Page 173 of Bonding with the Beta

“I’m really glad.” Kayden’s voice is low yet soft. “I only ever want to see you happy and healthy.”

“I’ve also joined a women’s society, and that has helped to make me feel seen and validated,” I say as his hand continues to trace patterns against my skin. “We meet up once a week, and we try to make women feel safer here on campus.”

Kayden pushes himself up from the bed and cradles my face. “That’s incredible.” He smiles.

“Last night actually gave me an idea,” I blurt. “I want to start a ‘get home safe’ club for women. I know you were kind enough to pick me up last night, but some girls—including myself—would happily walk home, or get in random Ubers. And you’re right, it’s really not safe. We deserve to be able to go out, have fun, and not worry about not making it home.”

“I like that idea.” He nods, and when I look away, he tilts my eyes back to his. “You never fail to amaze me, you know that?”

My hair falls over my face to hide the blush that invades my skin. “Josh was expelled.”

“What?”

“I went to the dean and found out that other girls had reported him, too,” I say as he pushes himself up to look at me. “He’s gone now. The police got involved and everything. But he’s gone, and he’s not going to bother me anymore.”

“Oh, thank fuck.” He clutches my cheeks. “I’m so proud of you, and I’m so fucking relieved. Are you okay?”

“Yes.” I nod. “A lot better now I’ve had closure.”

“Good.” He strokes his thumb over my jawline.

“What about you? How have you been?”

Kayden’s expression sobers for a second, shuffling in my bed. “I suppose I’ve been okay—” he cuts himself off and scrunches up his face in disagreement. “No. That’s such a lie. I’ve been far from okay. I’ve been so fucking lost without you.”

My heart stammers. “Well…you look good,” I say pathetically.

He laughs, but it’s not with humour. “I had to keep myself busy somehow; otherwise, I’d go insane.”

“I’m sorry you haven’t been good,” I whisper.

“It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have hurt you.”

My eyes close, not wanting to go back down that path right now. Instead, I think back to when I last saw him at his house and the way he took Aurora from my arms, and she settled within seconds. I smile like a giddy teenager at the thought.

“You and Aurora are cute,” I comment.

“Think she’s got a soft spot for me.”

I exhale a breath. “Soft spot? You’re her favourite by a mile.”

“Oh, definitely.” He beams at me. “But I was worried I’d be terrible with her. I thought I’d make her cry and scare her off.”

“Really? You’d be an amazing dad.”

Kayden’s eyes glitter at my confession, and his chest quivers for a breath. “I never really wanted to have children.”

“Oh?”

“And that changed when I met you.”

Good God.

This man is admitting that he wants my children? I tense a little, but it’s relieved a moment later when I think about having a family with the man I am undoubtedly in love with.

“Don’t tell me you want my kids when you’re literally half-naked in my bed,” I heave, the room turning a thousand degrees hotter. “Because it’s not going to end well for either of us.”

Kayden smirks as he brushes back a strand of my hair, his finger grazing my jaw. Our lips almost brush, and I tremble at the desire to have him against me. It’s been too long.

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