“Are you sure? You know I have ears right? I can hear you and mom arguing about money,” I tell him, and his eyes widen a fraction, but then he schools his features and smiles down at me.
“When you are an adult and out on your own, you will understand that sometimes we don’t always agree with our partners and it’s okay. But I assure you, money isn’t an issue right now. Listen, Princess. I gotta run. My flight leaves soon and I don’t want to miss it. Will you be okay without us for a couple of days?” he asks, and I nod.
“Yeah, Dad. I’ll be fine,” I say, but I hate when he leaves, especially when he leaves me alone with mom. Luckily, this time they are both going together.
“Okay. I’m going to leave you the Amex. You know what you’re allowed to spend. I’ll see you in a few days. Love you, RowRow,” he says.
“I love you too, Dad,” I say as he leaves my room.
Suddenly, the fire alarm blares, thrusting me back into the present and I shove theenvelope in my desk drawer, grab my phone and hoodie, and run out of my room. The second I open the door, I’m grabbed and shoved down the hallway to the exit.
“What the fuck. Let go of me,” I yell but he presses me up against the door, wrapping his hand over my mouth.
“I had to do something to get your attention.” Kade smirks, and I knee him in the nuts. He immediately lets me go and I run out the side door. I look back over my shoulder and see him cupping his nuts and stumbling. I laugh as I run, not giving a fuck for the first time in a long time.
twenty-seven
Kade Langley
Dessert
My little Shadow Mouse seems to want to play tonight. I should let her go and get lost out there, but she kneed me hard. The pain hit again, sharp, vicious, and straight through my gut, forcing me to cup my junk. I laugh. I can't believe she fucking did that then ran. I straighten my stance as others fly out of the doors. I follow, never taking my eyes off Rowyn as she hits the treeline.
I never knew she had it in her. She's a fighter, she just doesn't know it yet. I give chase, letting the cold whip around my overheated skin.Jesus fucking Christ.I just wanted to talk to her. She's ignored me for days now and I thought maybe after the stunt I pulled in class she would have at least came to tutoring to yell at me, but no. She never fucking showed up. Pulling the fire alarm was extreme, yes,but it was the only way to get her fucking attention. Plus, she hasn’t been to the front office and the things I purchased to say I’m sorry are still waiting to be picked up. So, I wanted to nudge the girl a bit. Never did I think I’d be running after her in the woods like some kind of lunatic. The cold air hits my lungs, cutting through the leftover sting in my body. I track her easily. I can hear her panting, trying to keep her breathing under control, but doesn’t she know I’m the worst predator there is. I can seek her out without blinking an eye, and this is my most favorite game—besides hockey, of course.
“I just wanted a moment of your time, Rowyn,” I yell but she doesn’t stop. I can see her long dark hair flowing in the wind and the scent of her shampoo engulfs me.
“Fuck you, Kade. Leave me alone,” she fires back, bringing a smile to my face. She runs deeper into the forest where the campus lights don't reach, and I lick my lips.
“Can’t do that. Not tonight, Shadow Mouse,” I tell her, picking up my pace as my phone buzzes in my pocket but I ignore it.
“Will you change your mind if I ask nicely?” She giggles, and I smirk.
"Really?" I call out. "Was that your plan, a hit and run?" I laugh and immediately regret it when a rock comes flying at my head. "Or do I need to put youon your knees again?" I yell as her head spins to look at me. Her chest panting, eyes blazing with rage, and her hair wild as ever. God, she looks the best like this. Feral. Another rock comes flying at my head and I duck. “Too soon, huh?” I laugh, weaving out of the way when she throws another rock, nearly missing my shoulder. “Missed me, now you gotta kiss me.” I chuckle.
“In your dreams, Kade! You pulled the fucking fire alarm. What the hell is wrong with you?” she shouts, but her voice is getting closer which means I’m gaining on her. I see her hair whip behind a tree, and I run past it, making her think she’s safe as I run deeper into the forest then hook a left to come up right behind her. I control my breathing while listening for hers as she peeks around the tree trunk looking for me. I step slowly through the snowy ground, trying not to make a sound, then leap for her, making her scream.
“Gotcha,” I whisper along the column of her neck.God, she always smells so fucking good.She thrashes, but I spin her around and pin her thick body against the tree.
"What's wrong with me?" I laugh. "You skipped tutoring. Ignored me all day, then locked yourself in your dorm," I say, and her lips part. "So, I got your attention," I whisper, and she laughs.
"That's psychotic." And I shrug.
"Maybe, but it worked." I smirk, but the look she's giving me makes me think she wants to hit me again. I almost hope she does. Because then I'll make her kiss it better whether she wants to or not.
"You don't control me," she states, her voice dropping. "And you don't get to drag me out of my room like I belong to you." My chest tightens and my dick hardens at the sound of that one word dripping from her lips. 'Belong'
"Funny." I grin, licking my lips. "Could've sworn you were the one who came running,." Her eyes flash, and my grin widens.
"I ran away, asshole," she spits.
"Same difference." I shrug as she thrashes against me, placing her hands on my chest to push me away but I don't budge. Her shoulders tense.
"Move, Kade."
"No!" I state simply, and our eyes lock as if we are in some silent standoff. I tilt my head, studying her. "You really thought you could ignore me and that would be the end of it?" I ask, and she nods.
"Yes," she deadpans, and I grin again, running my finger over her flushed cheek.
