Page 32 of In The Shadow of The Wolf

The detective, Ivan Rand, promised to look into all of Randall’s work to make sure others weren’t blackmailed or abused using his power and position. He’d nearly ruined the lives of Ronan and Molly, so it was likely he’d done the same to others.

Ivan agreed to push forward the delusional aspect of Randall’s behavior regarding giant beasts attacking and changing into humans. That made Terry smile. For years people have believed this man’s lies, and now that he is telling the truth, no one will listen or believe. The whole thing was too good. He smiled again at the irony.

Terry glanced once more at the clock just as it hit five o’clock. He jumped to his feet and yelled to another officer who was in the back, telling him he was leaving, as he rushed out the door.

CHAPTER THREE

Terry pulled up to the Ranch at 6:30 that evening. He knew he was early, but he couldn’t wait any longer to see Henry. He hoped he was ready and wouldn’t be upset that he was thirty minutes early. Unfortunately, it was Dean who answered the door with an impressive scowl.

“So, he’s giving you another chance.” He stated caustically. He obviously didn’t believe he deserved another chance. Dean ushered him into the living room with instructions to wait there. As he was leaving the room, he stopped and turned back to regard Terry. “Don’t fuck this up again, Terry. It will be the biggest regret of your life if you do.” Terry didn’t answer, just nodded his understanding.

…

Henry was dressed in nicely pressed black dress pants that fit his ass to perfection and a white button-down that just made his alabaster skin glow. Henry was the most gorgeous man Terry had ever laid eyes on, and he dreamed of the day he would claim him as his own. He hoped that Henry felt the same. Terry knew they’d gotten off to a bad start with him standing Henry up for dinner and not calling, but he would make up for that tonight.

Ronan was with Henry when he came into the living room to greet Terry. Like Dean, he didn’t look pleased.

“Hey, sweetheart,” Terry said as he approached the two men.

“You shouldn’t be calling me sweetheart Terry. You know how jealous Lance can be.” Ronan joked, breaking the heavy tension between them.

“You’re a fine-looking man Ronan, but no one compares to my mate Henry.” Terry clarified with a smile.

Henry blushed slightly and turned to regard Ronan. “I’ll see you later.” He said and then walked towards Terry. “You look nice.”

“So do you.” Terry beamed. He was so proud to be with someone like Henry. He was smart, handsome, and had a pleasant personality. Who could ask for more? Terry looped his arm through Henry’s and directed him to the door.

“Where are we going?” Henry asked as soon as they were seated and buckled in Terry’s truck. Terry graced him with another heated look before answering. Henry was at a loss as to why Terry made him feel so much. Just a look, and he wanted to strip naked and jump on Terry’s lap. The only thing stopping him was the fact that they were still parked at the Ranch, and the audience would be massive.

“I made reservations at the Evergreen Restaurant. It’s on Union Street near the Super 8 motel.” As soon as he had it out of his mouth, he realized how it sounded. “I didn’t mean . . . I’m not expecting . . . the motel is just a landmark.” He fumbled with an explanation.

“It’s okay. I didn’t expect that you would want to take me directly to a motel following dinner. I really believe you to be a bit classier than that.” Henry laughed and looked away out his side window.

“To be honest, I’m really not all that classy, but I never want to do anything or treat you in a way that makes you feel less than the perfect man that you are.” Terry started the truck and pulled out of the drive. “I hope to earn your respect and your love.” The last statement had Henry turning his head sharply to look at him and discern if he was being sincere or joking. The look on Terry’s face spoke of sincerity.

“I don’t know how this is going to work for us, but I hope that it does,” Henry admitted and got a huge grin for his efforts.

They stopped at a restaurant that was on the edge of town but appeared to do a decent business based on the number of cars in the lot. Henry wondered how Terry was going to act once they entered. He was definitely in the closet, so he would probably play him off as an acquaintance or an old friend from college.

That was how Colin used to introduce him when they were out, and someone he knew saw them. He was explained away as merely an unimportant extra in Colin’s life for two years. The thought of his previous life with Colin and the thought that his life with Terry could possibly turn out to be the same thing caused a sadness that enveloped his entire being. He didn’t realize that it showed on his face.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” Terry unbuckled his seatbelt and leaned across the console to take Henry in his arms. He pressed his face into the crook of Henry’s neck and breathed in deeply while he gently ran his hand through Henry’s hair as if petting him. “I can sense your anxiety and sadness. What happened?” He whispered against Henry’s neck, the heat and closeness causing goosebumps to rise all over Henry’s body.

“I don’t know,” Henry spoke softly and with a slight tremor to his voice. “I just suddenly felt . . . panic, I guess.” He pressed his face into Terry’s shoulder and tried to calm his fears. He didn’t want to get into his past with Terry, not right now anyway.

“Is it this restaurant? We can go somewhere else if you don’t like it.” Terry’s gushing concern and fear that Henry hated the Evergreen suddenly caused Henry to chuckle. It suddenly seemed very absurd. He needed to get his fears under control and just go with the moment for now.

Terry pulled back and looked Henry in the eyes. “You okay, Henry?” He pushed the hair back from Henry’s brow and kept running his hands over his body as if he needed to maintain constant contact. Henry nodded and tried to straighten up, but Terry pulled him closer and placed a loving though chaste kiss on his lips.

“Yeah, I’m okay let’s go inside.” Henry pulled away this time and exited the truck. Terry met him, and although he didn’t take Henry’s hand or touch him in any way, he still appeared to be close and attentive. They were met by the waiter and taken to their table as soon as they entered. Terry had requested a small intimate table in the back. Henry wasn’t sure if it was because he wanted to have privacy with Henry or if it was in hopes of not being seen having dinner with a gay man. Henry hoped it was for intimacy, but his rational mind told him otherwise. He coached himself just to live in the moment; there is no need to look for arguments.

“Is this okay?” Terry sensed Henry’s hesitancy in taking the table, but he wasn’t sure why. He hoped to have a nice, quiet, and intimate dinner with his mate and also hoped that no one he knew would see him. He wasn’t ready to make a big declaration to his friends, not right now, and he hoped that Henry was happy just to have the opportunity to get to know each other. Henry nodded and took a seat opposite Terry. The waiter took their drink orders and then disappeared.

“You come here often?” Henry wanted to start a conversation.

“No, but I heard it had great food.” Terry again realized what he’d said. “I brought you here because I wanted to have you alone, and I didn’t want to run the risk of running into people.” He pushed back slightly and ran his hand roughly through his hair. “It’s not you, Henry; I just don’t want them to say something to you that might hurt you. I want this evening to be about you and me and no one else.” Terry gave a sigh of relief when he saw the satisfied smile on Henry’s face.

“Tell me about yourself, Terry. I’ve heard many things, but I’d like to hear from you.” Henry took a sip of his water more for something to do than for the sake of being thirsty.

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