Frey laid on her bed, exhausted by Alcide's emotions toward her. One minuet he pins her against the wall, threatening to fuck her, then next he's a gentleman, asking if she wanted more tea when she finished a glass, offering to help with dishes, remembering how she took her coffee.

She lifted her head when she heard him pacing outside her door, mumbling to himself.

"Alcide?"

He immeditaly popped his head in the door way. "Yeah, you need something?"

"You ok? You seem like something is on your mind."

He nervousely walked into the room and sat at the edge of the bed. He ran a hand through his tick dark locks. "Would be interesed in going out tomorrow night?"

"Like a date?"

"Yes. I wanna go on a date with you. We've established that we are attracted to each other and well..."

"Well what?"

"I wanna sleep with you." He blurted out.

Frey felt her heart race in her chest and she was sure he could hear it. "Before I answer, can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Why are you now asking me out and please don't use what's happening with Eric as an excuse."

Taking a deep breath he began to explain. "That day we first kissed, I felt something. Something I haven't felt in a long time. And that night I held you.. I wanted to ask you out, but you were emotional and I didn't wanna seem like I was taking advantage of you. I really do like you, but I also respect you too much. But today, seeing you with that guy.."

"Sean. I told you he's just a friend."

"I know, but still."

"Is this a typical werewolf thing? You're like a furry Christian Grey?"

"What?'

"It's from '50 Shades of Grey'. Basically it's an erotic romance series about a rich dude who falls for a shy college graduate and he is over protective of her at times and threatens to kill anyone who tries to hurt her." She tried to explain without getting too complicated.

He didn't know how to take this news. She actually read those books women have been fawning over for the past year? He had heard the reviews that though excellent, those books had graphic sex scenes. He couldn't help but think of her reading those books, naked and in the tub, which cause the semi erection he already had to thicken and pulse against the zipper of his jeans, he had to change the subject quick before he ripped off her clothes and ask her to describe one of those scenes.

"So is that a yes?"

"Yes. I'd love to go with you, but I'd have to go get something nice to wear. I didn't think to pack any skirts or a dress."

"You don't need to dress up. Whatever you have is fine." He shook his head to get the image of her in a short skirt or dress of his mind.

"You don't wanna see my wardrobe. Trust me what I got isn't proper for dates.

"OK. I'll take off work tomorrow and take ya shopping."

"You don't need to take another day off. I'll ask Sookie and Tara."

"You and Tara are friends?"

"Yeah. We really bonded over the fact we wanna stake and or rip Bill's head for Sookie getting hurt in Jackson."

"OK. Well, I guess I'll let you make your call and get some sleep." He quickly left the room and rushed into his bathroom to take an ice cold shower.

Frey was gone when Alcide woke up the next morning. The note on the table explained how Sookie and Tara wanted to get an early start on their girls day. He found fresh coffee had been made and sat at table, debating where to take her for dinner. It had been a while since he had a real date with a normal woman. Well more normal then Debbie.

"That is the dress!" Tara jump off the chair she had been sitting in, giving her opinion on dress and skirts Frey should get. The sleeveless red dress with silver heels fit her perfectly, hugging her breasts and showing off her muscles and curves without being too revealing.

"You think?" Frey asked skeptically as she turned to look at her reflection.

"Yeah! It goes with your dark features and makes your tan stand out. Sookie, what's your stand?"

"I think Alcide is gonna wanna skip dinner and rip that off you with his teeth." Sookie teased. "Now about your hair..."

He adjusted his suit jacket one more time before knocking on her door. "Frey? You set?"

"Yeah, just let me get get my wrap." He heard her say on the other side of the door. He barely had time to breath when she opened the door. Her hair had been dried so it was in waves down to her shoulders. A shade of eyeshadow and mascara made her eyes stand out and her lips looked plumed and glossy. He practically ground his molars to keep himself from threatening to forgo the evening and just go straight to bed were he hope to take his time pleasuring her properly.

"Alcide? Could you please blink so your eyes don't pop out?"

"Sorry! It's just...you look..."

"When a guy is speechless that's a good thing right?"

"Yeah, it's a very good thing." He smiled and offered his hand out to her. He watched as she wobbled on the heels she was wearing.

"Not used to heels?"

"Not really. Usually when I have to wear stylish shoes at the club, Pam picks out boots with a wedge heel so I don't break my neck when Eric makes me stand by them or mingle with guests.

As they walked out to his truck, he was a complete gentleman and helped into the cab. When he came around he asked "what does mingling usually involve."

"Asking how drinks are, if everyone is having a good time and stopping the occasional vamp from drinking from an unwilling person. We may get a bunch of fang-bangers, but that doesn't mean not everyone wants to sucked on. So change of subject, where are we going?"

"This Italian place one of guys recommend when he took his fiancee a while back. Is that okay?"

"It's fine. Actually I love it, when I get to sit and eat it."

"Can't have too often cause of Eric and Pam?"

"Yeah. I can barely walk through the door and they back away cause I reek of Garlic.

"Well, help yourself tonight."

Frey couldn't believe this drop dead gorgeous man was on a date with her. He looked so breathtaking in his gray slacks and black button down shirt that had the top two buttons undone so she could see his bronze chest. One of her first reactions to when she had seen him shirtless in Jackson was she surprised he had no hair on his chest. She had bite back the remark 'I thought werewolves were hairy?'

The rest of the ride was silent. They pulled into a reasonably packed lot and parked. Alcide rounded to her side of the truck and helped her out of the cab, tucking her hand in the crook of his elbow. They walked up a hostess who gave Alcide a look that Frey nearly growled at. The hostess must have gotten a little scared cause she escorted the couple to a table without a second glance.

Once she had stepped away, Alcide looked at her with amusement.

"Now you know how I felt."

"I have no idea what that was."

"You were jealous. It means you want me as much as I want you and either of us want anyone taking that away."

"Alcide...can we not..."

"Am I making you uncomfortable?"

"A little. I just think we should have this conversation back at your place."

Before he could reply, a waiter came by to take their drink order. Both ordered coffee and water.

"So how's the substitute job hunting going?"

"I applied to some schools. They said they'll get back to me. A position at one of the museums is interested me though."

"What would you do?" He asked closing his menu, deciding on steak.

"Give tours. Maybe I can apply to one of the tours of local haunts and cemeteries."

"You don't get enough of scary stuff at the bar?" He asked as a waiter came with their drinks and then took their orders.

After the waiter left she was able to answer "I've always been interested in the haunted history of the Area. There's plantations said too be haunted, battle fields of course, even the bayous."

Alcide listened to the passion in her voice as she describe some of the history of the areas she described. He could see her talking to kids or tourists, especially around Halloween, dressed as part of the story, then coming home exhausted, but excited to talk about her day...with him while they sat at dinner.

When their meals arrived, they ate in silence listening to the Italian music play over the speakers. Once the food was gone and they each had two cups, he paid their bill and they headed back to his place. He had just turned the engin off when her hand stopped him from exiting the vehicle.

"Alcide?"

"Yeah?"

"I had a good time tonight. If you were serious about an...us..."

"Dead serious."

"Then I wanna take this at a steady pace. You know?"

"You mean slow?"

"I think we're past slow, but I wanna just watch a movie with you, cuddle on the couch maybe make out before we get too physical."

She looked away from him, not wanting to see the look of disappointment she was sure he had on his face.

"Frey?" He cupped her chin and turned her face to look him in the eyes. "I respect what your saying. I can keep it in my pants till you're ready. What I don't understand is why you seemed scared to talk about it."

"I've never been interested in a guy as much as I am with you and I've heard how rushing can damage a friendship as well as the relationship and I don't what that."

"Me either. So that is why I am gonna walk you to your door, kiss your cheek, ask if you would be interested in pizza and a movie tomorrow night and go to my own room."

"I accept on all counts."

He smiled as he got out on his side and helped her out. They smiled at each other while they entered the house and up the stairs.

"I had a real nice time tonight Alcide. Thank you for a wonderful first date."

"It was my honor. How about pizza and a movie tomorrow night? Just dress comfortably."

"Sounds like fun. I can't wait."

Alcide leaned froward to kiss her cheek. He had to clench his fists to keep from doing anything else, but he was able to refrain from doing anything else.

"I'll see ya tomorrow night."

"See ya. Night."

"Night Frey."

They each smiled as they walked into their rooms and counted the hours till they could see each other again.