As I creep in, Kaden has turned on his back, his arm slung across the spot I once resided in as if searching for me in his sleep. His mouth is open as he snores, and I snort at the scene before silently scolding myself.
I shouldn’t find him funny. He forced me to marry him. Get it together, Melody.
I set his mug down on the nightstand, sweeping over to the curtains as my eyes trail over his bare chest. My name tattooed on his heart makes me pause for a moment, as those bittersweet memories resurface. It looks like it’s been refreshed over the years with thick ink layered on top. He’s taken care of that piece, and I have to shake myself out of the sappy feeling that washes over me.
I grab the curtain, yanking it back as the rising sun slants into the room, hitting right across Kaden’s closed eyes. “Rise and shine!” I sing loudly, leaning against the wall as I cross my ankles and sip my coffee.
His reaction is priceless. His eyes have barely fluttered open before his upper body rises like a mummy from the dead. He slaps a hand over my bare spot beside him, smacking his lips as he digs the heel of his other hand into his eye.
“Good morning…” he mutters, his voice rough.
“Coffee is on the nightstand.” I muse.
He groans as he reaches for it, his hard muscles flexing beneath his skin. I take a slow sip of my drink, my eyes soaking in every delicious inch of him shamelessly. We’re married. I can eye fuck him all I want.
Kaden lifts the mug to his mouth, and I hide my smile as he takes a slow sip. He pauses, his brow furrowing as the gears in his head spin. He takes another testing drink, his face pinching.
“Is something wrong?” I ask innocently, tilting my head.
He blinks before taking another sip. “I don’t think so…” He clears his throat before his eyes trail to me. Something shines in them—suspicion. “Thank you for the coffee, baby.”
He’s unsure, but he knows something is different. Psychological warfare.
“You’re welcome,dearest.” My eyes crinkle as I give him a tight smile.
Kaden pats the bed beside him. “Come here so I can see my beautiful wife.”
“You look with your eyes. Not your hands,” I quip.
He snorts. “Is this your act of revenge? Make sure I can’t touch what belongs to me? I hate to break it to you, Sunny, but I’ll do it whether you want me to or not.”
“Oh?” My brows rise. “What? Are you just going to drug me again?”
“Yes—” His head swivels to me, his eyes wide. “Wait, you knew about that?”
My lips purse. “I know everything.”
“Huh,” he mumbles as he scratches at the back of his neck. “If you knew about it, why didn’t you say anything?”
“Because,” I smile, stepping closer. “I wanted you to think you were in control.”
His jaw tightens. “I am in control.”
I glance down at the bed. “Are you?”
He shifts, and there’s a metallic click. He yanks the covers aside to reveal his ankle, which I handcuffed to the bed. His eyes widen as his head slowly turns to me. “Melody—”
I pad closer to him, booping his nose before I crouch down. “You really shouldn’t leave things like that just lying around. Anyone could use them against you.”
His eyes narrow. “And what exactly is your plan, wife?”
I hum as I skip over to the dresser and snatch his wallet and car keys. “It’s simple, really. I get a full day of retail therapy at your expense.”
His head tilts as he sets his coffee on the nightstand and rests back on his hands. “And you needed to cuff me for that? What’s mine is yours. No handcuffs required.”
A smirk tugs at my lips. “I know I didn’t need to cuff you to spend your money, but it’s payback. Be a good boy until I get back.”
My husband’s eyes darken. “Don’t expect to come home to your spoils. Choices have consequences, pretty girl.”
