The Girl He Marked by Laila Callaway novel Chapter 3

Axel's POV.

It takes a long time for us to finish our meal because we don't stop talking.

Grace asks me more about my parents, I use the opportunity to try and open her mind to soul mates.

'There's this weird thing in my family where, we all believe we have soul mates,' I start to explain.

Grace raises her eyebrows in surprise, and I hold my hand.

'I know, sounds crazy, right'

She shrugs. 'Not crazy, very hopeful.'

'It might seem unrealistic, but it's how it has always been in every generation. Every member of my family has a soul mate and when they find them, they've always been together for all their lives. No one in my family has ever separated or divorced.'

Grace looks surprised but seems to like the idea.

Thank fuck.

Because she's mine and I intend to spend the rest of my life with her, but I don't think now is the time to drop that bombshell.

'You believe you have a soul mate' She asks.

It might be wishful thinking, but I swear there is hope in her eyes.

It's too soon to tell her it's her, right

Panic fills me. This is our second date, I don't want to scare her off, but she looks so hopeful.

'Yes, I know I do,' I reply smoothly. 'My parents had to wait until they were twenty—eight to find her, I haven't had to wait anywhere near that long.'

'You mean you've met her already' Grace asks cautiously.

She blinks at me, and I give her a pointed look, waiting for her to catch on. She bites her bottom lip and looks at me shyly.

'You mean…me' She asks, hope filling her voice.

I chuckle at her cuteness.

'Why else do you think I've been so eager to take you on dates, spend my time with you' I shrug. 'But I don't want to scare you off. If you don't believe in that sort of thing, it's okay, it's just something my family believes in.'

'No! I'm not saying I don't believe in it,' Grace quickly replies. 'I just can't quite believe you think it's me.'

Her cheeks turn a little pinker and she looks down at her plate.

'I'm happy you do think that' she confesses. 'But also, you could easily change your mind. It's only been six days; how do you really know it is me'

I give her a smug smile. 'I know, Strawberries. It's instinct.'

The server takes away our dishes and offers us the dessert menu. Grace suggests sharing a dessert.

With any other person, it would be a straight—out no from me. But with Grace, I'll do anything to make her happy. Plus, the girl doesn't eat much so I know that I'll be getting the bigger portion.

The fudge brownie with vanilla ice cream comes and the two of us share it. As predicted, Grace allows me to have the lion's share. Or should that be wolf's share

When we're done, we walk back to my car, our joined hands swinging between us.

I park up on the street where I picked her up. As I cut the engine, Grace turns to me.

'Thank you for the best date I've ever been on. I loved Thursday's date, but tonight…' She blushes. 'Tonight was special, thank you.'

I lean over the console and tuck a stray curl behind her ear.

'Thank you, Grace Barlow. I have loved it and I can't wait to take you out again next week.'

Her lips twitch with amusement. 'I haven't even said yes yet.'

I grin at that.

'Come on, Strawberries, we both know you're going to say yes.'

Her giggle fills the car, making me happy. I love it when she's laughing.

'Okay, maybe I'll say yes.'

I move a little closer to her and her eyes widen.

'Maybe you need a teaser of the date, you know, something to tempt you.'

She smiles with unrestrained happiness. 'Tempt me How are you going to—'

I cut her off with my lips.

I kiss her gently at first, letting her recover from the surprise. Slowly, she starts to kiss me back. Her little hands grab the fabric of my shirt for support.

With one hand on the back of her neck, I place the other on her cheek, holding her exactly where I want her.

She kisses me back with equal enthusiasm. Her lips move confidently with mine, and she easily lets me lead the kiss.

When I run my tongue over her bottom lip, she eagerly opens up to me. Our tongues meet and she moans quietly. I angle my head slightly, allowing me to kiss her deeper.

Desire burns through me, and I can feel my gums tingling, warning that my incisors want to elongate and mark her.

I pull back quickly, leaving us both gasping for breath.