My Married Mate

Getting Closer

(Garrett POV)

"Listen, I don't know how it's possible, but she is my mate." I didn't know why I was trying to convince Oliver that that woman was my mate. It didn't matter anyways. She was married and had a child. My wolf howled in pain. I felt like running until I couldn't run anymore, but I couldn't leave. Regardless of the circumstances, my mate was close by and I needed to be near her. I remembered the look in her eyes when she spoke about her husband and her coldness made me believe that she might not have a good relationship with him. That alone gave me some hope. Come to think of it, where was he when his wife and child were being pulled out to sea? My wolf was angry for my mate. Was he bad to her? A flood of emotions started to fill me and the only thing I wanted to do was to make sure my mate was okay. What if she was in another dangerous situation and I wasn't there to protect her this time? "Hey I'll catch you later man. I've got a lot on my mind. Same time tomorrow though and no k********g toddlers for sea adventures this time." I give Oliver a stern look. "Yes sir, I wouldn't dream of getting on your bad side Mr. Price." He jokingly said while putting his hands up in defeat. I nodded and gave him a small smirk then turned around and started to run towards the condos. I didn't know what I was thinking, but if I got to see her and know she was safe it would put me and my wolf at ease. As I got closer to the condos the beautiful scent that I now associated as my mates was strong and I followed it. I didn't have to go much further before I saw my gorgeous mate sitting down by the shoreline. She couldn't have been much taller than 5'3 and she had the most beautiful curvaceous body. Her brunette hair was wavy and long. It was like an angel sent from the Moon Goddess herself was sitting there before me. I wanted so badly to run to her and hold her. Hell, even make love to her right there. I scolded myself for having such thoughts, but it was hard to fight them off. That was my mate. She was supposed to be mine forever and here she was, alone. She noticed me as she began to lay down on the sand. "Garrett." My wolf purred at the sound of our mate saying my name. I wanted to kiss her right then and there. Pull it together Garrett, she's married. I smiled at her with my dimples. That usually made women swoon and it seemed to have the same effect on my mate. I sat down about a foot away from her and looked towards the ocean. It's all I could do to keep myself from pulling her into my arms and planting a million kisses all over her body. I could sense that she was staring at me and I didn't turn to look at her. If my mate wanted to see me then I would sit there "unknowingly" so she could take me in. I wanted to be better than her husband. I wanted her to want me so I could have what was rightfully mine. "Do you always come down this way or was there a special reason?" Her bluntness caught me off guard. A woman who leaves no room for mystery. I wanted to tell her right then that I was there for her because not being near her made me crazy. The last thing I wanted to do was scare her and make her think I was some kind of stalker that fell in love with her after seeing her one time. Well, that was what happened, but that's only because of the mate bond. I had never thrown myself at a woman after meeting her one time. I actually never had a true girlfriend. I've had plenty of women throw themselves at me, but I knew how special the mate bond was. I was waiting for her. Pain struck my heart again at the realization that my mate didn't wait for me like I had waited for her. "I always come to this beach after work each day to decompress." I wasn't lying, but I couldn't tell her my true reason for being there. I looked over at my mate and I couldn't help it anymore I needed to know. "What's your name?" She smiled, "Rose." Her smile made my heart jump. She had the most beautiful smile I had ever seen. This woman was going to be the death of me. I didn't know how much longer I was going to be able to keep my hands to myself. You have to keep it together Garrett. She is married regardless if she is our mate. I would have to find a way to change that. I already knew in my heart that I needed her and I've already accepted that it meant I needed Aubrey too. Rose's phone buzzed and she looked at it. She started to get up and brushed sand off of her. Seeing her bent over in front of me made my mind go wild. One day. One day she would be mine and I would get to touch her anytime I pleased instead of sitting here in torture. Rose noticed that I was staring at her and blushed. "I..I have to go. Thank you again for saving us today. I don't know what would have happened if you wouldn't have been there." I just got here and she has to leave already? No, I needed more time with my mate. "Well, you can thank me by going to dinner with me, Aubrey too. Also, I promise I'm not a creep. I've noticed you're very protective with her when I speak to her. I would never do anything to harm you and especially not a sweet little girl like Aubrey." Rose looked at me with her beautiful bright green eyes as if she was trying to gauge whether or not I was lying to her. "I honestly would love to, but I can't. I don't think my husband would allow us to go have dinner with a stranger." Anger filled me. Who was he her father? Does she not get a say in what she does or does not do? "Well, he can come too." My wolf growled at me. Are you trying to push me to my limit? I already want to rip her "husband's"  throat out for taking what is ours and not being there to protect her and her child when they were in danger. I didn't mean to say that, but knew I needed more time with her though. I couldn't just let her walk away again. I needed a promise that I would see her again. I looked into Rose's eyes and saw amusement. "You want to have dinner with me and my husband?" There was almost laughter in her voice. "And Aubrey. We can't leave her out." I smirked at her. She rolled her eyes. "Obviously Aubrey will be there. She goes everywhere with me. Speaking of which, she just woke up from her nap and I need to go to her." She started to walk away. I got up and followed after her. "Dinner at 7? I'll have a car pick you all up." She froze. s**t, was I being too pushy? She turned around and looked at me with what looked like admiration in her eyes. "I'll have to ask my husband." Ugh. That word again. I couldn't wait for her to be referring to me as hers. I didn't know why I was so hopeful that she would be mine, but I was determined. "Give me your number, I'll message you and you can message me back to let me know what he says." I pulled my phone out and handed it to her. She reluctantly took it, but put her number in as I asked. After she was done, she handed my phone back and I immediately texted her. Her phone buzzed which confirmed that she did put in her actual number. "Were you testing me?" She askes with a surprised look. I couldn't help but grin at her. "I just wanted to make sure that there were no mistakes with the number. I didn't think you would intentionally put in a wrong number."  I let the sarcasm roll off my tongue playfully. She raised an eyebrow at me. "I don't believe you, but it's okay. I considered it, but assumed you were smarter than that and I was right." I smiled at the compliment. That was barely a compliment Garrett. You'll take anything won't you? I ignored my wolf and continued to smile. "I'll be looking forward to hearing from you and tell Aubrey that I said hi." Rose smiled softly and nodded. She turned back around and headed towards her condo. I watched to make sure I knew which one was hers. I didn't walk away until I watched her go into the condo. f**k, tonight was going to be so hard. Not only was I going to be on edge waiting for her answer, but also I would have to be civil around her husband if they did decide to come. Moon Goddess, what are you doing to me?