Chapter 14

**Marilyn**

"Look just let me take you out on a proper date. Forget the troubles of the world for a while" Daniel asked looking into my eyes.
A chance to let go and forget was exactly what I needed. I guess that's why I was upset about enjoying the club. I had never felt that alive before. It was scary how he was able to bring out that side of me but for once I wasn't going to fight it.
"Okay. I'd like that."
He smiled at me flashing those perfect white teeth and I almost melted at the sight. I realized then I liked seeing him that way, happy and smiling.
"You won't regret it."
I could hear the excitement in his voice.
"I better not," I said playfully.
The truth was I knew I wouldn't the moment I agreed.
"Be ready in two hours."
He got up and started to walk toward the door.
"Where are you going?" I asked him curiously.
"Rule number one sweetheart, don't ask questions, just do as you're told. Leave everything to me tonight and follow my lead."
He left the room leaving me speechless. The way he ordered me was incredibly sexy and I have no doubt he caught a whiff of my arousal before he left.
I calmed myself down and looked for something descent to wear but came up with nothing as usual. I really needed to go shopping but it would have to wait.
I decided to go for a simple look since I had no clue where we were going. I laid out some black jeans that fit in all the right places and a dark blue sleeveless ruffled top. I went with some comfortable matching wedges to be on the safe side just in case we did some walking.
I hopped in the shower and stayed in for a half hour before getting out. I wrapped a towel around myself and blow dryed my hair. I decided to leave it curly not wanting to waste the time straightening it. I brushed my teeth and grabbed some undergarments before getting dressed.
I applied some light make up after I finished and dryed off. Basic eye shadow, mascara, and lip gloss, nothing fancy. I checked the time and realized I had just made it. I went down stairs searching for Daniel.
He was waiting for me, flowers in hand.
"Awwww you didn't have to get me flowers," I told him.
"I wanted to."
He handed them to me and I accepted them grateful for the thoughtful gesture.
"Is there a vase so I can put them in water?"
"Of course. Susan would you put these in water and take them to my room please," he said.
I turned around to see a lady I didn't even notice was there. She was an older woman with graying hair whom I had never seen before, but she looked kind and grandmotherly.
"Yes sir," she said bowing to him. She extended her hand in a silent plea for the flowers and I handed them to her. She went on her way and Daniel took my hand leading me outside to the car.
He opened the door like a perfect gentleman.
We drove in a comfortable silence with only the sound of the radio since I wasn't allowed to ask where we were going. It was thirty minutes before the car came to a stop. We were in a parking lot that looked to almost be deserted.
He came around and opened my door.
"Step out, close your eyes and turn around."
I did as I was told. I heard the car door close and I could feel him as he came to stand behind me. I felt something silk cover my eyes, a blindfold. I really wanted to ask what was going on but I held my tongue.
"Follow me."
He grabbed my hand guiding me. I didn't have a clue where he was leading me, but I had to trust it wasn't to my doom like in the movies.
We came to a stop and he let go of my hand. I tried to ignore the slight panic I felt given that I couldn't see. I breathed a sigh of relief when he came behind me and untied the blindfold.
"Open you eyes," he whispered softly in my ear.
The view took my breathe away. We were near an ocean on what looked to be a private balcony. The stars shining brightly and the full moon on display as the tides rolled in.
"Wow. It's beautiful," I finally managed to say.
"I hoped you'd think so. Now sit down so we can have dinner." he said smiling.
He pulled out my chair and as if on cue a waiter came in and placed two silver trays in front of us.
"This looks amazing," I said as the lid was pulled off revealing chicken alfredo with steamed broccoli. A basket of hot rolls with butter were placed in the middle. I could feel my mouth starting to water it looked so delicious.
We made light conversation laughing and talking about random things. I felt so carefree and at ease with him. I couldn't help but think of how I felt with Ryland. We were happy, but he never made me feel this way, like I could be myself. I was always worried about impressing him, that some other woman could steal him away at any given moment. It was a feeling deep down that I kept hidden as I tried to be perfect for him.
Daniel made me feel different, like he was really going to be with me either way and I liked that feeling. I liked how I felt beyond special with him. He cooked for me, slept on the floor, all to make sure I was happy. He cared for me despite everything that we've been through.
"Now for the grand finale," Daniel said with a smirk bringing me out of my thoughts.
I gave him a puzzled look. He had already done more than enough. He snapped his fingers and the lights dimmed. Music started to play as a light shone in the middle of the balcony. I was in awe.
He stood up and extended his hand.
"Dance with me."
It took a minute for the shock to wear off before I gave him my hand. He pulled me into his chest and twirled me around lifting me like I was lighter than air. It was like we were one floating in a different dimension where only the two of us existed. I looked into his mesmerizing eyes and it was like I was seeing him for the first time. His eyes were lit up with happiness and there was a playful grin on his face showing his dazzling white teeth. He was perfect.
The last song ended and he dipped me. I couldn't breathe as I looked into his eyes. I could hear his heart beat and feel the warmness of his breath, we were that close. My eyes wondered to his lips on their own accord. The need to kiss him growing stronger. Just as I was about to act on that instinct, he let me up.
I couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed. Why didn't he kiss me?
"Time to call it a night princess."
I followed him back to the car silently. Tonight I had the best time of my life. I didn't know how he managed to put it all together so quickly but he did, for me. He went through all that trouble to give me a night that I wouldn't forget, free of worry and stress. It worked like a charm exceeding all my expectations. What I couldn't understand was why. Why did he want so badly for me to be happy? I realized then that if I was truly honest with myself, I didn't deserve him.
We pulled up to the house. The ride had been completely silent with me lost in thought. We got to the room and he let me have the bathroom to change. I walked out and I saw him laying on the floor leaving the bed for me.
I climbed in with a heavy heart. A tear leaked down my cheek as I thought of how much I put him through and how good he had been to me.
"What's wrong?" he asked sitting on the bed next to me.
"Nothing," I lied trying to hold back the rest of the tears that were threatening to spill.
"I know you're lying just talk to me."
I could hear the concern in his voice. I turned to face him. He wiped a tear from my cheek and I took a deep breath.
"Why? Why are so good to me when we both know I don't deserve it? You found me in bed with another man. I told you I still thought of him and that I didn't regret our relationship. I didn't wait for you and you and you still tried your best to get along with me and make me happy. I just don't understand it. Anyone else would have rejected me. Why didn't you? What are you waiting for? I know that's why you didn't kiss me tonight so just stop pretending and get it over with," I cried hysterically hitting his chest. All my feelings that I bottled up came pouring out. The guilt, the anger, the frustration, the doubt, the shame. I couldn't hold it in any longer.
He grabbed my wrists and placed them at my side before pulling me into his chest and rocking me gently.
"Shhhh it's okay baby. I didn't kiss you because I didn't know how you would react, even though I wanted too. I already told you that I forgave you and that I'm not perfect so why are you still beating yourself up about it? I want to be with you and I'm doing all this to prove to you why we are meant to be. That no man in your past can ever make you feel the way I do. You have to trust me. I would never reject you. I've waited too long to have you in my arms."
I took in everything he said. It was everything I wanted to hear and more. I felt like the whole thing had been a dream. That I would wake up and none of it would've been real. He would be distant and cold and I would still be bitter about being ripped away from the life I had. That none it could be real because we were growing closer than I would have ever imagined in this short time.
Yet I knew it was real. I had reached my breaking point, fallen to pieces, only to have him put me back together.
"Sleep princess," he said pulling the sheets over us and kissing me on the forehead.
I didn't know how I would feel in the morning, or next week. But right now I felt safe and secure in his arms, something I never thought I would feel again.


**Ryland**

I sat in my room pissed and confused. It looked a mess considering I had thrown mostly everything I could get my hands on. I couldn't get the girl off my mind. Why did she run from me?
I wanted to go find Haley, make her tell me who she was and where I could find her. But I didn't want to go searching for someone who didn't want me.
I kicked the desk again out of frustration. This is why I didn't want a mate, they only brought pain. I had watched my mother suffer in silence from the loss of my father until she couldn't bare it any longer. I didn't want to end up that way. Yet here I was, alone.
"She's ours. You should have went after her. She wants us. I know she does," my wolf said for the thousandth time. I wasn't convinced.
I shut him out and laid on the bed with my hands behind my head. This was crazy. All that time I spent with Marilyn I was so sure I knew what I wanted. When she was taken from me I was pissed, but I couldn't go after her without the risk of getting killed or punished. Then I met my mate and she was gorgeous, the most beautiful women I had ever seen. We shared the best kiss of my life and now she was gone.
I was at a stand still. I didn't know what to think, how to feel. I wanted to trust my wolf, believe that if I went to find her and got to the bottom of things it would work out. I knew it wasn't true, but I couldn't just sit here wallowing in self pity anymore. I would drive myself insane. I made up my mind. I was going to talk to Haley and prove to my wolf and myself what I already knew, our mate didn't want us.