"Hello?" Alpha Ellis’s strong voice came through the line.
"Alpha. It's Robert Sanna,” I said.
“Robert, what can I do for you? he replied.
“I wanted to tell you I invited Blake. I mean Alpha Caldwell over to my home for dinner. I know I'm in Belle Fort lands. I wasn't thinking. I don't—"
"Robert, take a breath," Alpha Ellis said, cutting off my rambling. "It's okay. Thank you for letting me know. I'm not worried. In fact, I'm glad."
"Thank you, Alpha. I just don't want any problems for Blake," I said.
"There won't be any problems. We'll talk more later. Have a great evening with your mate. I hope you have an incredible mating," he replied with a laugh.
"Alpha, this just dinner. It doesn't mean we're mating," I said even though my heart was telling me something different.
"Whatever you say, Robert. Have fun,” he said with a snicker before disconnecting the call.
I looked at the clock on my phone. Thirty minutes. How could thirty minutes have passed? Then I looked down at my clothes and rushed to my room. I was dressed in a T-shirt and sweatpants, definitely not how I wanted my mate to see me.
I threw off my clothes and pulled out pair of black jeans and a red button-down shirt. I looked to my bathroom. Did I have time for a shower? I looked back to the clock.
"What the hell? I can make it," I said to myself.
I rushed to the bathroom and turned on the shower. I didn't even wait for the water to heat.
"Fuck," I yelped.
The water was like an ice bath, but I pressed on, grabbing my body wash and giving myself a quick scrub. I hurriedly cleaned and exited, turning off the shower just as the water was beginning to warm.
That had to be the fastest shower I've ever taken, I thought. I shook my head as I swiftly dried. I threw my towel over the door before shucking on my jeans.
I was buttoning my shirt when the sound of gravel crunching caught my attention. He was here. My wolf started dancing in my mind again. My heart felt like it was going to beat out of my chest. I inhaled deeply and looked in the mirror.
"I can do this," I whispered.
I started toward the door just as I heard a knock. I inhaled again and steadied myself before opening the door. All thoughts fled my mind. Blake was even more gorgeous than I remembered. He was wearing nice jeans and a tight green V-neck that accentuated his muscled arms.
My cock hardened as I thought of how I wanted to strip him and have my way with him. He shuffled a little awkwardly, snapping me out of my sexy thoughts.
"Hi," I said lamely.
Blake smiled. "Hi, darlin’.”
I loved the sound of his voice. There was a slight twang to it, and I remembered he said he was from Texas. I stood silently as my mind pictured him in a cowboy hat and chaps until I noticed his smile begin to drop.
"Sorry, I… Come in. Please," I stammered, moving aside.
He walked past me, and my wolf growled in pleasure at the scent of caramel. I gave my head a quick shake and closed the door.
Turning around, I began, "I'm real—"
Blake moved fast and kissed me, cutting me off. I moaned, loving the taste of my mate. I kissed him back and swung him around, pressing him against the door. He growled, and I pushed on, ravaging his mouth like a man thirsty for water.
Beep…beep…
I leaned back at the sound of my oven and stared at my mate. My vision had gone monochrome, and my wolf was showing. The sounds of our breathing filled the room.
"Sorry, I couldn't stop myself," Blake said.
"I wanted the same thing." I paused. "But I think it's best if we talk some more before anything else."
He nodded. "You're right. We should talk.”
Beep…beep…
I leaned forward, gave him a quick peck, then turned toward the kitchen. I pressed the timer on the oven and pulled out our meal. It smelled amazing.
"That really is the loudest buzzer I've heard," Blake said from behind me.
I finished placing the chicken on the stove then turned around. "Yeah, but it did its job, though. Otherwise, dinner would have burned. What did you want to drink? I have a beer, soda, or a nice red if you like wine," I said as I began to pull out plates for the table.
"I can help with those," he said, grabbing the plates from my hands. "And I like any of those options. What would you prefer?"
"Wine it is then," I said with a chuckle.
I pulled out the wine and started to pour a couple of glasses. "You said you moved up from Texas. What made you decide on Tyler?" I asked, deciding to continue our phone conversation from earlier.
Blake gazed up from setting the dishes on the table. "My father was the one to convince me it was time for a change. These past six years since Beth died, I've spent all my time and energy focusing on Jamie."
I lifted my brow in question. "Jamie?"
Blake got quiet and brought the chicken to the table. I stared at him, wondering who on earth Jamie could be. Was it someone I had to worry about? Blake looked up to me after setting our dinner on the table, and his shoulders slumped.
"Jamie is my son," he said softly.
"Your son?" I asked in surprise. Blake having a son brought a whole new element to our mating.