21 Gray Bear

**Grayson POV**

Damn it!

Why do I always have to watch Quinn with that damn lawyer? It's been twice in a week I've caught them together. I'm surprised she said they broke up but they're still getting along like that.

"What's going on?" asked Quinn breathlessly. She ran quite far so her breathing was laboured and she's sweating.

Fuck! What's wrong with me? I was thinking that sex after the game might be interesting.

'Get a grip Grayson! You just had sex before the game, and if you do it again, she might pass out again,' Ace protested.

Oh I didn't even know that my wolf was no longer supporting me either.

'That's because you've gone too far. Quinn is only human, you should realize your limits,' Ace said again.

"I'm aware of my limits," I murmured.

But it felt like I'd been poisoned by Quinn.

Quinn is like a dangerous but addictive poison. She had such an irresistible charm that it made me want to mark her quickly.

'Not now, stupid!

I coughed. I got annoyed when Ace interfered with which woman I chose. After all, this is Quinn, my fated mate, not some random woman like before.

"I only saw him for a minute if you're upset about it." Quinn turned her head back to Owen.

I heard their last conversation, too. But that wasn't the only thing that upset me, it was the paper bag Quinn was carrying. And the way she didn't wait for me and just left as soon as the victory was announced.

"What is it?" Without waiting for Quinn to answer, I just grabbed the paper bag. When I saw the contents, I was even more furious.

There was food and drink.

I was planning to take Quinn out to dinner to celebrate my victory. I wanted to thank her but it was too hard for me to express it through words so I wanted to just ask her to dinner. But it turns out that I've got a head start on that clumsy lawyer. Damn it!

"You can't accept food and drink from just anyone," I snapped. I then threw it in the trash. "If you get sick, I'll suffer too."

"But it's just my favorite lunch. He bought it at a nearby cafe though."

I glared perfectly. Her favorite food? Son of a bitch you are Owen!

I barely even know Quinn's favorite food. Man, I can't lose. I need to know more about Quinn. More than the personal bios I had gathered.

"What else do you like to eat and drink?" I asked later in a snappy tone.

"Eum actually likes everything. I'm an all-eater. I'm not picky about food, so I like everything. Except if it's stale."

"But you said bread and hot chocolate was your favorite," I argued.

"Yes, because it's food, Grayson."

Goodness, I've only just met a girl like Quinn who has no pretenses at all. She's completely herself, being exactly who she is.

Man, I'm growing to like her. She's so attractive and unique.

"Then just tell me what you want to eat this time."

"Why? You want to treat me? Wow, you definitely get another bonus. It must be a lot huh?"

I gently pushed her forehead. "Money is all you think about. Just answer quickly. I'm starving too."

Quinn then put her index finger on her chin, like she was thinking. But it was quite short, not even two seconds later she was back to talking. Or maybe she just didn't think.

"Steak. I want an A5 wagyu steak at the Japanese restaurant nearby."

Hmm, very specific. Seems more like she'd been eyeing that place on the way here.

"Can I?" she asked with puppy eyes.

That's a trick I can't resist. Dammit!

"Is it too crowded or not? I can't eat there if it's crowded. People could take pictures of me and then there would be more rumors about the woman I'm dating."

Actually, that's not the real reason. I was just trying to protect Quinn from being caught by the media so at least my family wouldn't smell her presence.

"Relax, I've looked up on the internet that there's a private room there. So you can rent it if you don't want to eat in the public space like everyone else," she replied excitedly.

A moment later she immediately clamped her mouth shut. She seemed to realize that she had said too much.

But honestly, she was very cute with that expression. And for some reason when she talks a lot like this, it makes me more comfortable to be around her.

"After Frost Maple was confirmed as the winner, I just accidentally surfed the internet to find a place to eat around here. But instead I found an ad for that restaurant. So that's how I came to know about that restaurant. I read about it through the ad."

I wanted to laugh but I restrained myself. Instead, I cleared my throat. "Okay, we'll go then."

"Really?" Quinn's eyes lit up instantly.

I promptly turned around, walking first towards my car. "If you don't want to, fine."

I thought Quinn changed her mind, but then I heard the sound of her footsteps.

That made me smile secretly.

"I want to come. I never refuse a treat," she said later with a big smile.

***

I liked watching Quinn secretly when she was busy in her own world. Like right now when she was observing the ornaments of this place. Her eyes were clearly in awe but her mouth was silent.

But when she started to realize, I instantly pretended to grill the meat we ordered.

By the way, the restaurant Quinn was referring to isn't a five-star restaurant, but a Michelin star. And we had to grill our own meat, not the fine dining type served by the waiter.

At first I wanted to refuse because it meant we'd have to wait longer to eat. But looking at Quinn who was already staring at the menu with high hopes, I didn't have the heart to ask her to move to my go-to steakhouse, so even with the aches and pains, I agreed to her request.

"Grayson, ummm why are you treating me?"

I gave her a quick glance. "Do you seriously still want to know?"

Quinn nodded quickly and rested her chin on her palm while her other hand tapped on the table. She blinked a few times and gulped when she saw the meat being grilled.

"You're dying to eat?" I asked curiously. It was funny actually, I liked that she relied on me. But I also felt sorry for her because it seemed like she was beating the hunger drum. I'm worried she might not even eat breakfast.

"Honestly I wanted to have it raw but it must be much delicious if it's grilled first. Besides, it's very expensive. It would be a waste to eat it raw."

"Be patient. It'll be done soon," I said soothingly.

Sometimes I wanted to confront Quinn because she cared too much about the price of something, but then I remembered her life's struggles. Then I backed off and chose to just understand her.

"Why did you leave and not wait for me earlier?" I asked then.

"For what?" Quinn opened her palms.

"For what did you say?" I raised my voice a bit.

Quinn placed her finger in front of her lips. "Shhh, be quiet or the people in the next room will hear you."

"And you care more about them than actually answering my questions?"

She pursed her lips. "Because I thought my job for the day was done."

I looked at her probingly. "Who said that?"

"Myself," she replied slowly. Then a second later she bulged. "Watch out, you're gonna burn the meat!"

Holy shit! Quinn was right, we nearly failed to eat.

I hurriedly lifted all the meat onto plates.

When Quinn wanted to pull one of the two plates, I stopped her.

"Let me cut it first, so you can eat easier."

Quinn sighed but she complied. She watched me intently as I cut the meat for her. Even when I arranged the meat on another plate and handed it to her.

"Now you can eat it," I said later.

Quinn without hesitation took the meat with a chopstick and put it in her mouth. A second later she closed her eyes. "This is so yummy!"

I curled my lips. I was honestly content if she liked it.

"You're a great chef!" she said as she gave me two thumbs up.

When Quinn did that, she didn't know that my heart felt so full.

I just didn't expect that a little thing like this could make someone happy. I'm used to this kind of food, so I didn't think it was anything special. But apparently for Quinn, it was a joy in itself.

"Oh yeah, you're not celebrating this victory with the other players? No drinking or stuff like that?"

I put more of the meat I had cut onto her plate. In the end, I gave all the meat I had grilled in the first batch as her plate emptied quickly.

"There is. But I'm not in," I replied as I placed another raw meat onto the grill.

"But why? They must be excited to celebrate with you."

"Because I'm eating here. With you," I replied firmly. Why should I be with anyone else when I could be with my fated mate? That's what I meant.

"Aren't they mad?" Quinn leaned forward while biting her chopsticks.

That got me thinking all over the place. I wondered if it wasn't the chopsticks she was biting, but....

Uh crap!

"They won't get mad because I said I needed a break. For all they know, my foot is injured."

Quinn pulled her body back. "Ah, true then."

But then she hit my hand with the clean side of the chopsticks. "You can't lie anymore like that."

"If I'm being honest, you'll still come? For that reason?"

She sighed. "It's my job anyway. Like you always said. Wherever and whenever."

Honestly, seeing Quinn resigned like that made me feel guilty. I felt so bad even though it was the agreement we had made.

For some reason, my heart gets soft when it comes to Quinn.

Lastly, I took the medium rare meat that had been cut into squares and placed it on her chopsticks.

"Don't overthink it. Just take a bite."

She smiled and then ate the meat I'd tucked in. "You should eat too," she reminds me.

Dang! That's right, I hadn't even eaten a single piece of meat. Because seeing her eat actually made me full.

"Aaaaa... open your mouth Gray Bear."

I held back my laughter to prevent myself from spitting out the water I took. "Why did you call me that?"

"Because you're big, strong, fierce, like a bear and because your name is Grayson," she answered quickly.

Man, that's an adorable nickname. I even liked it instantly.

I then opened my mouth to accept her bribe.

"Oh well, because you're also gaining grey hairs. I see one of your hairs is grey. So Gray Bear is the best nickname for you."

I burst out laughing at that.

This one girl is really unpredictable.

Ah but never mind. Whether it's because of my name or the grey hair on my head, the important thing is that I now have a nickname from Quinn.

Gray Bear.

That would sound super sexy if Quinn pronounced it while fulfilling my superstition.