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.

your

other

look at him. “What’s

height and looking at me. “Evie, I already feel a pull to Teagan and I’m not even 17 yet. She’s a year older than I am and she says she feels it

this contest. I came here intending to win, and

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

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

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

looking at her before handing her their bag. I guess she was trying to get his attention and he wasn’t paying attention. Neither was I, my focus

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

hello to several people before diving under water. I try to follow his progress, but I’m too low in the water to see him.

“Oh!” I exclaim.

“Hello, Eve.”

down his face, his long eyelashes are clumped

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

you sleep well?” He asks, and I feel his fingers, graze my hips under the water. I shiver at

stomach. I gently slide my fingers up the squared ridges of his stomach, feeling him quiver at my touch. Oh yeah, I like this strong man becoming

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

feeling his hand follow the path on my stomach that my

that’s a good idea.” He says, his

why is that?” I ask, once again enjoying our little game. I take a finger and slide it between his pectoral muscles just until my finger gets to the surface and then I slide it back

immediately, his finger slides between my