Night with The Twin Rivers

Ch. 9

The next day she spent her day getting everything prepared for her absence and setting everything up for Jeromy.  

Her phone buzzed, it was James. “Are you ready for our date yet?” 

She sighed. She didn’t want to deal with him at all. What was she going to do to push him away? At the same time she was obligated to at least attempt to go on a date with him. This would be the only time this week.  

“Yes.” She texted him the address of a restaurant in the city where they could sit and be alone. That way she wouldn’t have to worry about someone seeing them. They would meet at 7. She wasn’t going to bother to go home and change. She would go straight there once she was finished in the office. No point in dressing up for him, at least not yet.  

 She arrived at the restaurant at 7. Walking up to the door she found James waiting outside for her. Giving him a small smile she ushered him inside and they went to their table and had a seat. This was typically where she held business dinners.  

He looked around and smiled, “a business dinner?” 

“This is technically business, isn’t it?” She looked at him curiously and ordered what she usually ordered when she came there.  

James said nothing and ordered some wine. “I see I am going to have a hard time getting you to loosen up a bit. Not everything has to be about business. I am not attacking you.” 

“I have a lot on my plate right now and this couldn’t come at a worse time.” She said to him honestly.  

“I understand. There is a lot of pressure. You have a business to run. I can see that you work hard. I would never want to get in the way of that.” He said to her.  

She looked at her curiously. “So, what do you expect out of this relationship? I am sure you are going to want to benefit somehow. What did the elders tell you?” 

“What if my benefit is to be with a beautiful woman?” He said to her with a small smirk.  

Jena didn’t blush like she did when Shawn spoke to her like that. She looked away from him and back down at her food to take another bite. “Charming. However, I am sure there is more to this story. I just want to know what’s really going on. I don’t like being left in the dark.” She said to him.  

“Very well.” He sighed. “My clan is struggling. My Alpha just took over and they are currently working on negotiations with some other clans to regain some control. I feel like they are being a bit aggressive about it, but what can I do? As I can become Alpha, he feels threatened by me and I am being pushed off as a favor. If we become mates then I would join your clan, and the deal is that you don’t try to push into their territory. They realize how much of a threat you can be and they don’t wish to anger you. I am not here for anything more.” 

Her eyes locked with his, “you don’t mind being a bargaining chip?”  

He shrugged, “some things in our lives are out of our control. This is the best route to take and I am willing to stand down and do my part. It wouldn’t be good for either pack if I fought it. I am just here to do my best and to build a relationship with you. I am sorry if I am coming off too strongly.” His eyes looked sincere.  

She swallowed hard and thought about Steven. Steven was doing to her what she was doing to James. “I know I can be a bit difficult.” 

“You are guarded. I understand. I would be too in your situation. I will do whatever I need to do to make you feel better about all of this. What can I do?” 

Jena looked at him, “I don’t know to be honest. I don’t have much dating experience.” In fact, her date with Shawn was her first date. She thought of him and her heart sank a bit, it suddenly felt like cheating sitting her with James. What the hell was she doing? She couldn’t keep this from all of them. It wouldn’t be fair. Although none of this was exactly fair.  

“Seriously, a woman such as yourself? You mean to tell me you have never dated before? I don’t believe you.” He said with a chuckle.  

“Believe it or not, I honestly haven’t had time to think about dating or a family, or anything else.” She said.  

He looked her over, “very well. I will plan out our next date then. When are you free again? Friday night?” 

“No.” She said quickly. “Friday wont be any good. Saturday should be fine.” She quickly recovered herself.  

He nodded, “very well. I appreciate you not shooting down every night moving forward. Makes me feel like we can keep trying.”  

Jena swallowed hard, “I am not purposefully pushing everything away. I just like to be prepared. I don’t like doing anything unknown. I am not the spur of the moment kind of person.” She told him. Although, that wasn’t necessarily true. She had been that way when she was with Shawn.  Something about him allowed her to relax and bring down her defenses.  

“Then I will keep pushing back. Just don’t get mad at me when I try too hard.” He said to her.  

They ordered some dessert and their conversation turned to other things.  

“What hobbies do you have? And don’t say working. Not everyone works all the time.” He asked her curiously.  

She sat there silently eating her dessert not sure what to say.  

He looked her over curiously, “nothing?” 

Shrugging, “I used to read when I was younger. I remember having all of these books and staying up late reading them.” 

“What type of books?” He asked.  

“Fantasy books.” She stated.  

“I wouldn’t have pegged you for a fantasy girl.” He said to her.  

She looked at him curiously. “Why?” 

“Because you seem to be all about business. I pictured you reading a dictionary for fun.” He laughed.  

Jen couldn’t help but laugh a bit, “no. Of course not. I liked to do things when I was younger. It was just when I realized that I needed to...” She didn’t need to say more. He already knew that part. “I just let my personal life slide and I focused on the business and the pack. It’s been my life since.” 

“Your pack isn’t going to get mad at you for taking some time off.” He said to her. “It’s okay to have a day or two to yourself.” He stated. 

She nodded, “I will keep that in mind.” Looking at him she sipped on some more wine. “What about you? What do you like to do for fun?” 

“I like to take hikes into the mountains. There is something about the dirt under your paws that make you feel so alive.” He said with a twinkle in his eyes.  

“It does feel nice.” It had been a while since she had an opportunity to take a walk into the woods and let her wolf run free.  

“Would you like to do that some time?” He asked her.  

Her phone rang and she looked down to see that it was from Shawn. She looked at James, “hold that thought. I need to take this. I will be right back.” She got up and walked towards the bathrooms and away from James so he wouldn’t overhear. “Hey.” She said to him.  

“Hey. I haven’t heard from you in a bit and I thought I would check in. What are you doing right now?” He asked.  

“Finishing up dinner. Why?” She asked.  

“Have you had dessert yet?” He asked.  

She could feel his smile through the phone. “What if I say yes?” 

“I would have to ask if you were up for a second one.” He said.  

“Oh? You have something in mind?” She asked curiously.  

“Mind if I swing by shortly?” He asked her.  

“That should be fine. I will be heading home in a few minutes.” 

“Great. See you soon.” And he hung up.  

She hung up the phone and took a deep breath. Why did he make her feel this way? She didn’t even hesitate to go along with what he was asking. She was sure if he asked to bare his mark she wouldn’t hesitate. Her face flushed at the thought of spending time with him in bed. She went into the bathroom and took a few deep breaths to calm herself. She didn’t want to come back to the table flushed. Once she was calmer, she went back to her table.  

“Everything alright?” He asked her.  

She nodded, “yes everything is fine. A friend of mine just wanted to check in on me.” 

“Friend?” He lifted his eyebrow at her curiously.  

She chuckled and signaled for the check.  

He signaled back, “I got it. I asked for this date. It’s my responsibility.” 

“At least let me split it.” She stated.  

“Nonsense.” 

“But you are planning the next date as well.” She said to him.  

He looked at her, “very well. You can cover the next dinner we have.” 

“Fine.” She said to him.  

They walked out of the restaurant and she got in her car and excitedly hurried home. To her surprise Shawn was standing next to his car waiting for her with a small bag and some flowers. “If I didn’t know any better you were trying to woo me.” She said opening the door and letting him come inside with her. She hung up her jacket and took her shoes off. He followed suit.  

“Is it working?” He asked.  

She turned to him and gave him a mischievous smile. “Maybe.”  

He handed her the flowers and she took them into the kitchen to find a vase, realizing she didn’t have any she grabbed a tall glass and slipped them inside.  

“No vase?” She asked her.  

She shrugged, “no one has ever bought me flowers before.” 

“I find that hard to believe.” He said to her, pulling out a bottle of wine and a small box from his bag.  

“Believe it or not, it’s the truth.” She pulled out a couple glasses for the wine and sat them down on the counter.  

Shawn proceeded to pour a couple of glasses and started rummaging through her drawers for plates and forks for the cake he bought for them to eat. Jena helped him and they were now sitting at her bar, sipping on wine and eating cake together. It felt so natural to have him there with her.  

“So, how’s Steven holding up?” She asked curiously.  

He chuckled a bit, “he’s going crazy trying to figure out how to have a date. He’s never been on one either and the whole thing has him a nervous wreck.” He laughed. “Much how I envision you would be if the roles were reversed.” 

It brought her a little pleasure to picture Steven struggling with planning their date. “Has he picked a time yet?” She asked.  

Shawn smirked, “not yet. Although he will probably make it tomorrow. I think he is hoping that if he makes it last minute you will cancel on him.” 

“No chance.” She said.  

“I told him that. I told him that you were interested in getting to know him. I thought that would help but that just seemed to make him more nervous.” He said.  

She chuckled, “it’s clear how different you each are. You seem to be doing this so effortlessly. It makes me jealous.” 

“Jealous? Why?” He asked her.  

“I wish I was as comfortable doing all these things like you were. Although it does make me wonder, how many times have you done this?” She looked at him curiously. She watched him. It was like they had been friends their whole lives and she was comfortable with his presence, even though they had just met. Is that what it was like to meet one’s mate? 

He looked a bit uncomfortable, “A few times.” 

“A few?” She asked. She took another sip of wine and felt like it was starting to get to her. Her body was starting to heat up a bit, but she wouldn’t let it bother her. She wanted to ask these questions to him. She wanted to get to know him better.  

He sighed, “I can’t deny that I went out a few times when I was younger. I wasn’t much interested in going into business and I would head out to the clubs at night. Steven would get so pissed when I came home late.” He said with a small chuckle.  

“Really? You seem so calm and sweet. I wouldn’t have pegged you for the clubbing type.” She said. As the words came out of her mouth she blushed. She just called him sweet.  

Shawn blushed and cleared his throat, “yeah well growing up with a controlling brother would do that to you. It was my way of rebelling. I went clubbing and Steven refused to be a part of the family. He wouldn’t go on runs with the pack. He just wanted to be left alone.” He said sadly.  

Jena was quiet for a moment, she understood that feeling. The feeling of being left out of the pack. Even now, she still felt like an outsider. Being forced into a relationship she didn’t want. She finished her glass and slid off the stool to put her glass and plate in the sink. Shawn came up behind her and his scent washed over her and she stumbled a bit. His hand went behind her to steady her and she could feel her body heat up.  

“Are you okay?” He asked with concern.  

She steadied herself and straightened herself out. “Yes. I am fine. I think I had a bit too much to drink.” 

He smirked, “it wasn’t my intention to get you drunk.” 

Jena turned towards him and they were now standing face to face. Their chests close to one another. His hand instinctively reached up and gently grabbed her arms. Her eyes wondered to his lips and couldn’t help but wonder what they would feel like on her own. It didn’t take long to find out as he leaned down and gently touched his lips against hers. She didn’t push away, instead she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him in tighter. Soon enough they were both pulling on another, deepening the kiss between them. Her body started to heat up in response and she was already moaning as she could feel him press up against her.  

Shawn didn’t miss a beat and he pushed her up against the counter, his hips were grinding into hers. It was an amazing feeling. The electricity between the two of them was more than even he could bear and he was starting to growl slightly.  

After some time he grabbed her and she wrapped her legs around his hips. He carried her up the stairs and to her bedroom. They were now passionately embracing each other on the bed. She felt so hot and just wanted to take off some of her clothing.  

“It’s so hot.” She said between breaths and tried to remove her top. He helped her remove the top and then he started removing her pants. Once they were off he took a moment to look her over. Jena looked at him hot and flustered. He leaned down and kissed her again.  

“You're so beautiful. It's hard to resist.” He said painfully.  

“Hmm...” It was hard to think. All she wanted was him. She needed him.  

“Let me satisfy you tonight and you can go to sleep.” He said to her and started slipping her underwear off. Moving down quickly he placed his lips between her legs and started pleasuring her. He took his time enjoying himself and waiting for her cues on how to continue.  

Eventually she came underneath him and screamed out in pleasure. It created a bit more pressure within his own pants but he would endure it. He pulled himself up beside her and stroked her face gently.  

She leaned in and started to push up against him.  

He pushed her away gently and kissed the top of her head, “don’t worry about me babe. Just get some sleep.” 

She groaned a bit but didn’t argue and leaned up against him and fell asleep in his arms.