Page 24 of His Determined Bear

It would be up to me to tell him, but not tonight. That kind of information might be too much for a first date. I was also pretty sure that telling him he was my soulmate and a blessing from the Great Urs would definitely freak him out and send him running. I needed to woo him first, then I could tell him.

I was pretty sure that could wait until our second date.

“It’s okay, Graham. I won’t push, and you can take it at your speed. At least I know he’s in good hands,” Aaron said as he clapped a hand on my shoulder and gave me a squeeze of reassurance before turning toward the door.

When Aaron reached for the doorknob, every inch of my body took notice when the door swung open. Before anyone appeared, I knew it was him. Cooper appeared surprised to find us standing on the porch.

“Hi.” Cooper fanned his hand in an awkward wave that was just so adorable. He cleared his throat, “I was just checking to see if you’d arrived.” That beautiful blush appeared on his face. “I mean not because I was waiting, but you did say seven, right? So uh, it’s seven and…” his voice trailed off.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to keep you waiting,” I said immediately. Cooper’s cute babbling warmed my heart to know that he was either excited for our date or he was afraid I would stand him up. Maybe it was wishful thinking, or I was reading too much into his behavior. Still, no matter what he said or did, I was convinced he was excited about our date.

If he only knew, there was no chance that I would ever stand him up. I would have to be locked up, and even then, I’d claw my way out just for this moment.

“Oh, you didn’t keep me waiting. I was just… I figured, you know, reservations,” Cooper replied with a nervous laugh, looking adorable flustered and waving that hand around again. I'm beginning to think that was a tell for when he was nervous. Thankfully Aaron had disappeared into the house and closed the door behind him.

All I could do was smile and wave. “Hello again,” I murmured. It would appear that all my brain cells seemed to have deserted me. “Hold on,” I said upon the realization that I’d forgotten something. I spun around, hurrying back to my car. My excitement to see him caused me to forget the bouquet of flowers I’d picked up for him.

His eyes widened as he watched me make my way back to him on the top step, flowers in hand. “Are those for me?”he asked with a hint of disbelief in his tone.

I nodded. Now I was feeling bashful for some reason.

“I’m sorry they’re not in a vase. I saw them at the last minute and,” I shrugged, “they reminded me of your eyes. These are a little too dark, but Blue orchids usually come in several different shades of blue. I guess this works too because your eyes darken whenever you get—” I closed my mouth before I could finish that sentence.

Cooper took a step closer to me, his expression more curious than upset. “When I get what, Graham?”

Angry and aroused were the two words that came to mind. I hoped to keep that look of wonder swirling in Cooper’s eyes.

“Passionate,” I finally settled on, staring into those eyes that almost matched the orchids in my hand as they darkened.I wanted to swim in their depths this very moment.

“Really?” he whispered with a hint of disbelief.

I was caught off guard in this unlikely sensual moment, and all I could do was nod. Cooper took another step towards me until his hand covered mine, still holding the flowers. My whole body flared to life as if suddenly jolted with an electric current, and all I wanted to do was wrap him up in my arms and never ever let him go.

Before I could think of something to say, the sound of athroat clearing brought me back to earth with a thud. I wasn’t sure how much time had passed while we stood there on that front porch in the cold, but somehow I’d missed both Aaron and Kelly standing there. I wasn’t ashamed of the way Cooper made me feel, but at the same time, I couldn’t believe we’d been swept away into our own bubble.Never in my life had I experienced something so innocent and pure.

“Those are lovely flowers,” Kelly said. “How about I take them and get them in some water for you? Then you two can get going.”

I looked at Cooper to make sure that it was okay with him. “Thanks, mom.” Cooper took the flowers from me, finally breaking the connection between us.

“I also brought your coat out for you,” Kelly said.

My mate looked surprised but thanked her and exchanged the flowers for his coat. She smiled as I took it from him and held it so he could easily put it on.

Maybe I was reading too much into things again, but Kelly had always given me the impression that she was on my side and approved of me pursuing her son. I hoped I was right since I planned to claim Cooper as my mate. And Kelly would become my mother-in-law, which made her family.

When he was ready to go, I placed my hand on the small of his back as I walked Cooper over to my car. I expected his body to tense but was happily surprised when he moved closer to allow my hand and arm to pull him into me.The feel of his warmth against my side felt like a missing piece of my puzzle being snapped into place.

I opened the car door with my free hand, then waited as he settled into the car. Closing his door, I walked to the driver's side. Movement on the porch caught my eye. There stood Kelly, wrapped in Aaron’s arms, smiling and giving me the thumb’s up. I smiled in return, my heart doing a little leap. Yep, she was definitely an ally. Hopefully, she would help me make Cooper mine.

I slipped into the car, started the engine and heater, then turned to face Cooper. He smiled shyly at me. “I don’t remember if I thanked you for the flowers or not, but that was really thoughtful of you to bring them.” Cooper leaned closer and placed a soft kiss on my bearded cheek.

His reaction caused mixed emotions to well up inside me. On one hand,I felt ten feet tall that the small gesture of bringing him flowers could make him so happy. On the other hand, I felt a little sad because it would seem he had never been treated correctly. I was experiencing conflicted feelings knowing if someone had treated Cooper the way they should have, he might not be here with me now. Was that what finding your mate meant? Wanting them to be happy even above your own happiness?

I could almost hear my Dad saying ‘yes,’ with Papa adding that “the beauty was the other person felt the same way’.

“I’m glad you liked them. If I haven’t mentioned it, you look very nice tonight.” Cooper's cheeks heated as he smoothed down invisible wrinkles in his soft gray turtle neck. One might think we had coordinated our clothes tonight.

“Thank you,” he said, his eyes traveled down my body, and I felt it like a caress. “So do you. You look very nice.”

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