The Girl He Marked by Laila Callaway novel Chapter 4

I swallow hard and meet his honey—colored irises.

Mate.

Mate.

Mate.

The word resonates around my brain and fills my mind, making it hard to concentrate on anything but him.

An amused smile forms on his face, causing my gaze to drop to his lips. They are full and plump and oh, so kissable…

The smile widens, revealing straight teeth. I drag my gaze back up to appreciate the exquisite bone structure that is his face. He honestly could model.

I bet he gets harassed by prisoners all of the time. He probably spends his life being sexualized and here I am, simply adding to it.

'Miss Willows, I need to take your statement of what happened last night. Please could you confirm your date of birth'

I recite my birthday to him, letting him know that I am twenty—three. He hands me a notepad and a pen for me to write my statement. Our fingers touch when he hands me the pen and my heart jolts in my chest.

I focus on writing down what happened. Making my account succinct and clear, I place the pen down and slide the notepad back to him.

'Due to extenuating circumstances, I have managed to get your fine cleared. You are free to go after this, Miss Willows.'

'Extenuating circumstances' I ask.

He smirks at me. 'The fact that you are my mate.'

Hearing the words said out loud makes it all the more real. Before, I could kid myself that I had imagined this and made it all up in my head. Maybe I was the only one feeling the bond.

Obviously, we truly are mates.

'I am Lance, by the way,' he introduces himself. 'Sergeant Lance Owens.'

'Nice to meet you, Lance. I'm Ines,' I respond quietly.

I can't stop staring at him. I know it's rude and a little creepy, but he's just so damn attractive.

'Can I give you a ride home, Ines'

Spend more time with you Yes, please!

'Um, yes. I'd like that, please,' I tell him shyly.

His smirk turns into a smile, and he stands up from the table. I follow suit and he leads me out of the building and into a lift at the end of the corridor. It takes us down to the car park below.

I get to sit in the passenger seat this time. He pulls out of the station and into the main road.

'Whereabouts do you live' He asks me as we drive in the direction of the city center.

'Over on Westbrook,' I reply, and he takes a right at the next roundabout.

'How long have you been a police officer' I ask him, wanting to know more about him.

'About four years, now. Started fresh out of uni.'

'Do you enjoy it'

'Most days, I love it. Like all jobs, you have days that you wish you were doing something else. What about you Do you have a job'

'I'm a guidance counselor at a clinic in Davenford.'

'That's cool. Do you enjoy it'

I shrug. 'I enjoy the sessions and the patients. The clinic has been screwing me over lately, though. They've cut my hours, so that sucks.'

'I'm sorry. Have you looked for another job elsewhere'

'Not yet. I was waiting for a breaking point, but I guess I've reached that now.'

'It can't hurt to have a look, right You need to work somewhere that people appreciate you.'

Before I know it, he's pulling up in front of my flat. He cuts the engine and turns to face me in the car.

'So, do I get to see you again' I ask lightly. 'Preferably somewhere else other than the police station.'

His lips twitch and he smiles. 'Yes, you do.'

'Like…on a date' I ask shyly.