Page 35 of Bonding with the Beta

I smile at his statement and shake my head. “You look like crap, too,” I say as I step around the car door.

It’s a lie. The world’s biggest lie.

He looks incredible as ever.

Kayden smirks at me when I slip into the passenger side. “Good.” He shoots me a subtle wink. “We can look like crap together.”

Then he shuts the door for me, and the butterflies in my stomach explode.

This isn’t a date. This isn’t a date. This isn’t a date.

As he slips into the driver's seat beside me, I rest my hands on my lap and stare ahead. “Ready to go?” he says as he puts the keys into the ignition.

I hum softly. “Where are we going?”

“You’ll see.” He grins as I turn to look at him. “But first, I need you to put your seatbelt on for me.”

“Oh–” I shake my head and reach for the belt before clicking it into place.

Kayden watches me before nodding. “Let’s go.”

We leave campus and start heading into the countryside. I haven’t ventured much outside of the university. I’ve been too busy being neck-deep in work, but I’ve heard Stonebridge is beautiful.

“Where are we going?” I ask curiously.

“I’m not going to murder you.” He chuckles. “That would be way too cliché.”

He drives a little further until we approach a stream that stretches into a large lake with small paddle boats. “I hope you can swim,” he teases.

“Swim?”

I undo my seatbelt as he parks up. “Yeah, for when I push you in.”

“Don’t you dare.” I shoot him a glance to which he chuckles. “Do you come to Stonebridge much?”

Kayden hums. “I used to. This place is the most peaceful, though.”

“It’s nice,” I admit as I pop the car door open and climb out.

We walk towards the lakefront, where people climb into their boats and float across the water. My eyes narrow as I fold my arms over my chest. “This seems awfully romantic for a friend's day out,” I drawl.

Kayden laughs. “Friends can’t be romantic?”

“No,” I deadpan. “They can’t.”

He steps towards me, his height looming over me, and I gulp suddenly. “What a shame,” he sighs. “If only I hadn’t already had my fingers deep inside your pussy.”

My mouth falls open in shock as I stare up at him and his gleaming brown eyes. “You did not just say that,” I huff, checking over my shoulder to make sure no one heard. “What is wrong with you?”

“Just stating facts,” he says as he crosses his arms over his chest, staring down at me with a stupid, smug expression.

I scowl deeply at him. “Yeah, well, friends can still do that shit andonlybe friends.”

“Okay,” he responds. “If that’s what you think, then sure.” My jaw tightens as I stare up at him under hooded eyes. “Come on.” He beckons his head. “These boats aren’t going to ride themselves.”

I mutter something under my breath as he begins to walk away. I walk to the small wooden ramp where the boats are held. “They are tiny,” I comment. “Are you sure we’re not going to go overboard?”

Kayden’s brows hang. “Overboard? Seriously? The lake is about ten feet deep.”

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