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.

What’s your

other than

look at him. “What’s

not even 17 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

I can’t let that interfere with this contest. I came here intending to win, and I plan to do that, no matter

swimming for a while when the man in question comes walking up to the lake with his family. From the shadow of the overhang where I’m currently sitting on a rock ledge, I have a birds-eye view of his fantastic body. He’s wearing swim shorts and nothing else. His skin is golden brown, his chest and arms defined by muscle, sliding down to a narrow waist and hips before

it comes to Jaxon, I’m nothing more than a

herself beside the lake. I watch as his eyes narrow and he begins searching the area surrounding the lake and finally, searching the lake until his eyes land on mine. A slow smile spreads

her their bag. I guess she was trying to get his attention and he wasn’t paying attention. Neither was I, my focus is completely on

me. The butterflies in my stomach take flight and I’m filled with anticipation

his progress, but I’m too low in the water

“Oh!” I exclaim.

“Hello, Eve.”

hair is wet and water is dripping down his face, his long eyelashes are clumped together

him as he slowly moves closer to me. I feel my heart begin to race. Damn this man is sexy. Is this the mate bond, pulling me toward him, or is it just

his fingers, graze my hips under the water. I shiver

my fingers up the squared ridges of his stomach, feeling him quiver

He says and I can tell by the way he says it that they were about

ask, feeling his hand follow the path on my stomach

think that’s a good idea.” He says, his eyes never leaving

game. I take a finger and slide it between his

immediately, his finger slides between my