Chapter 4
CHAPTER 4
TEN
I'd gone from stalking my human to asking him out, but what else was I going to do when I found out he was mine? There was no way I was going to miss my shot at happiness. I'd waited a week so I wouldn't seem so pushy, but the more I watched Matthew, the more I found out about him, the more I wanted him.
I eyed myself in the mirror, wondering if I was dressed okay. Human fashion still eluded me sometimes, so I'd copied the outfit from a character I saw on a show the other day who seemed to draw quite a few appreciative gazes. Dark blue sweater and light blue jeans, paired with black boots that made a thumping sound every time I took a step. I used a bit of my magic to mute the sound a little, then brushed my hair before grabbing a jacket and leaving my apartment. I didn't need the jacket since I couldn't feel the cold, but it was easier to blend in and not draw curious eyes with it.
Outside, I got a cab to the restaurant, then glanced around the outside, wondering if Matthew had already gone inside.
Just as I was about to text him, he came walking around the corner, smiling and waving when he spotted me.
As he came to a stop before me, I marveled again at the height difference between us. It made something in the pit of my stomach swoop in excitement. Matthew's head barely reached my shoulder, and I imagined picking him up so I could kiss those pretty pink lips of his.
"Hey, Ten," Matthew said, pulling me out of my racing thoughts. I needed to keep my cool with this human. I couldn't scare him off.
"Matthew, it's so good to see you again."
I wrapped my arms around him in a hug, and he jumped before slowly hugging me back.
Pulling back, I held my hand out to him, and he stared at it for a moment before taking it in his.
I led him into the restaurant, and the host was quick to seat us in a cozy corner booth, the lighting here dim and romantic, soft music playing over the speakers.
I slid Matthew's chair out for him like I'd seen humans do on TV, and he smiled at me as he sat down.
Sliding his chair forward, I walked around the table and took my own seat as the host told us our server would be by in a minute.
"This is a nice place," Matthew said once we were alone, and I smiled.
"Glad you like it. I've heard great things about their food."
When I first got to the human realm, and this city in particular, I'd spent a month eating at every restaurant, food truck, and diner. When you spent centuries without food, you kinda got a hankering for any and every thing edible.
This restaurant was one of the best places I'd eaten at, and since I didn't think Matthew would enjoy going anywhere too fancy, I'd picked this one. Judging by his remark, I'd made the right choice.
"So...what do you do?" I asked, wanting to know everything there was to know about my mate. Of course, I already knew the answer, but I wanted to know what his job meant to him, how he felt about it.
Matthew being my fated mate didn't mean that I'd fallen in love with him the moment our eyes met. A mate was just the most compatible person for you in every sense, like two puzzle pieces that fit together. Right then, our mate bond was nothing but a flimsy thread joining us. As we got to know each other, as our feelings for each other grew, the bond would grow stronger too, until it was an unbreakable thing.
Matthew's brows furrowed, and he straightened his shoulders, the move surprisingly aggressive for the simple question I'd asked him.
"I'm an orderly at the East Hospital. Mostly in the ER," he said, watching me as he waited for my reaction. "And I work nights four days a week at a nursing home."
"Do you enjoy the work?"
He blinked, but his brows stayed furrowed as he answered. "I do. It's exhausting some days, but it's also very rewarding."
"That's great. I'm glad you do something you enjoy. Life is so much easier when your work makes you feel good."
Matthew nodded, then relaxed back into his chair. Had someone made him feel bad about his job? Maybe that money-hungry ex of his?
"What about you? What do you do?"
Welp, I'd brought that on myself, hadn't I?
I couldn't exactly tell him I was a demon sent here to protect the humans from some dark souls, now could I?
"I have a food blog," I said, then blinked. Seriously? That was the best I could come up with? "I do food reviews, interviews with chefs, that sort of thing."
"Sounds like you enjoy your work too," he said with a smile, and I grinned.
"I do. I'm a bit of a foodie."
The server arrived then, and after we'd ordered our drinks—wine for us both—our conversation turned to hobbies and favorite movies and books.
I discovered that Matthew wasn't much of a reader, but he loved movies. He'd worked at a theater in his teenage years and made full use of his employee discount.
Even before the server returned with our food—we'd ordered somewhere between the topics of music and movies—we'd made plans to go watch a film next weekend. Matthew didn't have a regular Monday-to-Friday job, but he did have Sundays off, so we could make it work.
As we talked through our meal, I realized there had been no awkward silences, no instances where it felt like things might go wrong.
I'd known what it was like to find your mate as a concept, but I'd never imagined quite how good it would feel just talking to Matthew.
I was a highly sexual being, and I'd imagined that when I discovered my mate, I'd want to drag them into bed and have my way with them as soon as possible. But I didn't.
Matthew was sexy as fuck, and I wouldn't mind having him in my bed at all, but more than that, I wanted to know everything there was to know about him. All his fears, all his joys, everything he liked and disliked.
Matthew
I'd never been on a better first date.
Ten was sweet, kind, attentive, and so fucking good it almost seemed unreal. More than once, I'd found myself wondering if this was a trick, or even a dream. I couldn't quite believe it was all real. That Ten was real.
After we'd finished our meal, Ten asked if I wanted to take a walk, and I nodded quickly.
We split the bill, and I was glad I didn't have to pay it all, and also glad that he hadn't insisted on paying all of it either. I hadn't felt like an equal in my last relationship, and I'd be damned if I let that happen again.
As we stepped out of the restaurant, Ten took my hand in his once more, linking our fingers as he started walking. His skin was smooth but warm, and I tightened my hold on him, soaking that warmth in.
The night air was cool, and I shivered as I tugged my jacket closer. It kept me warm, but it was a little old and frayed, so it wasn't as good at keeping out the breeze as it used to be.
"Are you cold?" Ten asked, pausing to glance at me.
"I'm okay," I said, then promptly sneezed, because why not?
"Okay, my ass," Ten grumbled under his breath, then shrugged out of his soft, downy coat, wrapping it around my shoulders.
"No, don't. Won't you get cold?"
Ten grinned, then shook his head. "Nah, I won't. I run hot." His hand was a lot warmer than mine.
We untangled our hands so I could slide my arms into his coat, and I glanced down, amused at the fact that the coat ended just above my knees.
"Warm?"
I nodded, and he smiled before sliding the sleeve back to take my hand again as we resumed walking.
We were quiet as we walked, both of us soaking in the easy companionship, and I wondered when the last time was I'd felt so comfortable and happy on a date. Had there ever been a date like that?
"So...movie next Sunday?" Ten asked after a while, and I nodded quickly, which made him smile.
Pulling us to a stop, he turned me with a hand on my hip until I was facing him, and his sharp blue eyes peered right into my soul as he pulled the hand away from my hip to cup my cheek.
"I really enjoyed this date. Thank you for saying yes," he said, and warmth flooded my cheeks as my voice deserted me.
It took me a few seconds to find it, and I cleared my throat. "I'm glad I did. I loved spending time with you."
Ten smiled brightly. Then his eyes flicked to my lips, then back to my eyes. "May I kiss you, Matthew?"
My name on his lips sent a shiver through me, especially because he didn't try to shorten it like everyone else did.
"Yes," I whispered, and Ten lowered his head, the angle awkward with how tall he was, and I rose up on my toes to join him, pressing our lips together.
Ten's lips were warm like the rest of him, and he hummed softly, making me suck in a startled breath. He snuck his tongue in, brushing the tip against the underside of my lips, but didn't push further.
I wanted to move closer to him, to press our bodies together, but our height difference made it impossible. So instead I clutched at his sides, gripping his shirt tightly as we kissed.
When Ten pulled back, his eyes were dark as they met mine, and I panted as I gazed up at him, straining to catch my breath.
He caressed my cheek once before dropping his hand and sliding his fingers through his hair.
I steadied myself as the hustle and bustle around us reminded me we were in a public place. I'd almost forgotten, too lost in the pleasure I'd gotten from a single kiss. Had a kiss ever felt that amazing before?
"Did you take a cab?" Ten asked, and it took me a moment to realize what he'd asked.
Shaking my head, I pointed my thumb back the way he'd come. "My place is that way, just a ten-minute walk."
I froze as I realized it almost sounded like I was inviting him back, and opened my mouth to clarify. It wasn't that I wasn't interested in getting intimate with Ten, but I didn't want to do it after the first date. I wanted to know him better first, because the last time I'd let my dick make the decisions, I'd paid dearly for it.
Before I could explain myself, though, Ten said, "Okay, then. Mine is a bit far so I'll need to get a cab. Do you want me to drop you off on the way?"
"No, it's fine," I answered once I processed what he'd said, and he dipped his head in a nod, pulling out his phone and ordering a cab.
I waited with him, and we hashed out our plans for the movie date.
When his cab arrived, Ten gave me a sweet peck on the lips before getting into the car, and waving at me as it drove off.
I stood there on the sidewalk for a few minutes before shaking my head and turning toward my apartment building. As I walked, I mulled over how great the date had been. It was the most effortless first date I'd ever been on. The conversation had flowed easily, there had been no moments of awkwardness, and I'd felt completely comfortable in Ten's presence.
I hoped our movie date would be just as fun, and I hoped Ten would kiss me again just like that.