Page 26 of Obsessed

There's no knock before the door swings open. Kane is dressed in a black shirt and black jeans. He's clean shaven and polished like he just stepped out of a high-end men's clothing catalog. Physically, he's model perfect, like someone destined for a movie screen or photo layout. But inside, it seems he is as scrambled as a messy plate of eggs. He reveals so little about himself or his past to me that even though we've shared incredible intimacy, it feels as if I'm looking at astranger.

"Will this do?" I hold out my arms. The bodice of the dress is meant to be snug but it shifts around my torso with themovement.

"You're vanishing before my eyes," he says with an edge ofregret.

"I don't know how to stop it. The smoothies help but I think they went down easier when Blake wasaround."

He ignores my comment and walks to the vanity to pick up the leather cuffs andanklets.

"I wasn't sure if I was supposed to wearthem."

He answers me by tying the cuffs onto my wrists. He tosses the anklets back on the vanity. "Just the cuffs. People in the room already know. And new visitors will soon learn." His cryptic comments arefrustrating.

I pull my hand free when he takes it. "People knowwhat?"

"That you're mine." He says succinctly and heads to the door. "Let'sgo."

I follow behind like a lost stray, not sure if I should follow the stranger or run from him. Only I know I have no real choice except to follow. I can hear music in the distance. When I get my bearings, I realize we are heading to one of his clubparties.

"Ugh," I say with extra drama. "Not the dreaded club party. Please. I'll just wait for you in theroom."

Kane reaches back and takes hold of my arm. His fingers hold me just a little too tightly. I can almost hear his teeth grinding together in his jaw. He is woundtight.

I try and pull my arm free but don't have the strength to do it. "Why are you so uptight and why the heck are you dragging me to one of these awfulparties?"

He swings around and pushes me up against the hallway wall. The plaster is cold on my shoulders. My heart is pounding as he squeezes my chin between his fingers and lifts my face to his. "You started this and you need to see this through to the end, my lovely poison." His mouth covers mine. He kisses me as if it's the last kiss before we both plunge into theabyss.

My lips are already swollen from his earlier visit. His punishing kiss brings tears to my eyes. He finally frees his mouth from mine and pulls his gaze away. Again, I'm trying hard to unscramble his words in my head but the damn drug makes everything incomprehensible, especially his vague, ambiguous declarations. Kane releases me and turns to thedoor.

Jason is standing sentry at the entrance. Music, conversations and laughter fill the large room. I take several steps back. It's the last place I want to be. I'm still reeling from the last few minutes. Kane senses my hesitation. He reaches back, takes my hand and pulls me into the room. As always, his entrance yanks everyone's attention to the door. The music plays on but the voices have quieted. I stare down at my bare feet. I don't need to look around the room to know all eyes are on Mr. Freestone and his thin, frailpossession.

Kane reaches over, pushes his fingers under my chin and unexpectedly lifts and turns my face to his for a brief kiss. As he drops his hand away, my gaze inadvertently sweeps the room. The circle of curious faces makes me dizzy. Before I can drop my face, a pair of eyes pull meback.

"Impossible," I whisper before my knees giveway.

Kane's fast reflexes keep me from falling to the ground. He turns toward me, his blue eyes streaked not with worry but with hurt. I hold his shirt to keep steady and will myself to look across the room. The mirage is still there, alive and vibrant and heartbreaking and swathed in mostly naked women. His green eyes leave a lasting image in my vision even after he pulls his gaze away. And it seems to takes all of his effort to do that, to lookaway.

Kane presses his mouth next to my ear. "I'll get you something to eat." He turns to walk away, leaving me standing alone. The party goes on around me, rich men flirting and choosing their flavor for the night. And then, there's James Maddox. He pretends to nuzzle a woman's neck, but his eyes flick my direction, toward the thin girl in leather shackles, the boss's toy. Shame makes my gut twist into a knot. There's no music anymore. Just the beating of my heart and the thunderous sound clears away some of the fog in my head. All the emotion I have neatly and conveniently tucked away pours out in one huge tidal wave. The tears start as a trickle until they cascade down my cheeks. They drip on my chest and down the fabric of the dress. I can't stop them. People are staring, watching withcuriosity.

Kane returns with a plate of food. He ignores the tears. "I've made you a plate." I hear his voice but can't make out the words. I'm only aware of one person in the room. At the same time, I'm trying not to be aware ofhim.

"Take me back to my room," I say weakly. "Please."

"We just got here.Eat."

I don't take the plate. The tearscontinue.

"Freestone," I hear a voice call from across the room. "What's this about anisland?"

Kane takes the plate with him and walks over to talk to the man, leaving me alone again. If I move a step, I'm certain my legs will giveway.

From the corner of my eye, I see Maddox move. I have his stride memorized. He is leading a woman out of the room. I don't turn to watch him walk out. I'm frozen as if someone has turned off my switch. The club member has chosen his partner for the night. Maddox says something to the woman as they near. I sway at the familiar sound of his voice. I want to be sitting in a hot, smelly car listening to that voice sing out songs and tell jokes and talk about his night out with the guys. I miss that voice so much the tears flowfaster.

As he walks past, his hand grazes mine lightly. That's all it takes. The room spins and goes dark. The floor gives way beneath me. I land in a pair of arms. I don't need to know which arms. Maddox's all too familiar scent makes the ache in my chestunbearable.

I open my eyes. Our gazes lock for a brief second. It's all we need to exchange a million words. I'm quickly lifted away from his arms. I bite my lip to keep from calling out in despair. Kane grips me in his arms as he carries me to the door. Jason opens it and I'm whisked through and away from the party. Away from Maddox. I turn my face against Kane's shoulder to hide my anguish. But he knows. Everyone in the room saw. Kanesaw.

26

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