The Alpha's Witch

Chapter Twenty

                              ADELINE

I still hadn't undone the spell and we've been back home for over four hours now. I could tell it was still bothering Braxton. His gaze flickered down to my neck quite often as we ate dinner at the table. Despite that, he surprisingly hadn't made any more comments or demands that I reveal his claim.

When I finally finish eating, I walk over to place my plate in the sink, then make my way over to fill Ember's bowl. As my hand wraps around her bag of food, she instantly comes running from the hallway at the sound. I quickly pour a scoop into her bowl before placing the bag back into the cabinet.

"She eats like she's starving." Braxton jokes as he brushes past me to put the leftovers in the fridge. I snicker as I bend down to pet Ember.

"So do you." I say, recalling how he completely filled his plate up two times during dinner. He shuts the fridge and then leans against it, facing me.

"Oh really?"

"Mhmm" I respond, making a move to walk past him. But he stops me as he grabs my waist, pulling my body flush against his.

"Well, I still have room for dessert." He smirks.

I instantly know exactly what he means by dessert. I'll admit, the thought is tempting, but I ultimately push it out of my mind. Instead I roll my eyes and pull away from him. I hear him laugh lightly behind me as I make my way over to the large windows in the living room that overlook the lake.

The sun is just about to set and the clouds are colored in shades of light pink and orange. I admire the sight for a moment before my eyes wander down to the edge of the lake. Then my sight lands on something I hadn't noticed before.

"You have a hot tub?" I question, turning back to look in Braxton's direction.

He doesn't look up from tidying up the kitchen as he responds, "We do."

I ignore his use of we. In my opinion just because we're mates doesn't mean what's his is mine and what's mine is his. Because my things are most definitely not his.

I let out a sigh, pushing my intrusive thoughts away and honing my focus back on the hot tub. I've felt tense since the mention of Axel and the high coven council witches being at the border. The thought of being able to relax, if even only for a short time, sounds really nice right now.

"Can I go in it?" I question again.

He looks up at me this time, his hazel eyes connecting with mine. "You don't have to ask."

"Okay." I respond simply with a small smile, even though I'm actually beaming inside.

I don't waste anymore time before I make my way past the kitchen and into the spare room. I immediately begin rummaging through the closet. I know I have a binki somewhere. After searching for a few minutes, my fingers finally grip the black fabric that I was looking for.

I quickly change and then look over myself in the mirror. It's a simple string bikini that gives a lot of flattery to my figure and leaves very little to the imagination. I can't even remember the last time I wore it and I'm honestly surprised I still have it, but in this moment I'm very glad I still do.

I give myself one last look over before walking out of the room. Then, I quickly
go across the hall into Braxton's room so I can grab a towel from the bathroom. Just as I'm coming back out, I almost bump directly into Braxton's side as he's walking out of his closet.

"Sorry." I mumble before taking the sight of him in.

He's wearing only a black pair of swim trunks. My eyes linger a little too long on his perfectly chiseled chest before traveling up to his smirking face, no doubt the result of him catching me ogling him. But I don't give him the chance to say anything as I brush past him.