The Girl He Marked by Laila Callaway novel Chapter 1

Book 1 Chapter 42

I wake early the next morning, the sunbeams in through the shutters and floods the room with light, but I don’t mind. I stretch out across the huge double bed, even as a starfish, my hands and feet don’t reach the edges.

I remember how wonderful last night was, Eli was a perfect gentleman; he didn’t even try to kiss me.

Although if he had, I might not have pushed him away. 

| sort myself out in the bathroom and pad downstairs in my fluffy socks, pajama shorts and vest to find Eli. It doesn’t take long, I round the corner and spot him standing by the oven, boiling eggs.

‘Just in time, I was about to bring you breakfast in bed, but I feel better not having to wake you up, Eli tells me as he puts the eggs in eggcups on a plate and places it on the table. I sit down and admire the ef fort he has gone to; he’s set the table and even cut the toast into soldiers for me.

‘Thank you, this looks great, I thank him and wait patiently for him to serve himself up and sit down opposite me.

“Dig in, he says, and I eagerly break the tops of my eggs and begin dunking soldiers into the runny, or ange yolk.

‘Do you usually get up this early?’ I ask him. To some people, eight-thirty might be considered as get ting up late, but to me, and most others, it’s early.

‘Mostly, dad raised me to take my job seriously, I work nine to five like most people. But I got a call this morning alerting me of an impromptu meeting being held on Damien’s territory that I have to go to, so we’ll have to leave soon, he explains, and I feel slightly disappointed that we won’t be spending today here.

‘Is it anything serious?’ I question and he frowns, obviously it’s serious or they wouldn’t have called a meeting, you idiot.

‘Nothing to worry about too much, just some rumors about rogues,’ he replies and despite not knowing what a rogue is, I decide to not ask any more questions.

‘What time do we need to leave?’

‘About ten, if that’s okay, I’m really sorry about cutting this short, I’ll bring you back here soon,’ he promises, and I’m satisfied with that agreement.

We collect our things and are back on the road, driving home, by 10 o’clock. I’m sad that we didn’t spend more time at his beach house, and I’ll certainly be holding him to that promise of returning.

Eli drops me off at Seb and Aria’s house and heads off to his meeting, he gives me a brief hug before leaving. He’s definitely trying hard to give me space and I respect that.

‘So, how was your date?’ Aria calls out from the living room the second l enter the house; I leave my case at the bottom of the stairs and sit down on the sofa opposite her.

‘Really good, where’s Seb?’ | ask, looking around for the blonde.

‘He’s at the gym, shock, she rolls her eyes and I get the feeling that she has to compete with the gym for time with her mate.

Book 1 Chapter 42

Lv. 1

‘Oh okay want to have a girl’s day? I fancy going out for lunch,’ I suggest, and her eyes light up with ex citement

Girl’s day it is.

Aria and I spend the morning shopping, we stop for lunch, and she grills me for all the details of last night. I smile when I receive a text from Eli, saying that the meeting will end after lunch, and he’ll come over to Aria’s house. I ask Aria about rogues, and she quickly fills me in, they‘re not people I want to bump into that’s for sure.

We pay for our meal and drive back to Aria’s house, as soon as we arrive, I go up to my room to unpack my new clothes.

You went shopping, Eli’s voice makes me jump, I spin around to find the gorgeous God leaning against my doorframe.

I needed a little retail therapy, after having my time at the beach cut short, I tease, watching him curi ously as he strolls over and stops right in front of me.

I was thinking we should go back, tomorrow, what do you say?’ He suggests and I grin at him.

‘Sounds great,’ I reply as he casts his eyes over my new clothes spread across my bed.

A little short, don’t you think?’ He muses, holding up a black skirt, I scoff at him and snatch it back.

‘Shut up.

Just make sure I come out with you on the night you wear that,’ his tone makes it sound like a joke, but I have a sneaking suspicion he’s serious.

‘Oh really? And why will you have to come with me?’ | ask, giving him a quizzical look.

Because you’ll need protection from all the guys that will try it on with you, he replies, his face grim with the thought.

‘I don’t think I’d have anything to worry about,’ I scoff, dismissing the idea.

‘Are you joking? You’ll look incredible in that skirt, you’ll have to fight them off, he says, his compliment catches me off guard and I’m startled into silence.

I’ve got a favor to ask you, Eli states and I’m grateful for the topic change, I sit down on the bed.

‘Go on

‘My mum has invited you over for dinner tonight, we usually have Sunday dinner together, but we were at the beach house, so she wants us all to come round tonight, he explains and I’m unsure how I feel about going back to his house and near his family so soon.

It was only four days ago that he took me.

‘I know it’s a lot to ask, but it would mean so much to my parents if you came, Lucia and Tyler will be there too, he tries to appeal to me, but I’ve already made up my mind.

‘Sure, I’ll come, I answer, surprising him with my willingness to cooperate.