Chapter 12 - Elize
I was nervous for the entire drive. My lower leg bounced, and I tried to push it down so he wouldn’t know. I was the one who suggested we have sex, so I needed to appear like I was confident.
I swallowed as I looked over at Troy. I could smell his after shave and took in how neat he’d dressed. His shirt was pressed, and his hair was combed back. He didn’t look nervous at all.
We arrived at the restaurant and headed inside. We were seated in the back, by the piano, which was playing music. The lights were dimmed, and I could smell the food.
“It’s nice here,” I whispered as we sat down. I took in the space and all the plants that surround the walls. It gave you a jungle vibe.
“I thought you’d like it. It’s popular but private as well. I’ve heard nothing but good reviews from everyone. I also know the cook pretty well.”
I nodded as the waitress placed the menus on the table. “I’ll bring you two some water and give you a minute to look over the menus.
I looked around again, taking in couples deep in conversation. There was a large group across the restaurant that was celebrating a birthday. But the music was all I could hear. The ceilings were high, which I’m sure helped with the acoustics in here.
I looked back at Troy, who was adjusting himself in his chair. He tugged at his shirt collar. “Are you nervous?”
He nodded. “A little. It’s been a while since I’ve been out on a date.”
I smirked. “Same.”
He offered me a smile. “So, how do you want to do this?”
“Do what? Dinner? I don’t understand the question.”
He chuckled. “Do you want to act like this is a first date? Or do we want to act like exes that spent years apart and still don’t get along? Or do you want to role-play? I can have amnesia if it helps.”
I didn’t know whether to laugh or cringe. Troy offered me a smile. “I was kidding.”
I nervously laughed, and he frowned. “Bad joke. My bad.”
“No, it’s fine. It’s just… well… it’s true. We are exes that have spent years apart.”
I looked at the menu, not sure where to look.
“Elize, I know that we have a past, and we can’t just swipe it away. But I want us to get along. We’re going to be spending time together, and I don’t want us to be uncomfortable.”
I looked back at him, and I could see he was being sincere. I nodded. “I’d like that. So, did you say your name was Troy?”
I watched him smile.
We both ended up ordering lasagna. Troy told me about how he took over being Alpha and was trying hard to be there for his members. He explained that the pack had been lacking a caring leader, and he had a lot of work ahead of him.
I told Troy about my move to the convent. I talked about Charlie and Victoria and how much they were there for me. I told him about the other members and the children. I explained how close-knit everyone was and that we all helped each other. It’s how the convent stayed going as long as it had.
“Victoria seems nice.”
“She’s amazing,” I said as I took another bite. “She’s taught me everything I know. Honestly, I don’t know where I would be if I hadn’t met her. She was a big influence in my life.”
“She seems sweet, and Charlie seemed like a nice gentleman.”
I smiled. “Charlie is. He’s helped me in so many ways. He actually fixed up the space upstairs and turned it into an apartment for me.”
Troy’s eyebrows went up. “Really?”
I nodded. “Yeah. It used to be a storage room until I arrived.” I took a sip of my drink. “So, tell me more about this Alpha role you took over.”
He shrugged. “I started shadowing the previous Alpha before he passed. Took over a year to get the pack to this condition.”
“I’ve never been here before, but I would say you did a good job.”
He chuckled. “How so?”
I shrugged. “Just a feeling. It’s welcoming when you come. I mean, sure, I get looks, but not as many as you would expect. And I hear people talk. I’ve heard lots of compliments about the pack and how you handle it. Even with the guys that were attacking you, you didn’t want to hurt them.”
He frowned. “People look at you? Is that still a thing?”
I shrugged. “Comes with the territory of being a witch. I’ve gotten used to it.”
He shook his head. “I’ve always hated that. I didn’t understand why people couldn’t just… accept.”
I felt my heart leap. “I know… It was one of the things I liked about you.”
He smiled. “Well, I’m glad I wasn’t all terrible.”
“You weren’t terrible, Troy. You were a decent guy.” I poked at my lasagna. “You were actually great.”
I couldn’t help but feel an ache deep in my chest. Every time he smiled, I saw a glimpse of his past self. As he talked, I could tell Troy was the same guy he was before. He was respectful and polite.
“Would you guys want any dessert?” The waitress stopped at the table.
I cleared my head and shook my head. “No, I’m good. Troy?”
He shook his head. “No, just the check, please.” She walked away, and he looked back at me. “I actually had plans to stop somewhere else for dessert.”
My eyebrows went up. “Oh? Where?”
He softly smiled. “There is an ice cream place just down the block.”
After Troy paid, we walked down the block. The sun had set, and the light post left the sidewalks in a dim hue. It was quiet, with few cars on the road.
“It’s peaceful out here.”
Troy nodded. “I know. I thought you’d like it. It kind of reminds me of the convent.”
We paused at a small building, and inside was the ice cream store. There was another couple inside sitting at a small table. We stepped inside, and the cold hit me. I shivered and moved closer to Troy unconsciously.
He grabbed my hand and tugged me toward the counter. “They have lots of flavor options.”
I scanned the menu and decided on strawberry cheesecake while Troy ordered turtle mocha. We ate the ice cream as we walked back to the car.
“I’m so cold, but it’s so good,” I murmured between bites. “Like, my hands and my entire body are freezing, but I don’t want to waste this.”
Troy laughed as he took another bite of his. “I know. They make amazing ice cream.”
We paused at the crosswalk, and I looked up at the sky. It was covered in hues of pink and yellow. Troy’s shoulder bumped against me. “Beautiful, isn’t it?”
I nodded as I smiled. We stood there in silence, just watching the sky shift into black, and the stars started to shine. Troy tugged on my arm, and we moved across the street.
I took the last bite before tossing the container into the trash. I stuffed my hands into my pockets, hoping to warm my fingers. They felt like they were frozen stiff.
Troy finished tossing it into the trash. I glanced at him, taking in the young man he’d become. I saw so much of his old self tonight. He was still that sweet, considerate guy. Yet, he believed in so much more.
I looked away, reminding myself I couldn’t go down the road again. I couldn’t open myself up and have him shatter it all apart. He never even gave me a reason last time, so I knew better than to just forgive and forget.
Tonight was fun, and what we did next was just a part of it. But that was it. It didn’t have to mean anything else.
As we got closer to the house, I could feel my heart beat quicken. I felt nervous again, thinking about the next steps. I’d almost forgotten what the entire point of tonight was for.
Troy walked closer, pausing when we reached the doorway. He gave me a soft smile. “Tonight was really fun. I’m glad we did this.”
I nodded in agreement. “I agree.”
He chuckled and stepped closer. He came into my space, and I could smell him even stronger than before. I swallowed, taking in his light brown eyes. I took in his speckles of yellow that always made me think of coffee.
I looked down at his lips, remembering how soft they were. I suddenly ached for them.
“I really meant it when I said you looked nice tonight. You looked beautiful.”
I bit my lip and felt his hand reach up. He grabbed my chin and stepped closer to me. His lips pressed against mine softly, and I desperately reminded myself to remember the plan.
Just a simple one-night stand. Don’t get emotional. Don’t get attached. Just let him kiss you, and you guys can move this inside.
But his hand moved, cupping the back of my neck like he had done a hundred times, and his other tugged me closer. My body was pressed against his, and my hands moved on their own, grabbing at his shirt.
God, I remembered just how good a kisser her was. We spent all of our breaks with our lips locked.
His lips were like velvet against mine, and his tongue slid into my mouth.
I moaned, unable to hold it back. The kiss only deepened, and I tightened my grip on his shirt.
We stumbled back, and my back hit the door.
He grabbed my leg, pulling it up. His fingers were tight on my ass as I felt his dick press against me.
Troy bit onto my bottom lip, and a shiver ran down my spine. He broke the kiss, and I could hear the keys jingling in the door. But his eyes remained on me.
I didn’t feel embarrassed like I expected. If anything, I found myself wanting more of him. The door was pushed open, and Troy yanked me inside. He didn’t even turn the light on. I just felt my back hit the door as he shut it, and his lips were on mine again.
I felt his hands grab at my hips, hoisting me up and pressing me against the door. He stepped between my legs, and I wrapped them tightly around his waist. His dick was hard against my middle.
I moaned as his lips trailed down my neck, his teeth scraping just lightly. He sucked as he moved, and I knew he was leaving hickies. He knew exactly what he was doing, and I was putty in his hands.
“You smell fucking amazing,” he growled softly into my ear. “You have no idea how much it’s driving me crazy.”
I felt a blush cover my face as he tugged at my straps. His lips kissed over my collarbone, and down my shoulder as he moved them down. “And your skin is so soft.”
I felt my breath hitch as the dress slid down, landing around my waist. His lips pressed against mine hungrily, and I sank into the kiss. I grabbed at his shirt, unbuttoning it as quickly as I could. I was pretty sure I ripped one of the buttons, but I didn’t stop.
“You taste like the ice cream,” he growled as his hands moved from my waist up. His fingers were cold, and I shivered.
I broke the kiss and hissed. “Jesus, your hands are still cold. They are like ice blocks, Troy.”
I could feel his lips curl up. “Sorry. Maybe you can warm them.”
I felt his hands slide under my breast, and the cold contact took my breath away. I gasped, feeling his fingers tugging at my nipples. My toes curled, and I felt myself growing soaking wet.
“Troy,” I hardly could stammer his name out, not entirely sure if I liked what he was doing or not. It felt good, but it was almost painful because his hands were so cold.
He kissed me again, his mouth taking whatever breath I had left. I was panting for air, squirming under his touch. He had all the control.
“Do you have any idea how hard I am, Elize? When you stepped out in that dress, my cock jerked. I wanted to skip dinner and drag you to my bed right there.”
I felt my face was hot, and I felt like my insides were melting.
“I can feel how hard you are, Troy.”
His other hand moved, grabbing at my hair. He tilted my head up. “Do you really think one time is going to be enough for me?”
The question caught me off guard. I couldn’t tell if it was really him asking or just the lust of the moment.
“What are you saying?”
His eyes seemed to look almost hurt for a split second before he loosened his hold on my hair. “We’d better make this count.”