The Girl He Marked by Laila Callaway novel Chapter 3

Xaden's POV.

I don't get any chances to see Noelle again until the end of the day. We're talking completely different subjects.

Suddenly, I wish I was good at art. I'm so jealous of Rory, she gets to spend every lesson with my mate because they're taking the exact same A—Levels.

Not fair.

I get in my car and pull up on the road outside of school. I wait for my mate to come out and then start the engine.

When she gets out of school, she turns left and starts walking down the street. I follow her and pull up next to the pavement in front of her. I roll down the window and lean out.

Noelle looks up from her phone and her eyes widen in surprise.

'Noelle! Do you want a lift' I ask her hopefully.

Her lips press into a line, and she shakes her head. 'No, thanks.'

I frown at her blunt reply. 'Come on, I don't mind.'

She narrows her eyes at me. 'I'm good.'

She keeps walking and I have to drive forwards to keep up with her. I knock the car into first gear and slowly cruise next to her.

'Come on, please let me give you a lift I want to get to know you.'

She snorts and I wonder what I said that's so funny.

'Stop trying to get into my pants, Xaden,' she snaps irritably. 'I know I'm new here, but I'm not stupid.'

What. The. Fuck.

I gawp at her, my mouth slack and open.

She honestly thinks that's what I'm after

I mean, sure, I would love to get her into bed. But, contrary to what she thinks, that's not my only goal. Plus, if I got her into it, she'd never be leaving. She'd be the last one to ever get into it.

'Do you think that's what I want from you Noelle, I want to get to know you, not sleep with you.'

She stops walking and turns to face me. She gives me a cold, deadpan expression and crosses her arms over her chest.

'Really You don't want to sleep with me'

Shit.

I can't lie to my mate. It's almost impossible.

'Well…' I reply sheepishly. 'Obviously I want to sleep with you, but that's not all I want.'

I wince at how bad the words come out.

Shit, that didn't sound good.

She scowls and starts walking again.

'Sure, it isn't,' she says sarcastically. 'Just leave me alone, Xaden.'

I love hearing my name from her lips.

I pull over and cut the engine. I jump out of the car and jog to catch up with her. Noelle scoffs and stops walking.

'Will you stop stalking me I just told you to leave me alone!' She says, her tone exasperated.

'That's not going to happen, sugar,' I reply.

She scrunches up her nose. 'Sugar'

'Yeah, cause you're sweet as sugar.'

Noelle looks at me like she can't believe that I'm being serious.

'You are unbelievable,' she says with a groan.

She turns on her heel and starts to walk away again. I reach out and catch her hand, pulling her back to me.

It's the first time we've touched, and sparks ignite on my skin where we touch. Noelle gasps and looks down at our joined hands.

'Did you realize' I ask her softly. 'Do you know that we're mates'

She slowly looks up and meets my eyes. Her hazel ones blink up at me, surrounded by the longest lashes I've ever seen.

'Yes, I knew,' she murmurs. She tugs her hand free of my grip and I feel lost without her touch. 'But it doesn't mean anything.'

She walks away again, leaving me staring after her, dumbfounded. I run to catch up to her and then jump in front of her, making her stop suddenly. She glares at me for blocking her way.

I put my hands on her shoulders, gently but firmly, stopping her from going anywhere.

'What do you mean it doesn't matter' I demand. 'We're soul mates. That's not something you just brush off.'

Her eyes narrow further and she pushes my hands off her shoulders.

'Tell me something, Xaden, and I know that you can't lie to me because we're mates. So, tell me the truth…'

My stomach twists and I feel instantly sick. I'm not going to like this question, I know it.