The Girl He Marked by Laila Callaway novel Chapter 2

When we finally pull away, he slides me down his body, but keeps his arms around my waist, holding me close to him.

'Hi,' I breathe, feeling breathless and heady from our kiss.

'Hey, beautiful,' he whispers, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

I step out of his arms and turn around to find the guys are sitting next to their respective mates, the group watching us with amusement.

I feel a surge of pride that this delicious man is mine, and that he's more than happy to show me off to his friends.

We sit down at the table and I hurriedly down half my drink, trying to avoid the pointed looks I get from the girls.

'So, what do your parents think Lex I bet your mum is pleased,' Aria says and my smile drops, I was hoping I wouldn't have to think about my parents any time soon. I glance up at Rixon and his mouth is set in a hard line, I wish Aria hadn't said anything.

'Um, they don't know yet, it's been a bit weird with them at the moment,' I hedge, hoping that they'll get the hint that I don't want to talk about it. Seb shoots me an apologetic smile and quickly changes the topic. Underneath the table, Rixon reaches for my hand and winks at me.

I manage to keep the conversation off of the subject of Rixon and me for a while, but then Jayce pipes up.

'Lexi, isn't your parents' ball soon' He asks and I wince as I remember, it's in just over a week.

'Um yeah it is, you're all invited by the way,' I offer and luckily everyone starts discussing how they'll get there, what they'll wear, etc.

'Can I talk to you for a moment' Rixon whispers in my ear, we excuse ourselves and step outside into the street. He pulls off his jacket and wraps it around my shoulders, a cliché move but still very sweet.

'I'm going to be away for a couple of days, I've got an assignment,' he explains, and I nod, trying not to think about what he'll be being paid to do.

'Do you know when you'll be back' I ask and he shakes his head.

'It should only be a couple of days.'

'You'll be back before the ball' I ask, and he raises his eyebrow in a silent question.

'I was thinking I could tell my parents about you the day before the ball, they'll be so distracted with all the preparations that they won't be able to make a big deal out of it,' I shrug, and he looks at me with amusement.

'I just want you to be happy Lex, if you want to tell your parents, that's your choice,' he replies, and I wonder for the millionth time how I got so lucky.

'I know they'll like you; it'll just be a surprise for mum,' I explain, smiling at the thought of how shocked she'll be.

'Well I hope it's a good surprise,' Rixon mutters as I give him back his jacket. We enter the bar to hear chanting at the back.

Please don't be our friends.

We weave through the crowd, the chanting of 'down it' becoming louder. Rixon shakes his head, obviously seeing what is going on before me because of his stupidly tall height. I step around the last group of people to see Jayce and Seb making their way through a tray full of shots whilst Lucia, Myra and Aria bang their fists on the table and chant.

'Come on Rixon!' Myra calls, Rixon shrugs at me and then sits down, helping the boys finish off the shots.

I sigh and pull out my phone, taking a video in case he doesn't remember this tomorrow.

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Luckily, I'm the only one without a hangover as I head to the clinic the next day. I left Rixon snoring quietly in bed as I got ready for work this morning.

The days pass quickly, my mother spends her days frantically directing swarms of workers who have decorated the ballroom and garden. My father is smart enough to stay well out of her way, taking refuge in their office as people walk past carrying huge bouquets of flowers and endless tables and chairs.

It's organized chaos.

Four days before the ball, I meet her in town to buy a dress. We visit our favorite shop and spend almost two hours trying on one after another. I'm grateful for the distraction as Rixon is currently away on an assignment and I don't really want to be thinking about what he's up to.

When you try on the right dress, you just know.

I know I don't even need to look at the others as I pick up the red dress, feeling the heavy material. I slide on the strapless dress, tight enough to fit perfectly. It hugs every curve and then some, and I grin, knowing that this is the one.

'Oh my God that's the one,' my mother comments, surprising me by poking her head around the curtain.

'Definitely,' I reply, running my hands down my waist, smoothing out any creases.

We leave the dress shop completely satisfied and return home. Mum hangs up our dresses to be steamed and I decide that now is the time to break the news of my mate to her.

My friends know, my parents should too.

'Mum, there's something I need to tell you,' I give her a brief smile, hoping now she won't worry that it's something bad.

'I—' I'm interrupted by a loud howl, followed by a series of voices shouting, and then a flustered guard bursting into the room.

'They've caught the rogue,' he announces and then disappears out the door.

All the blood drains from my face and my stomach twists in dread.

Rixon.

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