Page 42 of Entering a New World

The only problem? My wardrobe was extremely limited. Like, jeans and sweaters, limited. I didn’t have a button-down shirt—well, I owned several, but all of them were currently in my apartment in Vancouver. As in out of my reach. So, I didn’t really have options.

In the end, I decided on the tightest pair of jeans I had here, one that hopefully made my ass pop, and an anthracite sweater that gave me a sophisticated look without making me look too pale. I hoped.

By the time I’d artfully tousled my hair, making it look like I’d just rolled out of bed, it was time to head downstairs and meet with Rhett. He’d texted me that he’d pick me up and take me out to dinner.

Heading down the stairs, I felt like I was walking on clouds. A dinner date with my mate.

Yeah, I needed to stop with the silly date-mate rhymes, but come on… This was a big moment, right?

This might be the last first date I ever went on.

The thought was… weird. Theoretically, every first date I’d ever been on had had the potential of being the last one, but this time around, it was different. The chances were much higher.

Because yeah, I actually felt the connection inside of me, like my inner compass was tethered to Rhett, always letting me know where he was—if he was close by.

It hadn’t been like that back in the woods. I’d been happy when I’d seen Wolfie, but I hadn’t known he was coming until I’d actually seen him.

But now?

I stopped in the middle of the staircase and closed my eyes, hand firmly grabbing the railing. Taking a deep breath, I tried feeling for Rhett, extending my senses, finding his… aura? Him? I had no idea. Hell, I had no idea what I was doing and if it was going to work if I consciously tried finding him.

The air smelled like potatoes and garlic, mixed with the scent of the fireplace. Cutlery was clanking against plates, and there were low voices coming from the dining room.

However, that was not the direction my mind was steering me to. No matter how good it smelled, there was a nagging feeling I wouldn’t find what I was looking for in there. Nope. Something drew me to the front door. An invisible thread or… a fishing string. The hook was firmly embedded in my chest and the string was being pulled in, drawing me closer to the door.

Rhett was right outside.

Swallowing heavily, I brushed my hands over my sweater, trying to make sure it was straightened out, before I rushed down the rest of the stairs, skidding to a stop as the front door opened mere inches in front of me.

“Woah,” Rhett exclaimed upon seeing me so close. In a flash, his hands were on my hips, holding me in place, making sure I didn’t hit the door face first.

He critically studied me for a moment, a frown marring his handsome face, as if he was trying to figure something out. Then, a dazzling smile transformed his face, lighting up a sparkle in his eyes. “You look amazing,” he said almost reverently, as his eyes raked over my body.

“Thank you,” I said, nodding at him, “But I’m definitely not a match to you.”

He cleaned up fine.

Like damn.

Like… I wanted to be the black dress shirt clinging to his muscles, holding on for dear life just like the buttons of his shirt.

I bet he could rip the shirt by flexing his muscles—a theory we’d had to test later.

A faint blush crept into his cheeks, the short sandy-brown beard unable to hide it, but his smile said he didn’t mind me ogling him.

And ogle I did. I couldn’t stop. Hell, the only reason I wasn’t climbing him like a tree was the fact he was still holding on to my hips, which I didn’t have a problem with at all. Having his warm hands on me, no matter where, was a definite plus. Still… there was something better than having just his hands on my hips.

“Do I get a hug?” I challenged him, remembering how fucking good his body had felt against mine yesterday. A shiver ran down my spine and a low heat ignited in the pit of my stomach.

Rhett chuckled. “My pleasure.”

And then he engulfed me. Utterly and completely. His scent, his hard chest, his strong arms, his aura, and the incredible warmth emanating off of him. Everything surrounded me, wrapped me up in a blanket of comfort and Rhett.

A sigh escaped my lips as my body melted against his. I could stay like this forever. Fuck dinner. Two hours of a hug like this and I’d be in heaven. Permanent bliss. A melted puddle of goo right here on the antique floorboards—and I was perfectly fine with that plan.

Unfortunately, Rhett took a step back way too quickly—which, granted, was probably only after a minute or two – and gave me a gentle smile.

“I made a reservation at a steakhouse in town,” he said, biting his lip. “I hope you like steak. To be honest, it’s probably the only fine-dining option there is in Balwood, but if you’re a vegetarian or don’t eat red meat or anything, there’s a place a town over that should be a better fit.”

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