“Casey,” he said, smiling. “Thank you so much for coming on this date with me.”
Jake didn’t really notice, but his tone had become clipped and formal. Casey looked up at him, raising one eyebrow as she slowly buttered a piece of bread.
“I’m very interested in you,” Jake said, confidence oozing from his every syllable. “I’d very much like for this to work out between us. Let’s go over the details so we can come to an arrangement.”
Casey laughed softly, taking a bite of the soft, crusty bread. He was mesmerized by the creamy butter getting all over her lips and the way she casually licked it off.
“You don’t do this very often, do you?” she asked, her eyes dancing with amusement.
Jake felt a stab of uncertainty. “Ah … no. I’m not usually the relationship kind of guy. I don’t date much,” he said, losing his formal tone as he floundered. Admitting he wasn’t experienced at this was giving him a faint sense of anxiety. “I’d only consider settling down for the right woman,” he said, trying to sound firm and determined but failing.
Mercifully, the first course came. Jake focused on his plate for a few moments, seasoning his salad far more than necessary so he could gather his thoughts. When he looked up, Casey was watching him, slowly tearing up a sweet, sticky pastry with her fingers and eating it piece by tiny piece, licking sugar off her fingers as she did so.
Jake felt like something had suddenly clamped around his balls and punched him in the stomach at the same time. Her gaze was warm, her eyes sparkling with amusement. He couldn’t take those sweet, rosy-pink lips slowly devouring the sugary pastry. When her tongue flicked out and teased her fingertips, he actually thought he might pass out.
Claim her!
The lion demanded he throw her on the table and claim her right then and there. Jake gripped his knife and fork until his knuckles were white. He’d never had to fight with his lion like this before.
“I can’t wait to get to know you better,” Jake said, hoping he sounded purposeful and confident, not trembly and terrified like the school nerd asking the head cheerleader to the prom. “I think you’re gorgeous and interesting and … well. I’ve never met anyone like you.”
Idiot.
Jake cursed himself for the crash and burn. He’d never had this much trouble flirting before.
Casey blushed, which made him feel much better. There was a distinct change to her scent at the same time, and Jake realized she was aroused.
Oh, fuck. Claim her right now!
Jake fought for control, his nails digging into his palms as he gripped the knife and fork even more tightly.
“I’m having a nice time,” Casey said. “I’m not sure about a serious date, though.”
She took another bite of glazed pastry, her finger lingering on her tongue as she did so. Jake was momentarily distracted. The words took a moment to register, and they kicked him right in the chest when they did.
“Wait, why?” he asked, trying not to snap. “Do you think I’m … ugly? Or is this a shifter thing?”
The words tumbled out of him, a brief torrent of insecurity. It wasn’t a feeling he was used to, and it pissed him off a bit.
“No, no,” she said, waving a hand. “Nothing like that. You’re quite …” Casey stared at him as she struggled to complete the sentence. Her cheeks blushed fiercely red, and her eyes glittered with passion.
Jake felt the magnetism between them strengthening, and he was pulled toward her so strongly that he almost groaned. To make matters worse, he could smell her arousal increasing too.
“You’re quite good-looking,” she finished firmly. “But I’m just concerned that we don’t have much in common. If I said yes to a second date, where would you like to go?”
Jake felt like his entire future rested on what he said next. He struggled desperately for the right words. He took in her flowing gown, chunky boots, and interesting haircut, calculating the details with intense focus.
Art. She must love art.
“How about an art gallery?” he asked, keeping his tone casual with extreme effort. “Or a museum? You can choose if you like, or I’ll pick one. What do you think?”
There was no mistaking the way her eyes lit up. The smile that spread across her face was pure joy mixed with surprise.
Yes!
“That sounds really fun,” she said. “Maybe you’re a bit more of an intellectual than I thought.”
“You didn’t think I was intelligent?” he said, teasing her and softening it with a wink. Casey let out a hearty chuckle.