Chapter 8

Alisha's POV 

The place he picked was one that I frequently went to , it wasn't far from my place and the food was good. We sat outside on the patio to enjoy the warm afternoon breeze. I didn't even have to look at the menu here that's how many times I've eaten here. I had that thing memorized the first month I spent here in Barcelona, granted it wasn't a big menu but still it counts. Being a full time student didn't leave much time for cooking either not that I'm complaining. It just never interested me that much and I preferred to eat out. No dishes to wash or shopping to do, and since it was only me it made more sense. 

Don't get me wrong, I can cook enough to survive if needed . One of my goals in life includes having a full time cook when I finally make it big in my career. I've never pictured my self being a home maker, cooking and cleaning while caring for children. Nope, that's one tough job and I have to give kudos to the women who do it. My mother was a prime example and I love her for everything she gave to us daily. She loved her role and if I ever did want children someday I'd want to be just like her. But right now the thought has me running in the opposite direction. 

Alvan is reading the small menu after we ordered coffee. I already know what I want , just waiting on him before telling our server. He puts the menu down and gives me a pantie dropping smile. Damn he is so easy on the eyes and I could stare at him all day if I had the time. Our server returns and places our coffees down, and waits for our orders. But before I can tell her what I want , he starts to rattle off several items on the menu to her rapidly in Spanish.  

His dialect gives away that he isn't from Spain, as I listen to him order food . He decided to order for both of us. This mistake just dropped him a level in my book, never assume you know what I want to eat. I don't need or like a man to do that without asking me first. He's referring to me when telling her items , and when he is done he dismisses her. I detect a smug attitude coming from him as she walks away to turn the order in. 

"I hope your hungry mi dulzura" He reaches a hand across the table reaching for mine, I pull back out of reach leaning back in my chair . His smile is gone and he has a confused look on his face now. 

"I'm hungry alright, but she left before I could give her my order" I'm know my face isn't giving away how pissed I am right now. " I hope your hungry with everything you ordered. " 

My tone isn't giving away much either , so his look of confusion only grew at my words. I learned a long time ago how to hide my true emotions. I'm a woman trying to make it in a man's business would, emotions don't work there. They are a weakness and it didn't take me long to figure that out.

It was like a light bulb went off in his head, he smiled again . "I ordered for you don't worry " 

"I get that you THINK I can't order my own food, but believe me I can. " I shift so that I'm leaning forward slightly in my chair. "Been doing it for years "

His look tells me he knows he fucked up. "I should never have done that. I just want to take care of you .I'm sorry. " I can tell he isn't lying, this man is sorry. It's written all over his face and he's struggling to find a way to fix it. His eyes look so worried right now that my anger is slipping away from. I need to just let it go this time, we really don't know each other outside the bedroom and I could have stopped him when he was doing it.

I'm a control freak when it comes to things in my life. I've always been a leader not a follower in any group. My parents are of Alpha blood , born leaders in the shifter society and that's were I get it from. It makes it hard for me at times to let other make decisions for me. I don't like it.

"Listen , You don't really know me so there isn't any way you could have known my feelings about it. " I shouldn't be blowing it up like this at him, I don't want to part on a sour note with him. From what Paola has told me , male shifters can be very controlling when it comes to females. This is really my first experience dealing with a male were. " I'm just hungry and it makes me easily irritated, sorry I snapped at you. "

He visibly begins to relax but there is still tension in his face. "Would you like me to call her back?" At least he's trying to fix it, got to give him that. 

"No, it's fine. But since you picked the food , I get first pick of what I want when it gets here" That's only fair right? I'm in control again.

"You can have anything you want" Now he reaches for my hand again and this time I met him half way with mine giving his hand a squeeze before pulling back. "Next time will be different I promise." 

My empty stomach sinks in my belly at his words.

Next time, crap he thinks we are going to get together again after today. He's hot and I had a really good time with him but I've got no time for dating . Besides I'm leaving tomorrow for the coast and I'll be too busy to even consider dating anyone. A long distance relationship is out of the question. This was a one time deal , no attachments. I need to tell him and I will, soon.Why ruin our meal.

Our food arrives and I pick out my favorites , he was lucky I like everything on the menu . We make small talk about the city as we eat, the places we both visited and the sites . I don't want to get into any deep conversations with him , we aren't going anywhere so what was the point in it. He's seems like a nice guy but I'm sure he's got a mate out there just waiting to snap him up. 

That thought helps make the next step easier. Now I got a lead in the conversation, I can play on the mate thing to let him down. 

"I've had a really good time, but I need to get back to my apartment. " The plates are all empty now and we have been sitting here for over an hour. It's time for me to go. I pull some money out of my purse to pay my half of the bill. It wouldn't be nice to dump him and let him pay for everything.

"No I got this, it was my idea after all and I did order everything." He lays some money on the table. " What do you want to do this evening? Club again or just out to dinner?" 

Shit, it's now or never. 

I take a deep breath and look over at the man across from. His dark brown eyes meeting mine as he waits for my answer. Part of me is thinking, why not wait one more day and the other is telling me to just do now. 

"Alvan, I had a REALLY good time with you. Your a sweet man but I don't think it's a good idea to see each other again. " His face drops at my words and it's hard to look at him while I'm saying this. But I have to do this now.

" Why does it have to stop. I can tell you like me and I like you. What's the problem" His voice has a hard edge to it now. " I don't think it's a good idea to stop now. "

"I'm not looking for a boyfriend. I'm in school and won't even be here in the city much longer." A part of me doesn't want me to tell him too much information. That little voice in my head is giving me some vibes about him. I see stalker in my future.

"I can still fit in your life if you let me. I can make you happy. " His face has a frown on it and I can feel him getting angry. Time to pull out the big guns.

" We both have mates out there somewhere and it wouldn't be fair to them. " Ok , so I'm playing the mate card right now. " I'm sorry if you want more from me, but it's not going to happen. " 

I get up to leave as my words soak in. He doesn't say anything else right away , just sits there staring down at his coffee cup he's holding tight in his grip. I can see his knuckles are turning white from the pressure he's putting on it. That is one study mug.

" I have no mate, she died soon after meeting her years ago. " His voice is tense as he speaks. " So there is no one out there waiting for me. But I understand your reasons, you have someone waiting somewhere unlike myself. "

Well fuck me now, I just put my foot in a mess of shit. Now I feel bad about how I talked to him just now. My mind is reeling from that little bit of information, how do you respond to that. It at least explains why he wanted a relationship of some kind with me. 

"I'm so sorry to hear that." I don't know what else to say, what do you say to someone who's goddess given soul mate died. I can't even begin to understand what he's feeling . I haven't found my mate , but am not in any hurry either.  

He stands up to face me,I can see the underlying sadness in his eyes . Wrapping my arms around his muscular chest I give him a hug. His arms pull me tight against him as he returns it. Breaking away after a couple of minutes we just look at each other.

"Then we can be friends, OK? I won't pressure you into anything." His voice soft and there's that sexy underlying accent again making me question my decision. 

"Sure, we can be friends." Who can say no after all of this. " But I have to go now, sorry but I have plans that can't be broken."

"That's fine, my number is in your phone." How did that happen. I guess the look of surprise is on my face says it all. " You put in it last night and I have yours. You sure don't remember much about our conversations last night."  

" I do remember the important things at least " I run my finger down his chest, yep I remember how good he looked naked and how good he made me feel.

"I wouldn't have wanted you to forget that . " He runs his fingers across my cheek. "Mi corazon " 

There is that smile I love to see on his face now. I lean into him as he leans towards me, wrapping my hands around his neck pulling his face to me. 

 With a kiss goodbye I head on home. 

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