The Alphas Sanctuary

Dinner for Two

Alex needed to figure this all out. The more time he spent with her the more he forgot that he didn't want her. He agreed to dinner in a moment of weakness, and Shi howled in pleasure that they would spend time together.

‘Just get to know her' Shi begged all day long. Truth be told she had secrets that Alex desperately wanted to learn. He was missing something, he could see it in moments of weakness in her. Question was, was knowing the truth going to make anything easier on him?; he highly doubted it.

Apryl had spent the afternoon in her new rocking chair with a cup of coffee. She planned what to make for dinner while she gazed down at the river. She didn't want to go overboard but wanted to show her appreciation for everything Alex had done for her. She settled on a simple dish that she loved, climbed into her SUV and headed to the market with a small smile on her face. She was excited to spend time with him. What had gotten into her? She didn’t date, and rarely found interest in men. But this man somehow was able to spark her attention.

It was 7:05pm her cabin was full of the smells of dinner, making her mouth water. She was hungry and he was late. What if he wasn't coming? Her heart sunk at the thought of him standing her up. 'Get a grip girl it's just fine jeez! '

She jumped out of her thoughts at the knock at the door. Running her hands down her hair to tame her curls, she took a deep breath and opened the door, there he stood, her breath caught in her throat. He was dressed in blue jeans and a fitted teal polo that caused his arm muscles to bulge out, god definitely broke the mold with this man she thought.

"I wasn't sure you were going to show" the words were out of Apryl's mouth before she could stop them and her cheeks flushed crimson.

"Yeah sorry I'm late. I got held up with some work. Are you going to keep me out here in the cold as punishment? " He flashed her a smile that made her knees go weak. 'It's just dinner just a thank you dinner’ she repeated to herself as she stepped aside to let him pass.

Alex looked around the dining room. The table was set for 2, a small lamp was on setting a slight glow along with the fire, he knew she wasn't trying but it gave off a romantic feel, the thought made him uneasy and he shifted on his feet.

"Uh-" he cleared his throat " is there anything I can help you with"

"Thank you but everything is ready. Are you hungry? "

"Starved, I skipped lunch today. " she raised an eyebrow in question "busy day" he replied. She nodded an understanding.

"Have a seat, I'll bring dinner out. " she turned and entered the kitchen. Returning with a large salad.

"I hope your feeding me more then that" he chuckled

"Yes of course. I took you as more the meat kind of man, this is just too start. " she sat opposite of him" i do make a mean salad though. Might turn you vegetarian, careful"

He laughed softly as he piled salad on his plate. He wasn't a vegetable fan, but she had gone through the trouble and he wasn't rude. Taking a bite his eyebrows squinted together.

"Is something wrong? Oh my, are you allergic to anything?!" Why hasn't she thought to ask that before!?

"What did you do to this?" he asked, chewing slowly.

"It's just a simple salad with homemade dressing. Do you not like it? "

"No no just the opposite, it's incredibly delicious. Honestly I don't really like veggies but this, I could eat this everyday. "

She smiled sweetly at him and they sat in silence eating.

"Are you settling in okay? Finding everything to your liking?" He asked finally.

"I am. I feel so comfortable here. And the furniture you brought over is so me it's like you were inside my head, it's exactly me."

He could tell her that she was designed just for him, that she was like an extension of himself, that even though she would make up for his lacking’s they were more alike than different. He didn't need to know her more. He knew it the moment they had met. Yes he knew it, but that didn't mean he had to like it or accept it.

"Good I'm glad. This cabin, it suits you. I'm glad someone has finally moved into it."

"Oh did you know the past owners?" When she moved in she had been able to tell it had been vacant for sometime. The realtor had brought in a cleaning crew when she purchased it, but the condition of its contents told her the truth. It had been left to ruin, forgotten. That's why she felt so at home, it's how she felt about herself.

"It's been empty for many years"

"It's a shame, I'm sure these walls have brought a lot of people happiness. Ready for the main course?"

"Going to be hard to top that salad"

She laughed and cleared the plates, returning with something he had never smelled before, something with lemon and a hint of spice "it's nothing fancy, I wasn’t sure what you would like. This is one of my favorite dishes so I took a chance you would enjoy it as well." Alex noted how her hands shook ever so slightly as she dished out his plate. What had happened in that moment? He found himself wanting to ease her sudden fears. He gently covered her hand with his, she froze eyes meeting his. "I'm sure it'll be great." She gave him a small smile that still didn't reach her eyes and continued to dish out her own plate before retaking her seat.

The smell coming off his plate made his mouth water. His plate full of chicken and something green he didn't recognize. He didn't care if it that's half as good as it smelled; he'd eat it everyday. Taking a large bite he moaned and closed his eyes. He needed to fire his cook at home.

"Is it okay?" she was biting her bottom lip as he chewed her own plate untouched. She looked uneasy for some reason.

"No" he couldn't help but tease her but when he saw her face drop into fear he quickly explained "it's so much better then okay. This is amazing. But please tell me what I am eating" he showed her a green spear on his fork before shoving it into his mouth. The room filled with her rich laughter. He couldn't help but to laugh along with her, the sound was contagious and the prettiest sound he had ever heard.

Apryl had slipped for a moment into old habits. She desperately hoped he hadn't noticed. But when his hand covered hers she knew that he had. When he said no when she asked how it was she froze waiting for the inevitable, but it didn't come. When he asked her what a piece of asparagus was she couldn't help but laugh. Alex was different that was for sure, and she still wasn't convinced he liked her, more like he tolerated her.

"That would be asparagus and chicken in a lemon pepper sauce."

"It's my new favorite dish that's for sure!"

"What was your old favorite?"

"Oh that's easy hands down mac and cheese with hotdogs."

She laughed again not able to bring herself to admit that that was her favorite as well. No that would have been cheesy. The evening continued with easy chatter. Nothing personal which they were both grateful for. Both of them were hiding secrets that they were not ready to share.

“So you enjoy hiking?” Alex asked.

“I do. I love the woods, the freedom you feel when you are out of touch with the real world. The night you found me I had hiked there and then happened upon that waterfall. It's stunning.” She replied as she cleared their plates and excused herself to bring out dessert. “I hope you like cheese cake. I made it earlier today.” She said as she sat it down on the table.

“It’s my favorite. I’m just too lazy to open the box to make one.” Alex peered down at the cheesecake “Though that doesn’t look like something that would come out of a box.”

She laughed again, “No. No boxed food in this house.”

“Really? Not even pizza?” Who didn’t have easy food in their kitchen?

“No, I make everything from scratch. You can't taste the love in food if all you do is open the box.” She placed a large piece in front of him, and herself. “I have to admit, this is my favorite as well.”

Alex was not surprised their taste in foods mimicked each other, it was a mate thing. They ate their dessert quietly as the crackles of the fire filled the air. He could get used to this.

"It's getting late, I should get going" Alex found himself not wanting to leave. Shi had been taking in the evening with nothing to say, but Alex heard him growl at the mention of leaving. 'do you want to keep her up late?' Shi snuffed at him but lay down to sulk. "Everything was truly delicious. Thank you for having me."

"Same time tomorrow then?" Apryl desperately wanted him to stay; she enjoyed his company; being around him was easy, natural. She watched as he stoked the fire and added the wood she would need for the night.

"I can't tomorrow I'm going out of town for a few days for business. Could I-could I call you when I get back?"

"Absolutely" she rattled off her cell to him and walked him to the door both of them not wanting the night to end and neither knowing what to do next. She whispered good night and searched his face for any sign that maybe just maybe he wanted to kiss her. Was she ready for that, did she even want him to? One glance at those lips she screamed yes! In her mind.

"Goodnight Apryl" he took one last look at her lips turned and headed to his vehicle. She watched him get in and pull away.

'what have you gotten yourself into girl'