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I moaned softly, giving in to the feeling. The moment I did, something in me sprang to life, and the desire—no, the rawneed—to intertwine my body with this man’s nearly overwhelmed me.
I jerked back, eyes wide as my fingers flew to my mouth. We simply stared at each other for several heartbeats.
Until a solid knock sounded at the door. “Kayden, are you in there?”
Faye.
“That’s my assistant,” I said, jumping up quickly. “What time is it?”
I ran inside to Holden’s front door and flung it open, unsure if I was grateful or disappointed in her interrupting us. Because what the hell had that been? My lips still felt like they were on fire.
“There you are,” Faye said, glancing behind me to where Holden was coming in off the terrace. She grinned, her eyes shining with curiosity. “Hmm. Well, I’m so sorry, Holden, but Kayden needs to come with me now. She has a big day tomorrow and needs her sleep.”
I glanced back at Holden, who was watching me with an intensity I’d never seen before. It unsettled me enough that I didn’t bother arguing with Faye.
I simply shrugged and said, “Got to go!” then hurried down the hall after Faye, my body still tingling from Holden’s kiss.
13
KAYDEN
Iwoke up with a ball of lead in my stomach. Not because I’d compete in the first physical challenge of the Contention less than an hour from now.
I’d barely slept last night, tossing and turning as I replayed that kiss in my mind over and over. I was torn between wanting to relive it a million times and in shock that the thought even crossed my mind.
As I got up, washed my face, and brushed my hair, one thing was certain—my role in the Contention was shifting.
I was no longer the victim who’d been brought here against her will. Who’d been given exile as an alternative. I wasn’t even that same woman who needed to make the top ten to secure a better life for myself.
No, I was suddenly invested in the Contention in a whole new way. A kiss shouldn’t have changed my perspective so much. Perhaps it wasn’t even the kiss itself, other than bringing attention to the change in me over the last few days.
I wanted to win today. I didn’t want to be sent home. Because I wanted more time with Holden, to figure out what this was between us, this magnetic draw I couldn’t begin to explain. When his lips brushed over mine, something awakened within me. I wanted him like I’d never wanted any man in my life.
As I’d lain in bed last night, I wondered what would have happened if Faye hadn’t come looking for me. She’d asked a million questions as we’d left Holden’s private quarters, but I’d kept my mouth shut, not wanting to discuss what happened when I wasn’t even sure how I felt about it.
“I don’t know who designed this,” she said, wrinkling her nose. “Everyone is wearing tan combat gear? Where’s the flair?”
I, for one, was glad for the easy-to-maneuver-in pants and the moisture-wicking shirt. I began my habitual braiding as Faye continued to fuss over me.
“Have you had enough to eat? Do you need me to help you with your hair? What else can I do for you?”
I stopped and turned from the mirror, facing her head on. “Faye. I’m fine.”
She shook her head silently, her brow furrowing, and I realized she was worried about me. Afraid I might get hurt today.
“I really am okay,” I told her with a smile. “I feel confident I can handle whatever they throw my way today.”
“Okay.” She reached up and squeezed my arm lightly. “Just be safe. I’ll be watching in the viewing room.”
Viewing room? If there was a place to view what was happening, cameras must be in the arena. They’d told us nothing of what to expect other than to be at the north arena by eight in the morning. I hadn’t seen that part of the property, so I wasn’t sure what their definition of an arena was, but I was about to find out.
I told Faye goodbye, finished my braids, then gave myself a firm look in the mirror, squaring my jaw. “You’ve got this, Kayden.”
I repeated the mantra as I made my way along the trail, now marked with arrows showing the way. It was quite a hike, and I saw some other girls along the way, but none of us spoke to each other. Focus. That’s what I needed to get me through this.
As I topped a small, grassy rise, the arena appeared below me. It wasn’t an arena in the traditional sense. Rather, there were about fifty acres of woods that had been sectioned off. One side was designated in red, the other blue.
I glanced around, not seeing anything that would pass as a viewing room. Nor did I see Holden anywhere along the side of the hill where coordinators roamed around talking into their headsets and organizing boxes of equipment set up on tables.
