Page 20 of Two Chambered Heart

Chapter twelve

- Kayden -

Kayden couldn’t stop smiling. Never in his life had he felt such joy from just simply existing beside someone else. Kayden had taken Corey to a fancy soap shop. They’d goofed off smelling every soap the store offered, which had been up behind a counter like a fancy fromagerie. It was clearly a novelty for Corey, but this was where Kayden regularly ordered his soaps and shampoos. He appreciated experiencing the extravagance of the store through Corey’s perspective.

He had to work to make Corey laugh. Since he didn’t know what she was thinking, it was like pulling straws, going in completely blind. And damn, he was willing to work hard for the sound. Her laughter hit him in the face every time it bubbled up. He hadn’t gotten any more information from her about her past, or about what had landed her on the street—and in their car. But he could dig into her secrets later. For now, he was choosing to enjoy this moment with her.

Corey had chosen her preferred soap and shampoo, and Kayden had happily paid. People milled about on the sidewalks and in the store, but all he could see and all he couldhearwas Corey. He feltlike he was floating.

He was just paying for a slew of clothes Corey had decided on, including a few bikinis Kayden had demanded she try on and model for him. While he may have gone overboard with the sexy lingerie sets, she’d indulged him, but drew the line at hisjokingrequest for a public lap dance. He hadn’t been joking at all, and he didn’t even think her line in the sand would have held if he’d pushed it. But he didn’t want to take the risk, and sodidn’tpush it, settling for a whack to her lace-covered ass, which had only resulted in him getting half hard from the death glare she shot him in response.

As the cashier handed him back his black card, the hurricane of thoughts which normally accompanied a trip to a busy public space, filtered back in soft whispers.

Kayden froze.

They were too far apart.

Whatever it was about Corey that neutralized his and Jase’s gift, he knew from Kovack’s that it faded with physical distance, and she had clearly gone too far.

Kayden looked around the busy shop and zeroed in on her burnt autumn hair just as she was slipping out of the store. Corey caught his eye, a manic grin on her face as she watched him watch her escape. She winked at him and took off.

Fuck.

Kayden grabbed the bags from the counter and ran after her. People moved out of his way as the thoughts grew louder, grating on his brain.

Jason was going to fucking kill him. He had been so caught up in experiencing the world without a constant barrage of noise, and in Corey’s carefree attitude, that he had somehow forgotten that he was supposed to be her keeper.

As soon as Kayden got onto the sidewalk, he saw her hair flying behind her as she sprinted down the street, her long legs carrying her faster than he expected.

“Corey!” he called out to her.

She looked back. He was expecting something like fear or determination on her face. But all he saw was her laughter and freckles before she committed back to her stride.

Kayden took off after her, laughing as the noise settled into the background again while he ate up the space between them.

His excitement surged when he realized she was a very strong runner. With bags in hand, he had to work to keep her pace. He amped up his speed as Corey took a turn down a side street.

They raced through the neighbourhood, weaving through the alleys. Kayden delighted in every meter he gained on her.

Finally, Corey turned into a back alley. She came up short against a brick wall, Kayden hot on her heels.

A dead end.

He was buzzing with adrenaline and desire, sweat dripping down his back.

Corey laughed, her face red and sweaty. There was a sparkle in her eyes he hadn’t seen there before. She looked wild, her hair windswept from the sprint.

“You caught me,” she got out, breathily, in between her panting.

Kayden dropped the shopping bags he was holding and pushed her up against the brick building behind her. He liked that she was taller, that he didn’t have to crane his neck down if he were to kiss her.

Andoh my god, he wanted to kiss her.

She let out a winded laugh, and he just watched the breath leave her mouth.

He pressed his hips against her pelvis, letting her feel his rock-hard erection.

She bit her lip, a secretive smile spreading on her face.

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