Page 81 of These Wicked Desires

“You woke up early today,” Kai says, leaning down to kiss me. “And you left without saying goodbye.”

“Sorry. I was scared to wake you up.”

He snorts. “I’m not the difficult one to wake up.”

“Yes you are! You are just as bad as I am.” I glare at him, daring him to say something.

“Let’s ask Cade who he thinks is worse to wake up, shall we?”

Cade rolls his eyes and holds up his hand. “You bit me. Kai has never bitten me.” He frowns and his lips twitch. “At least, not like you did.”

Kai flashes his fangs. “See? Told you.”

“Whatever.” I cross my arms over my chest and eyeball them. “Seriously though, what are you doing here?”

“Sterling asked me to come help him with something,” Cade replies, snaking out his arm to tug me close. “I didn’t want to deal with Kai this early, so I’m dropping him off here for you to deal with.”

“Oh, please don’t,” I say. “I’ve been having such a good morning.”

“I’m right here, you know. I can hear everything you’re saying.” Kai tugs one of my curls and I swat his hand away.

“I just got Gracie outside, so I don’t want to freak her out with you guys being here.”

“I’m leaving anyway,” Cade says, bending down to kiss me. “I’ll be back later. Take care of Kai while I’m gone.” He grins and turns to the vampire in question. “Be good.”

“What does that mean?” Kai grins and grabs Cade’s face in his palms. The kiss is dominant and extremely hot. He pulls away and smirks at me. “We better stop, or Ellis is going to jump us right here.”

“Whatever,” I mutter and turn back toward the porch. “Shari is inside baking. You should join her. Maybe she can teach you a thing or two.”

Gracie doesn’t relax again until Cade pulls away and Kai disappears inside. I bite my lip and turn to her, ready to ask my question, but once again, I don’t get to.

She turns to me, eyes focusing on me for the first time, and says, “Tell me about them.”

I gape at her for a moment before shaking my head. “Cade and Kai?”

She nods. “Isn’t there another one, too?”

“Yeah. Sterling. This is his mom’s house.”

“Tell me about them.”

“I think to really get the full picture I need to start back at the beginning. The night I thought you died.” I watch her closely as I dive into the story. I’m sure it’s not easy for her to hear about how I mourned her loss, dealt with the injustices of being human, and was raped and beaten for two years by the same man who held her captive. It’s not easy for me to talk about. Even after the number of times I’ve shared this story, and the fact that it’s all over, it’s still hard to put myself back in those moments. But I do it for her. And I’ll do it again, I’m sure, for someone else who needs to hear it. Like Chloe did.

Gracie looks down at her hands, twisting and squeezing them together. “How did you do it?” she whispers.

“Do what?” I ask gently.

“How did you move on? How did you learn to let a man touch you after … after …”

“I was lucky. I met my mates. But it took time, and it wasn’t easy. It’s still not always easy. But knowing I have people who care about me helps a lot. I know I can go to them if I need to. I have to remind myself that I’m not alone anymore, and I frequently need them to remind me as well.”

She nods and swallows. “I don’t know how to do that.”

“I get it, Gracie. I really do. But you’re not alone anymore either. And keeping yourself locked in that room where all you do is think about everything that’s happened is not going to help. You need to dig deep and find that courage I know you possess. I’m always here to talk to you. Or not talk, if you just want someone to sit with you. Chloe also went through something similar. I know she could use the company sometimes too.”

Gracie nods, chewing on her bottom lip. “I’m scared,” she whispers.

“I know,” I say gently. “I was too. Sometimes I still am. But I promise it does get easier.” We fall silent as the sun sinks lower, the first few stars appearing in the darkening sky. “Do you remember when we used to wish on the first star we saw at night?”

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