The Girl He Marked by Laila Callaway novel Chapter 3

Callie's POV.

The next week passes quickly. Things heat up between Nate and me. Every time we meet, I find myself getting more and more drawn to him. I know it's because we're taking so long to mark each other.

Nate doesn't know why I'm taking things slow, but he respects it and doesn't pressure me. I admire him so much for that. He must be curious as to why I'm holding back, but he hasn't once pushed me to tell him anything.

He's the perfect gentleman.

We're going to have to move forwards soon, or things will get out of hand. We'll start being more irrational, with short tempers and mood swings. We'll crave being around each other and I don't want it to get to the point where we lash out at our families.

Luckily, the next weekend rolls around quite fast and soon, I'm driving us to the date I planned.

I've turned the tables on Nate, and he's left clueless and wondering where I'm taking us. As much as I'm bursting with excitement and I want to tell him, I want it to be a surprise, too.

I think Nate has guessed what we're doing by the time we pull up at the place. There's a small smile on his lips and he's staying uncharacteristically quiet.

'We're going go—karting' He asks, gesturing to the sign.

I grin at him. 'Hell yeah!'

'Sounds good, baby. I've been looking for something else to kick your ass at,' he teases me as we get out of the car.

I scoff. 'You talk a big game, Nathan Archer. Just wait till I absolutely smash you.'

Nate frowns. 'I thought I'm the one that is meant to smash you'

My cheeks go bright red and Nate bursts out laughing. He puts his arm around my shoulders.

'I'm sorry, that was inappropriate,' he apologizes.

'It's okay,' I reassure him, but my cheeks are still on fire as we enter the building.

We get changed into the gear, overalls, gloves and helmets.

There are only a few other people on the track, giving us a lot of space. We climb into the karts and one of the staff members shows us how to brake and accelerate.

The first lap is a trial one, giving us a chance to get used to the route and the kart. I don't go very fast, wanting to study the track so that I can beat Nate.

I need to beat him; my ego can't take another loss. He was so much better than me at bowling and axe—throwing.

My competitive shifter nature is coming through, and I'm determined to win.

Although Nate might have the raw talent to be good at a lot of things, the one thing I have over him in this case, is that I'm lighter. My kart can go faster than his, simply because I weigh less.

In the first real lap of the track, we are neck and neck with each other. My kart flies past Nate's, but he's sneaky. He cuts corners and manages to worm his way in front of me.

Once he's there, he blocks me from getting around him, keeping me stuck behind his kart. I hit my wheel with frustration.

Yep, my competitive side is definitely coming out.

The moment we get around a tight bend, I press my foot down on the accelerator and floor it past him. I hear Nate shout my name, I can't tell if it's in anger or appreciation.

Maybe a little of both.

I laugh and ignore him, flying around the rest of the track. For the rest of the laps he tries to catch up with me, he even bumps his kart with mine a few times. I drift around the corners, rarely taking my foot off the accelerator.

The only thing I have on him is my speed, I can't slow down. I can't lose again.

On the final lap, I put the greatest distance between us. I think Nate already knows that I've won, and he accepts defeat.

I cross the finish line and pull into the parking bit. I get out of my kart as he pulls up behind me.

I take off my helmet and throw it back into the kart.

'I won!' I shout and pump my fists in the air. 'Woo!'

Nate gets out of his kart and takes his helmet off. He's smiling, despite his defeat.

'Congratulations, baby,' he says.

I grin at him and do a little happy dance, making him laugh.

'I guess we've finally found something you're good at,' he comments dryly, and I stop dancing to playfully glare at him.

'Hey! That's mean!'

Nate laughs and throws his arm around my shoulders. He pulls me into his side and kisses the top of my head.

'You deserved that win, well done.'