The Girl He Marked by Laila Callaway novel Chapter 3

Axel's POV.

I'm whistling, with my hands in my pockets, as I walk into school. Xaden rolls his eyes and pushes off the wall he was leaning on.

'Let me guess, you're happy because you're going on a date with your mate tonight' He asks sardonically.

I smirk at him. 'Yep. I have a date with the most perfect girl in school.'

Xaden snorts but doesn't try and kill my mood. He walks in with me, and we find Rory and Grace in the common room.

I love that Rory is making an effort with Grace, the two of them really seem to be getting along well.

I sit down next to Grace and put my arm around the back of her chair. She smiles shyly and her cheeks turn a very light shade of pink.

I wonder if she'll ever stop blushing around me.

I hope not.

'You ready for our date tonight' I ask teasingly.

She nods and bites on her bottom lip.

'I'm looking forward to it,' she confesses quietly. 'Where should I meet you'

'How about at the town square You know where that is, right'

Grace nods, causing a few strands to escape from her messy bun. Instinctively, I reach out and tuck them behind her ear. Her blush deepens as my touch lingers, causing tingles to run up my arm.

'Why does that happen' She whispers. 'When you touch me…it feels strange, like little sparks…'

I smirk at her and lean in close. Her breathing hitches.

'It means your body is attracted to mine,' I reply lowly, so only she can hear. 'It means our attraction to each other is tangible.'

She swallows hard and looks up at me with her big blue eyes. She only has a bit of makeup on, but her eyelashes are so fucking long.

'Really' She says awe in her tone.

I don't think she can quite believe it. I get it, this is an unnatural phenomenon for a human.

'Yes. It happens sometimes, when two people are perfect for each other.'

My response makes her smile. She raises a perfectly plucked eyebrow at me.

'Perfect for each other'

I grin charmingly. 'Yes, Strawberries. You and me, we're meant to be.'

She giggles and rolls her eyes. 'If you say so.'

I nudge her gently and she nudges me back with her shoulder.

'You'll see tonight, Strawberries, on our date.'

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Grace has physics first period, whilst I have a free. I sit with Xaden, and our friend Finlay and we get caught up on some sports theory we've been assigned.

My mate has a free period for her second lesson, whilst I have P.E, meaning we aren't together, again.

I'm grateful when the break bell goes, and it means I get to see her again.

The weather is sunny today, which is good for our date later. We decide to sit outside, in our spot behind the school. There are two benches opposite each other, and it overlooks the fields around the school.

I shrug out of my hoodie and shove it in my backpack. I don't miss the way Grace tries to subtly check me out in my t—shirt. Her eyes linger on my biceps, and I resist the urge to flex them for her.

Rory sits down at the end of one of the benches and Xaden lies down along it, resting his head on her lap. She scoffs but makes no move to get him off.

Finlay sits down and slides on his sun—glasses. I take a seat next to him and Grace hesitates, unsure whether to squeeze on next to me.

I reach out and grab her wrist. With a sharp tug, I pull her onto my lap. She squeals and grabs my arms to steady herself.

I slide her backpack off her shoulder and put it on the ground. She blushes bright red and shifts on my lap, getting comfortable.

'Axel, I could just sit next to you,' she says quietly, looking around at the others self—consciously.

Luckily, none of them are looking at us.

I wrap my arm around her waist. 'Nope. Not enough room. You're gonna have to sit here, Strawberries.'

She blushes some more but doesn't protest. I sit back against the bench, taking my mate with me. She bites her bottom lip nervously, but gradually relaxes and rests against my chest.

She's wearing a dress today and her legs are bare. That makes me very fucking happy.

Her creamy thighs are exposed across my lap, and I gently place my hand on her leg. I keep it near her knee, not wanting her to be uncomfortable.

As much as I want to slide my hand up her skirt and make her feel good, I know it is way too soon and I respect her.

Instead, I study the freckles on her cute, slightly upturned nose. Her eyes flicker, taking in everything around us.

'How hot do you think it is today' She asks, glancing up at the blue sky. It's the same color as her eyes.

'Not sure, maybe 25 degrees. Why'

My little mate's brows furrow. 'I haven't got any sun cream and I don't want to burn.'

'We've only got fifteen minutes till the end of the break, you'll be okay,' I reply gently.

She huffs, an adorable action. 'It's easy for you! You're so tanned. I hate being a redhead sometimes.'

Her grumbling makes me wrap my arms tighter around her. I rest my chin on her shoulder.

'Don't say that. I love your hair.'

I take one of the strands between my fingers and twirl it. She blushes again.

'Thank you.'

Grace shifts on my lap and nothing can distract me from her thighs anymore. I feel myself getting hard and I quickly try to think of things to keep him down.

Grace shuffles again and I clamp my hands down on her waist.

'Stop moving,' I warn her lowly, so that the others can't hear. 'You're making a certain part of me very excited.'

My sweet little Strawberry turns the color of a strawberry. She instantly freezes.

'Oops.' She giggles. 'Sorry.'

She remains still for the rest of the break, and I manage to keep myself under control. I didn't want her to feel my hard—on and get uncomfortable. I don't ever want to make her feel uncomfortable.

Grace doesn't seem the least bit fazed though, she seems to find it funny. She jokes about it when she climbs off my lap, after the bell rings.

Feeling confident after having her sit on my lap for the last twenty minutes, I put my arm around her shoulders as we walk to class. She blushes but doesn't shake me off.

We have business studies next before lunch. Mr. Baxter gives us a run—down on the assignment we're going to be set next week.

I jump when I feel my mate's small hand on my thigh. I look down in surprise and see the folded—up piece of paper in her hand. I take it from her with a smile and open it.

Do I get any more clues about tonight's date (maybe not ones that imply oral activities though)

That makes me chuckle. I check Mr. Baxter isn't looking and write a reply.

Nope, it's a surprise. But remember to bring shoes you can walk in because I'm showing you all the good places in town. Or I can give you a piggyback if you want.

I fold the paper up and pass it back to her, our fingers brushing again. That tiny bit of contact has my heart beating faster.

A few moments later, she's handing me back her reply.

I'm not going to ride you on the first date.

My mouth drops open in surprise and my head whips up to look at Grace. She won't meet my eyes again. She's blushing up to her hairline and keeping her gaze solely on the board.

'Alright, class. Discuss this in pairs for the next five minutes, then, be ready to share your ideas,' Mr. Baxter instructs.

The class breaks out in chatter, and I turn to face my naughty little mate.

'Grace Barlow, are you hiding a dirty—mind that I know nothing about' I ask her teasingly.

She blushes some more but finally meets my eyes.

'I thought it was funny,' she replies shyly.

I chuckle and shake my head.

'It was. Definitely.' I lean in closer to her and she nervously glances around before leaning in, too. 'You said you wouldn't do it on the first date, what about the second'

She gasps and shoves my shoulder, moving away from me.

'Pig!' She says with feigned horror. We both laugh and her smile turns mischievous. 'Obviously I would wait until the third or fourth date before doing something like that.'

She bursts out laughing at my shocked expression. 'I'm joking!'

'Mr. Archer and Miss Barlow,' Mr. Baxter calls our names, making both of us jump. 'We appear to be having a very successful conversation, would either of you care to share your thoughts on this question'

Shit.

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