Page 2 of Dax (Big Hot Alphas 1)

Dax rubbed his chin. His eyes were still locked on me. The butterflies were still going crazy in my stomach.

How could a man like this even exist?

Don’t go, I found myself thinking.Stay.

As Dax walked around the fire pit and sat down in the chair a few feet away from me, I had to focus on keeping my breathing even. No man had ever had that kind of effect on me before, and it was overwhelming.

“Can I get you something to drink, Dax?” my mom asked.

“I’m good,” he said. “Thanks, Alice.”

During the next hour of conversation, Dax didn’t say a whole lot. But when he did speak, his words always felt meaningful and carefully chosen. And every timeIsaid something, I could feel Dax’s gaze on me—I could feel his interest, his desire.

I could feel his claim on me already.

After another little while, my dad let out a deep yawn. As he pulled himself up from his chair, he said, “Think I’m going to hit the hay. Good seeing you, Dax.”

“You too, Ian.”

“Night, Dad,” I said, standing up to give him a peck on the cheek.

“Don’t stay up too late,” he said, giving me a smile.

“I won’t.”

As my dad left and I sat back down, I wondered how much longer the night would last. I didn’t want it to ever end.

Twenty minutes later, though, my mom started fighting back yawns herself.

“Oh, gosh,” my mom said. “I’m sorry. I can’t seem to keep my eyes open any longer. Would it be horribly rude of me to turn in for the night, too?”

“Of course not, Mom,” I said, my heart rate picking up at the thought of being left alone with Dax. “I’ll make sure the fire’s out before I come in.”

My mom nodded, said goodnight, and went into the house.

And then it was just the two of us. Or three of us, I guess, if you count Bear.

“Want me to add another log?” Dax asked, gesturing toward the dying fire.

I looked over at him and smiled. “Sure.”

How do I describe the conversation we had that night? It felt like a million conversations rolled into one. Though Dax hadn’t said much when we’d all been sitting there, once it was just the two of us, words started to flow more easily from his lips.

I can’t even say how long we sat out there; it was like time didn’t even matter anymore.

While we talked, Bear slept soundly on his side by the fire pit. The stars above us shone. And somehow our chairs felt like they’d moved closer together; Dax was so close that I could’ve reached out and touch his incredibly chiseled, strong body if I wanted to.

And did I ever want to.

He was the one who made the first move, though. He was the one who leaned across the small space between us and pulled me toward him for a kiss.

When his lips claimed mine, I felt it through my entire body—every inch of me turned weak. And then my whole body flushed as his tongue urged my mouth open and our kiss deepened.

It was a long kiss. And yet not long enough. Because when it ended, I immediately wanted more. A whimper escaped my lips.

“Do that again,” I murmured.

But Dax shook his head. “It’s time for us to say goodnight.”

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