Page 27 of His Determined Bear

“Don’t even offer to pay,” he shot me a serious look. “We already acknowledged this was a date. I asked you out, so I’m going to pay. When you ask me out, maybe I’ll let you pay.”

“Confident I’ll ask for a second date?” I rested a hand on the table and shot him a pointed stare.

“More like I’m hoping you will,” he said sincerely. And damn it, that was hotter than if he’d gone for a cocky response.

After taking care of the check, we were ready to go. When we reached the door, Graham helped me into my coat. I stepped through the door to head to the car when Graham stopped me on the sidewalk. He bent down and picked up my scarf from the sidewalk. I was so lost in him that I had forgotten I’d even worn one.

“Let’s get this back on you,” he said. Graham stepped into me and gently wrapped the scarf around my neck before tucking it into my coat. When he was finished, he took the lapels of my coat into his hands and pulled me into his body.

I looked up at him, trying to read what he wanted. He was all alpha and definitely would take charge when he was ready. I just hoped he was ready right now since my cock was a steel post and his equally hard one pressed into my lower belly. I tried to give him the signal to go ahead because I needed my lips on his.

Only inches apart, our breath mingled close together, and I could smell the faint hint of chocolate and coffee when he breathed. He looked down at me as he held me close to him, then without warning, stepped back and pushed his hands into his pocket.

“I should get you home before your mother doesn’t let me take you out again.”

My shoulder slumped, and I stood there, stunned and wrapped with disappointment. Maybe this was all in my head, and he was only being nice to try to distract me from the wedding. He probably thought I planned to still cause problems for mom and Aaron.

“Uh, okay. We should go.” I walked ahead, leaving him to catch up. My mind was spinning, and I was utterly confused. But of course, it didn’t take much for Graham to catch up to me.

When we got to the car, I was beyond confused and working my way to furious. I’m not sure why Graham hadn’t picked up on the signal I was giving out, or maybe chose to ignore it, but he still opened the door for me. I slipped into the seat then pulled the door closed myself. Our entire night of flirting and sexual tension was now ruined. The worst part was that I wasn’t sure why. All through dinner he’d given me the idea that he wanted me as badly as I wanted him. How had that suddenly changed?

When he got in and started the car, I expected him to start a conversation or say something, but he didn’t. The delicious food that I’d enjoyed so much just a few hours ago felt like a pile of bricks in my stomach.

We made the ride back to Aaron’s ranch in complete silence. I took in the scenery as the moon illuminated the open spaces along the road. I was lost in my head and brimming with the angst of unused endorphins as we drove onto Aaron’s property.

Graham pulled into the circular drive and parked in front of the house. Before he could get the car in park, I muttered an expressionless, “Thank you for dinner.” Quickly unbuckling the seat belt, I reached to open the door to make a quick get away from my embarrassment of reading the situation incorrectly.

Before I could get out of the car, Graham reached out and took my hand to stop me from leaving. I didn’t turn to face him even though I made no effort to get out.

“Cooper, I’m sorry,” he said.“Please look at me.”

My brows furrowed in confusion at yet another turn in this evening, and I finally looked at him. “What exactly are you sorry for, Graham?”

He released a shuttered breath, then shrugged. “We were having a good time. At least I think we were…”. He took his hand off me, then pushed it through his neatly trimmed curls. I wonder if it was as soft as it looked. “And now you’re—” His voice trailed off.

“I’m what exactly?” I prompted.

He blew out a shallow breath followed by a self-deprecating laugh. Graham took the hand that had stopped me and ran it over his beard.

“I’m screwing this up,” he murmured.He looked wrecked, and for the life of me, I could not figure out why.

“Screwing what up?” I asked and tried not to wince at how hopeful I sounded. Damn it. This wasn’t meant to be anything more than a little vacation fling. You know, the wedding hookup you may run into again in the future, but neither of you would ever speak of it again. Or heck, maybe we would hook up once in a while at Thanksgiving or Christmas. Either way, I was supposed to return to my life when this was over. I wasn’t supposed to care.Or fall for him in just a matter of a few days.

“This… fuck!” he gestured between us. “I did something to upset you. I don’t want you to get the wrong idea, Cooper.”

I started to shake my head to deny any hurt feelings, then stopped myself. I jammed my hands into the pockets of my coat and shrugged.

“What wrong idea could I possibly have?” I rasped out, terrified he would say he was only looking for friendship and not anything romantic.

“It would be wrong for me to do the right thing on a first date and say goodnight. It would be wrong if I walked away from you tonight when all I want to do is sink my teeth into the sweet space between your neck and collarbone. It would be wrong for you to think I didn’t want you in my life and my bed. It would be wrong for me to deny my feelings for you because I take my life and family seriously. It would be wrong for you not to know I want to make you mine.” Graham looked at me with such intensity and passion in his expression that I knew I had to make this right for us. I wouldn’t take the chance on losing him when I’d just found him.

I reached over and took his hand in mine, then looked him in the eyes.

“Would you like to come in and give me the right idea? We could have a drink or maybe some cake? I can promise you it will be good.” I hurried to add, “You were right. We were having a good time. And I would hate for you to give me the wrong idea.”

Yeah, this wasn't going to be simple.

It was almost funny how easy it was to read the relief on his face. I was sure the same expression was on my face when he said, “Yeah. Yes, I would love the chance to give you the right idea. Sit tight and let me get your door.” Such a gentleman.

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