The Reluctant Cougar (Rise of the Alpha King's Heir)

Date

Ben's body practically shook with excitement as he climbed into the backseat of the car.

"I'm not going to make a habit out of this," Coach Hail said gruffly. "We'll arrange transportation ahead of time in the future."

"I'm buying a new car soon," Eileen told him. "That's the reason I didn't drive today. Kurt was afraid my car wouldn't make it here and back safely. It has been on my list for a while, but now it's at the top of it. I'm never getting stranded again."

She looked determined, confident, and the combination was breathtaking.

Her eyes met Ben's, and her confidence was momentarily traded for insecurity, "What?"

"You're so beautiful," he breathed as his gaze roved his beloved's face.

She blushed, glancing from him to Coach Hail uncertainly.

Coach Hail shrugged, "None of my business what you two say or do as long as it's not breaking our laws. Just please, for my peace of mind, no heavy petting in my car."

Ben snorted. Like Eileen would do that in such a public place. Like Ben would turn her down if she wanted to.

Coach Hail reached up to pop the rearview mirror off its stand and then clicked on the radio, giving them as much privacy as he could.

Despite the limited privacy, Ben and Eileen found themselves riding in silence.

What were they supposed to talk about while his Coach was so close? Why did Ben feel so awkward, as if all his words had dried up? Did she feel that way too? Was she waiting on him to say something? Was he screwing up their first date? Crap!

"Uh," he said, wracking his brain for something--anything--to say.

"What movie should we see?" Eileen asked, smiling.

"Oh, uh..." Ben suddenly realized he didn't know what was playing. Even if he did, what happened if he chose wrong and she hated it? Should he suggest a romance? Action? P.A. suggested horror, but Jessup had said not to listen to P.A.

"I'm not sure," Ben said honestly. "What do you think?"

She bit her bottom lip, considering for a minute before saying, "Well, there's this one I've been kind of excited about."

"That one, then," he said automatically.

"But..."

"But?"

"It's rated R. Violence mostly."

He shrugged, "We're both over seventeen. Not a big deal. What's it about? I'm guessing it's an action flick?"

"Action, fantasy, romance," she breathed the last word, glancing at him and away. "It's about a Vampire that ends up protecting a human from a bunch of evil shifters. Apparently the guy is a shifter too... and they end up falling in love and protecting each other...or at least that's what the trailer seems to suggest."

"That sounds perfect. Let's see that," he agreed immediately. A story about a shifter and Vampire falling in love? How could they not go see that?

A few minutes later they rolled to a stop in front of the theater.

"Okay, everybody out," Coach Hail said, keeping his eyes on the road in front of him.

Ben briefly wondered what other courting couples had done in front of the man.

"And you'll be back at nine-thirty?" Eileen asked.

Coach Hail nodded, still staring straight ahead, "Yeah. Until Cougar turns nineteen he'll be expected to be back on campus by ten every night."