Microsoft Word - Corey-Toni_Griffin.doc by Dawn Read Free Book Online Page A

for, fists placed against the tiled wall, head lowered, and just letting the water flow over him. Eventually Corey stood up and washed himself before shutting off the tap.
    Corey stepped from the enclosure and roughly dried himself with the large towel. He hung the towel up, turned out the light to the bathroom, and walked through the dark room to his bed.
    He pulled back the sheet and crawled in. Corey lay back and was instantly surrounded by the overwhelming scent of his mate.
    "What the fuck?" Corey sat up and flicked on the light. How in the hell could his mate's scent be so strong in his bedroom?
    Corey looked over the bed and noticed something

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    peeking out from under his pillow. He lifted his pillow and found a folded shirt and a note. Corey groaned and ran his hand through his hair in frustration. He first reached out and picked up the shirt, brought it to his nose, and inhaled deeply.
    The overwhelming calm and peacefulness he felt as the aroma entered his body had Corey breathing in again.
    After a moment, he picked up the note and read.

    Corey,
    I know you've been hurt in the past, but
    please trust me when I say I have no
    intention of ever causing you a moment of pain.
    You look tired. Please try and get some
    sleep. I hope my scent will help calm your wolf until you allow me to be there with you.
    All my love,
    Ethan.

    PS,
    I'm looking forward to our first date.

    Corey wanted to throttle the man and kiss him, all at the same time. Instead, he placed the note on his bedside

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    table, turned off the light, and lay back down again. Corey brought the shirt up and placed it on his pillow next to his head. His mate's scent did exactly what Ethan had hoped.
    His wolf was calm and Corey was able to roll over and close his eyes. He was out like a light in a matter of seconds.

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Chapter 5
    Ethan had barely been able to concentrate on
    anything all week. As much as he would have loved to take Corey on their date the very next day, he had decided to wait. Corey had already been nervous enough as it was on Monday, and Ethan seriously didn't want to push him over the edge.
    He hadn't told Corey, but while Ethan had been in his mate's bedroom leaving his shirt for Corey under his pillow, Ethan had stolen one of Corey's out of his laundry basket. The shirt was infused with his mate's scent and Ethan had been able to sleep easier the last couple of days.
    Ethan had been touched on Tuesday when Corey
    sent him a message out of the blue. It was the first time Corey had ever initiated contact with him. The message was short and simple but it meant the world to Ethan.
    Thank you.
    The week had slowly passed and there still wasn't a day that went by that Ethan didn't call or message his mate.
    Now though, instead of the terse replies he had received in the beginning, the responses he was getting were a great deal softer. Ethan hoped it was a good sign that his mate was starting to warm up to the idea of them being together.

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    Wanting to be able to relax on their date and not have to worry about calling it a night early due to them both having to work in the morning, Ethan had decided to wait until Friday to take Corey out.
    Ethan just hoped Corey hadn't made other plans for the evening. He hadn't wanted to ask Corey out earlier, as he really didn't want his mate stressing for days on end about their upcoming date.
    Are you free tonight?
    Yes. The short reply came quickly from his mate.
    Can I pick you up at six thirty and take you to dinner?
    Again, Corey's response was fast. Ethan smiled as he quickly typed his reply.
    I'll see you then.
    Not exactly a glowing 'yes', but Ethan would take what he could get. Now he just had to get through the rest of the day before he could relax and spend some quality time with his mate.
    Ethan ducked out at five that afternoon to pick up a nice bunch of flowers for Corey before the florist