Noah couldn’t get used to this. Soon, Slade must go, leaving Noah on his own again, missing everything they’d shared. In so many ways, the tattooed biker showed deep feelings, took care of Noah, showed him the joys of a caring partner during sex.
And a caring partner out of bed.
He’d never said he loved Noah. Would an action-not-words type say such things?
Slade rolled to his side, head propped on his hand. “Have you ever been out on an honest-to-goodness date?”
The one time he’d tried, Noah wound up betrayed. “No.”
“Why don’t we go back to the cabin, get cleaned up, and I take you out. There’s a town forty-five minutes from here big enough for two men together not to cause problems.”
Even if one of them was also a wolf? “We’ll be among humans.” Humans. Time with Slade nearly made Noah forget his fear of humans. Or that Sladewasone.
“We don’t have to, but I thought you might want to go out.” Slade sat up, the hope on his face too sincere to crush.
A date. Slade wanted to take Noah on a date. “Okay.”
“Nothing major. Just a night out.”
They showered, dressed, and took the SUV. Noah had hoped they’d take the motorcycle so he could wear the new helmet Slade worked so hard on. And the whole time, Noah had worried about where Slade went.
“I figured we better take the truck. The forecast is calling for rain, and temperatures are dropping.”
To Noah’s surprise, Slade reached across the seat and took his hand. “Now, don’t be nervous around people. I’m right here with you. If you start feeling uncomfortable, squeeze my arm and we’ll leave, okay?”
Noah had often passed restaurants on his forays into the world. He’d never been to anything other than a small diner. Slade pulled the truck into a sparsely filled parking lot, waited by the door for Noah to get out, then extended his arm.
“Remember. All you gotta do is squeeze, and we’ll leave. Okay?”
Noah hoped leaving didn’t happen. He’d finally get to see inside one of these places. Scents assaulted his nose even before walking through the door: spices, tomatoes, perfumes, something scorched, bread… He didn’t realize he’d stopped walking until Slade urged him on with a hand to the back.
“You okay, Noah?”
“Yeah, everything is a bit overwhelming, is all.”
“Reservation for Slater,” Slade told the woman at the front desk.
She picked up menus. “Right this way, sirs.”
Candles cast a faint light in the center of each table, driving back the dimness—not a problem for a wolf’s keen eyesight. Most of the couples sitting at tables dressed far nicer than Noah. He didn’t have many nice clothes, and Slade didn’t seem to mind.
Wall sconces shimmered with electric flames, and the hostess’s high heels clacked against the floor.
They stopped a few feet from the door at a table overlooking the parking lot. The woman placed the menus down. “Your server will be with you shortly.”
Slade took the closest chair, leaving Noah the one facing the door. Facing the door. Near the door and a window. “I’m guessing sitting here isn’t an accident.”
Slade tried to appear nonchalant, losing the battle and dropping his gaze. “My brother used to tell me about experiments where certain people were uncomfortable with their back to the door. I’m one of them. I thought, with your instincts, not seeing what’s coming might be worse for you.”
Noah did feel comfortable, despite cloth napkins instead of paper towels on the table. Fancy. Like in magazines. “Thank you.”
“Also, we get fresh air, in case the scents are too strong.”
“That’s so thoughtful. Thanks.” Damn. Slade went to a lot of effort for this date.
“Don’t tell.” Slade winked. “Don’t want to ruin my reputation.”
The server appeared at the table. “Can I get you gentlemen a drink?”