and gushed as she took the bouquet. She sniffed one of the flowers, her dainty nose brushing against the petals. “What do these signify?” she asked, her eyes glued to his.
“Gratitude and joy,” he answered, his voice hoarse with the burning need to kiss her.
“Oh. That’s nice. A step above friendship, then.”
“Yup,” he said, stuffing his hands in the pockets of his athletic wear trousers. “I’m both grateful and overjoyed that we get to spend time together.”
He followed behind her as she went into the kitchen to drop the new roses into a fresh vase. Her movements weren’t as shy as she had once been around him. He was seeing the Chacha of her, the way she had been their first night together at the masquerade. This bolstered him. She was starting to feel more comfortable around him. Maybe a few more dates, and he could make his way up to some red roses and a kiss.
“I’ve gotta say, I’ve never been asked to wear workout gear for a date. You’re treading dangerous water here, Rush.”
He chuckled and reached out for her, unable to stop himself. The teasing in her eyes had been too much for him to resist. He held her close, his hands on her hips, and he laid a kiss on the top of her hair.
“Have no fear. We will have fun. If not, we can always come back here and do some more crafts.” He winked at her before leading them out of the apartment and to his waiting car.
This time, as he was the date’s organizer, he drove. He knew that Chantal’s smell would linger in his vehicle long after she had gone. It gave him a little thrill which went right to his dick. Her scent was something so damn pure and exquisite. He could remember her taste very clearly too. He had conjured the memory of it during every shower he had taken in the last few days.
A man had needs. Especially when he and his mate had put up a no-sex rule.
At the very least, she didn’t seem to mind that he enjoyed holding her hand. He had one hand on the steering wheel, driving them out of town, and the other held her.
“I’m guessing we’re not doing something in the city, then.” She pointed to the fast-changing landscape.
The busy streets were quickly replaced by long stretches of fields and trees. “No. We can’t do what I’ve got planned within the city limits.”
“Can I admit that I’m definitely terrified? I’m scared of heights, you know.”
Rush chuckled. “I’m not going to make you climb up high. Even if I did, I would definitely be there to catch you. You will always be safe with me, love. Trust that.”
“I do.” She squeezed his hand. “Do you happen to know what rose or flower represents trust?”
He frowned, wondering where she was going with the thought. “No. Should I know this?”
“You have known two so far. I thought I’d ask.”
“Well, that’s because I do research before picking up a bouquet.”
“Wow. So, it’s not just something you pick up at the grocery store?”
“I mean, the flowers do come from a flower shop that just happens to be in a grocery store. But I know what I’m looking for ahead of time.”
“A man prepared. I like that. It bodes well for whatever is meant to happen tonight.”
He laughed again, turning the car off the highway and onto a backcountry road. Soon enough, the sign announcing the nature reserve came into view. Chantal’s eyes popped wide.
“Oh, damn. Nature? You’ve brought me out into nature? You do know I trip on nothing, right? You saw me tripping on the carpet.”
“Yup. But again, I will catch you. You’re safe.”
Rush drove through the tall wooden gate and parked the car amongst the other vehicles. The lot was relatively empty, which bode well for him if he did decide to shift into his animal.
“I need to get you an iris bouquet,” she said, holding up her phone open to a search engine. “That’s one of the flowers that signifies trust.”
“Good to know,” he winked before unbuckling her seat belt.
He stretched his legs as he moved around the car. Chantal was busy taking in her surroundings. “I never even knew this was out here. I’ve lived here my whole life. I guess it just goes to show that my family isn’t too big on nature. Unless you’re talking about a fabric print. My dad loves nature prints for shirts and dresses. It drives my