Page 37 of Bonding with the Beta (Fated Souls #2)

37

KAYLEIGH

T he crystal water of Stonebridge Lake just about touches my toes, and even though it’s beyond freezing, the sensation makes me smile. Kayden stands beside me. We both look across the water and admire the breathtaking view.

It’s late into the afternoon, the sun almost setting behind the scattered trees.

There isn’t a single soul in sight.

Peaceful isn’t even the word.

Undisturbed tranquil.

The wind blows against my white shift dress, fluttering around my knees. Kayden’s hand slips into mine, and he pushes me towards the water slightly. My hand tightens around his, and my face falls at the same rate my body does. A small shriek leaves my lips.

Kayden quickly retracts me back and pulls me flush against his chest. I grip onto him for dear life, and he chuckles gently. I push him away with a scowl, but he tugs me back, grinning playfully.

“Not funny,” I catch my breath.

“Like I’d let you fall in, blondie,” he drawls. “I’ve always got you.”

His warm hand grips my hips, and before I can pull away, his mischievous eyes flick across my face as he hauls me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

“Kayden!”

His legs plough through the water, and I gulp as I stare down at his bare back and swimming shorts. “I swear, if you throw me in, I’ll be so angry.”

This time, his shoulders begin to shake as he laughs at my attempt to be threatening. The water is close enough to catch the hem of his shorts.

“When I said a nice study break, I didn't mean to be thrown into the water.”

“You want me to put you down?”

“Yes!”

“Okay.” He chuckles.

His hands move to my hips again, and when I think he’s about to put me down, he throws me up into the air. My life flashes before my eyes for a split second, and I don’t even have time to scream before he catches me in his arms.

I swallow back air as he grins at my expression. Sometimes I forget how damn strong he is, but then I remember he’s a wolf and has a completely different bone and muscle structure to us humans.

“You’re such an ass,” I breathe out.

“You love it.” He winks before lowering me down into the water gently.

My feet wobble slightly, but he keeps a hold of me until I’m firmly on the floor. I grit my teeth at the temperature of the water and clench my shoulder blades together. He knots his fingers through my windswept hair and admires me for a second with that pretty smile full of his dimples.

“This been good for you to clear your head?”

I nod. “More than good. I really needed this fresh air.”

“Only a few more days, then this term is over,” he says encouragingly. “Then you can spend some well-deserved time with me.”

I beam up at him. “You sure you’re not busy with things at home?”

“Yeah, I’ll be busy.” He nods as I wrap my arms around his neck. “But I can always make time for you. I’m very good at having my life organised, you see?”

“Well,” I peck his lips, “that makes one of us.”

Kayden wraps his arms around my waist, holding me to his chest. His stare holds mine, and I blink at the warmth of safety invading me. I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else right now.

“I was—” I cut myself off to clear my throat. “I was going to ask you something.”

He cocks his head an inch. “What’s that?”

“Uhh,” I say before laughing and biting my lip. “You make me so happy, and you make me believe in myself, and I’ve never felt like this before. Kayden, I adore every second I’m with you.”

Kayden reaches out to touch my cheek delicately. His eyes glisten off the reflection of the lake, making them golden and beautiful.

“Do you want to be my…boyfriend? Because I really want to be your girlfriend.”

Blood rattles through my veins the second these words leave my mouth. Kayden’s face stays neutral for a few moments too long, and then he releases a sigh of satisfaction.

“Do I want to be your boyfriend?” His gaze sparkles as he quirks a brow in my direction.

The slightest smile plays on my lips as his eyes bore into mine. I sink further into the ground. “Yeah,” I whisper.

My heart beats quicker than before. I bite my tongue in an attempt to hold it together. He dips his head, lips so close to mine that I can feel his soft breath. My eyes flick between his quickly, the silence nearly killing me.

“Fuck yeah, I wanna be your boyfriend,” he says gruffly before reaching down to hoist me up around his waist.

My chest collapses with relief, and then I’m grinning from ear to ear.

“Did you doubt me?”

I purse my lips and shake my head. “Shut up and kiss me.”

And he does.

When I wake up the next morning, I am glowing from the inside out.

Kayden lays on his back beside me, with one of his toned arms draping over my waist. I take a few moments to admire him. This man is my boyfriend. He is mine.

I lean forward to press a kiss to his jaw before trailing down his neck. He groans and opens his eyes. “Hey,” he says huskily.

Before he can move, I roll on top of him, straddling his waist. His eyes cautiously watch my every move. I grind my hips down onto his crotch, and I hum against his neck at the way his hard cock brushes against my core.

His hand reaches up to grasp the back of my head. “Good fucking morning,” he groans as I move against him again.

When I look into his eyes, they almost knock all the air from my lungs with the lust and the longing. God forbid. I can’t breathe when he looks at me like that.

I reach my hand down between my legs and brush my fingers over the fabric of his boxers. He sucks in a harsh breath and tugs my mouth to his for a hard kiss.

“Fuck,” he groans against my lips.

My mouth curls into a smirk. I never usually like to take control, but Kayden gives me confidence with his body language. I slip my hand into his waistband and grip onto his thick cock as I begin to move slowly.

He kisses me between shaky breaths. I flick my thumb across the head, and when he jolts, I smile, knowing I’ve found his sensitive spot. I play with it before stroking his length and teasing him until pre-cum leaks down my hand.

My hand moves quicker as he grabs my jaw and forces me to look at him. Onyx eyes stare back at me, and his chest quivers.

“Let me suck your cock,” I rasp.

Kayden blows out a breath. “You don’t need to ask, blondie. Trust me, you can do whatever you want to me.”

My mouth curls into a grin as I tug his length out of his boxers and stare directly at the pre-cum leaking down his tip. I don’t hesitate to lean forward and lick my tongue over the swollen head.

“Oh, fuck,” he groans before fisting his hand deep into my hair.

I suck softly and swirl my tongue around his sweet spot before lowering my head, wetting his cock until he’s rasping and jolting. My hand pumps the base of him as I release a soft moan when the taste of his pre-cum bursts over my tongue.

“Kayleigh.” He clenches his jaw and throws his head back to the pillows. “You’re gonna make me come if you don’t stop.”

“Already?”

“You have no idea what you do to me. So, you better stop.”

A devilish smile stretches across my face as I remove my mouth from his cock and stand up from the bed. “Okay,” I say simply.

He watches me with wide eyes as he sits up. I bite my lip to stop a small laugh escaping at the disbelief on his face.

“Are you serious right now?” he huffs, eyes still dilated.

I shrug once with a wink and turn my back on him as I walk to the bathroom.

“Guess you’ll have to wait.”