Page 83 of Red Dreams

A splintered sound escapes her, halfway between a laugh and a breakdown. She buries her face in his chest as great, heaving sobs wrack her body. Kaden's arms come around her, holding her tight as she falls apart.

“I'm sorry,” she gasps out between sobs. “I'm sorry I didn't fight harder, that I let him turn me into this. I'm sorry I hurt you, that I hurt Layla. I'm just ... I'm so sorry, Daddy.”

Kaden's eyes close at the heartsick endearment, a single tear slipping free.

“I forgive you,” he tells her. “You hear me, baby girl? I forgive you. You're not poison; you're not rotten. You're my daughter, and I love you, no matter what.”

Cassie clings to him like a lifeline, like he's the only thing keeping her from shattering.

And maybe he is.

27

LAYLA

1 Week Later

When I wake up, Kaden's side of the bed is cold, but the bruises he left behind still burn like promises. His pillow still holds the indentation of his head, and I stroke my hand over it and smile.

Rubbing sleep from my eyes, I sit up, pulling the duvet around my naked form.

I spot Kaden standing in front of the circular window, his muscular frame carved out against the pale dawn light. He's watching the lighthouse, as he does every morning, ensuring that there’s a small golden light indicating that Cassie’s still there. That she’s staying.

I pad across the room, the duvet trailing behind me like a regal cape. Kaden doesn't turn, but I know he senses my approach. I press myself against his back, my breasts flattening against his hot, bare skin.

Snaking my arms around his waist, I place a tender kiss between his shoulder blades.

“Come back to bed,” I murmur, my lips brushing against his spine.

Kaden spins, pinning me against the cool glass. His large hand encircles my throat, applying just enough pressure to remind me of his strength, his control.

“Or we can just stay here,” he says with a growl—and a grin.

His mouth crashes against mine, claiming me with a hard kiss. I melt into him, surrendering to his dominance, the duvet falling off my shoulders and pooling at our feet. Kaden nudges my legs apart, but I stop him with a hand on his sculpted chest. “Wait.”

Kaden pulls back with an arched brow that stretches his scar. “That’s a dangerous request, Wraithling.”

“Well, I-I kind of … want to try something new.”

“Oh?”

I bite my lower lip. The sight of it makes his cock jump against my stomach, and his chest rumbles with a warning that my wait time is almost up.

“Do you, um, do you think you can wear your mask?” I ask.

His lips curve into a wicked smile as he regards me, his eyes scorching a path down my body.

“Wait here,” he commands.

He strides across the room to the antique armoire, the muscles of his back rippling with each step. Anticipation coils tight in my belly as he retrieves something from the top drawer. When he turns back to face me, he's holding his sleek gunmetal mask, simple yet undeniably menacing.

With deliberate slowness, Kaden slips it over his face. It molds perfectly to his chiseled features, leaving only his piercing blue eyes exposed. He doesn’t turn on the neon-green night vision.

The effect of a mask on top and nothing but a sexy, masculine, hard body underneath is striking and reckless. My pulse quickens, desire pooling hot and heavy between my thighs.

In three long strides, he's on me, slamming me back against the window. The cold glass bites into my bare skin.

“Is this what you wanted, Wraithling?” he asks quietly. “To be fucked by a dangerous man in a mask?”

---