CHAPTER ELEVEN
KADEN
Rehab was brutal.
Who knew walking through parallel bars could be so fucking painful? Looking back, the only times I had actually walked without assistance was when I’d been trying to keep Gracie from leaving and when I’d smacked, Chris, the prized prick in his jaw.
The core strengthening and light weights to help regain some upper body strength caused fire to burn through me, the feeling a welcomed sensation. Pain from training had always been my friend.
It had helped during dark times when I’d been pulled into the pits of hell. I had loved it. But this pain was different. It was fucking excruciating. It made me realise I was human. I was broken.
My body was failing me after the attack on my unit and I couldn’t allow it.
I needed to return to strength, to address my team. Two of my men had been killed and I had yet to speak with their families. One of the men had saved my fucking life and I needed to make sure his family knew of his bravery.
I needed to express my pain, guilt and apologize to them. I needed closure.
Lilla would be broken, I vowed to support her and baby Ava.
I closed my eyes and turned the water to scalding hot, allowing the heat to burn into my sensitized skin, attempting to burn all feeling and memories from the map of my body. Willing all past mistakes, guilt, regrets to wash down the drain.
I hobbled from the ensuite bathroom to the bedroom area. The hot water had helped to ease some of the constant pain I now felt after a full day’s rehab.
Beads of water trickled from my wet hair down my torso.
I studied myself in the mirror, staring at what was once my toned and lean physique. I’d lost a lot of muscle since being stuck in bed.
I would be adding in heavier weights whether physio like it or not. I would be doing shit my way. I wasn’t going to allow some young guy to tell me how to train my body. I knew how to do that - hard, fast, brutal and feed it.
A knock sounded at the door as I was spraying Hugo boss over my naked chest.
“ Yo, come in.”
I spun around when I heard a gasp to find Gracie staring at me. Her cheeks turned pink as her gaze roamed over my body. I felt myself harden on seeing the hunger in her eyes.
“Um. Shit. Um, sorry.” Gracie twisted her fingers in front of her.
I laughed at her show of embarrassment. “It’s okay, babe.”
I step towards her, but she holds a plastic bag up between us, halting my intention to wrap her in my arms.
“I bought dinner - Italian. I thought a reward was in order after today’s effort in rehab.” A smile washed over her beautiful features.
“Babe that’s mint.” I took the bag from her and placed it on a chair before pulling her against me. Her eyes locked with mine – blue against grey. When she laid her hands on my chest, my dick twitched in anticipation beneath the towel. Her breathing hitched and I felt her pulse speed up.
“Fuck, you’re beautiful.” Her black lashes fanned her pink tinged cheeks. I was drowning in her. My mouth crushed against hers, sucking in her breath and adding her soul to mine. “You are heaven on earth, Gracie.” I murmured against her lips before taking her plump lower lip between my teeth. Her tongue darted out to caress my upper lip.
“You’re a beautiful hell, Kaden. You cause delicious chaos within me.” Her eyes were hooded with lust, her tone dripped desire and need.
“I’ll show you hell and chaos, baby.” I wiggled my eyebrows at her.
“Hmm, and how will you do that?” I stepped backwards, pulling her with me. My hands on her hips, nails biting into her skin through the thin fabric of her clothes. She gasped at the slight pain, but pleasure showed on her face. She wanted me as much as I wanted to take her.
My hands were trembling as I lay her down on my bed. Her loosened hair fanned around her.
Cocking my head to the side, I looked over her. One knee was slightly bent, a finger twizzled around a strand of hair – she was beautiful.
Lowering myself, I wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close to me. Her hips flexed, pushed upwards and greeted my impatient dick which was barely contained by the towel. I buried my face against her neck.
