Page 93 of Bound By Pain
I slip under his arm, soaking in some of his body heat as we bolt toward the entrance. Stepping inside, I quickly realize this place has much more to offer than just an indoor water park. A huge arcade sits to our left, and signs show a black light mini golf course somewhere to the back.
Lex speaks with the attendant, getting us wristbands and locker keys. He brought a bag with extra clothes and towels for each of us, which he stores so we can explore.
“What first?”
Grabbing his hand, I smile over my shoulder and lead him into the domed area where the water park awaits us. “Water slides!”
The park is pretty empty. Only a couple here and there, the occasional pack with their kids. I imagine that in the summer, this place is booming.
We ride every slide multiple times, racing to the bottom and kicking around beneath the giant water spouts that collect and pour water over our heads. My cheeks hurt from smiling, enjoying the playful side of my grumpy Alpha.
He may not express his joy as openly as I do, but I see it in the way he secretly smiles at me. A few chuckles even escape his lips, leaving me craving more of the happy sound. I like Lex like this. Carefree. Today, he isn’t worried about his past or the influence it may have on me; he’s just enjoying our time together.
If every day could be like this…
There’s no point in wishing for something that will never happen. No one lives a life filled with only good days. Bad ones are inevitable. So long as he doesn’t push me away, I’ll be here for all of them.
“I’m all watered out,” I admit as we lounge on a giant sun lounger.
“Want to get changed and try something else? Or grab food? There’s a restaurant here we can eat at.”
Food sounds amazing, something my stomach makes known when it growls loudly. “I guess we have our answer,” I joke, patting my belly.
Lex pulls me to my feet, and we make our way back to the lockers. Technically, we may wear our suits through the entire building, but the thought of staying in a wet swimsuit all afternoon makes my skin crawl.
I’ll be wet enough being around my Alpha, I don’t need pool water adding to that sensation.
The restaurant serves lighter fare. Burgers, sandwiches, salads. I settle on a chipotle chicken melt, while Lex orders a bacon burger. Our conversation is light, filled with the get-to-know-you questions we skipped during the past half a year.
Learning about my Alphas love of engine work isn’t surprising. He and Creed both clearly love their cars. Taking extensive care of the vehicles. He tells me about helping his neighbor whenever something mechanical breaks.
I can’t imagine a fourteen or fifteen-year-old Lex surrounded by engine parts and covered in grease. Would he smile whilehe worked? Or is his usual stern expression how he’s always reacted?
After lunch, we head into the arcade. I let him kick my ass in all the shooters before I wreck him at the rhythm games. It’s been an incredible day. The weight that my confinement placed on me has lifted, helping to settle my chaotic emotions.
Late afternoon brings a new challenge. My proximity to Lex is making me horny as hell. If my scent glands were fully functioning, I’d be perfume bombing this arcade like crazy. It’s taking all of my self-control not to throw myself at him.
“What’s that look for, brat?”
Biting my lip, I shift on my feet. I could tell him. Let him take me home and help me calm the burning desire flowing through my veins. But that means all of this would be over. We’d pop the bubble we’ve been in. Lose his easygoing playfulness and laughter.
I’m not ready. I don’t want to go back to the awkward, hurt people we were before today. Having this all the time? That’s what I want.
“Bea?” Lex tips my head up with a single finger, studying my expression. He shudders. A full-body move I can feel deep in my soul. “Going home changes nothing. I’ll still be here. Still be yours.”
“Promise?” I hate that tears well in my eyes. That I’ve flipped from joyous to horny to crybaby in a matter of minutes. I know it’s from my heat. My hormones are a fluctuating disaster, taking control of my body with wild, unpredictable mood swings.
Lips seal to mine. A deep, ravenous kiss that leaves me breathless and reeling from its intensity. “I promise.”
He leaves me no room to protest, just grabs my hand and gathers our stuff. We’re in the car and headed back to the apartment by the time I shake myself from the stupor of his kiss.I’m nervous. Worried about how things will change, I want to trust him. To take his word and hold him to it.
Taking a steadying breath, I decide to do just that. I will believe Lex when he says he is mine. If he proves otherwise later on… Well, that’s his loss. I believe in second chances, but there will never be a third.
LEX
I’ve made my mate doubt me. Lost her trust. And it hurts. My inner Alpha rages inside of me. Ready to destroy everything.
When she had gone quiet in the arcade, staring into the distance, I knew something was wrong. Staring into the swirling galaxies in her eyes, I’d seen everything she wasn’t saying. How her heat was affecting her. Her fear that I would change my mind. That I would leave her. Again.
