Chapter 5

FIVE

A lex had to talk his wolf into letting him enjoy his date with Lena multiple times. The savage side of him wanted Lena in the most basic of ways and it wasn't letting Alex forget it.

The clink of cutlery and the soft murmur of conversations set the background music as Alex and Lena were seated at a cozy corner table in his favorite Italian restaurant. It was the place his parents had gone to on their first date and they made a point of going there on the anniversary of their first date every year. They sat away from the prying eyes and eavesdropping ears of the rest of the world.

Alex watched Lena as she perused the menu, her brow furrowed in concentration. "Anything jumping out at you?" he asked, his voice low, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

Lena looked up, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I'm leaning toward the spaghetti carbonara, but I'm worried—will I be judged harshly if I am not very ladylike while eating?"

Alex chuckled, his gaze unwavering. "Only if I can't join you in making a mess. Fair is fair, after all."

Their order placed, the real dance began—a tango of words and laughter. "So, Lena," Alex started, leaning back in his chair, "when you're not chasing rare books or dodging blind dates arranged by your mother, how do you spend your time?"

She tapped a finger to her lips, a playful gleam in her eye. "Well, I dabble in amateur wizardry, and I'm on a first-name basis with every video game console known to man. How about you? What hidden hobbies does the mysterious bookshop owner harbor?"

Alex grinned. "Am I that transparent? But since you've asked, I'm an aspiring sommelier with a passion for night runs. The quiet of the evening is perfect for... clearing one's head."

"Night runs, huh?" Lena's tone was light, teasing. "Is that code for howling at the moon?"

"Perhaps," he admitted with a grin. "But only on the clearest of nights."

The waiter arrived with their meals, and conversation paused as they both took a moment to appreciate the dishes before them. The first bite was a symphony of flavors, and he watched Lena moan and close her eyes in appreciation.

"Good?" Alex asked, his voice a low rumble.

"Mmm," she hummed in response. When she opened her eyes, their gazes met with an intensity he hadn't thought possible. "Very good."

He didn't just want Lena. There was a special something about her that made her even more special than he realized.

As the meal progressed, so did their exchange, a volley of questions that wove a tapestry of their lives.

"If you could be any character in a video game, who would you be?" Lena asked, twirling pasta on her fork.

"Easy. Link from The Legend of Zelda. There's something about a quest in a land of myth that's appealing."

Lena nodded in approval. "A hero's journey with puzzles to solve and dragons to slay. Nice choice."

"Also," he grinned and rubbed his thumb over her palm, "I'd love to have someone to link with."

Her smile of understanding made him want her even more. "Yeah. I get that."

He watched her lick her lips and sucked in a harsh breath. "And you? If you had the chance to live in any book, which would it be?"

She pretended to ponder but he could tell she'd been ready the moment he asked the question. "Hogwarts, without a doubt. I'd ace Potions class and play Quidditch on weekends."

Their laughter blended into the warm atmosphere of the bistro, and as the candles on the tables flickered casting shadows that danced just like the excitement within them, Alex found himself drawn to her in a way that felt both ancient and thrillingly new.

"What's the silliest thing you've ever done?" he inquired, a challenge in his eyes.

She gaped at him in feigned shock. "Besides agreeing to a date with a man who finds rare books and rescues damsels from terrible blind dates?" She raised a playful eyebrow. "I once participated in a zombie flash mob. Full makeup and everything."

"No way."

"We did the Thriller dance to perfection," she said proudly. "It's on YouTube."

"That's impressive," Alex admitted, his admiration genuine. "Your turn—ask me anything."

Lena leaned forward, resting her chin in her hand. "Okay, tell me—have you ever read a romance novel?"

A blush tinged Alex's cheeks, and he cleared his throat. "Well, as a matter of fact, I have. Research for the store," he added quickly, which only made Lena laugh more.

"Research," she gave a throaty giggle. "Is that what we're calling it now?"

He stared at her lips and then met her gaze. "We can call it whatever you want, princess."

He watched her chest strain under the flimsy fabric of her dress when she took a deep breath. Fuck, she was stunning. She'd been beautiful earlier in her cargo jeans and retro tee, her long dark hair in a ponytail. But now, in this dress, her skin shimmering under the candlelight and the flush of her desire spreading over her cheeks, she was stunning.

The scent of her arousal was driving him crazy. He didn't know how much longer he could control his wolf but he had to get a taste of her soon.

"Whatever I want?" she asked softly.

"Yes."

She licked her lips and glanced at his mouth. "I want dessert."