Page 10 of Link with Me
“Mmm,” she hummed in response. When she opened her eyes, their gazes met with an intensity he hadn’t thought possible. “Very good.”
He didn’t just want Lena. There was a special something about her that made her even more special than he realized.
As the meal progressed, so did their exchange, a volley of questions that wove a tapestry of their lives.
“If you could be any character in a video game, who would you be?” Lena asked, twirling pasta on her fork.
“Easy. Link from The Legend of Zelda. There’s something about a quest in a land of myth that’s appealing.”
Lena nodded in approval. “A hero’s journey with puzzles to solve and dragons to slay. Nice choice.”
“Also,” he grinned and rubbed his thumb over her palm, “I’d love to have someone to link with.”
Her smile of understanding made him want her even more. “Yeah. I get that.”
He watched her lick her lips and sucked in a harsh breath. “And you? If you had the chance to live in any book, which would it be?”
She pretended to ponder but he could tell she’d been ready the moment he asked the question. “Hogwarts, without a doubt. I’d ace Potions class and play Quidditch on weekends.”
Their laughter blended into the warm atmosphere of the bistro, and as the candles on the tables flickered casting shadows that danced just like the excitement within them, Alex found himself drawn to her in a way that felt both ancient and thrillingly new.
“What’s the silliest thing you’ve ever done?” he inquired, a challenge in his eyes.
She gaped at him in feigned shock. “Besides agreeing to a date with a man who finds rare books and rescues damsels from terrible blind dates?” She raised a playful eyebrow. “I once participated in a zombie flash mob. Full makeup and everything.”
“No way.”
“We did the Thriller dance to perfection,” she said proudly. “It’s on YouTube.”
“That’s impressive,” Alex admitted, his admiration genuine. “Your turn—ask me anything.”
Lena leaned forward, resting her chin in her hand. “Okay, tell me—have you ever read a romance novel?”
A blush tinged Alex’s cheeks, and he cleared his throat. “Well, as a matter of fact, I have. Research for the store,” he added quickly, which only made Lena laugh more.
“Research,” she gave a throaty giggle. “Is that what we’re calling it now?”
He stared at her lips and then met her gaze. “We can call it whatever you want, princess.”
He watched her chest strain under the flimsy fabric of her dress when she took a deep breath. Fuck, she was stunning. She’d been beautiful earlier in her cargo jeans and retro tee, her long dark hair in a ponytail. But now, in this dress, her skin shimmering under the candlelight and the flush of her desire spreading over her cheeks, she was stunning.
The scent of her arousal was driving him crazy. He didn’t know how much longer he could control his wolf but he had to get a taste of her soon.
“Whatever I want?” she asked softly.
“Yes.”
She licked her lips and glanced at his mouth. “I want dessert.”
SIX
They started sharing the tiramisu, the explosive chemistry between them growing hotter by the second.
Lena tried her best to focus on the delicate flavor of the sweet meal they were sharing, but Alex’s gaze across the table was a distracting spice she hadn’t anticipated. It was during this back and forth, the playful war over the last bite of dessert, that Alex’s demeanor shifted ever so slightly.
“Lena,” he said, his voice a low murmur that was almost drowned out by the clinking of dishes in the background. “There’s something you should know about me.”
“Oh?” it was hard to put words together with his thumb caressing her palm in erotic circles. “What’s that?”