Chapter 15. Rough Lips

ARDEN

I didn’t know what I had been expecting from that moment. It wasn’t the exhilarating ‘fireworks’ I felt during my first kiss with Jaxon. My heart didn’t race faster, nor did fear consume my body. Instead, it felt… safe.

He didn’t pull away, but he also didn’t kiss me back. I closed my eyes tightly, anxiety swirling within me as I braced for his reaction. My palms rested on the sides of his face, drawing him impossibly closer. The thought that Kieran might recognize who I was loomed ominously in my mind.

“Oh,” I heard my brother say, a chuckle escaping his lips. “I see that you’re… busy. Anyway, I just came by to let you know that our mansion is throwing a party this weekend. All Alphas are invited. We hope to see you there.”

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving me in a state of internal relief. I felt the urge to pull away, but before I could, Cade’s arms wrapped around my waist.

My eyes widened as he pulled me even closer. Without any wa