20. Picnic

Torin’s pov

“So, how are things?” I said with a big smile as she came running towards me a bit slower than usual.

“Fine,” she replied with a small smile.

“Well, I kind of had a surprise planned, but I’m not sure if today is the right day or not.” I started. If she wasn’t in the right mood, it could backfire.

It took a lot not to be romantic around Raelyn. Every day I saw her, I wanted to hug or kiss her. Flirting with her seemed to be fine, as was touch, as long as I didn’t touch her too much or too long.

A hug was fine. Handholding wasn't.

It was a fine line, and I didn’t want to do anything to make my mate uncomfortable.

But to be honest… I was starting to feel uncomfortable. And not in a blue ball kind of way, but because of our mate bond. When a werewolf meets their mate, they usually mark and mate each other pretty fast, and I can understand why.

My attraction to my mate is intense. It makes it hard to think about anything apart from her.

My work is affected as well.

I can’t concentrate. I constantly feel agitated.

At least there is one good thing about our borders being attacked: at least I get to unleash some of my frustration on them.

I need Raelyn, and if my plan fails, I’m not sure what I’ll do.

“Surprise?” Raelyn asked.

I smiled at my mate, “I thought instead of running, we could have a picnic. I know lunch felt a bit too intimate, and that’s why we started running. So if, -“

I stopped talking when I saw Raelyn’s face. She looked so relieved.

“So yes to the picnic?” I chuckled.

“Yes. I’m starving,” she replied.

“Did you skip lunch or something?” I asked as I put my arm over her shoulder.

She looked up at me, “something like that.”

I kissed the top of her head without thinking, “you know you can tell me anything, right?”

She looked up at me and smiled, “I just had a bad morning, but you’ve made it better.”

Goddess, did I want to kiss my mate right now. I watched those plump lips that were open slightly, and I had to stop for a second and just look at her.

Raelyn giggled nervously, “what? Do I have something in my teeth?” And began to show me her teeth.

“No, dimples. You’re just too beautiful.” I admitted.

She shook her head and laughed awkwardly, “aah, stop it. I’m not.”

“You are, Rae. Gorgeous. I’d be all over you if you weren’t married.” I replied and quickly added, “but you are, so we’re just friends.”

“Yup,” Raelyn nodded, looking down to her shoes. “Just friends.”

I walked with Raelyn until we reached the small area where my beta had helped me set up the picnic. I may have gone overboard and brought all kinds of food from the packhouse, but it was just another way to care for my mate.

When she is mine, I'll do whatever it takes to make her happy. I’ll provide whatever she needs.

I could have sworn I actually saw Raelyn wipe away a tear after she took a bite out of one of the pies I brought.

“It’s good, right?” I asked.

She moaned, “sooo good.”

“I brought way too much, so if you want, you can take the rest home as leftovers. I have enough at home.” I offered.

She nodded eagerly, “thank you, Torin. That would be great.”

We ate until our stomachs were full, and then we lay in the sun. Colton had brought a large blanket and even some pillows to sit on.

Raelyn rested her head on one of the pillows, and I rested my head on her stomach. I asked first, of course.

Her hands instinctively went to my hair, scratching my scalp as we lay there comfortably in silence.

I had never felt closer to her.

This is what life would be like once she’s mine.

Of course I wanted sex, but this type of intimacy felt just as important.

“I need to head back soon,” Raelyn was the first to speak.

“Not yet, please.” I said, turning my head to face her.

“Fine,” she laughed. “Five more minutes.”

“That sounds like something you would tell our future kids,” I replied, chuckling at my own joke.

Raelyn was silent. Crap… Did I take things too far again?

I hated that I had to think about what I was saying to my mate. I hated that I had to hold myself back all the time. That I had to lie.

But most of all, I hated that I hadn’t gotten the proof I needed to show to Raelyn that her husband was a lying, cheating scumbag.

There were some pictures that showed them hugging, but none that were enough to prove Dylan was having an affair.

I sat up, as did Raelyn, and I studied her face, waiting for her to speak first.

“Do you really mean it when you say such things?” She asked, her eyes down while she nervously bit her lip.

“Every word, Raelyn, and so much more.” What was the point in lying?

“I’ve wondered since we met if you were just doing this as some sort of game. I wondered if our friendship was based on you trying to make me do something even though I’m married."

I put my fingers under her chin, “look at me, Dimples. You know me better than that, don’t you?”

“I like to think I do.” She replied as she looked at me.

I sighed, “I wish we could be more, but until we can, I would gladly be just friends.”

“And if I could never give you more?”

I shrugged, “friends is better than not being able to see you at all.”

She laughed dryly, “but I’m nobody.”

“You’re everything.” I replied as I slid my hand behind her ear.

“You’re you and… It wouldn’t look right.” She was making excuses, but none of them involved Dylan.

“We’d look perfect together. Like we belonged together from the start.”

She shook her head, “you’re perfect, but I’m a mess.”

“You would be my mess then. Goddess, I really want to kiss you right now.” I said, moving my head closer.

I watched her face, her eyes moving as she considered allowing me to kiss her. “We shouldn’t.”

“I know,” I replied, moving even closer. There was hardly any distance left between us, but it was up to her if she would breach that gap.

Every second she didn’t move felt like an hour until I felt those soft lips touch mine. Barely, but it was enough.

When her lips brushed against mine, I pulled her head even closer, deepening our kiss.

This was my chance to show her how I truly felt.

I had never kissed anyone like this, my lips softly pulling on hers, my tongue finding her tongue and playing with it. She was so gentle as she kissed me back.

I have no clue how long our kiss lasted, but even if it had been hours, it would have been too short.

It was Raelyn who pulled away first, looking beautiful. Her lips were red and swollen, her cheeks pink, and she was breathing fast.

I could smell her arousal all around us. She had enjoyed this as much as I did.

But then her eyes went wide as if she suddenly realized what she had done.

You can’t tell Dylan! Ever! I don't know what he'll do.”

I shook my head, “he can try, but I won’t let him do anything, dimples.”

She got up from the blanket, “I mean it, Torin. This can’t happen again. Not until…”

“Until what?”

She sighed, “until I leave him. I just need a plan.”

I got up and grabbed both her hands, “I have a plan. Come live with me.”

She shook her head and laughed, “no, Torin. That’s crazy.”

“Not to me.”

“No, I need to do this myself. I like you, Torin, but if I do this, I have to do it on my own. I can’t keep relying on men.”

I looked at her, “you have thought about this before?”

She shrugged, “maybe. But until then, this can’t happen anymore.”

“The kissing or us seeing each other each day?”

She was silent for a bit, and I started to panic. I needed to see her!

Raelyn sighed, “we can still go running and talk on the phone. But I want to do this the right way. I don't want to start anything while I'm still married.”

"I understand. And just so you know, I don't mind waiting."