Page 37 of Challenged Mate
Chase met my stare. His brows narrowed, then understanding dawned. He dipped his chin, acknowledging he almost put his foot in his mouth.
The more time I spent with Kayla, the more I wanted to tell her about my bond with Asher. Hearing stories about his childhood antics and adolescent rebellion filled the dark pit in my soul which craved a connection with my fated mate, but that’s exactly why I didn’t say anything about our bond.
Telling Kayla would only mean one more person knew I would be mating a male who wasn’t my fated mate. Knowing the truth would only burden her. Confiding in her would be selfish.
Chase opened the passenger door and gestured for me to sit inside.
I was about to insist Kayla take the front seat when the red-clad beauty slid into the backseat. With a murmur of thanks, I moved past Chase and climbed into the car.
Chase shut the door behind me and walked around the front to reach the driver’s side.
Déjà vu hit me, and memories of the drive into Wilds Pack territory played in my mind.
Asher’s deep blue eyes staring at me through the rearview.
My stomach clenching with desire as I watched his hands grip the steering wheel.
The urge to run my fingers through his messy brown hair.
Those memories flittered away, replaced by the one of how I woke from the sorcerer’s attack with Asher hovering over me. My lips tingling from the first press of his lips to mine—the moment the bond clicked into place.
I closed my eyes and breathed deep, willing the distracting thoughts away, as well as the heat building in my core.
Despite what I’d been taught, distance from Asher wasn’t making things easier. I craved his presence something fierce, and the feeling grew every day.
“Everything all right?”
I opened my eyes to see Chase’s concerned glance before he returned his attention to the road.
“I’m good.”
“You sure?”
I swallowed the lump in my throat and lied, “Yeah.”
Chase didn’t press the issue, even though I saw the skeptical tilt of his head.
“You’re going to love Miko’s,” Kayla interrupted, leaning forward to rest her elbows on the back of the two front seats. “The sushi is to die for, and the music is ah-mazing.”
“Music?”
Chase chuckled. “Did Kayla not mention Miko’s becomes a dance club after nine?”
What?
I look at the clock on the dashboard. Seven-fifteen.
What were the chances we’d be able to eat dinner and get out of the restaurant before the nightlife started?
My guess was zero.
And I believed that was Kayla’s intention.
“No,” I answered Chase, turning around and leveling narrowed eyes on Kayla. “She did not.”
“Because I knew you would bail if I did,” Kayla replied with absolutely no remorse. “You’ve been cooped up in that apartment one too many nights. It’s time to have some fun!”
My chest warmed. Kayla reminded me so much of Stephanie in that moment. I missed her.
