The Professor's Second Chance Mate

chapter 12b

2pm came and went. Perhaps my clock was broken…

Perhaps I’d already screwed this up.

Perhaps she has a class at this time.

I looked her up in the system. Nope, no class at this time.

For the first time in my entire life someone stood me up. I’m not talking about a woman. I hadn’t been on any dates since Darla. And even then, we weren’t really dating. We were fu.king, a friends with benefits kind of gig. Until I accidentally knocked her up. Then we were suddenly a couple with responsibilities.

As an Alpha, half my life was spent in meetings. Usually, people wait anxiously for me. I quickly learned the outer signs of anxiety or nervousness. Sweaty palms, sweaty brows, fidgeting fingers, eyes constantly flicking around, difficulty looking me in the eye. Etc.

For the first time in my life, however, I clearly recognized those signs in myself. It was me sitting there watching the clock tick up to, and past, 2pm. I’d also recognized my mate displaying each and every one of those sighs during class earlier. Though once, when that girl tried picking me up, she definitely growled in jealousy. Want is a powerful thing. I could work with that. Use it to ease her through her fear, entice her into giving me a chance.

Chucking to myself, I realized she definitely wasn’t coming. She was already keeping me on my toes.

Then a horrid thought struck. What if the age gap makes us incompatible? The mate bond can only do so much. What if she thinks I’m an old, creepy, out-of touch p*****t? What if I can’t find the right words to communicate with her? She’s from a different generation. I never needed to woo a woman. What if I accidentally offended her and I didn’t even know how? What if I did this all wrong? What if I’d already chased her away? Did she want me to sweep her off her feet? Did she think I’d reject her? Good goddess, my mind has never been in such a shambles.

Sighing, I tried to call her. I tried. And I tried. After several failed attempts to call her. I finally called Bodie.

Perhaps breaking into a students’ room wasn’t my finest moment last night, but I felt like we’d gotten somewhere. She was willing to give us a chance. In the morning, she seemed a lot less scared of me. That anger had dissolved completely. And I was definitely right about her wanting me. That was a solid start. Dinner tonight would be another step forward, and soon I’d have her where I want her - in my arms. Fingers crossed.

All day, I couldn’t get her out of my head. My mind was buzzing with not only my need for her, she was a sudden obsession, but with the logistics. Not only did I need to win her love and trust, I needed to figure out how to keep her safe, and how we could see each other while keeping this relationship under wraps. I can’t get back to my pack yet. I had a strong feeling she wasn’t interested in being in any pack right now. She’d straight up said she came here to get away from packs. I wouldn’t force her into one. Nor would I take her dreams from her. Whatever her dreams were, my job was to support her. I just needed to show her that.

What she didn’t know yet was that she’d arrived at a perfect time for me, since I left my pack in the hands of my son, l’d been doing my damndest to let him find his footing on his own. Despite the overwhelming desire to go kick some sense into him on occasion. Lara gives me something else to focus on. Someone to focus on. I need her as much as I think she needs me.

When I figured out the where and when for dinner, I texted my new love.

Me: Darling, I’ll pick you up at the corner of Second and Charles, at 630. Does that work for you?”

Goddess, what if she doesn’t show.

She’ll show, Knight reassured me.

Her: Yes. picking me up on the street corner like a w***e sounds great.

There was also some emoji, like a forced grin.

Shit, I didn’t mean it like that.

Sorry, it’s just … but before I could finish typing, a new message came in.

Her: It’s fine. I’m joking- mostly.

I finished typing my message and quickly sent it.

Me: Sorry, I didn’t mean to insult you. We just need to be careful right now. You mean more to me that I can possibly describe.

I received a thumbs up emoji.

So that means it was all good? Right? Mental note: Ask my daughter for an emoji cheat sheet.

Knight chuckles lightly. We’ve been unshakable our whole lives. Nothing has ever rattled us before like this girl. And she has no idea what she does to us.

When I finally saw her walking toward my car, in a simple yet elegant black dress, my c**k leaped to attention and my mouth instantly dried up. Holy s**t, she was perfect. Silently, I thanked the goddess, not only for her gift, but for making me wait for her. My patience paid off. I knew that was a lesson I’d needed too. Temperance was not a trait I naturally possessed as a young man. With her, especially after the range of emotions she displayed last night, patience was definitely what I needed with her. She needed time. I would give it to her. I would give her anything and everything she needed.

Of course, that didn’t stop my wolf or I from imagining her blowing me while we drove to the restaurant. It had been so long since anyone had touched me down there, besides myself. I could almost feel her soft hands…

“Oh, darling. Whatever you are thinking, I’m going to need you to squash that for now.” It was a struggle to even get the words out.

Damn, I was white knuckling the steering wheel and her sweet arousal aroma was driving me wild. A hypocritical ask? Yes. I was having similar dirty thoughts, perhaps she saw that. My arousal was visually evident. I was telling her as much as myself that we needed to control our thoughts. These were dangerous thoughts while driving. Goddess forbid, I crashed the car over a fantasy. I could hurt the love of my life. Or, less severe but still embarrassing, I could blow my load and then have to wear the shorts in the trunk.

It’s going to be a long and deliciously painful night.