Brooklyn's POV

"Elskan." A single word of endearment whispers through my consciousness, rousing me from my pleasant sleep.

"Mmm." I groan lightly, shifting around in attempts to fall back asleep, not wanting to wake from pleasant dreams.

"Wake up, my sweet Elskan." Elijah chuckles lowly, warm fingers tracing mindless patterns across my back.

"Don't wanna." I grumble, reaching a hand awkwardly behind me in feeble attempts to bat Elijah's hand away and snuggle back into his chest.

"Elskan." He only chuckles again, only this time deeper, dragging out the word as his laugh rumbles deep in his chest.

"Elijah." I whine, eyes reluctantly opening, immediately coming face to face with his amused expression and warm gaze.

"We have dinner reservations at 7pm, Astin. If you still wish to go I assumed you would desire a shower." Elijah explains, finger tips still dragging along my back only managing to lull me back to sleep.

"Unless you wish to stay here tonight. In which case, I'm sure I can think of a few activities to otherwise occupy our time." He continues suggestively, a dark look of lust and sexual hunger coming into his expression as his hands suddenly grip my hips, shifting himself against me in more than a little suggestive hint.

"Yes, I'm sure you can. But it would be such a shame to ruin your wonderfully thought out evening plans. And quite impolite as well. We have reservations after all." I smirk lightly, gently patting his chest as I feel my mental functions and brain flare to life from the sleepy fog.

"Yes, a true shame." He groans, sarcasm dripping from his tone.

"Who knew you'd become such a horn dog on me." I laugh, pressing a kiss to his chest.

"When my mate is someone as beautiful and alluring as you, Elskan, it is hard not to be." Elijah charms, though his expression conveys complete unrepentance or shame.

"Such the charmer." I laugh, stretching up for a kiss.

"Only for you." He mumbles, leaning in to meet my lips.

"I'm going to hop in the shower now." I say after a few gentle pecks to his lips.

"Maybe I should join you, Elskan." He suggests.

"Oh no. There is not going to be any shower sex tonight. And don't even try to deny it. You were thinking it. If you come in with me we won't be leaving of the hotel room at all this evening. Good lord, you're as bad as a teenage boy! You're such a horn dog!" I scold playfully and serious at the same time. Because really Elijah? He was such a man.

"I can behave." He tries to persuade, but the childish pout on his face only lessens the supposed 'persuasion' and causes me to burst out laughing instead.

"Brooklyn." He whines petulantly, in a completely manly way of course, because my bad ass Original mate would never whine like a child. Obviously.

"No, Elijah. You're such a child sometimes." I say, a smile playing at my lips as I drag my fingers through his hair soothingly.

A sigh and harrumph is my only response along with another petulant childish pout.

"Don't pout, 'Lijah. It's unbecoming of my big, bad Original mate. You'll lose your reputation." I scold, playfulness dancing in my eyes. "Besides, you're the one who woke me up and reminded me we have dinner plans. So you can blame yourself for the hole you dug mister!"

"Fine." He sighs, hands slipping from my waist reluctantly, allowing me to rise from bed.

"Tonight, after we come back from dinner." I promise, pressing another quick kiss to his lips.

"Okay." He replies, sounding a whole lot more eager than two seconds ago.

"You're such a guy." I say dramatically, rolling my eyes as I slip out of bed, padding over to his discarded clothes from earlier and slipping on his dress shirt.

"Did I hurt you, Elskan?" Elijah asks worriedly, a slight wind brushing against the back of my bare legs, Elijah suddenly behind me, hand gently resting on my waist and face snuffling against my neck.

"I'm okay, Elijah. Just a little sore. Nothing a nice hot shower can't fix. I'll be fine. Besides, Alpha Wolf remember? I think I'm a bit more durable." I assure, turning around in his arms to pressing soothing kisses to his chest and run my hand along his back.

"I'm sorry." He rumbles, sounding as if he's going to start guilt tripping himself or go buy me a million apology gifts this moment, head dipping down to rest on top mine while lips press kisses to my crown.

"There's no reason to apologize. I'm fine, really. Your concern is sweet, but unneeded. I promise, I'm fine. You were perfect." I assure again, tipping my head up to look at his seriously.

"I love you, Brooklyn."

"I love you too, Elijah." I respond immediately, leaning up for another kiss as a smile forms on my lips.

Hearing a small hum of satisfaction, Elijah nuzzles into my neck again, nose brushing against skin and snuffling at his well-placed bite mark; vampires were so territorial.

"Go get in the shower, my love. I'll lay out your clothes." He says, finally pulling away from my neck and gently turning me towards our ensuite to nudge me towards it.

"Okay. Thanks, 'Lijah." I chirp back, already padding towards the bathroom.

Hopping into the shower the warm spray cascades down my body, relaxing muscles and cleansing my body from sweat and grim. It was wonderful and very satisfying.

Finally shutting off the water, I grab a towel and wrap it around my body, securing it tightly before exiting the steamy shower. Using a second towel to squeeze my hair dry, I open the bathroom door, humming lightly as the cool air hits my heated skin.

"Elijah?" I call, noticing he was absent from the room I guessed he was using the other bathroom in our suit to shower himself.

Unconcerned, I grab my things Elijah had so generously laid on the bed to tote back to the bathroom and get ready.

An hour or so later I'm finished primping and unzip my dress bag only to notice an unfamiliar, but stunning dress.

"Hey 'Lijah?" I call, finally deciding to put it on (I didn't exactly have a lot of options here, there was only one dress in the bag. I could have sworn I packed at least two and this was definitely not one of them). It was truly gorgeous and would fit my body type and accent my features perfectly. It's possible, since I did shop a lot, that I simply forgot I had it.

"I don't remember this dress. Did I buy this recently?" I ask as I walk out of the bathroom, finished with getting ready and now dressed.

"I bought it for you. For tonight." He replies, his gaze raking over my appearance.

"Oh, you didn't need to do that. But thank you. I love it. It's gorgeous." I say, smiling happily at him.

"I'm pleased that you like it, Elskan. You look magnificent. Stars and suns do not compare. Perhaps I picked out a dress too well. I may not be able to keep my hands off you tonight." He compliments, his voice dropping huskily at the end as he suddenly appears behind me, hands dropping to my waist as lips brush against my ear and neck as if to make his point.

"You're insatiable." I laugh, turning to face him.

Smirking at me, I simply lean up to peck his lips before pulling back.

"I'm ready to leave. Are you finished? You look very handsome."

"Yes Elskan, shall we?" He asks, offering me an arm.

"We shall."

Edited 1/22/19