I shake my head. “It’s not that easy. As an Unfortunate, every move I make is life or death. If I have to let people kiss me in order to stay alive, then so be it.”
His irises darken. “Is that why you’re helping me?”
I nod and the movement is enough to cause a tear to spill over the rim of my eye. “You think I want to be used? You think I want to have sex with people I feel nothing for? No, I don’t, but I’ll do it because a useless Unfortunate is a dead one. I’ll do it because I know it’ll give you what you want, and I hoped by helping you, you would help me in return.”
Kade’s face softens, but his grip doesn’t. “I promised you freedom once we’re finished and I’ll give it to you.”
“But it’s not real freedom though, is it? It’s an illusion—a guarantee to get you what you want. What if you marry? Then I’m as good as dead.”
I suck in an inhale to calm my racing heart. The fresh air barely makes it down my throat before Kade gingerly presses his lips to mine and sucks it back out again. His mouth on mine doesn’t feel claiming… it’s, dare I say, kind. As if he’s trying to fix my wounded soul. The kiss goes all too quickly and when he speaks, there’s too much distance between our lips for my liking. “Earlier tonight you said you trusted me.”
“I do,” I whisper.
“Then show me. If you trust me, I can take care of you, Nine. I can keep you safe.”
The question I’ve been asking myself since I met Kade falls from my lips. “Why? Why would you do that for me?”
“Someone once told me that I should always give back to those that help me.” He clears his throat and softly shakes his head. “Besides, once I destroy your life, it’s only fitting that I try and repay you for your sacrifice.”
Frustration pricks at me. “Why do you do that?”
“Do what?”
“Open up and be nice, then shut me out with cruel words?”
His eyes rake my face in a way that makes my blood run cold, but my inside burn hot.
“Because Unfortunates aren’t the only ones who have to toe the line… I have to watch myself or I’ll end up dead, just like—” He catches himself and swiftly puts an end to the conversation by turning his back to me. I push off the wall and curiously step forward.
“Like who?”
His broad, beautiful shoulder squares, and despite myself, I reach out and touch the hard back of his bicep. He snatches it away and snaps around to face me. “Stop being so damn curious.”
“I’m not. I-I just want you to talk to me.”
“And what good will that do? Whether or not we become friends or whether or not we fall in love—you will do this for me. You will fuck whomever I want you to fuck. You will sit, beg, crawl, and talk whenever I tell you to and you will do it without complaint. I can tell you everything there is to know about me and you can describe your pathetic life to me in detail, but it doesn’t change the fact that there’s something I desire more than pussy, companionship, and love.”
I drag in a shaky breath. “Power.”
Kade steps towards his bedroom door and pushes it open. “You got it on the first go, Sweetheart. I’m proud of you.” He gestures inside his room. “Get in. Clothes off. We’re going to shower.”
I step forward, then stop. “Wait… together?”
He smiles a smile that promises me something terrifyingly delicious and I can feel temptation tugging at my heart and flickering over my hardening nipples.
“Oh, yes,” he declares in a sinister tone.
I swallow hard, lower my head, and saunter into his room. The room is as spacious as ever… until he closes the door behind us—and then locks it. I don’t realise I’ve paused until I feel his hand slip onto my lower back and he spreads his fingers. He nudges me forward and we walk side by side—his steps almost in sync with mine.
In the bathroom, Kade turns on the shower and the room begins to fill with steam. It fills my throat as I breathe and as a result, feels heavy in my lungs. My hair sticks to my skin as beads of sweat begin to form on its surface. Kade ignores me as he pulls off his jacket, and he folds it in half before tossing it onto the sink. As he pops the buttons on his light grey shirt, one by one, I finger the straps on my dress. I don’t know why I’m suddenly so scared. I’ve showered both with and in front of people before… I guess with Kade it’s different. I’ve never felt as exposed as I do when I’m with him. No one can make my insides burn as hot as a volcano and no one else can dissect my soul like he can. I take a deep breath and push the straps from my shoulders. My dress falls from my body and pools at my feet. Kade stops as his fingers brush over the tiny, silver button on his pants and my heart stops cold as he looks at me from under his brow. Despite the warmth already in the room, I feel my cheeks heat up, burning so hot I’m sure my eyes will water. I keep my stare on his and I take secret pleasure in the way his lips part as he lets out a heavy breath. A lock of my auburn hair sticks to my left nipple—Kade notices too and his hungry gaze zeroes in. Forgoing the button on his pants, he steps closer until he’s close enough to feel my breath blow against his skin. He reaches out and pushes the damp lock of hair from my nipple.