The Girl He Marked by Laila Callaway novel Chapter 2

Lexi's POV.

'I'd like to get to know you. Let's have a few more drinks and you can tell me about yourself,' he suggests and I down the last of my cocktail.

'Okay, let's do it.'

We order another round of drinks and sit down in one of the secluded corners of the bar, he sits close to me, close enough that I can feel the heat from his thigh against my own. I try to remind myself to breathe and not panic, I never expected to meet my mate anytime and I'm not prepared for this.

'So, do you come here with your friends often' He questions me and I decide that he is starting with the simple questions to get me to relax it's working.

I quickly sip my drink for more liquid courage. A guy has never made me nervous; it's never been like this before. I decide that I need to try and get the situation back under my control.

'Yes, I do, actually. What about you'

'Sometimes. I'm surprised I've never seen you here before.'

'Maybe you haven't been looking hard enough,' I respond, and he smiles at me, momentarily causing my heart to palpitate.

'Trust me, Cara, I've been looking for you,' he says.

I swallow hard, before I can think of something to say, he changes the topic.

'What do you do, Aria' He asks and for a moment I'm distracted by his thick fingers wrapped around his glass.

It takes me a second to hear what he says, and a stab of guilt erupts in my stomach as he calls me Aria.

'I work in the clinic on my parents' territory,' I tell him, I want to let him know about my parent's straight away.

Alpha parents tend to scare a lot of guys off. I watch his reaction carefully and his eyes harden.

'Your parents are Alphas' He asks, his voice controlled but tense.

'Yeah, it intimidates a lot of guys,' I say.

He nods, his jaw clenched, I decide to ask him about his life instead.

We talk for another hour or so, I learn that Rixon works long hours so doesn't have much time to date.

Thank the Moon Goddess, I'm a jealous kind of girl.

He asks about my dating history, and I think he is quite relieved that I've never had a boyfriend.

I watch as he swallows his drink, his large hand around the glass, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down on his throat. These small actions are driving me crazy, and I notice the second he smells how much I want him, my attraction is obvious. His pupils dilate and he turns to look at me, narrowing those dark eyes of his.

'When can I see you again' He questions, his accent is delicious and strong, just like him.

I know it is obvious that I'm mentally undressing him, but I can tell from his intense gaze that he is mirroring my thoughts.

'Are you calling it a night' I ask, raising an eyebrow at him, trying to hold back a smile.

'It is rather late, and I'm not presumptuous enough to expect you to come back to my apartment,' he replies, and a shiver of desire runs down my spine.

I want this man.

'I wouldn't say that was presumptuous.'

I smirk and run a hand through my hair. His eyes follow my actions and narrow further. I know 'sober me' would be looking on with disapproval and embarrassment, but I've had cocktails and I'm feeling a lot.

'Oh, really Would you like to come back to my apartment then' His voice is teasing as he leans forward, so that we are close enough that I can feel his warm breath on my face.

'I'd love to.' My voice is barely above a whisper, but at this point, it's a struggle to get any words out as my attraction to him is clouding everything else.

'You know you're playing with fire right I won't be able to control myself, and I really don't want to rush you.'

His words are sweet and for a moment I allow myself to consider whether this is a good idea or not— to rush into things like this.

'Trust me, I can take it,' I assure him.

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I know I have a sated look on my face as I stand up and readjust my dress. I grab my clutch and look at him to see if he is ready to leave. My mate's eyes burn an arousing trail up and down my body as he checks me out, he stands up and I swallow as I take in his height again. He is going to destroy me, split me in half probably, and I can't fucking wait.

He places his hand on my lower back and leads me towards the exit. My whole body heats up, the scorching desire radiating from his hand on my back. His hand slides lower to my ass as some guys smoking outside look at me, he is possessive, and I love it.

Rixon retrieves his keys from his pocket and presses a button, my eyes land on the car that flashes its lights in response. I look at his car with wide eyes, a car that is not cheap. My mate is well off, or spends all his money on his car, which personally, I think is a stupid thing to do.

I take a deep breath as he opens the door for me to slide in, I'm not used to guys being this polite and it's a new experience. As he starts the engine and reverses out of the parking space, I realize I don't even know his age.

'How old are you' I ask, glancing over so I can see his reaction, it's subtle, but a small crease forms between his eyebrow as he frowns slightly.

Is his age a tender subject

'I'm thirty, what about you'

'I'm twenty—two,' I reply, I smile at him to try to reassure him.

'Does my age bother you' He asks, and for the first time this evening, I sense vulnerability in his voice, he really doesn't seem the vulnerable type.

'Not at all,' I reply truthfully.

He grins at me, I try to remind myself to take slow, deep breaths and I quickly look away and out the window at the inky black night.

My mind rushes with a hundred thoughts as he drives us to his apartment, apparently he keeps this apartment for when he's in the city, but he usually lives in his house outside the city.

We arrive at a huge, modern block of flats on the nice side of town. He presses another button and the gates open, my heart beats nervously as he parks the car and gets out to open my door.

As soon as I slide my hand in his offered one, I feel more relaxed. He continues to hold my hand as he leads me inside and into the lift. I keep my eyes on him as we soar up the building. I don't even notice what floor level we stop at; I can't take my eyes off of his as he pulls me out and to the end of the corridor.