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He licked his lips as he straightened, clearly thinking about what he wanted or maybe how to explain what he wanted. “I’m going to stop asking you second-guessing kind of questions and just take you at your word when you give an order or ask a question.”
Good…because after a while, answering everything over and over would get frustrating for both of us.
Nodding slowly, I kept my gaze on his. “I won’t lie to you, pup. I might accidentally offend you, but I won’t lie or say something I don’t mean.”
Bishop flashed me a cheeky grin, probably over the offending him remark, but he didn’t tease me about it. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” It was my turn to smile as he slowly walked back to me, looking confident and teasing as he held out the bag.
“I would like help, Sir.” There was just a hint of worry still in his eyes, so I reached up and cupped his cheek, slowly caressing it with my thumb as I took the bag from him.
“I would be glad to help, pup.”
This was going to be the best first date ever.
Chapter 7
Bishop
This was the strangest first date ever.
He was polite and interested in me.
He was a functional adult who seemed to have a real job.
And best of all, he was excited to see my pup.
Part of me realized how low my expectations had gotten if the short list was mind-blowing, but I’d think about it later. For now, I was going to do my best not to think at all, and I just hoped it would be as easy as it was when I was alone.
It was simple to let my pup side out around other pups and subs—he was kind of uncomplicated—but it hadn’t been the same around dates. Not that it was surprising. There was nothing playful or fun about being stared at like I was a circus sideshow.
Cohen seemed to understand, though. There was a knowing in his eyes that said he realized how stressful this was for me, but I appreciated that he didn’t try to talk me out of it or push it off to another day.
I needed to get this over with so I could relax around him.
The logic sounded backward, even to me, but I had to see this wasn’t a deal breaker for him…and that there was the same spark of special something that’d been between us since our eyes first met.
But as he’d taken the bag from my hands and smiled, some of the tension that had taken up long-term residence in my stomach started to fade…and it felt strange. It was like a houseguest that had moved in and never left, so it took me a moment to realize why I felt lighter.
“We’re going to head up to my room because it has more privacy.” He gestured toward the wall of windows at the back of the living room and I had to chuckle. “And I think it will be more intimate.”
That had my cheeks heating up again.
Cohen’s eyes sparkled with barely suppressed laughter, but he held it back. “But we know that nothing happens unless we're both comfortable, and right now we’re basically just holding a pup meet and greet, so no sexy times.”
Groaning, I had to resist the urge to cover my face. “Meet and greet. Yes.”
I was hard enough that I wasn’t going to promise the no sexy times part unless that was what he actually wanted. But since I seriously doubted that, I didn’t think I had to worry.
I got a light peck on the cheek before he wrapped one arm around me and nodded toward a windy staircase at the front of the house. “Upstairs, pup.”
Orders were definitely appreciated even if he seemed worried that he was overstepping, so I nodded and took a deep breath. I wanted to show him that I liked how he’d taken charge, but the oxygen or maybe just the calming action had me feeling better too.
“One step at a time and we go as slow as we need to.” His soothing tone had my tight muscles releasing as we made our way through the huge house and up to the second floor. “What safewords do you want to use for tonight?”
It was a legit question, but I had to take another breath before my throat released the words. “I’d like to use stoplight colors if that’s alright with you.”
“Good. They’re easy to remember.” Stroking my back as we walked up the stairs, he chuckled. “Brains aren’t always at top form during a scene.”
I had to laugh at how true that was, but the reflexive action popped another bubble of stress. “I know there are a thousand urban legends about subs who forget an overly complicated safeword during a scene, but it’s always been one of my fears.”
