Chapter 72 Chapter 72
"Not anything dramatic," the man replied. "We're the hosts of the party."
"Yes, and we were wondering if you'd like to join the competition." The same woman said. "What competition?" Keegan asked We'd observe you as well as other couples interested and after the party, the favorite couple we select would win a gift, one that'll serve as a great memory for both of you to help strengthen your relationship." "Oh, but we're not a-"
"My girlfriend and I would be interested in joining you." Keegan cut me off. "Right Jane?"
Of course, his girlfriend. "As long as it'll make you involved in something and not just sit here like a boring old man, then sure, we can join it."
"Great! Your names, please." The blonde woman said and passed her notebook to Keegan.
He wrote down our names and filled in the remaining information before returning the notebook to her.
"If you don't mind, you can join them to swim. Of course, it's a beach party. We'd also be rating the best swimsuit. You'll receive another gift from our brand if you win it." The other woman finally spoke.
"Oh, okay." I smiled.
As they took their leave, my gaze returned to Alpha Keegan and he didn't seem comfortable, he looked like he was about to retort to something. When they took their leave, I asked him, "What's the problem?"
"You want to swim?"
"Yes, why not?" I frowned.
"You can't swim."
"It's not the deep part of the water. I'll just stay somewhere where I can feel my feet on the ground." I rose to my feet and pulled the ropes of my robe loose.
"Jane!" he quickly stood up and held my hands, staring around. "You can't wear this in public."
"What is your problem? Why do you have to be so mean? Even if you don't think my body looks great, you can at least not make it obvious and stop crushing the little confidence I'm trying to build. So what if I don't look great in a swimsuit, why should I care? I mean, there are so many people around here I literally know nothing about." I got rid of the robe and dropped it on the chair.
He blinked in perplexion and shook his head. "No, you're getting it all wrongly. I'm trying to cover you, not because I don't think you look good enough, but because you look way too good. What if you lure another man to you and you start to focus on him?" He ran his fingers through his hair with a harsh exhalation. "I apologize for making you feel awkward. I don't even know why I'm acting this way. You have every right to your body, it makes no sense for me to make a decision for you."
"Are you being serious right now?" a smile crawled up to my lips. "Do I really look good?"
"Yes, you look way too... hot..." he said the last word in a very low voice.
"I can't believe that!" I sat back with a sigh of relief.
"Why'd you think you don't look good? Even in a robe, you looked really great. Now, I won't be able to get my eyes off you and your scent just makes everything about you seem way better..." He trailed off, probably realization that he was spilling too much. "Since there'll be no one to talk to for me, before you go swimming, let's just walk around different people or sit together and just relax beside each other for comfort."
I glanced at the people swimming then back at him.
"Remember we're a couple, we're a boyfriend and girlfriend." He pulled me close to him, curling an arm around my waist and running his finger along my arm. His gesture made shivers run down my spine and made my breath quicken a bit. "Just stay with me a little bit longer," he whispered in my ear. "Fine." I gave in to his demand. "Great!" He smirked then ordered that a beach mat was placed on the ground with a shade over us.
We sat beside each other and grabbed to continue sipping from our coconut juices then we were just staring around. Many people were definitely making out and not caring about anyone's presence. Remembering that I was supposed to be his girlfriend for the trip, I could do what I wanted with him. No one was going to complain, there was no pack member around to question us, so I reluctantly shifted to him and rested my head on his chest.
I expected him to complain or reject my gesture but he didn't even act surprised; he just wrapped his arm around me and started stroking my arm while I snuggled closer to his chest.
We remained like that for a while. I felt at the peak of peace from his strokes; they were so gentle and how his fingers glided over didn't give a chance to tranquilize me. It felt so great to be in his embrace. I lifted my gaze to him and laid on the mat with my head on his lap, while he resumed stroking my arm like an angel he wanted to be gentle with. "I've never felt this free."
"Me neither. I enjoy being close to you."
He admitted.
"Me too. It makes me feel like I'm with my mate, being in a place like this has always been one of the fantasies I've always imagine with my mate."
"One of them? What are the other fantasies?"
"I've always wanted to find my mate in the most melodious way and he'll love me more than anything and anyone else. He'd save me from the bondage of Dark Stone pack, so we can be bonded and start our lives afresh.
"He'd take me on tours to places surrounded by nature. We'll live in a house that's not so big, not so small, just a comfortable and calm place where we can enjoy our privacy, grow together, and raise our cute pups together. He'll work with me to help me build myself to be a stronger person and probably help me find my wolf. We'd understand each other, support and love each other." I stared above me like I could see it happening until reality dawned upon me and I heaved a sigh. "Who am I kidding? I'll head to swim now." I chortled and knelt beside him. He had the most blank expression on and just when I wanted to stand, he curled an arm around my waist. " Jane, kiss me."
"What?"
"I just need to confirm something."
I drew my eyes together in askance at him then shrugged. "What harm would it cause? I mean, I'm your girlfriend." I chuckled and held his shoulders, lowering my head to draw him into a kiss. I immediately felt tingles in my body and to prevent it from becoming anything deeper, I pulled away and rose to my feet. "I'll head to swim with others. I meet new people. You're way too boring to be might with at a party." I took my leave and as I walked, I could feel his gaze burning on me.
I walked into the water and stopped when it covered my lower half. I made sure I could still feel my feet on the ground, so I didn't panic. To avoid further boredom, I waved at a few women that were talking with one another beside me.
They waved back and their smiles made them seem pleasant enough to have a conversation with.
~ KEEGAN ~
I had spent the next few minutes pondering on Jane's words while Drex kept convincing me that she was our mate and we had to let her know that she could dream of fantasies with us. Her kiss was like a conviction that Drex could be making sense.
I didn't want to draw confusion upon myself and shut him out, shaking off every thought.
I hadn't been able to keep my gaze off Jane. She looked so fucking hot in her swimsuit and the fact that a few other men were there made me feel a tingling emotion I couldn't describe; they were having the chance to see her looking this sexy when it felt like only I had the right to such chance.
I realized that other women were dressed similarly, though they didn't look as good as she did.
There was no way I could force her to cover up her body because I was experiencing jealousy-like feelings. It was great that she was comfortable. I knew that she had always been so uncomfortable about her body and the fact that she was showing it off made me proud. I was glad that she was gaining a bit of confidence.
To think about it, she was really growing out of a few things: she no longer trembled around me all the time and was getting better at expressing herself, she didn't bother to conceal her anger or disapproval of certain things anymore, she was always letting me know that she wasn't happy doing some things and voicing her opinion on things that weren't right in the pack. The Jane I knew would always hide her pain and anger behind a bow or cry in the corner of her old bed less room.
I was loving her positive changes but most importantly, I loved the attention she was giving to me and how she made me feel great. Her presence around me made me view life in a brighter path and I wanted to use the opportunity of this acting relationship to discover more about myself and how she could have an effect on me even more, I was curious to know where it would lead us to and to achieve that, I had to make the acting relationship be as realistic as possible.
I was growing so hungry for her body everyday but didn't want to put her under any kind of pressure because I wanted to respect her.
Jane was smiling with the women she had waved at earlier and she seemed to be enjoying her time with them. Though I felt like having her beside me, I was glad she was happy.
Soon, a few men joined her and the women and they started talking to her as well. A few of them were staring at her lustfully and were making her laugh and blush; that made my head flicker with fury as I clenched my fists.
I couldn't storm to them and make her feel uncomfortable again or make her think I was being overprotective, so I turned my gaze away from them were going to leave anytime soon without mine or Drex's anger causing unnecessary drama or seeming to avoid paying attention to her, at least the men over controlling of her.