Page 166 of Bonding with the Beta

I roll over to my bedside table to grab my phone and find it’s past two in the morning. A groan falls from the back of my throat as I pull myself from the bed and make my way downstairs to find something to help me finally sleep.

My bare feet touch the cold wooden floor of the hall. I press my fingers to the door of the kitchen and creep inside. My entire body jumps off the ground at the sight of someone sitting at the kitchen island, the under lights of the counter casting a shadow across his face.

I press a hand to my chest and inhale a breath to calm down.

Kayden’s attention turns to me, brows furrowed. “Why are you awake?”

My fingers find the hem of my T-shirt, and I attempt to pull it down over the equally small shorts that barely cover mythighs. His eyes follow the action, and my entire body erupts into flames.

“Can’t sleep,” I respond as I walk across the kitchen and perch on the opposite stool. “You?”

Kayden breathes out harshly through his nose. “Same.”

Exhausted doesn’t even describe the expression on his face.

“Why?” I ask curiously as my fingers fumble with the corner of a magazine on the counter.

He holds my stare for a beat too long, and I squirm. “I can’t sleep knowing you are here, and I can’t be anywhere near you.”

A chill runs down my spine at his honesty. My throat dries up within seconds.

“What about you?”

“Something like that,” I whisper without hesitation.

I didn’t stop to think that might be the reason, but the last time I was here, I was in his bed, cuddled into his side with his arms wrapped around me. My eyes close at the memory, the feeling all too familiar and safe.

“I’m sorry,” I murmur as I push myself off the chair. “I should go. I shouldn’t–”

The words barely form as I stumble towards the door. I hear the sound of his stool scraping against the floor, and before I can make it across the room, his warm presence is right behind me.

“Kayleigh,” he says, his voice rough.

I stop walking, but I don’t turn to face him. I can’t.

His hand delicately presses to my hip, and I don’t pull away, not even when his fingers slip beneath my T-shirt and graze the spot above my shorts. I release a loud breath as his other hand collapses around me, tugging my back against his chest in an embrace I would wait centuries for.

“Please,” he says hoarsely. “Please, just let me hold you.”

And I can’t say no because I am so weak for him.

I press back into his touch and close my eyes when his face buries into the crook of my neck, and my entire body bursts into goosebumps. His warmth travels through me, and I’d think I was half delirious if he didn’t press a kiss on my shoulder to remind me I am very much awake.

My hands rise, and I clutch onto his arms, desperate for him not to let go.

I take a breath, and the hole in my heart throbs.

“Do you have any idea how much I have missed you?” he whispers.

My lips press together at the devastation in his voice.

“I need you,” he continues. “I need you more than anything.”

The pressure behind my eyes grows, and I shake my head once.

“What about her?”

“You are theonlyher. There has never been anyone else.”

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