The Girl He Marked by Laila Callaway novel Chapter 3

Xaden's POV.

Noelle is dropped off by her mother and I rush out to meet her. It's only a brief introduction, but her mum gets out of the car to hug me, and I see that as a good sign.

I just need to meet her dad now.

I take Noelle's hand and lead her inside; she looks even more nervous than she did last time.

'I'm sorry about the ambush. I really didn't know that my family was coming over.'

She gives me a weak smile. 'It's okay, I just hope they like me.'

'How could they not You're perfect, Noelle, don't worry.'

We enter the house and I introduce Noelle to my auntie, uncle and my cousin. She shyly responds to each of their greetings.

As the evening goes on, Noelle relaxes more. By the time that we're eating, she's comfortable again.

I help my mum fix the dessert in the kitchen, and when I return, Naevia and Noelle are giggling together like gossiping schoolgirls. I sit down next to Noelle and eye her warily.

'What were you two talking about' I ask and Naevia smirks.

'Naevia was just telling me that she would have waited even longer to forgive you after what you'd done,' Noelle says teasingly, smiling the whole time she tells me.

I look over at Naevia and narrow my eyes at my cousin.

'We're family. How could you screw me over like this'

Naevia laughs. 'Oh, relax. I just said I'd wait a little while before mating. You know, really make you earn it.'

I glare at her and Noelle giggles sweetly next to me. She reaches over and squeezes my hand on my lap.

I don't get the opportunity to defend myself, because dessert is served.

Later on, we say goodbye to my family. They're all completely enamored with Noelle, just like I knew they would be.

I take Noelle up to my room for a bit, seeing as we still have some time before her mum comes to collect her.

We sit down on my bed and Noelle rests her head on my shoulder. We talk for a while, discussing the evening and my family. She sees the side of me that not many get to, the relaxed, non—cocky side that only my family usually get to see.

What should have been a simple kiss goodbye turns into a heavy make—out session. Before I know it, I have Noelle pinned under me on the bed and my hands are feeling every curve in her body whilst she moans into the kiss.

Her phone vibrating with incoming calls snaps us out of our lustful haze.

'My mum's outside,' she says sheepishly.

I give her one last kiss and walk her downstairs and to her mum's car.

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The next week passes like normal. Noelle and I spend every minute we can together, both at school and after. At the weekend, she invites me to stay over at her house.

Her parents are cool with us staying in her room, which is a relief.

Saturday night, the roles are reversed. I'm the one who stood nervously outside her house, mentally praying that her family likes me. I've met her mum already, but everyone knows it's the dad that the sons—in—law dread meeting.

Noelle invites me in and leads me through to the living room, where her parents are waiting.

Her mum greets me with a hug and then I turn to her dad, who looks me up and down with an assessing gaze.

'It's a pleasure to meet you, Sir,' I tell him in the most respectful tone I can.

He looks down at my hand and then back up at me. His jaw is set as he gives me a stiff nod and a very firm handshake that has me wincing internally.

'Xaden,' he says formally.

'Dad,' Noelle warns him.

He grimaces and forces a smile at me. 'It's nice to meet you,' he says through gritted teeth.

I smile uncomfortably.

'Well! How about some food' Noelle's mum suggests, breaking the tension.