Page 7 of Bonding with the Beta (Fated Souls #2)

7

KAYLEIGH

I lay in bed, staring up at the white ceiling blankly. Despite the orgasm I can still feel in the tips of my toes, it definitely didn’t help me to focus on my unfinished essay. Instead, all I could think about was Kayden’s fingers deep inside me and his lips against my neck.

What the hell was I thinking?

My legs are still shaking from last night's antics.

Kayden finger-fucked me in their kitchen.

Holy hell, I need to get my shit together.

I run a hand down my face and twist my body to bury myself in the pillow, releasing the tiniest groan of disapproval for myself. I cannot even bear the thought of looking him in the eye today.

At least I’m going home shortly after lunch. I might not have to see him.

I pray.

My stomach churns at the thought that someone heard us. Kayden might have said that no one would come in, but that doesn’t mean no one didn’t hear us. This house is full of people who walk wherever they please.

Heat spreads to my cheeks when I remember the sensation of my climax. I can’t even remember the last time I came on a guy's hand—if it’s even happened at all.

I roll over between the sheets and reach for my phone. The brightness flashes me in the face, and I wince, squinting at the time. It’s still early. I sigh, knowing I won’t be getting any more sleep. I drag my ass to the shower, peeking my head down the hall and in the bathroom before I shut it firmly.

My body soaks under the hot water, and I wash my hair with the fancy shampoo that smells like summer berries. I scrub every inch of my skin to rid myself of Kayden’s touch, which will haunt me for the foreseeable future.

When I’m done, I suck up the courage to head downstairs for some breakfast as my stomach growls. I make my way into the kitchen to find Ava sitting at the island and Jaxon rummaging through the fridge.

Oh, God. My eyes widen. Not the fucking fridge.

“Hey!” Ava chirps as she pats the stool beside her.

“Morning.” I swallow the lump in my throat and force a smile. “How was your date night?”

Ava sighs with hearts in her eyes. “Oh, it was perfect. The most romantic restaurant I’ve ever been to. Thank you for being okay with us going, Kay. I cannot explain to you how much we needed it.”

I beam. “I’m so glad you had a good time.”

“Want some breakfast, Kayleigh?” Jaxon offers as he moves to the stove.

“Yeah, that would be great. Thank you.”

Ava rests her hand on my arm, and I turn my attention back to her. “So, was everything okay last night? I told Kayden to make sure everything was okay for you.”

I hum softly, ignoring the mention of Kayden’s name. “Yeah. I got some work done. It was uneventful.”

“Uneventful, huh?”

That voice doesn’t belong to Ava or Jaxon.

I whip my head around to see Kayden stroll into the kitchen as if he owns the place. My eyes spy a small, smug smile tugging at the corner of his lip. I narrow my eyes at him, my heart thrashing in my chest for him not to spill anything.

Not now. I still need time to digest what the hell happened.

“Speak of the devil.” Ava laughs.

Kayden quirks a brow in my direction, and I straighten my spine. “Yeah, it was uneventful,” I murmur and turn away.

He walks behind me, releasing a deep chuckle that sends a tingle down my spine. “If that’s what you want to call it.”

Ava narrows her eyes at me. “What?”

“Oh…you know, we had loads of fun. Didn’t we, Kayleigh?”

“I don’t recall.”

“Well, Kayleigh likes to watch porn on the big screen.”

I gasp and turn around to face him with blazing eyes. “It was a series on TV, and you know it.”

Kayden grins and laughs again. “Right, my mistake.”

Jaxon and Ava share a confused glance. I duck my face away so they don’t see the blistering blush on my cheeks.

“Sorry, have I missed something?” Ava points a finger between us.

“No,” I state.

“Yes,” Kayden says at the same time.

She presses a hand to her forehead and exhales a breath. “My pregnancy brain cannot keep up with this. Kayden, are you being a dick?”

Kayden drops her a quick wink, which earns him a slap on the arm from Jaxon as he meets him by the stove. “I’m kidding. Chill.”

“Don’t tell a pregnant woman to chill, Kayden. I might murder you.”

Jaxon nods in agreement. “I’d listen to her.”

Ava’s eyes flick back to mine. “But your stay here was okay?”

“Yeah.” I nod immediately. “It was nice. The bed was super comfy.”

“Sorry you had to share a bathroom with Kayden.” She winces. “I didn’t want to put you halfway across the house.”

I shake my head once. “It’s okay. I survived.”

“I didn’t,” Kayden murmurs as he places his lips on the rim of a mug.

We both shoot him a look, and I glare beneath my lashes.

“Because when I went in there this morning, I found a pair of underwear you so graciously left on my bathroom floor.”

My entire face bursts into flames. Ava snorts but quickly tries to recover. Kayden’s eyes glimmer mischievously as he continues to smirk like a cunning asshole. I bite down on my jaw and tell myself not to react irrationally.

“You can keep them if you want,” I respond calmly. “I heard they go for a lot on eBay.”

Kayden’s expression stretches into a look of amusement.

“Or if you have some weird fetish for women’s worn underwear,” I snap. “It’s probably been a while since you got laid if they’re affecting you that much.”

He snorts. “Jesus, am I that predictable? Don’t worry, I’ll keep them in my collection.”

“Ew, guys.” Ava waves a hand in front of her face. I suddenly realise that we’re not the only ones in the kitchen. “Can you stop? You’re gonna make me throw up.”

Thankfully, Jaxon starts placing plates of food on the island. I smile and cover my mortified expression, thanking him as best I can despite the fact that my appetite has plummeted after our conversation.

I dig in and slump in relief when Kayden asks about their date night, taking the limelight off us. I sit and listen silently, piercing the food with my fork and eating small portions until I feel somewhat human again.

“I’ll clean up,” I offer as I jump down from the stool. I need to make myself useful somehow. “Thanks for breakfast, Jaxon. It was delicious.”

“You’re more than welcome, Kayleigh.” He smiles. “Av, the new crib came this morning.”

Ava claps with excitement. “It did?”

“Yeah.” He smiles and kisses the top of her head. “I’ll go and build it after we’ve cleaned up.”

“I’ve got it,” I dismiss them. “Honestly, it’s good with me.”

Kayden stands and clears his throat. “I’ll help.”

Ava and Jaxon leave the kitchen as she squeals with eagerness. I smile at them and bury the plates in the sink, rinsing them off with water before Kayden places them in the dishwasher.

We don’t say anything to each other, probably because there isn’t anything to say. My palms begin to sweat, and I ignore the thumping of my pulse in my neck when his arm brushes mine every so often.

I suck in a tight breath and turn to leave, but Kayden’s hand reaches out to grip my wrist before I can. “Hey,” he says slowly, stepping closer to me.

Our chests are inches from each other, but I choose to ignore it.

“Despite you thinking last night was uneventful,” he murmurs, “I had fun.”

My eyelashes flutter at his statement. I shiver when he brushes his thumb over the curve of my wrist in a gentle caress.

Me, too.

“I guess it was average,” I brush off.

Kayden’s lips stretch. He drops my wrist and walks towards the door of the kitchen. I watch him carefully, counting my breaths before I pass out.

“Oh,” he pauses and turns back to me. “By the way, your moans are fucking sexy.”

The force of my eyeballs wanting to protrude out my head is painful. My cheeks are so damn hot you could roast marshmallows on them.

He exhales a little laugh as he studies my reaction. I stare back because I have no idea what to say. The little butterflies inside my stomach do somersaults and completely ignore my decision to stop thinking about him—and last night.

“Especially when you’re screaming my name,” he carries on with a wink. “That’s a personal favourite.”

I slowly shake my head at him in disbelief. He did not just say that—cocky bastard .

“I was practising for when I eventually murder you,” I shoot back.

Kayden grins wildly. “Don’t threaten me with a good time.”

When he finally leaves, I stare at the spot he was occupying.

I have no idea what his game is, but I don’t think I want to be a part of it.