"I don't know what you mean." My heart skipped, but it didn't matter. I started gathering my documents. "If you have no other questions, then I—"
"Layla."
I froze.
"Miss Ross," I corrected him. "Please."
Kayden fell silent for a moment, but this time, he didn't correct that "mistake."
"One last question." He suddenly leaned forward, hands braced on the table. The distance between us shrank to less than two feet. I could see the gold flecks in his eyes, smell the faint cedar scent on him.
And the Alpha pheromones. Rich, commanding, impossible to resist. My heartbeat started spiraling out of control.
Damn it.
I tried to pull back, create distance. But the chair was right behind me. Nowhere to retreat.
"What if I told you..." Kayden fixed those burning silver eyes on me, voice dropping to barely more than a whisper. "That I've dreamed of you? Every single night for seven years."
Mate! Mate!
Diana howled with uncontrolled excitement. Kayden was too close. She caught the concentrated Alpha scent, nostrils flaring, fangs bared.
My mind went blank. All those suppressed, buried emotions I thought were dead clawed desperately to break free.
No!!
"Then you should see a psychiatrist!" I shot to my feet, the chair scraping back harshly. I grabbed the folder. "My work here is done. I'll email you the remaining details. Goodbye."
I turned and walked away, practically fleeing. I couldn't stay another second.
I hurried through the café and shoved through the door. Cold wind hit my face, but I felt nothing. Only my heart pounding wildly, threatening to burst from my chest.
"Every single night for seven years."
He said he dreamed of me, he...
"Wait!" Kayden burst out after me, grabbing my arm hard, trying to pull me into his embrace.
"Let go!" My nose stung. I fought back unbidden tears. "Mr. Blackwood, please show some restraint."
"Layla." He cut me off with an almost desperate plea. "Please. Let's speak some truth. No Ross, no work. Just Layla and Kayden."
"We have nothing to discuss," I said, still struggling—physically and mentally.
I couldn't soften. Couldn't yield, not even once... or I'd completely fall apart.
"How can you say that?!" Kayden's grip tightened. "About seven years ago, about that child, about—"
"My name is Ella Ross!" I wrenched free with all my strength, stepping back. "I don't know any Layla. That child is mine. He has nothing to do with you."
"How long will you keep lying?" Kayden's voice suddenly rose, the raw pain in his eyes shocking me. "I know he's our son!"
"What do you know?!" I shouted back, tears welling. "You don't know anything!"
"Then tell me!" Kayden stepped forward, gripping my shoulders. "Tell me what you went through these seven years! Tell me how you survived! Tell me..."
His voice broke.
