The Alpha’s Forbidden Bond

Chapter 15

Jax's POV

These wounds are the worst. It was our second day at Myrtle Beach, and l could only watch from afar as Elena swam in her black two-piece bikini.

I grew irritated watching other men throw appreciative glances her way. l also envied how freely she could enjoy the salty water without worrying about her skin.

That woman from yesterday… l knew l shouldn’t blame her, but she was the reason l was suffering now! If she hadn’t hugged me while trying to help, the injuries wouldn’t have worsened.

“Jax!” Elena stood up from the shoreline and waved enthusiastically. She wore a yellow two-piece swimsuit with high-waisted bottoms, yet she still turned heads effortlessly. Meanwhile l sat on a beach chair, covered in bandages, wearing a white beach polo, black shorts, and brown sunglasses. l waved back and smiled. l couldn’t help grinning every time l remembered how she had sounded “jealous” over a stranger.

That day she had been so territorial, and strangely, l loved it. When l saw her walking toward me, l sat up straighter and grabbed her towel. “The sun is strong. It’s too bad you still can’t fully enjoy it. The water feels amazing!” She clapped her hands cheerfully.

One thing l had noticed about Elena was her ability to focus completely on whatever she was doing. When working, she gave it everything. When on vacation, she embraced every moment.

“Here.” l handed her the towel, then removed my sunglasses and passed her a lemonade. “Come sit,” l said, shifting so she could take the beach chair.

“Thanks…” She smiled, wrapping the towel around herself before sitting down.

“Want me to dry your hair?” l offered.

“Huh?” She blinked at me.

“Why are your cheeks so red?” l teased.

“What? You’re imagining things! They’re not!” She shook her head and looked away, but my smile only grew wider as l took in her flustered expression.

“Come on, are you embarrassed?” l laughed.

“Stop it, Jax! It’s just the sun! You’re under this umbrella so you don’t feel how hot it is!” Elena rolled her eyes and reached to swat my arm.

“Why did you stop?” My forehead creased. l had half-expected the playful hit.

“You’d get hurt. You still have wounds…” She shrugged and turned toward the sea, giving me a perfect view of her side profile.

I smiled, amazed at how this woman could switch so quickly from gentle and caring to jealous or annoyed.

I grabbed my own towel and sat behind her with my legs spread apart.

“I’ll dry your hair…” l whispered, rubbing the thick fabric through her strands. l noticed how her body tensed at the contact.

“Hey, l didn’t ask you to do that. l was just ”

“Yeah, but could you let me do this at least?” l tilted my head. Though l couldn’t see her full face from this angle, l could sense her breath catch, which made me laugh again. “How l wish l could see how flustered you look right now,” l murmured.