Page 56 of Bonding with the Beta (Fated Souls #2)

56

KAYLEIGH

A streak of light brushes across my face, and I grimace at the brightness. I flinch, but a large arm wrapped around my abdomen stops me from moving. My eyes crack open, and I blink down at my body closely tugged against another.

I glance over my shoulder to find a shirtless, sleeping Kayden.

Right…he picked me up last night.

My heart races like a kid on their first roller coaster.

I flick my eyes over his resting face, seeing his lips slightly parted, and I resist the urge to raise my fingers and trace their outline. I brush a hand through my knotted hair and allow my gaze to dip down to his large bicep.

Yeah, something’s definitely changed.

“Quit admiring me,” he rasps, his voice deep and husky. “And come back and let me cuddle you.”

My mouth falls open as heat spreads across my neck. “I was?—”

“Shhh,” he says with his eyes closed. “Come here.”

My stomach muscles clench at those two simple words. I fold.

My back rests against the sheets as I turn to face him completely, creeping forward until his arms snake around my body, and he tugs me into his chest. His chin rests on top of my head as my lips press against the pulse in his neck.

Kayden cradles the back of my head and releases a satisfied sigh. My entire body tingles like I’ve been given an electric shock. I close my eyes for a moment and commit the memory of his arms into my brain permanently.

“How’s your head feeling?” he asks, rubbing his thumb against the back of my skull.

My head tilts up an inch. “Actually okay.”

“Good,” he whispers.

I open my eyes to look at him, and he tilts his head down, our noses brushing by a millimetre. He hums softly and smooths back my hair, a tiny smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

“I think I might be dreaming,” he says.

My brows crease. “What do you mean?”

“Because you have no idea how many times I’ve woken up with disappointment knowing that you’re not really there with me.” He swallows thickly.

I frown deeply. “I’m real.”

“I know, blondie.” He smiles and gives me a full view of those dimples.

My phone begins to chime its alarm, and I roll over to grab it.

“You didn’t set an alarm after a party.” Kayden rolls onto his back and presses his hands to his face. “That’s actually criminal.”

“I have therapy in an hour,” I admit.

His brown eyes soften as they gravitate to mine. “How’s that going?”

I hum. “Good.”

“Yeah?”

“Well,” I look up at the ceiling as his hand slips to my hip where he traces delicate shapes on my exposed flesh. “I suppose it’s good that I’m going, but it’s still tough. Especially the first time I went. I almost didn’t go because my anxiety was so bad, but I’m glad I did. It’s made me see life in a different light, and even though I’ve still got a long way to go, she’s given me coping mechanisms to take control of when my insecurities spiral.”

Kayden clears his throat. “What do you guys talk about?”

“Uh, my fears of being in a committed, healthy relationship, putting too much pressure on myself with my classes, the doubts and insecurities that followed after Josh cheated on me and how to learn to love myself,” I list slowly. “How I used to push people away to protect myself, being irrational and not thinking through my emotions first.”

“And it’s been helpful?”

I nod. “Yeah. It’s a long journey, but I already see progress.”

“I’m really glad.” Kayden’s voice is low yet soft. “I only ever want to see you happy and healthy.”

“I’ve also joined a women’s society, and that has helped to make me feel seen and validated,” I say as his hand continues to trace patterns against my skin. “We meet up once a week, and we try to make women feel safer here on campus.”

Kayden pushes himself up from the bed and cradles my face. “That’s incredible.” He smiles.

“Last night actually gave me an idea,” I blurt. “I want to start a ‘get home safe’ club for women. I know you were kind enough to pick me up last night, but some girls—including myself—would happily walk home, or get in random Ubers. And you’re right, it’s really not safe. We deserve to be able to go out, have fun, and not worry about not making it home.”

“I like that idea.” He nods, and when I look away, he tilts my eyes back to his. “You never fail to amaze me, you know that?”

My hair falls over my face to hide the blush that invades my skin. “Josh was expelled.”

“What?”

“I went to the dean and found out that other girls had reported him, too,” I say as he pushes himself up to look at me. “He’s gone now. The police got involved and everything. But he’s gone, and he’s not going to bother me anymore.”

“Oh, thank fuck.” He clutches my cheeks. “I’m so proud of you, and I’m so fucking relieved. Are you okay?”

“Yes.” I nod. “A lot better now I’ve had closure.”

“Good.” He strokes his thumb over my jawline.

“What about you? How have you been?”

Kayden’s expression sobers for a second, shuffling in my bed. “I suppose I’ve been okay—” he cuts himself off and scrunches up his face in disagreement. “No. That’s such a lie. I’ve been far from okay. I’ve been so fucking lost without you.”

My heart stammers. “Well…you look good,” I say pathetically.

He laughs, but it’s not with humour. “I had to keep myself busy somehow; otherwise, I’d go insane.”

“I’m sorry you haven’t been good,” I whisper.

“It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have hurt you.”

My eyes close, not wanting to go back down that path right now. Instead, I think back to when I last saw him at his house and the way he took Aurora from my arms, and she settled within seconds. I smile like a giddy teenager at the thought.

“You and Aurora are cute,” I comment.

“Think she’s got a soft spot for me.”

I exhale a breath. “Soft spot? You’re her favourite by a mile.”

“Oh, definitely.” He beams at me. “But I was worried I’d be terrible with her. I thought I’d make her cry and scare her off.”

“Really? You’d be an amazing dad.”

Kayden’s eyes glitter at my confession, and his chest quivers for a breath. “I never really wanted to have children.”

“Oh?”

“And that changed when I met you.”

Good God.

This man is admitting that he wants my children? I tense a little, but it’s relieved a moment later when I think about having a family with the man I am undoubtedly in love with.

“Don’t tell me you want my kids when you’re literally half-naked in my bed,” I heave, the room turning a thousand degrees hotter. “Because it’s not going to end well for either of us.”

Kayden smirks as he brushes back a strand of my hair, his finger grazing my jaw. Our lips almost brush, and I tremble at the desire to have him against me. It’s been too long.

“Kiss me,” I whisper.

“Tell me you forgive me first.” He moves his bottom lip over mine and I pant. “Tell me you forgive me and you’ll give me another chance. Because I can’t kiss you and walk away, knowing I can’t be with you. It will destroy me.”

I’m nodding before he finishes his sentence. “I forgive you,” I whisper. “But it doesn’t mean you have my full trust.”

Kayden groans and cups my cheek. “Then I’ll spend every day for the rest of my life earning it,” he murmurs before pressing his lips to mine in a kiss that sucks all the air from my lungs.

My arms wind around his neck as he picks me up with one arm and lays me down on my bed. He nudges his way between my thighs, and the bedsheet rucks up behind me.

I press my warm hands to his bare back, his skin raising in goosebumps at the slightest touch. His tongue slips inside my mouth with slow and generous strokes. I groan against him until he presses his crotch against mine. My eyes bulge out of my head at his erection sporting there.

“I think—” I rasp. “We should stop before we get too carried away.”

Kayden’s eyes are dilated, and his lips are on their way to being swollen. He nods as I hold his stare. “Yeah, I don’t want to make you late to therapy. That’s more important.”

My heart swells, and I can’t stop myself. I lean up to kiss him again.

He claims my lips with every ounce of love and passion inside his body. I feel it right down to my toes until I’m curling them. I roll us over so I’m straddling his waist. I lean down, take his bottom lip between mine, and gently nip at the skin. Our chests flush against one another.

Kayden groans and wraps a hand around the nape of my neck, his fingers sliding into my hair to take a fist full. A moan erupts from the back of my throat. I grind my hips down against his growing erection, and he throbs against me.

The kiss deepens, and we’re both panting for breath as he pulls away, and I whine at the loss of contact. “No, we should stop,” he whispers, despite the thick tension in the air. “You’re going to be late.”

“It’s worth it.” I shrug and lean down again.

“No. As much as this is killing me, it can wait.” He breathes harshly. “Therapy can’t.”

My lips twist into a childish pout. He’s right. This can wait, but the throbbing between my legs is definitely going to be a problem when I’m pouring my heart out to my therapist.

Kayden sits up, and my legs wrap around his waist. He removes a strand of hair from my eyes and offers me a small smile. “Let’s go for breakfast after.” He leans forward to peck my lips once. “I’ll wait for you.”

“Okay.” I sink my teeth into my lip. “I guess I’ll take breakfast instead.