Page 19 of Two Chambered Heart

“You want to go for a swim?” he murmured in her ear, just audible over the roaring of the water beside them.

“Don’t you fucking dare.”

He chuckled, and she felt the deep vibrato of it move right through her, an echo of the engine. She turned in his arms, looking up at him. The sharp edges of his cheekbones were wet from the mist. His deep green eyes reflected the foliage all around them. His black hair fell across his forehead, in complete disarray from the helmet.

She couldn’t stop herself; she reached her hand up, brushing his hair back. His pupils dilated.

“It’s peaceful out here. Don’t ruin this for me, please?” she asked him.

Maybe it was the first time she’d asked him for something. It was probably the first time she’d used the wordplease.It wasn’t a word she used often. She was used to having to take what she wanted.

“Well, when you ask so nicely, I’m inclined to oblige.” Kayden’s eyes were blazing. “I guess you can behave after all.”

Corey smiled, leaning away from him, and in a brazen act of insanity, she flicked his nose. “Don’t get used it.”

Kayden snapped his teeth at her fingers, but she was already turning to the river again.

“I wouldn’t dare,” he said into her hair.

They watched the river in peaceful silence, Kayden’s arms still bracketed around her.

“Do you want to stop to get anything before heading back to the condo?” Kayden asked her out of nowhere.

“You very well know I don’t have any money.”

“We could go pick some of your stuff up, so you have what you need while we sort this situation out?” Kayden’s suggestion was tentative. It also made no sense to Corey.

“That’s not possible.” Stopping at Brandon’s on Kayden’s motorcycle was the absolute worst idea she’d ever heard. Someone would end up dead. It wasn’t like she had anything worthwhile back there, anyway. She’d love her phone and her headphones, but that was about it.

“Why not?”

She ignored her confusion about him pressing the issue and responded with the truth. “I lived at my ex’s. I didn’t exactly leave on very good terms.” Given that Corey had snuck out through a window after he’d locked her in their bedroom for two days, it was an understatement.

Corey felt Kayden stiffen behind her.

“Did he kick you out? Is that why you were on the streets?” His voice had taken on a dangerous tone that she wanted to diffuse.

“No, I left myself, actually.”

“Is that who you thought would come looking for you? Where does he live?”

“Enough with the 21 Questions. I won’t go back there.”

“I will.”

“You’re not going there either!” Corey turned in his arms again, giving him a pointed stare to indicate she was serious.

He looked like he had more to say on the matter, but he surprised her with his acquiescence. “Fine. What do you need, then? I’ll take you shopping. It’s on me.”

“Are you serious? You want to take me shopping?” Corey said, incredulous.

“I want to do a lot of things with you, Corey. I thought that had become awfully apparent.” His hand came up to her neck, and he ran his thumbover the slight cut he’d made with the knife. Corey could barely suppress her shiver, her body reciprocating his desire.

“Headphones. Something to play music on. Some clothes and shampoo. A book or two would be nice. That’s really all I need.” She’d deal with their escalating mutual attraction later, but she wouldn’t pass up the offer.

“A simple girl.” Kayden laughed, backing away from her, his physical contact already missed. The helmet he put back on did nothing to hide the expression on his face. Corey followed him back onto the bike, feeling slight whiplash over how the day had progressed, but smiling nonetheless.

Silver linings, she reminded herself.

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