Chapter 9: Day Out

*Roharu*

We arrive at the park and Xavier is watching over us from a distance. I open the door for her and she chuckles at the gesture. I grin.

"My romantic side, just for you," I say and guide her to a tree stump set as a table and some smaller pieces placed as chairs. A blanket was already placed on top, and there are baskets of food and some drinks for us.

She sits and looks around, still surprised. "I admit this was unexpected, Ro. And I like it."

I bow my head and smile at her. "I aim to please," I add and she shakes her head laughing. Then I sit next to her and she perks a brow. "Next to me? Usually, it is in front so you can see the eyes of the person you are talking to…"

I look at her and smirk. "Like this, I can feel you better. I like making your heart jump,"

She elbows me hard and we both laugh. It is strangely entertaining and also funny, teasing about werewolf things to a human, my human. I am struggling a bit with what she is to me, and I am breaking the conventional ways to act when a mate is a human.

"Did you pick what your people were going to set on the table for us? Or did you let them all figure it out on the go?" She asks me and I chuckle.

"Of course I told them what to prepare!" I open the basket on my side and take out three small containers. "Your favorite; chicken sandwich with extra cheese and lettuce," I say as I open one, then when I open the other one I add. "Green salad with lettuce, some green beans, arugula, and boiled eggs," I grin proudly as she smiles, impressed. "And last but not least, freshly baked garlic and cheese sticks," I say opening the third container, which is still hot thanks to the steam created by the warm bread.

"Ro…" She says my name softly as she looks at me.

"Enna…" I whisper back, leaning closer to her; I can see she is about to cry. She closes her eyes and wraps her arm around me, pressing her cheek on me. I hold her close and kiss the top of her head. "Shhh… it's ok," I tell her as I can feel her hold back tears.

My beautiful and wonderful Sienna, what made you so sad and so careful about the world that such small gestures provoke tears in you? I vow to protect you. And I will defend you from everything, human or wolf, that could ever try to harm you. I lost you once, years ago, but I will not lose you again.

-

*Sienna*

As I take a deep breath and regain my composure, he gently lets me go as I adjust myself back in my place and pick some of the salad to eat. He thought about all the things I like, and made his people prepare them for me. I can also see in the other basket, some steaks and meats of different kinds for him, just as the third basket has drinks for us: my coke and his whiskey.

"I know I promised you that I was going to tell you all today… but can we enjoy this evening, now, without questions? It is refreshing and relaxing," He asks without taking away his eyes from the food.

I think about his words and I feel a bit mad that I won't get answers, but I find his request so simple, and I really want to do the same. I nod as I take another bite of the salad.

"Sounds fair," I say and then leave it there.

And so we enjoy the afternoon together; we laugh and joke and make silly remarks about some people who walk by. I tease him for coming to a day at the park wearing a suit and he removes his jacket and unbuttons his shirt. He will always be the elegant Roharu Lancaster, and charming as no one could compare.

Just as he asked me not to make questions, I don't let him ask me any, and I also push away any prejudice or second thoughts I might have about him. I am not going to think about the why or how, I am letting the evening flow with my long-time best friend.

His phone rang a few times; he apologized for checking to see who was calling, but he never answered any of the calls. I told him he could if they were important, but he dismissed the idea quickly. He is paying full attention to me. And the crazy thing is, we are not doing anything special but spending some time together.

"Maybe if I find Cassie again, we can go out and have some fun," I say after we remembered one time when we all went out to a club and ran away before we caused a fight.

He pours me more coke and adds a slice more of lemon. "Indeed, that would be a crazy fun idea. But I thought you were avoiding those kinds of places," He points out as he looks at me. "You have become nerdier."

I giggle and adjust my glasses, then remove them. "I only wear them because my eyes get tired after being in front of computers so much when I am working with some school papers, and reading for an absurd amount of time," I laugh about it myself. "I could get rid of them and still see perfectly fine. But it also works as a defense mechanism; idiots don't come after smarty girls." I chuckle and put my glasses back on. "I guess I don't need them, but I need them," I finish.

He smiles at me and nods. "Yes, and you look lovely with them." I blush and look away, trying to escape his deep gaze.

He slides his fingers under my chin and pulls me back. "Don't look away, I love your blush." His voice lowers and I feel goosebumps in my skin.

He can kiss me and take my breath away, but he holds himself back and I thank him mentally for it. I would have a hard time controlling myself here. Because everything is so perfect.

After we finish our delightful meal, I think it to be the perfect time to go home. I feel tired, drained. It seems to me that each time I spend some hours with him, I feel like this. I sigh and enjoy the breeze that comes from the trees.

"I have to go back home, Ro…" I say.

He nods slowly, his face blank. "I will take you to your apartment," I nod and get up, but when I try to pick up, he stops me. "They will pick the stuff up after we are gone," He tilts his head towards a direction and I see two people standing in casual clothes bowing their heads to Ro. I shake my head; of course, he would never be alone.

I shrug as I chuckle and pick up my purse. He watches me put my coat back on and then, in a typical Ro style, he takes my hand and pulls me close. "May I have another date?"

His question is unexpected but also wanted. I smile at him while I process his words. "Yes, of course, and let us make it a dinner this time…" my words draw a wide smile on his face.

"Tomorrow, I will pick you up from your apartment. Do you work tomorrow?" He asks as his fingers brush up and down my back. He knows how to distract me.

"No, I don't, but I have some chores to do, as a normal human does, and a few errands to run," I say to him as a matter of a fact.

He nods and puts his arm around mine, we head to his car as some last words escape his mouth. "Hopefully, you will allow me to transform that human life of yours…" And just like that, he plants the thoughts of a future with him.