The Beta's Catch novel Chapter 36

-HER-

I am aware of the air charged with tension as soon as I get into the car with him. I remind myself that today we need to talk more and make out less. We aren't dating yet and even if we do, I needed to get to know him better first.

"Didn't you see my messages?" He asks, turning to me.

"No. Since you said you were going to visit me today, I didn't look at them," I tell him. A strange look climbs on his face before he nods and starts the engine. An awkward silence falls between us as I see him drive off the campus and hit the road.

"Where are we going?" I mumble as I look at him.

"You'll see," He speaks, "Cybele..."

"Yes,"

"I told you what I feel for you last night. I didn't ask you what you feel about me," He states. With his words, I feel the tension rise to a new level.

"What do you feel about me, Cybele?" He asks when I don't say anything. His eyes are on the road but I know that he is waiting for my answer. I fiddle with my fingers as I look at the road before us, leaving his question hanging in the air.

"I want to know you more," I tell him after carefully choosing my words. My words are followed by silence before he asks me about my day and other things. He soon pulls up in front of a small café.

It is after we go inside and take a seat, he finally turns to me, "Are you interested in me?" He asks me.

We are sitting at the corner, side by side. I am aware of how one of his legs is pressed against mine. I could feel his body heat mingle with mine. His intoxicating scent dances on the tip of my nose while my mouth tries to recall his taste from last night.

After a prolonged silence, I answer him, "Yes,"

"That'd do for now," He mutters, looking somewhat torn between disappointment and satisfaction. It's hard to know what he is thinking and what he wants.

He then changes the topic. I notice his eyes travel to my muffler occasionally before a frown would climb on his face. It'd soon disappear as soon as his black eyes would find mine. The conversation flows between us naturally.

I find myself relaxing due to his words and soothing, deep voice. He'd smile at me once in a while and it'd keep my heart racing. My eyes would drift to his lips and his perfect set of teeth. His canines are bit sharper and prominent when he smiles. I couldn't help but find it more attractive.

When he finds me staring at his lips, he leans in to capture mine. The mere contact gives birth to those strange sensations but they seem stronger this time.

I moan in his mouth when he deepens the kiss, stealing my rationality. It takes me a few moments to gain control before I pull back and gasp for breath, "Jake, we need to talk first," I tell him breathily.

He sighs deeply before he leans away. A part of me instantly feels disappointed when I see a frown climb on his face, "I meant that we should take this slowly... things could go wrong otherwise," I speak.

"It wouldn't," He mutters before he passes me my cup and sips from his.

"How are you so sure?" I ask, narrowing my eyes at him.

"I just know... stuff," He says with that same knowing look on his face and I instantly feel uncertainty ich my existing knowledge. I don't touch my coffee cup as I stare at him.

"You know something, don't you?" I ask him. The tugged-up tips of his lips answer my question. "I do," His words are as honest as the look on his face.

"What is it?" I ask. Momentary silence falls between us as we stare deep into each other's eyes. He lifts his hands before tugging a strand of my hair behind my ear and running the tips of his fingers along my jaw.

"We're mates, Cybele," His words are a mere whisper. I am not able to understand him.

"You mean friends?" I ask with a crease between my eyebrows. Didn't he tell me last night that he wanted to be more than friends?

He sighs before shaking his head, "It'd take some time for you to understand what that really means,"