Page 10 of These Deadly Dreams

“Is there any chance you’ll be able to forgive me?”

She looks at her lap and twists her hands together nervously. “I don’t know,” she says quietly.

My heart stops at her words. It fucking hurts. Like, really hurts. I bend over again and clutch at my chest. I seriously think I might be having a heart attack.

“I want to forgive you. I want a relationship with you. The connection is there, and I feel it everytime we’re near. But,” she pauses and takes a deep breath, “when I look at you, I see my mom and sister’s dead bodies. I feel the pain at learning you lied to me and betrayed me. I’m not sure how to get past that.”

I close my eyes. That was exactly what I feared she would say. And I know she’s right. I don’t even know how I would go about earning her forgiveness. I’m not sure I deserve it. No, I know I don’t deserve it.

I’m saved from any further heartbreaking discussion by the sound of a text message. Ellis grabs her phone off the coffee table and reads the text, a small smile pulling up the corners of her lips. Jealousy burns through me. I know it was either Cade or Kai. Most likely Cade with the state Kai was in when they left. What I wouldn’t give to be the reason for one of those smiles.

“They’re on their way back,” she announces. “Cade says Kai is pretty much out of control.”

I spot the faint blush that creeps into her cheeks, and I know exactly what thought crosses her mind. The best way to bring Kai back from the edge is sex.

Unable to take anymore, I stand from the chair and walk into the shelves. I can’t leave the room until they get back, but I can at least take a moment to get myself under control. It’s my fault I’m in this situation. I have no one to blame but myself, and I’m getting damn good at doing that.

5. Ellis

I collapse into the cushions and pull the blanket over my head when Sterling gets up and walks away. Why does it have to be so hard? I wish I could just shove it all to the back of my mind and move on. I want to forgive him. I really, really do. I know he didn’t mean to hurt me. And I know he cares about me. But, when I think about letting him in again, I freeze. My heart panics and protection mode sets in—it’s been through too much and it’s always on edge now.

I’m not sure how long I hide under the covers trying to talk myself into going after him and saying to hell with it all. I’m still there when the library door crashes open, causing me to jump. I fling the blanket off, fully expecting to see Kai’s dad hovering in the doorway. Instead, I see Kai. Shoulders rising and falling with each heavy breath he takes.

His red-eyed gaze zeroes in on me and he takes a slow step into the room. Bright red streaks coat his face and hair, and dried blood flakes from his leathers. Those pointed fangs are on full display as he gives me a slow, wicked smile.

My stomach tumbles at the sight of him. I’m not sure what makes me do it, but I scramble over the back of the couch and back away. I know backing away from a predator is the last thing I should do, but a thrill of anticipation spreads through my body as his eyes darken and he takes another slow step toward me.

We continue this way, me backing away and him stalking me, until my back hits the pool table. Each step he takes makes my heart pound harder in my chest. His red eyes haven’t strayed from me, despite Cade walking into the room and monitoring us with an expression that’s both weary and eager.

With my back pressed against the pool table, I take a moment to decide which direction to go. The hesitation costs me. Kai pounces. His inhuman reflexes stun me for a moment. One second he is in front of the couch, the next he is vaulting over it and landing in a crouch in front of me.

I turn to my left, thinking hiding in the shelves of books might work, but before I can take a step in that direction, Kai is at my back. His hand circles my throat and he pulls me against his chest. My pulse flutters wildly and he rubs his thumb over the vein, right over the bite mark that he left the last time we fucked.

“I caught you, little bird,” he breathes in my ear.

His words, his voice, his breath, his thumb on that mark. They all make my legs shake and my breathing hitch.

The adrenaline pumping through my blood combined with the liquid heat pooling in my core, spurs me into action. I’m not ready to be caught so easily. I throw my elbow back, connecting with his ribs. A soft ‘oomph’ flutters my hair, and his hold on my throat loosens enough for me to twist out of his grasp.

I take off as fast as I can. This time, I make it three steps toward the bookshelves before Kai’s arm wraps around my middle, halting my escape. He lifts me off my feet and I kick blindly, trying to connect with his shins, but he pulls me too close and I can’t get the right angle.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing? You can’t run from me, baby girl.”

I shiver as his deep growl runs over my skin. A fire has been lit inside me and I can’t help but try to get away. I catch Cade’s gaze. He’s standing by the couch with his arms crossed over his chest. The outline of his cock strains against his leather pants. I plead with him silently, and his violet eyes sparkle as he gives me a slow smile and nod. This time, I manage to break away by slamming my head back into Kai’s chin.

“Fuck!” His arms loosen, and I drop to the ground.

I’m running before he has a chance to recover. I head straight for the door, having every intent of running out of the library, knowing I won’t make it that far. As I reach for the door handle, I look over my shoulder in time to see Kai take a few steps toward me. I give him a small smile I know will set his blood boiling. He runs his fangs over his lower lip and the bite mark on my neck tingles.

Cade steps in front of Kai, blocking his path, and I turn back to the door. I hear a tussle behind me but pay it no mind. Just as the door cracks open, a hand slams against the wood, pushing it shut again. I whip around to find Kai with both of his arms on either side of my head, blocking me in.

“You should never run from a predator, little bird. It only excites us more.” He presses in closer to me and I can indeed feel his excitement through his leather pants. “Not only that, you just got Cade in trouble. Now, I’ll have to punish you both.”

My pussy clenches at his words and I feel myself growing wetter. Kai’s nostrils flare as he inhales, and I know he can scent my arousal. He smiles wickedly and throws me over his shoulder.

“You’re going to regret playing the brat, baby girl.”

Fuck. This side of Kai is something I could definitely get used to. I lift my head and look at Cade as Kai carries me past him. He smirks at me and rubs himself through his pants, just as turned on by this show as I am. Kai sets me on the pool table and pushes me down on my back with a hand on my throat.

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