My heart was racing but a run was exactly what I needed. The fresh air in my face, the quietness, time
to clear my head. Bending over I rested my hands on my knees. It sure was a lovely morning. I had
been up with the birds even watched the sun rise.
Taking a sip of water I put my earphone back in and continued my run all the way home. Reaching my
back gate my breathing was heavy but I felt good. I hadn't run in a while, it was something I needed to
get back into.
Switching on the kettle I left the back door open letting the fresh air in. It was hot today. After drinking
some water I fixed myself a coffee. Lana wasn't awake yet but it was still early. I did notice the shoes at
the front door meaning Pete stayed over.
I hadn't heard from Jake since seeing him last night but that was a good thing. It meant he was giving
me the space I asked for.
After showering and changing into fresh clothes I pulled my hair up into a messy bun. The heat was
going to be a killer today. Putting my glasses on I grabbed my kindle and my now luke warm coffee and
went back downstairs.
It was almost noon when Lana made an appearance. Pete was leaving out the back way. "You pissed
him off?". He asked stopped by where I was sat.
"I don't think that's any of your business". I said. He hadn't spoken two words to me last night and now
he thought he could involve himself in my business.
"Fucking is when's he's like a loose cannon. Sort your shit out. We don't need the hassle".
"Whatever". I glared at his back as he walked away. Why did they all feel the need to involve
themselves with us?
"Hey girl". She yawned taking a seat next to me.
"Hey". Turning my kindle off I finished what was left of my coffee.
"Heard you come in last night. Party not good?".
"Something like that".
"You want to go to the beach today, soak up some sun, it'll just be like old times and we could go out
later if you fancy it?".
"Yes, yes let's do that". We hadn't been out together in ages and right now I needed some time with the
girls.
"I'll text Alanna and see if she wants to come".
"Maybe don't tell her about going out tonight just yet". She would grass me in to Jake and no doubt he
would show up tonight.
"Okay". She frowned.
"She'll tell Jake and he'll show up". I shrugged.
"Is that really a bad thing. I know when I'm drunk I like a little you know what". She winked.
"No Lana". I sighed.
"Fine I'll tell them to meet us at the beach for 2. I'm going to get showered".
....
I'm guessing everyone had the same idea are us. The beach was packed and I wasn't sure we were
going to get a space.
"I brought a little something to get us started". Alanna grinned as she pulled out a bottle of shots.
"Oh hell yes". Lana laughed.
"Looks like we'll struggle to get a space". Lacey added.
"No we won't". Lana winked as she pulled down her shorts and removed her top. "Follow my lead girls".
Rolling my eyes I followed behind my eyes wandering around to see if I recognised anyone. A few here
and there from school. My stomach dropped when my eyes landed on the girl from yesterday, Sarah.
Prancing around in a tiny bikini making sure she had the attention she needed.
The girl was beautiful and I was no competition on her. Hearing the giggle I grinned knowing Lana had
bagged us a good space.
"And you guys don't mind if we sit here?". She smiled resting her hand on her hip. She was way to
good at that.
"Nah sweetheart you're good". The guy grinned at her as she placed her towel down in the sand.
Placing my towel next to Alanna's I was yet to strip out of my clothes. For some reason I couldn't relax.
It didn't help that Sarah had clocked me. She made it clear yesterday how she felt about Jake. The
reason I backed off and told him I wanted space.
"Whatever you're thinking stop". Alanna said from beside me. "She's a hoe bag, biggest slut in Jake's
year. She's been with everyone".
"I wasn't thinking anything". I wasn't going to let her intimidate me. Pulling off my dress I swapped my
glasses for sunglasses. I was here with my friends for a fun day and she wasn't getting to ruin it.
"She's the reason you're not talking isn't she".
"She's one of the reasons".
"Please do not tell me yous are talking about Jake". Lana sighed passing me a shot. "You want my
advice, fuck someone else and let's see how he likes it". She grinned.
"Don't do that". Both Alanna and Lacey said.
"That's what I would do". She shrugged as she downed her shot.
"I didn't tell him". Alanna held her hands up making a face. Following her line of sight I rolled my eyes.
"My bad". Lacey winced.
I was glad I had sunglasses on. It meant I could ogle him without him noticing.
"It's fine". Wetting my bottom lip with my tongue my eyes trailed over his bare chest. Those abs! That
body. It wasn't long before Sarah approached him but this time he completely ignored her. His top lip
pulled back into a silent snarl. He knew I was watching. I wish I could hear what she was trying to say
to him.
"Told you". She sang. "He's not interested in her. Queue for when she storms off. Three, two,"....She
turned around her hands balled into fists glaring right at me. "One". Alanna laughed. "Bye, bye". She
waved as Sarah stormed off.
If he had done that yesterday then maybe I wouldn't have had my little outburst.
"They seem to be getting on well". I said nodding my head towards Jake and Carter. They hadn't
approached us but they were close by. Lana on the other hand was already sitting between Petes legs
and Lacey and Jack were in the sea.
"They went out a run together first thing. I'm glad Jake approves". She laughed.
"Be pretty awkward if he hated him". I didn't need to look up to know he was coming over. I always
knew when he was near, the way my body reacted to him or how my heartbeat quickened. Feeling the
coolness against my legs I opened my eyes.
"Drink that it'll keep you hydrated".
"Thanks". Sitting up I grabbed the bottle of water placing it beside me. I could feel him staring, his eyes
raking over every piece of skin that was visible. Trying to hide my smile I turned my head a giggle
falling from my lips. I knew it was killing him that he couldn't touch me and if I looked into his eyes I
knew they wouldn't be brown anymore.
"You hungry?". He bit out through clenched teeth.
I was starving I hadn't eaten all day. "No". I smirked. I was getting to him alright. The hands balled into
fists and the gritting of the teeth was a big tell.
"We're going for a burger. Alanna you want anything?". He all but growled.
"You good bear?". Carter asked.
"Peachy". I grinned getting to my feet. "I'm going for a swim". Running towards the water I already
knew he was following me.
Feeling the coolness of the water against my feet I gasped as he grabbed me around the waist pulling
me to him.
"You're fucking killing me". He growled. "Prancing around here with your ass cheeks hanging out".
"Weren't you going for a burger?". I asked his grip around my waist tightening.
"I can't give you space princess, I can't have you walking around here in a tiny string without them
knowing you're mine". His voice lower, his tone dark.
"Jake I-..."
"Do you know how many guys I'm ready to kill". He hissed. "Fucking ogling my girl. You're mine Leah,
tell me you're mine". Feeling the wetness of his tongue against the side of my neck my eyes closed.
"Tell me". He growled. "No more playing hard to get, no more bitchy little outbursts. It's time we
completed the mating bond".
My eyes opened, realisation starting to kick in. Bitchy little outbursts? Playing hard to get? Pushing his
arms from around my waist I turned so I could face him.
"I didn't have a bitchy little outburst Jake. I said what needed to be said because it's true and as for
playing hard to get you ain't seen nothing yet". Shaking my head at him I started to walk away.
I was ready to let it slide, I was ready to blame it on me overreacting but not after what he just said.
"Babe come on". He sighed trying to grab my hand.
"No okay just leave me alone. I asked for space so just give me it". Reaching the girls I grabbed my
dress pulling it over my head. I was ready to get the hell out of here.
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