Page 8 of Bonding with the Beta

I heard her breathing hitch and the beat of her heart increase. I shouldn’t have enjoyed the way her body began to shudder. A shot of adrenaline rushed through my spine, knowing I had some sort of effect on her.

She’s not your mate,I remind myself.So stay the fuck away.

When the baby shower is over, Jaxon sends Ava up to bed so he can clean up the kitchen. Kayleigh interjects and tells him she can help and he should be with Ava. He thanks her, looking unbelievably relieved, then leaves us alone in the kitchen.

She begins to stack up the cups and the plates with half-eaten cake on them. I walk towards the dishwasher beside her and start making myself useful. It’s Ava and Jaxon’s day after all; thisis the least I can do for them before there is a little one running around.

Kayleigh peeks her eyes up at me but doesn’t say anything. My eyes dart to her exposed neck. Now her hair is tucked behind her back, I can physically see her pulse jump out of her veins as I begin to fill the dishwasher.

Her nerves practically radiate off her, and I have no idea why—until her thoughts come flooding into my mind.

You had one job, Kayleigh. One job not to totally embarrass yourself.

I frown at her harsh words and the way each syllable is enunciated.

“Did you have a good day?” I ask, snapping her out of her trance.

The deep scowl on her face drops immediately, and she glances at me. “Huh?”

“The baby shower?”

“Oh.” Her cheeks turn a deeper shade of pink. “Yeah. It was nice. Probably should have stayed away from all that champagne. Especially in this head spa–”

The words die in her mouth, and she clears her throat, busying herself with finding a dishwasher tablet. I don’t push her. “Will be nice for you to see Ava more often.”

Kayleigh nods but avoids my eyes. “Yes, and the baby.”

Once the kitchen is clean, I wipe my hands on a tea towel and lean against the counter. “Do you know where your room is?”

I presume she’s staying over and not driving over the limit. Not that I’d let her anyway.

“Uh…” she trails off and drags her eyes up to mine, nipping her bottom lip. “No, but I’m sure I can find it.”

“I’ll show you.” I beckon my head to the stairs. “Don’t want you getting lost.”

Her hand brushes the back of her neck. “Yeah, this place is like a maze.”

Kayleigh grabs her bag, and we head up the stairs. I step out onto the hall and drop my head into the spare room which has fresh bed sheets and towels. “This would be you,” I say, rapping my knuckles on the wooden door.

She peeks her head inside and flashes me a forced smile. “Thanks.”

“The bathroom is next door,” I say, throwing my thumb over my shoulder.

“Thank you,” she exhales again.

“Well…” I step away. “Good night, Kayleigh. If you need anything, I’m down the hall. First door on the right.”

Kayleigh nods once. “Good night, Kayden.”

I walk down the hall and hear her door shut behind me as I reach my room. I strip out of my clothes, leaving me in nothing but my black boxers. I perch on the edge of my bed and plug my phone in to charge, scrolling through my notifications.

A deep sigh escapes my chest, and I throw my phone down onto the cover and make my way down the hall to the bathroom. I pulled the short straw not getting an en-suite with my room, but because I share with the guest bedroom, I normally have it to myself—except at this moment.

I don’t even need to hear her thoughts because she’s speaking them out loud to herself in the reflection. I pause by the half-opened door and study her in those mint-green silk pyjamas, a cropped shirt, and tiny shorts. My lungs clench for a moment.

“What is wrong with you, Kayleigh? I swear you do these things to make people think you’re weird.”

The grip she has on the sink basin makes her knuckles turn white. She focuses on her eyes and nowhere else. I should probably leave and give her some privacy, but I can’t find it in myself to walk away.

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