Page 33 of The Alpha's Protective Mate

It’s hard to speak the words when they feel so harsh toward myself. However, I have to get them out.

“I really don’t think you’re a bad person, but toying with me or painting a target on my back is cruel, Robert,” I say slowly. “If your people attack me or decide I’m being a nuisance to you, I can’t defend myself. I don’t have that kind of strength.”

“Nobody will bother you,” he says, refusing to budge. “Dinner, tonight. You did promise, didn’t you?”

I swallow.

He doesn’t seem to care about my concerns.

“What are you trying to do here?” I ask weakly.

“I just want to have dinner with you.” He lightly taps the back of my hand “I’ll pick you up at seven?”

“Robert—”

But he has set down the money for his purchase and is walking out the door.

Jazz and Gina are instantly by my side. “You two are going out on a date?”

They look far too pleased.

“It’s not a date,” I mutter.

“Sure sounded like one,” Jazz snickers.

“He just wants—It’s really not,” I insist.

Her smile fades after a second. “If he’s pressuring you to go to dinner—”

“No.” I rub my hands over my face. “That’s not it. It’s just—”

“Is it the scarring?” Gina asks sympathetically. “If so, I can understand.”

“I don’t mind his scars,” I blurt. “It’s complicated.”

Jazz shakes her head. “Things are only complicated if you overthink them. You’re always so serious. You need to loosen up a little. We only get one life, you know? Go have fun, get drunk, be a little flirty. You don’t have to sleep with him. Just let loose.”

The idea does sound a bit appealing.

Maybe I shouldn’t aim to get drunk, but I could try to enjoy the dinner. It’s been a while since I went out, especially with a man. Perhaps Robert is just testing me. For what, I don’t know, but he’ll soon find out that I’m not much more than a human. I just have to prove that to him.

With that in mind, I spend my break searching for nice casual restaurants or dining spots. When closing time rolls around, I have a place in mind. It’s not fancy enough to say “date,” but also not so casual as to suggest I’m a cheapskate. I’ve also calmed down considerably. I really don’t know what Robert is up to, but he’s not romantically interested in me. He can’t be. I’m a vampire. No shifter in their right mind would even look at a vampire in that way.

That’s right.

There’s a large chasm between us that neither of us can cross, and that goes a long way in reassuring me.

However, when the clock strikes seven, the door opens and Robert walks in. Instead of a wriggly little puppy in his hands, he’s holding what looks like a small, hand-woven basket filled with beautiful, colorful flowers.

“Here.” He smiles at me, handing me the basket. It’s dainty enough to hang from my arm if I want, and absolutely adorable. “I got you these. Pretty flowers for a pretty lady.”

It’s a corny thing to say, and despite the line I keep trying to draw between us, I can’t help but sniff the flowers. “I—Why’d you get me flowers?”

“I wanted to.”

Jazz wolf whistles. “Those are gorgeous. And not cheap. Somebody has the hots for you.”

The last part is whispered to me, but she doesn’t know that Robert can hear her. He just smirks.

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