Page 103 of Crimson Flames

Soft green eyes stare back at me, and I melt under his attention. He’s so tall that for once, I feel small in a man’s presence.

“Did you hear me walk by?” I ask, my cheeks flaming red.

“I think I have a sixth sense for you, I always know when you’re around.”

I look bashfully at the floor then back up at him.

“I feel the same way.”

“Do you want to come in?” He opens the door wider.

I glance back and forth down the hall before shaking my head. “We shouldn't do this. I’m getting attached, and I don’t know if they will ever be able to accept us.”

“What makes you say that?” He leans against the door frame, his perfectly sculpted arms making me want to drool.

“This is a conflict of interest. We’re professionals, Cameron. And what I want to do to you is very unprofessional.”

He grins so wide I almost laugh. “What is it you want to do to me, Kandace?”

With a sigh, I avert my eyes from the temptation and turn towards my room. “I guess we’ll never know.”

Then, I walk away—because even though I want nothing more than to crawl into his bed with him, I know better than to have a secret in this family. And I‘m afraid that if I show this man what I like, the gentle way he looks at me will disappear.

Not only that, but what would everyone think? They may never trust me or my professionalism again and I cannot let them down by betraying that.

Chapter 40

In order to take out most of Ronan’s contacts, we had to go back home to Russia. It is long overdue, as well as perfect timing. Nessa is not as stressed about leaving Aiden now that she has worked through some of her pain. She stares at the tattoo on her wrist, the ring of flames resting right under her bracelet.

She loves it. In the beginning I would see her always running a finger over her bracelet, but now she likes to trace the outline of the flame.

Kai begged us for a tattoo last week after Nessa asked Lev to add color to the flame, but we all said no. He is still too young,and though we break a lot of rules, that was one Nessa asked him to be patient for. He agreed to wait until he was sixteen. Nessa and I tried to counter with eighteen, but Cillian, the man covered in tattoos, decided to tell him sixteen was a good compromise.

I swear some days Nessa and I have two children, not just one.

When we arrive at the house, I ask Kai to follow me. Nessa and Cillian know what I have created for him, but I asked to be the one to show him. Some days, I fear that the only version of me Kai sees is the one that failed Nessa in that hospital. I know this is my own insecurity talking, but doing things for him helps ease that ache inside me and ultimately makes me feel closer to him.

“I had a room designed for you since we will likely be spending one week here every month. I wanted you to feel at home.”

Opening the door, Kai steps into the space I had crafted for him. I have learned in our time together that he enjoys the walks with Cillian in the morning because time for himself and fresh air was never something he got to appreciate as a kid.

Thus, the dark green walls. I ordered a custom-made headboard, covered in a black velvet because I noticed he always likes to sit on the velvet couch in Nessa’s room. There is a desk in the corner and the head of the bed rests against an accent wall that is made out of textured wood, really bringing the outdoors into the space.

A large television sits across from the bed and a small sketch pad with all different kinds of drawing materials is on the desk. I have caught him trying to draw a few things ever since Cillian told him how it helps him cope with things he can’t control. He has talked with Lev in great detail about tattooing, and I think he has an interest in that as well.

The bathroom is set up with a jacuzzi tub and a full shower with jets on the walls to help prevent him from getting cold. He confessed to me that he often would shower last in the house andrarely got warm water, and I did not want him to ever have that experience again.

“Pops,” Kai breathes in awe as he spins, looking at his space. “This is incredible.”

I smile, satisfied by his words. All I could ever hope for is to be someone he deserves, and it is moments like these that I feel like I have achieved that.

“You know you don’t have to buy my affection, right?” Kai jokes. “I liked you before I knew you were filthy rich.”

I laugh. “That is amusing. Nessa says the same thing.”

I take a seat at his desk while he puts his bag on the bed and begins unpacking and putting things away in his drawers. There is a closet inside the bathroom, but we will fill that with clothing once I figure out the brands and styles he prefers.

“Seriously, though. This feels like a lot. I don’t know if I will ever get used to this.”

---