Page 69 of Second Chance Mates

Lucy places a hand on my arm and gives it a squeeze. “You have my word, Jaxon. I promise. Like you said, the guards will be there, too.”

I hesitate for a moment before nodding. “Alright.”

“Right, girls, let’s go!” Lucy claps her hands together, and the entire room roars with cheers of excitement for the night. I turn to Ava before she can escape out of the front door.

Instinctively, I reach for her hand, and she meets me in the middle. I run my thumb across her knuckles gently, and a zap of electricity rushes through my palm.

Jesus. My chest quivers at the sensations.

“Enjoy tonight,” I say softly. “But be careful. I want you home in one piece.”

“Who exactly am I being careful of?” Her brows rise curiously.

I offer her a smile before beckoning to the group of girls. “Them. They’re all crazy and full of bad decisions.”

A bright grin stretches onto her face, and it stops my heart beating altogether. It’s completely unreserved, beaming at me for all to see. “I’ll let you know how it goes.” She nods and squeezes my hand. “We can mindlink, remember?”

How could I forget when it’s the most blissful thing to experience?

“Sounds good,” I say calmly. “Have a good time. I’ll see you later.”

She drops my hand, and my skin turns cold. “Bye.”

I watch her walk away to join the girls. “Ava?”

“Yeah?”

Those glossy lips are pulled into what I wish was a permanent smile. I pause for another second to take her all in because I’m a selfish man, and I want to admire her for more than this moment. “You look beautiful.”

A deep blush appears on her cheeks as she curls a finger around her hair. “Thank you,” she replies timidly before exiting out of the door.

Kayden smirks from across my desk as he lounges back in the opposite chair. I twirl my pen between my fingers and attempt to focus on the plan in front of me, but we both know it’s barely going in. “Something on your mind?”

I press a hand to my forehead and groan. “Please, leave it out.”

“I mean, it’s eleven-thirty, and you’ve not heard a word from them.”

Don’t fucking remind me.

“They’re out having fun. I don’t need to act like a possessive mate. That’s the last thing Ava needs.”

Kayden’s lip twitches. “I’m surprised you didn’t demand you went with them and crash Lucy’s night. I see how you look at Ava—even when she was terrified to be around me. You’re a lot calmer than I thought you’d be.”

Little does he know I’m experiencing a mini-heart attack inside.

“Calm is not what I’m feeling.” I run my tongue over my teeth. “When you have a mate, you’ll realise how protective you can be of them, even when you know they’re safe. It’s a fucking nightmare, Kayden. But she needs to live her life. That is one thing I will never take from her.”

“The guards would have contacted you already if something was wrong.” He shrugs simply, and I know he’s right. I trust my guards with my life. Ever since Julia’s death, I upped their training and skill set. Now I know they’re the strongest they can be. “We both know they’re in safe hands. But truthfully, I know you just miss her. You’re a big softie at heart. Absolutely smitten.”

My eyes focus on my Beta. “You annoy the hell out of me sometimes.”

He barks out a laugh. “Got to be here to humble you.”

I scowl at him, and he flashes me a boyish grin.

“You are head over heels for the girl.” His brows quirk.

“I don’t want to talk about this with you.”

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