But I’m not in heat. So this is just normal wanting.
His eyes flash at me as if he knows, his nostrils flaring, and then I realize he can smell me when I’m aroused. And he knows the smell well.
“That’s not on the agenda today.” I shake my finger at him warningly. “Sorry about that.”
“Never apologize for being aroused. It’s my new favorite scent.” He leans over and kisses my cheek softly. “I’ll be back soon.”
And he’s up and out the door before I realize that he never did verify what I should wear.
I finally settle on a black skirt and a loose flowery top. It’s cute but not super fancy. I slip my feet into black flats and check myself out in the mirror. It’s still amazing how full my figure is now. How shiny my skin is. A knock on the door startles me, and I straighten my hair one last time.
“This will be fine,” I reassure myself out loud. “You’re just going on your first date with your fated mate. No big deal.”
The clicking of the lock as I turn it is like the sound of a brand-new start, a promise of what’s to come. Aarick stands on the porch with a bouquet of flowers in one hand. He’s not overly dressed up either, which is a relief. He’s in jeans and a nicepolo. He hands me the flowers and I take them, inhaling deeply. “These are beautiful. Thank you. Let me get them into some water.”
He follows me into the kitchen, his gaze burning into my skin as I search under the sink for the vase that was here when I moved in. “I’ve never had anyone bring me flowers before a date.”
Aarick starts at this, his head jerking toward me. “Really? That’s…ridiculous.”
“Well, the dating pool isn’t the greatest out there.” I grab the glass dish and hold it under the faucet. Once it’s ready, I arrange the bouquet carefully and set it in the center of my table.
“Ready?” He offers me his hand, and I hesitate at first. This seems like more than just taking his hand. This is giving us a real chance. But it feels like the right thing to do.
“Ready.”
When Aaric pulls upto the brightly colored building, I’m suspicious that he’s joking. “Are you sure this is the right place?”
“Positive.” He jumps out of the car without another word and rushes around the front to my side before opening the door. I step out, still curious, but I let him take my hand and lead me inside.
“Welcome to Lunar Arcade,” a cheerful voice greets us as we step inside.
“Thank you.” I nod in greeting, but I’m soon distracted by the flashing lights and sounds. Spinning in a slow circle, I take in everything around me. Tons of arcade games. Skee-Ball, Pac-Man—the classics. But there’s also a bunch of new ones I’ve never heard of.
“This is so cool,” I murmur, squeezing Aarick’s hand in excitement.
“They have laser tag too, so I made reservations for us to play a round after we check out all of this.” He motions to the games around us. “What should we do first?”
After rounds of air hockey, basketball, Skee-Ball, and every other game we come across, we suit up for laser tag. He hooks my vest for me, his finger brushing the exposed skin between my shirt and leggings, and my quick intake of breath catches my attention.
“Looks like you two are the only ones in this round.” The pimply faced attendant eyes us suspiciously, as if two people playing is abnormal. “You’ll have to be on opposite teams, then.”
“Not a problem.” I flash a grin at Aarick. “I can handle a little competition.”
He hooks on his own vest, releases the gun from its holster, and narrows his eyes at me. “But can you handle being chased?”
He’s so close to me that I could count his eyelashes. My quick intake of breath and the flood of arousal to my belly must be obvious to him, because he closes his eyes as if he’s in pain, andwhile he’s an alpha, it’s a mark that I truly hold the power here. That makes me even wetter. The door buzzes, shocking us apart, and we step inside the arena.
The attendant says, “Go to your home bases. The buzzer will sound, then you’ll have fifteen minutes.”
I rush over to my side—the blue on the tower matching my blue vest—without looking back to see which way Aarick goes. I need a breather after that heated moment. The buzzer sounds and the hard rock music thunders throughout the room, making it impossible to hear anything else—for a normal person. But if I focus really hard, I can make out the slight sound of footsteps across the room, through the other towers and barrels blocking the way.
As I slink around the obstacles, it’s obvious that I’m stealthier now. I move more quietly, and my limbs seem easier to control. The idea that Aarick could sneak up on me because he’s a bit stronger than I am is exhilarating and nerve-racking at the same time. I duck down below a wooden bar, then slowly peer over it to catch a glimpse of him. He’s closer now, so close his scent is invading my senses, and I know he can smell me.
A wicked thought crosses my mind. I toe off my shoes as quietly as possible, then pull my underwear down, leaving my skirt on. I hurry back into my clothes and slip my shoes on before hanging my panties from the edge of the wooden plank. Then I sneak back to my hiding place behind the tower and wait. I don’t know Aarick that well yet, but I would bet money that he’s not searching for me by sound. A few minutes later, I’m proven correct. He darts around the corner, his laser gun aimed and ready, but he lowers it and his jaw when he sees my panties hanging there.
I peek out from my spot, take aim, and push the trigger, my laser deactivating his vest immediately. He slowly turns toward me, his eyes dark and dangerous, and the thrill that runsthrough my body has nothing to do with fear. He stalks toward me, unhooking his vest and dropping it to the ground as he speeds into a run. I don’t have time to lose mine and just take off, squealing with delight as he chases me around the room. I dodge barrels and dunk under planks.
“I can smell how wet you are for me, love,” he growls. It’s almost a whisper but somehow so loud that he could be right behind me. “I thought you weren’t afraid of a little competition.”
