"Want a drink?" he asked, glancing at her after they changed into their suits. He could see her face had paled slightly. She nodded.
He thought about when they were out on their first date and how they had danced and drank. So, they sat for a little bit and had a glass. But after a few minutes, he pulled her onto the dance floor.
She seemed to enjoy herself a little, but it wasn't like before. He didn't understand. She had a splendid time on their first date, and it seemed like she was shying away tonight.
So, he changed his approach. He took her to the back of the boat, where it was a little quieter. They found a seat in the back, where they could hardly hear the music and mostly just heard the water. She seemed to relax a little. He hoped that maybe it was just the number of people making it harder for her to completely relax.
"So, tell me something," he said, wanting to get the conversation rolling again. She had been rather quiet since they got on the yacht.
She looked at him, holding a confused look. "Like what?"
"Like what you wanted to be when you were little."
She shrugged, stirring her drink. "I don’t recall."
He frowned. That seemed to be her answer to most of his questions tonight. She didn't remember. She didn't care. Sure, that sounded nice. He didn't like it. He was trying to get closer to her, and she was pushing him away.
He was tired of beating around the bush. "What's the matter?"
She gave him that confused look once more. It irritated him.
"What's wrong? You've been uncomfortable since we arrived. I thought you'd enjoy this. There is music so we can dance, and we can chat with some people."
He watched her take a deep breath as she rubbed her hand over her arm. "I know you want me to feel like I'm a part of your world, but I don't. I feel like an imposter, and everyone can tell that I don't belong here. And the gifts you bought. They only make me feel worse. I don't want you to throw money at me."
He frowned. No one here was going to care if she had money or not. He certainly didn't.
"I got the gifts because I was trying to win your affection. I thought you deserved it after how well the first date went. It wasn't because I was trying to throw money at you." He set his drink down. "And no one is going to care what your income is or what you do for work. That's all in your head. I promise. Everyone here is just here to have a good time."
He was trying to calm her mind, but he didn't think it was working. If anything, it seemed to be doing the opposite.
Her face sharpened, and she looked away. "I'm finding that hard to believe. I know you're only trying to help, but it's not. I feel like everyone is looking at me, trying to figure out my dirty little secret."
"Honestly." He chuckled, shaking his head. "No one cares about that stuff. No one cares if you were raised in an orphanage or if you vacationed at Martha's Vineyard."
Her eyes snapped toward him, and they narrowed. "No, they don't, and neither do you. How do you know that I wasn't? Maybe I have secrets."
He frowned, hating how the conversation clearly took a turn. He didn't know anything about her, and that was the point of dating. They were supposed to start learning these things, but she was making it almost impossible for him when she wouldn’t answer any questions.
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know. That you are correct on, but I'd like to learn, Kate. I'd like to know what you did when you were little and what your dreams were. I've only been trying to know all night, but you're giving me nothing to work off here. You have your walls so high I can't even see in and catch the smallest glimpse of who you are."
He watched her jaw clench.
"If I'm so hard to get to know, why are you continuing to pursue me? Wouldn't a normal person just move on by now? What is in this for you?"
He frowned, pushing himself up. He was honestly hoping to have the mating conversation a little farther down the line, but she wasn't leaving him much room to work with her. It was clear he needed to just lay everything down if he was going to get her to understand. So, he threw his hands out. "I'm a shifter. I'm a panther shifter.”
“Yeah. Gerri told me.”
“Well, I bet what you don't know is that shifters have mates, and Kate, you're mine."
He watched her blink, seeming to process his words. She didn't say anything for a few solid seconds before she pulled herself up and pulled her purse close. She frowned at him. "I'm sorry. But I don't think I'll ever fall for someone like you."
His entire body froze, but he was prepared for this. It was hard for humans to understand. He just needed to take it slow.
SEVEN
KATE