“Kayden.” She hesitates.
“Yes, Dani?”
“We can’t do this.”
“And why is that?” I ask, taking a step closer to her, unable to stay away any longer.
“B-because, you know why! Melody is my best friend, but I don’t want her knowing about my past. YOU are a pretty big part of my past, Kayden.”
“Pretty sure Melody tried to get us to hook up,” I say, shrugging as I look down at her.
“Wait… what?!”
“Yeah, the other night at the club. You really have no idea?”
“Clearly not!”
“Think about it, little spitfire. Jax is not that absentminded that he would forget you were with Melody and fail to bring the right car. They did it on purpose so that I would give you a ride home, but you ruined their plans when you chose my driver.”
Dani sits back on the couch, pondering my words. “Wow… that actually makes a lot of sense. I don’t know how I didn’t see that.”
I reach a hand out, knowing the chill is going to sink into her bones if I don’t get her out of those clothes. “You did have a lot on your mind that night… Come on, let’s get you changed. There will be plenty of opportunity in the future to bruise those pretty lips in all the best ways.”
Dani’s eyes widen briefly but she composes herself as she takes my outstretched hand. The feel of her hand in mine is almost my undoing as I pull her up from the couch. Almost instantly the unrest within me is soothed until it’s nothing but white noise. I still want to own her, claim her, make her mine, but that nagging feeling just under my skin is manageable—quiet. But Dani is addictive. As hard as I try to stay away, the harder I keep coming back for more.
Leading the way into her bedroom, I pull her to the bed and push her down into a seated position at the edge. Shehmmphsat me as I do so, and my responding chuckle deepens the scowl on her face.
“So bossy,” she says with a slight edge to her words.
“You haven’t seen bossy yet,” I reply, winking at her before turning to her dresser. “Where would I find some pajamas for you in here?”
In reality, I know exactly what drawers hold all of her clothes, but I’m not ready to tip my hand just yet.
“I don’t think I want you pawing through my underwear, Kayden.” She stands up from the bed, pushing past me to open her top drawer that has her underwear and socks.
I hold up my hands in surrender. “Just trying to be useful, angel.”
She turns around, underwear in hand, looking dejected as she stares at the ground. “I really don’t want to take up any more of your time… I feel bad as it is. You can leave, really. I’ll be fine.”
She says she’ll be fine, but I can hear the despair in her words, her silent cry of not being well. Taking a step into her space, I gently lift her chin, forcing her to look at me as I stare into the abyss of her green eyes. “Are you sure, Dani? I have a feeling you’re far from fine.”
“I promise, I’m OK. I’m not going to off myself if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“The only time I worry is when it comes to you.” I search her eyes, looking for any hint of a spark, anything to confirm she isn’t spiraling. I find nothing but eyes that have gone flat with hopelessness.
“I’ll be fine,” she reiterates, pushing a little strength into her words. Strength that is a bold-faced lie.
“I’m calling Melody.”
“Kayden, don’t you dare!”
“You’re not OK, and you shouldn’t be alone right now. If you won’t let me stay, at least let me have Melody come over.”
“I just don’t think it’s necessary.”
I push back, maybe too hard, but regardless I push. “How badly do you want to cut up your arms right now? To find relief in the pain that is consuming you from the inside out, Dani?”
Her eyes widen as she backs up a step and pulls her sleeves into her hands, redness breaking out along her cheeks as she simmers with anger. “How could you possibly know that? I wear long sleeves for a reason.”
