Page 160 of Second Chance Mates

AVA

When I travel home later that afternoon, there’s a huge smile on my face from how fulfilled I am. My old life might be nothing but a distant memory, but Kayleigh shines above all. She’s one person I’ll never be able to forget.

As the car drives through our gated community and pulls up outside Jaxon’s private entrance to the house, I hop out. I’m desperate to share everything that happened today with him—because he is my person.

I wander through the front door and into the kitchen where the smell of food hypnotises me. I’m not even hungry as we ate a few hours ago, but it smells divine.

When I enter Jax is standing there shirtless. My feet halt at the sight of his muscly back. He’s standing over the stove, using one hand to stir whatever he’s cooking in the frying pan. I scan his skin as the muscles contract and relax with each subtle movement. My lips part, and I’m certain I start drooling.

I had no idea I had a thing for backs.

“Are you going to stand there and ogle me?” Jaxon’s deep voice makes me jump. “Or, are you going to come over here and give me a kiss?”

My face starts burning up as I walk towards him. He’s not glanced over his shoulder yet, but I already know there is a shit-eating smirk on his lips.

I glide one of my hands across his bare back and press a kiss to his shoulder blade. Electric sparks shoot down my chest and into the depths of my heart when I kiss him again.

He turns, and I’m met with a grin. “Hey, baby.”

“Hey.” I match his smile.

His body bends, and he leaves a peck on my lips. “How was your day?”

I nod once. “It was good.” I wander to the sink and fill up a cup with water. “I loved spending time alone with Kayleigh. It’s like no time has passed between us.”

“I’m glad.” He turns back to the stove, and I get a side glance of his rock-hard abs. My eyes close for a moment to compose myself. “You okay over there?”

I snap open my gaze to his to find a glint of amusement on his expression. “Huh? Yeah. I’m good. I’m good.”

“What’s campus like?”

“It’s super nice, big, and modern but still has historical buildings and culture. Kayleigh always wanted to go to that university, so I’m glad she got in.” I take a sip of my water and place it down. “She showed me the English block and where all the parties on campus happen. Then we went to the gym, and–”

I stop speaking immediately.

The most amazing yet daring idea pops into my head. A wave of confidence crashes over me, and I have to stop myself from smirking. It’s a childish move, but I’m willing to chance it.

“Oh, yeah?” Jaxon calls out to me.

My teeth clamp onto my bottom lip as I gaze out of the kitchen casually. “And there was this guy at the gym. He said he was a personal trainer.”

Jaxon’s eyes move to mine within milliseconds. I can see him, but I don’t look at him. His jaw clenches. I try to keep composure for my petty trick—I never said I was mature.

“He said he’d be our personal trainer. He was big, you know? Like impressively big and super stron–”

I don’t have time to finish my sentence because Jaxon is in front of me. He laces his fingers through the back of my hair and grips, forcing me to look at him. I shudder at the intensity in his blue gaze.

Boy. He didn’t like that.

“Say that to me again. I dare you.”

My lips part, and he studies the action. “He was big–”

The grip on my hair tightens, and I release the tiniest moan. My legs press together at the shockwaves that invade my nervous system. “He might have been big, but he’s nothing compared to you–”

My eyes flick between his as I suck down the last breath of courage and watch his eyes morph into darkness.

“Alpha.”

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