AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Kaden is sitting at a desk, sharpening a set of knives. No, not a desk. He’s sitting at his desk. In his room. Which means that the bed I’m occupying is his bed.
My pulse flutters as I scramble out of bed and quickly straighten on the floor next to it instead while trying my best not to look as flustered as I feel.
Amusement dances over Kaden’s severe features as he watches me while still continuing to expertly sharpen his blade. He flicks a glance up and down my body, and a faint smirk curls his lips.
The heat already radiating from my cheeks gets even worse. I brush my hands down my now rumpled clothes. I’m still wearing the short blue dress that I wore to the nightclub, but Kaden has taken off my high heels and placed them by the door. I glance at them while quickly raking my fingers through my messy hair to untangle it.
Kaden chuckles softly.
The embarrassment whirling through me intensifies, and I cross my arms over my chest instead before fixing him with a glare. “What the hell did you do? Kidnap me?”
A knowing smile spreads across his lips. “If I had kidnapped you, you would be gagged, blindfolded, and shackled to my bed right now.”
My heart skips a beat at the mental image that flashes through my mind.
“But you’re not.” He lifts his shoulders in a lazy shrug. “Hence, no kidnapping.”
“Then what the hell am I doing here? Because I most certainly would never have climbed into your bed on my own.”
A sly smile tilts his lips. “You already have, remember?”
I shoot him a glare. “Just answer the question.”
“You fell asleep in my car on the way back.”
Oh. Right. I blink as memories flood my brain. The nightclub. The amount of alcohol I consumed. The confrontation with Eric. The restaurant that Kaden took me to afterwards.
My gaze darts towards the windows. It’s still dark outside, which means that it must be the middle of the night. Thank God I texted Carla that I was heading home with someone else before I got into Kaden’s car. Otherwise, she would probably have sent out a search party by now. Or worse, called my brothers.
As if he can read my mind, Kaden arches a dark brow and gives me a pointed look. “What was I supposed to do? Carry you sleeping in my arms into your own house? Your brothers would’ve tried to kill me if I did that. And then I would’ve had to kill them instead. Which would’ve left blood and bodies all over your pristine little house. And I figured that you didn’t want to spend your weekend mopping up blood and burying your family members.” He shrugs again and shoots a nonchalant glance at the bed behind me. “Which is why I very generously allowed you to sleep off the alcohol in my bed instead.”
“I, uhm…”
“Aren’t you going to say thank you?”
For what? I almost retort. But it’s more out of embarrassment than any real anger. All things considered, everything that Kaden has done for me tonight has been decent. And not just decent. Some of it has been outright kind and protective.
His words from back in the restaurant still swirl inside my mind.
Do you know how many people I have tormented over the years? Do you know how many of them are still standing? Only you.
No one has ever told me that I’m strong and resilient before. And he both looked and sounded so sincere when he said it. As if he truly did mean it.
I didn’t tell him that back then, but his words speared straight into my heart. They’re buried deep in there now, bolstering my soul.
And for that, he at least deserves a thank you.
So I hold his gaze and say, “Thank you.”
It surprises me just how much I actually mean it.
At first, there is a smug expression on Kaden’s face that immediately makes me regret that I ever thanked the bastard. But then his intense eyes study me, and he seems to recognize the sincerity in my words, because his features turn serious and almost contemplative. While holding my gaze, he gives me a slow nod.
And suddenly, this whole situation just feels far too intimate.
I’m already confused as hell about my feelings for Kaden, and this certainly isn’t helping. I need to get out of here before I do something stupid.
“Yes, well,” I begin, my words coming out more uncertain than I would’ve liked. “I should head home now.”
