The Girl He Marked by Laila Callaway novel Chapter 3

Callie's POV.

Nate grins at me. 'Yep. I hope you can throw an axe.'

I shrug. 'How hard can it be'

Nate laughs at my statement.

'I guess you're about to find out.'

We're given a lane, penned in on either side by high netting. A well—used target is at the end, the wood splintered from repeated hits from the axes.

'Okay, get a feel for the weight first,' Nate coaches me.

I hold the axe in my hand, feeling the worn wooden handle. It's heavier than I thought it would be.

'Let's try a throw. Try one—handed first, over the shoulder.'

I give it a go. I miss the target completely and my axe hits the wall with the handle, not the blade end.

Well, that was shit.

'Not bad for a first attempt,' Nate says generously. 'At least you hit the wall.'

'You try,' I ask him.

I take a step back and watch him position himself. He holds the axe behind him and takes aim.

As he launches his arm forwards, the muscles in his arms flex. His shirt rides up a little, giving me a peek of his tanned stomach.

The axe cuts through the air and hits the target. The axe stays in place, neatly wedged in the blue ring, just outside of the red bull's eye.

'Whoa!' I exclaim, thoroughly impressed.

Nate shrugs, obviously not as pleased with his throw.

'Meh, could be better.'

I scoff. 'Show off.'

After a couple more attempts and a bit more coaching from Nate, I actually manage to get the axe to hit the wall, blade—first.

The bull's eye is still a distant goal, but I'm getting closer.

We pause to have some food and Nate promises a restaurant date next.

'I want to buy you something other than hot dogs or burgers for once,' he tells me.

I don't mind. It's cheesy, but the food isn't why I'm here. I just want to be with him, I could care less what we eat.

When we return, I try throwing the axe with two hands. This gives me more strength and my axes become wedged in the wood, no longer falling out after a few seconds.

Nate gets quite a few bull's eyes, and I'll confess, I become more and more attracted to him as the date goes on.

He's just so handsome. The look on his face when he is concentrating, ugh, it's so sexy. His eyes narrow and he gently bites his lower lip.

He catches me staring a couple of times. He doesn't comment but gives me this knowing smile and I know I've been caught.

Finally, I manage to get a bull's eye.

My axe flies through the air and chips straight into the red circle. There's a moment's pause, where I wait for it to fall out, but it stays.

'Look!' I cry excitedly. I jump up and down and point at the target. 'I did it! I actually did it!'

Nate laughs and congratulates me.

Before he's even finishing speaking, I throw myself at him. He catches me easily. I press my lips to his, surprising him.

He recovers quickly and kisses me back. Despite being in a public place, I kiss him like we're alone, and back on my porch.

I slowly slide down his body, until my toes touch the ground again, but our lips remain locked. Nate holds me close, his lips moving in perfect sync with mine.

I don't know what comes over me, but I run my tongue along his bottom lip, wordlessly asking him to deepen the kiss.

He makes a sound at the back of his throat and his tongue touches mine.

I don't care about the people around us. I don't care what they think or say. I only care about him.

When we pull away, both of our breathing is a bit ragged. I giggle nervously and Nate pecks my nose.

'We should stop, before we get kicked out for indecent exposure,' Nate says quietly, making me laugh.

We pull away from each other, but the atmosphere remains charged with sexual tension. The chemistry between us is palpable.

Following Ben's instruction, I keep my goodbye kiss in the confines of Nate's car. I lean across the console and bury my fingers in his hair, resuming the kiss we stopped at the axe—throwing place.

I wish the console wasn't between us, so that I could feel his muscular body against mine, but I know it is probably a good thing. As much as I want to, I'm not sure I'm ready to take things to the next step yet.

I break the kiss and pull back for breath. I can see the desire in Nate's eyes, and it makes me press my thighs together.

I want him, but it's too soon. A little bit longer.

Although, I'm not sure how long I'll be able to resist him.

Nate softly strokes my cheek.

'You are so perfect, Callie,' he murmurs. 'I can't quite believe you're mine.'

His sweet words make me grin. 'Well, you better believe it, because I'm not going anywhere.'

Nate smiles at that. 'Good to know, baby.'

My heart flutters when he uses that nickname. It doesn't sound cliché when he says it. No one's called me that before.

Our eyes meet and the intensity of his gaze makes me feel like he can stare right into my soul. At that moment, I know he doesn't see a broken girl.

Not yet anyway.

I push the bitter thought from my mind and decide to focus on the good.

'You have no idea how long I've waited to meet you,' I tell him.

Nate smirks and my cheeks heat up as I realize what I've said.

'Oh, wait! I guess you do know,' I add with a laugh.

I forget that we're the same age. We've both waited so long for each other.

'If anyone knows exactly how you feel, it's me, baby,' Nate replies.

I don't know how long I stay in his car, reluctant to leave. Nate seems in no rush to return home.

Eventually, I decide to call it a night, when I start yawning. Nate promises to pick me up tomorrow, for a proper—sit—down—restaurant date.

I really need to up my game and come up with some dates for us of my own. I feel bad that he's having to take the reins and come up with this all himself.

I want to show him that I can make an effort, too.

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When Nate picks me up on Saturday evening, I'm eager to tell him that I've made plans for us the following weekend.

I've arranged and booked a date for us. I'm contributing!

My excitement of telling him is forgotten the moment I open the front door.

My mate looks so unbelievably handsome, stood on the porch in a white shirt and black slacks. The top few buttons are undone, and he looks like some kind of model CEO.

'Wow,' I breathe. 'You look so handsome.'

Nate grins at my compliment.

'Thank you, baby,' he replies. 'You look beautiful, as always.'

I'm wearing one of my favorite dresses. Nate compliments the color as we walk to his car, making me glad that I chose it.

The restaurant is rather fancy and not one I'd pick for a normal night out, but for treats and occasions like this, it's perfect.

I've left my hair down in black waves to my waist. Nate plays with them as we talk, making me blush at the attention.

As we eat our food, he tells me more about his family. After hearing so many funny stories about his sister Myra, her mate, Jayce and their daughter, Naevia, I want to see them again.

Nate seems just as eager to spend time with my family, too. It's handy that Rixon and Jayce are already close friends.

We agree to make plans to have our families meet up soon. It's a signifier that things are getting more serious between us. I wonder if he wants to start the mating process.

Does he want to mark me

Do I want him to mark me

Of course I do. I want the world – well, the shifter world – to know that I am his and he is mine.

'What are you thinking so hard about' Nate's voice breaks through my thoughts.

My attention snaps back to him. We're still in the restaurant and my mind just wandered completely.

'Nothing.' I smile.

Soon.

Soon, I'll show him how I feel, and we can take the next step.

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