Page 87 of The Alpha's Protective Mate

“We’re not going home just yet,” he tells me. “I planned a date for us.”

“Shouldn’t you be asking me if I want to go on a date first?”

He glances at me. “You already said yes a few days ago.”

The man has an answer for everything.

I sigh, already knowing arguing with him isn’t going to get me anywhere.

“You’re taking me into the woods on a date?” I ask warily, eyeing him. “I think I want to bring my gun with me.”

He looks amused. “Why?”

“In case you try anything funny.”

“Don’t be a baby.” He puts his hands on my shoulders from behind, gently pushing me so I’ll start walking.

As we head towards the woods, I quip, “There better not be some fancy restaurant in there, Robert. I look like crap, crapped over.”

He grins at my description. “I think you look beautiful.”

I roll my eyes but can’t help blushing.

“Don’t worry.” He nudges me with his elbow. “It’s nothing fancy. Come on.”

I comply, still voicing my apprehension. “People get murdered by serial killers in the woods after dark, you know. I’ve seen the horror movies. It’s always an idiot like you who plans an evening like this, and everybody else gets killed by a machete-wielding lunatic.”

Robert is roaring with laughter now. “How about this: if I see someone holding a machete, I’ll steal it and give it to you. Nobody’s going to bother you with a machete in your hand.”

“You think you’re funny, huh?” I look up at him, my voice dark.

He presses a kiss on the top of my head, flustering me. “What are you scared of when you have an Alpha by your side? I’m not going to let anything happen to you. Now come on.”

He wraps his arm around me, and I can’t deny that his presence always makes me feel safe.

After another ten minutes in the forest, I finally hear the sound of rushing water. Emerging from the trees, I see a breathtaking sight.

There’s a small waterfall, and by the edge of the river, there are four poles set up and a thick blanket on the ground, along with a low rise table that has covered dishes on it. Robert lets out a sudden howl, making me jump. After a second, there is a responding howl, and he turns to look at me. “Now we’re alone.”

“Who was that?” I look around, expecting to see someone pop out from the bushes.

“My faithful assistant, Harry. He and Maria, the healer you met the other day, helped me set this up. They’re gone now.”

Fairy lights are strung over the poles, illuminating the area, and my chest tightens with an unknown emotion. “Why would you do all this for me? I don’t need—I mean, I would be happy with hot dogs on the side of the road. I’m not very high maintenance.”

Nobody’s ever done something like this for me, is what I’m silently saying. I don’t know how to react to it.

“Just because you think you’ll be happy with not even the bare minimum doesn’t mean I think that way, too.” Robert loops his arm around my waist, turning me around to face him. “I think I want to shower you with everything because you’re such an incredible woman.” A sheepish look forms on his face. “I know we have a rather large age gap—”

“I don’t care how old you are,” I murmur, my heart swelling with emotion. “I just don’t know what to say when you’ve put so much effort into this. It’s beautiful.”

“You don’t need to say anything.” He kisses my cheek. “Just enjoy the moment. I had Mrs. Mallory make some of your favorite dishes.”

As he takes my hand and guides me to the blanket, excitement in his eyes, I wonder dimly if this is what falling in love feels like, this tender emotion brewing within me.

Chapter 18

Charlotte Sanguinite

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