and he spent the brief time between arrival and actually eating observing the apartment. It had come furnished and Dorian hadn’t done much in the way of personally decorating the space, but it was home. And maybe he had no personal style, but he did know how to cook in a few simple things in a pinch. He simply chose not to most days because takeout was easier thank cooking for one.
Hyatt ate a huge plate of the roast and veg.
“This is delicious,” Jenks said halfway through the meal. “Sincerely, Dorian. I’ve eaten a lot of differently spiced pot roasts over the years, and yours is far superior. Just don’t tell my mate I said so.”
“Thank you, sir. That is a very high compliment.” Dorian met and held Hyatt’s gaze. “For as fancy as some of today’s events have been, I wanted to end the day on a personal note. I’m not a chef but I have a few recipes up my sleeves.”
“I’m impressed by your food,” Hyatt said. “How often do you plan on cooking in the future?”
“As often as I need to in order to keep my family happy.” He might have to take a cooking class or two, but he would for his mate. “Hyatt…you are the kindest person I’ve ever met, and I truly wish to keep getting to know you better.”
“I’d like the same. You have impressed me today, Dorian. Truly impressed me.” He winked, which was incredibly adorable. “I think you’ve even impressed Karter, too, and that’s not easy to do.”
“He’s right about that,” Jenks said in a jovial tone. “Rebel impressed me quickly because of all he’d sacrificed to protect his brothers. I am not looking forward to when Jaxson and Jenson start dating. There’s no mating bond with betas, they simply…choose each other.”
“You have three beta brothers who are all happily married. Did you interrogate their husbands on the first date?”
Jenks snickered. “Not the first date.”
The deadpan delivery made Dorian smile. He truly liked Senior Jenks and his quiet sense of humor. Also his fierce love of his family—even the non-blood members of it. “All I wanted to do today,” Dorian said to Hyatt, “was show you who I am. I’m a mix of things. Yes, I grew up privileged and with wealth, but I’m more than my credit account. I like fancy steaks and bone marrow toast, but I also like nature walks and old movies and buckets of popcorn.”
“I like that stuff too,” Hyatt replied. “And homemade pot roast.”
“Then I’ll make it for you once a week.” Dorian coughed softly when he realized what he’d said. “Um, if you agree to be my mate, of course. And no pressure. We’ve only known each other for a week.”
“Karter and Jax knew each other less time when they mated. But they were also facing very different circumstances. You and I have time on our side.”
Part of Dorian didn’t want time. He wanted to haul Hyatt onto his lap and kiss him breathless. To taste that amazing cherry scent on his tongue. To know what it felt like to hold his bondmate close and simply exist together. But even if Jenks hadn’t been there, Dorian would not have done that. He had too much respect for Hyatt and what he’d been through to ever physically take anything Hyatt didn’t freely give first.
Dorian never wanted his bondmate to fear him.
“We do have time,” Dorian agreed, “and I will always go at your pace.”
“I believe you. And I would definitely like a second date. Just the two of us next time.”
“I would enjoy that as well.” They finished their meal with simple conversation, and then Dorian offered coffee. Both of his guests declined. At that point, he’d had Hyatt’s attention for the better part of nine hours, so it was time to call it a night. Even though he didn’t want to.
Dorian drove Hyatt and Jenks home, the entire time wishing he could keep Hyatt all to himself. To hold his bondmate close and revel in his unique cherry scent. But this was about more than simply winning over Hyatt. He needed the man’s family to trust him, too, or he and Hyatt didn’t have a chance.
If Hyatt chose him at all. Bondmate or not, having children was a huge deal-breaker for Hyatt, and Dorian simply could not commit to that, and for multiple reasons.
He walked Hyatt to the front door. Jenks went inside, giving them a moment alone on the porch. “Today was the