Page 164 of Bonding with the Beta

“I’m gonna go grab some snacks and drinks.” Ava stands up.

“Okay.”

My eyes flick down to the little beauty in my arms. She yawns and closes her eyes, snuggling a little closer to my chest. My heart almost bursts at the small action, and I melt.

“Kayleigh?”

That voice. That goddamn voice.

My shoulders tense like stone as his raspy voice washes over my body.

I slowly glance up to find Kayden standing in the doorway. My lips part, and I release a silent breath at his handsome face. I’ve always been attracted to him, but right now? His shoulders are broader and firmer, his arms thicker and full of defined muscle.

My eyes shamelessly flick over his whole body, noticing how his shirt looks like it’s about to rip open any second. A cast of light stubble grazes his cheeks and jaw, with his dark hair rough and tousled.

“Hi,” I squeak in surprise.

“You’re here,” he states.

I hum. “Yeah. I’m here.”

“You look—” He pauses, as if he’s trying to settle on the right word. “Good.”

His eyes tell me that’s definitely not what he wanted to say, and that makes my head spin like a damn tornado. I might not be good at reading people, but I can readhimlike a book.

“Okay, we’ve got crisps, dip, and—” Ava walks into the living room. “Oh.”

My eyes dart to Ava, but Kayden’s gaze is firmly on mine.

“Sorry,” he rasps after a minute. “I’ll uh…I’ll leave you guys to it.”

I swallow and look back down at Aurora.

The sound of feet shuffling echoes around the room, and I glance up to see Kayden leaving, but not before he looks over his shoulder, and our eyes collide with force.

Ava dumps the food down on the coffee table. “You okay?”

“Yeah.” I plaster a fake smile on my face.

“You don’t need to lie to me,” she whispers.

I chew on my lip. “Then no.” I laugh. “I knew I’d probably see him, but now I’m feeling everything.”

Ava gently rests her arm on mine as I hold Aurora. “It’s okay. We don’t have to talk about it. We can have our girly day and talk rubbish.”

“Yeah.” I purse my lips to push away the ache in my throat. “Sure.”

54

KAYLEIGH

After hours of talking nonsense with Ava, my nostalgia creeps back to the times we used to have sleepovers and talk until the early hours. My mum would always wonder how we never ran out of things to say, but we both could talk for England.

We vacate to the kitchen, where Ava prepares us dinner. Aurora starts crying at the top of her lungs, and Ava huffs. “What’s the matter?” She frowns as she attempts to run around the kitchen. “You’ve been fed and had your nappy changed. What can I do?”

I attempt to rock her in my arms, but she doesn’t settle.

“Maybe she’s tired,” I murmur.

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