… I’m just not in the mood for it.”
He shrugged and put down the bottle.
“I haven’t gotten dressed up and gone on a fancy date in ages,” she gushed. “Thank you for this.”
He mentally wiped away the sweat from his forehead. Score one . Maybe he was finally getting somewhere with her. “I figured you should be spoiled tonight. I mean, you’re always the one in the kitchen, feeding everyone. Tonight, I’m here to serve you. What would you like to try first?”
She beamed and rubbed her palms together as she eyed the steaming dishes. “Tolliver, you might have to cut me out of this dress later because I’m about to be very unladylike and scoff down everything on this table. Go hard or go home, right?”
His laughter boomed in the huge space, combined with her cute snickers. Every moment with her reminded him why he’d fallen madly in love with her. She was always unabashedly herself. “Right,” he said. He stole glances at her excited face as he made her a plate. Seeing her happy made him feel as if he’d done something great. He was more determined than ever to keep her away from Jonas Mercer. He’d never allow anyone to hurt or crush her beautiful spirit as long as he drew breath.
As dinner went on, there was a rare easiness between them. The usual undercurrent of tension melted into laughter, warmth, and nostalgia. They barely realized that hours had passed while they chatted between bites.
“As delicious as everything is, they’re not in league with your cooking,” Tolliver noted.
Laila rolled her eyes. “You’re biased.”
“I’m being honest. You create magic in the kitchen.”
She smiled. “I appreciate the break and all, but a part of me wishes I was in the kitchen baking something for dessert right now.”
Tolliver grinned. “It’s funny you say that. I know you well, Laila. That’s why I took the liberty of stocking out the kitchen with everything you might need to whip up something sweet.”
Her eyebrows elevated. “Wow, you really thought of everything.”
“I did.” He got up and extended a hand to her. “Come on.”
After a moment’s hesitation, she placed her hand in his and followed him to the kitchen. She inspected the surroundings. “This kitchen is fancy for a safe house used by the Black Ops.”
Tolliver shrugged. The space had been refurbished and decorated with state-of-the-art appliances. “We like to make everyone who stays here comfortable.”
Nodding, Laila let go of his hand to get a closer look at the stove and oven.
“You’ll find all you need in the refrigerator and cupboards,” he said, watching her with mild amusement. Her excitement as she moved around made her look like a kid in a toy store. He shoved his hands into his pockets and leaned against the counter to continue taking her in. She kicked off her heels and went in search of ingredients. Laila quickly got lost in whatever recipe she had in her head, as he expected. Soon, he sat on one of the stools around the island and rested his jaw on his palm to keep watching. She flitted around like a culinary fairy, her movements graceful and precise. Her bare feet and the way her dress skimmed her curves were a turn-on for him, and he got lost in a haze of lust.
Her soft hum filtered around the room as she opened drawers, pulled spices from cupboards, and examined the refrigerator's contents. Tolliver couldn’t help but smile. She was completely in her element, her brow furrowed in concentration as she chopped, measured, and stirred.
“You’re really enjoying yourself over there,” he teased, breaking the comfortable silence.
She glanced over her shoulder, her cheeks pink from the warmth of the oven… or maybe his attention. “I am. Am I the only woman you’ve ever met who has a blast in the kitchen?”
He stoked his chin. “Hmm… yes, you are.”
She smiled. “Do you remember that thing we used to do?”
His gaze slowly roved over her from head to toe. “We used to do a lot of things. Be specific.”
Laila’s entire face flushed at the seductive dip in his voice. “That thing where I’d try recipes, and you’d be my loyal taste-tester.”
“I remember.” He could barely contain his smile because he had hoped that was where things would lead. “I’d love to be your taste tester.” He used to have fun taste-testing her creations—not just because she was an amazing cook, but because those moments had been theirs .
She shot him a smile before getting to work. As the minutes ticked by, he didn’t take his eyes off her—he couldn’t. She wasn’t looking at him so that she wouldn’t see the desperate longing in his eyes. This was so familiar to him, yet different. The dynamics had changed, and he hoped tonight would lead them back to what they once shared.
Soon, the air was filled with the sweet aroma of chocolate and caramel. When she finally slid a tray of something gooey into the oven, she turned to face him and leaned against the counter. “All right, Mr. Taste-Tester. You’ve got about ten minutes before you get to sample.”
Peering into her eyes, he said, “Watching you in action might have been the best part of this game.”
Her cheeks flushed, but she didn’t look away. “You were always my biggest cheerleader.”
“I still am.” He leaned closer to her and was pleased she didn’t pull away. “Seeing you like this reminds me of all the reasons I—” His cell, which he’d put on the counter, beeped. They both glanced at the device. It was a text from Benny. Instantly worried, he opened the message, ready to get Laila away from there if necessary. When he saw that it was simply an update and things were okay, he let out a relieved breath.
“Is everything okay?” Laila asked with concern clouding her eyes.
“Yes, just an update from the guys.
“Okay,” she said, turning away. Thankfully, Laila went right back to being relaxed as she pulled her creation out of the oven. “This is an old favorite of yours,” she said, cutting the round treat into slices. She slid one onto a plate and approached him, smiling.
Tolliver didn’t move a muscle as she sank the fork into the chocolaty dessert. Was she going to feed him? His heart pounded with anticipation at the possibility. He hadn’t expected it. To his shock, she carried the fork to his lip.
“Careful,” she warned. “It’s hot.”
It took every ounce of his control to keep his hands to himself. She was dangerously close, and he was fighting the potent wave of desire trying to swamp him. He took the bite he offered, his eyes locked with hers. His tastebuds danced with recognition. “Chocolate peanut butter cheesecake,” he hummed. He’d never heard of it until Laila made it the first week he moved into her place. “There’s something different about this one.”
She laughed. “Your tastebuds have a great memory. I tweaked the ingredients a little.”
“It’s delicious. I need another bite.”
She dutifully complied, and he wondered if she even realized she was still feeding him. She was so passionate about her culinary creations that she was probably oblivious, and he didn’t shy away from taking advantage of that.
He saw the exact moment she realized what she was doing. The clarity was right there in her eyes. Her breath hitched, and her cheeks turned crimson. As she pulled away, he caught her hand midair and gently tugged. She stumbled forward with a gasp. The fork clattered to the granite countertop.
“Tolliver…” she whispered.
He pulled her between his legs and cupped her nape. “Tell me to stop, and I will.”
She swallowed hard, and with his acute senses, he could hear her pulse racing. But she didn’t move or tell him to stop. Her eyes flicked to his mouth, and he was lost.
His head dipped, and the air seemed to charge with electricity. He was close enough to feel her breath against his lips. The tension between them coiled tighter as if the air itself was holding its breath, waiting for them to make contact. When they did, he swore he heard fireworks.
Tolliver deepened the kiss, pulling her closer, and she moaned. Her hands were splayed on his chest, and her fingers curled into his shirt, spurring him on. His hand lifted to tangle in her hair as he practically devoured her. Just when he was about to take things further—maybe take her right there on the counter—he felt her pushing against his chest. Her entire body was tense. As far gone as he was, he managed to pull himself back and tear his mouth away from her.
“Tolliver, we can’t…” she panted. “I can’t do this.”
He instantly let her go, giving her space even as his chest tightened. The last thing he wanted to do was push her. He had to hold on to the last thread of his patience. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that,” he murmured. “It’s just… sometimes I’m confused. We’ve been sleeping together for weeks.” Granted, they hadn’t had sex the last week because Laila seemed to be avoiding him like the plague. “You seem into it when we…”
“I am,” she said, her face turning red. “I mean, I was , but we should stop.”
“Why?”
“After all this,” she waved her hand, “the situation with the kidnappings and me having to stay in Bellefleur, we’ll go back to our separate lives. I don’t want to get…” She took a deep breath, struggling to find the words.
“You don’t want to get attached?” he helped.
“I guess.”
“Would that be such a bad thing?” Because he was already attached. Hell, he didn’t know how he’d go back to life without her.
“It would. I don’t trust you, Tolliver.”
Her words hung in the silence between them. They echoed in his mind, taunted him. He couldn’t do it anymore—continue trying to win her over, only for her to still see him as the man who walked away from her. Her admission hurt, but he sucked it up because perhaps he deserved it. Wiping a hand over his face, he said, “I left because I thought I was doing right by you, Laila.”
Her eyebrows snapped together. “ What? How could breaking my heart be right for me?”