The Claiming By Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper Book 4

The Contest by Cooper (Jaxon & Evangeline)

Chapter 18 Evangeline

The lake is packed with people when we arrive. Apparently, everyone had the same idea we did.

From what I understand, this land used to sit idle throughout the year until it was time for that year’s claiming. Since the claiming ended years ago, no one has been here, and during that time, mother nature has staked her claim on this lake. The edges of the lake are lush with plants and flowers and the water is pristine, clear. The waterfall finishes off the image of a tropical getaway hidden deep within a forest, and that’s basically what this place is.

Makayla goes racing into the water and I turn to Alejandro. “Are you on watch duty since dad’s not here?” I ask him.

“How’d you guess?” He asks me, rolling his eyes.

“Who knows, maybe a cute brunette will come to the lake today.” I say, teasing him about the time he’s been spending with Teagan.

I should have known better. “Yeah, and maybe her brother will show up too.” He says, teasing me right back.

“You know Alpha Jaxon is already 18.” He says to me.

“I do.” I say, not looking at him and pulling towels out of our bag.

“And you’re nearly 18.” He says, watching me closely.

“And? What’s your point, Al?”

other

stop and look at him.

yet. She’s a year older than I am and she says she feels it too. If we feel it and we’re both younger than you and Jax…” He lets the rest of the sentence go unsaid. But he doesn’t need

can’t let that interfere with this contest.

have a birds-eye view of his fantastic body. He’s wearing swim shorts and nothing else. His skin

should be immune, but when it comes to Jaxon, I’m nothing more than a drooling

his eyes narrow and he begins searching the area surrounding the lake and finally,

guess she was trying to get his attention and

the bag, he’s moving, heading straight for me. The butterflies in my stomach

the water to see him. I’ve just about decided that I’ve lost him somewhere when

“Oh!” I exclaim.

“Hello, Eve.”

eyelashes are clumped together by the water and his

as he slowly moves closer to me. I feel my heart begin to race. Damn this man is sexy. Is this the mate

my hips under the water.

my hand out to touch the muscles on his stomach. I gently slide my fingers up the squared ridges of his stomach, feeling him quiver at my touch. Oh

can tell by the way he says it that they were

to share?” I ask, feeling his hand follow the path on my stomach that my fingers

that’s a good idea.” He says, his

it between his pectoral muscles just until

his finger slides between