Page 20 of Taeja

“Yes, Zain?”

“I have a family dinner,” he said. “You’re our date.”

“Dat nuh sound like a question,” she stated rather than asked.

“I’m aware.”

“Hmph. I think you should ask.”

“Why would I ask when you like being ordered around?”

“I… I don’t.”

“You don’t like it when I tell you to suck my dick until your pretty eyes water? You don’t like it when I tell you to spread your legs so I can feel how wet your pussyis for me?”

“Y-you haven’t told me the last one yet.”

“Soon, Taeja,” he said, then lowered his tone to whisper, “I just want you to close your eyes and imagine it now. Imagine me fucking you over a balcony, making you throw your head back, and screaming my name for all the neighbors to hear. Would you like that, Taeja?”

“Yes,” she answered breathlessly. “I’d love that.”

“Be our date.”

“Zain, mi cya stand yu!” she exclaimed, almost making him laugh.

“Is that a yes?”

“Yeah,” Taeja replied. “You didn’t give me the chance to say no.”

The following weekend, thedinner was going exactly how Zain imagined it would go — bad.

His brother and mother tried their best to keep a lively banter going, but the tension between Zain and Andrew was palpable. Taeja was seated between himself and Damon despite a part of him regretting inviting her here. They hadn’t known each other very long, but Taeja was one of the few untainted things in his life. Now, she was exposed to the nuisance that was Andrew Stark. Zain hoped she wouldn’t be ruined, too.

As if Andrew couldn’t go a second longer than the ten minutes he’d already spent not jesting Zain, he scowled from across the table. “What've you been up to besides being a disappointment since they discharged you from the military?”

“Stop it, Andrew,” Kacian chastised before fixing her eldest son with a comforting smile. “Ignore your father—”

“He is no son of mine.”

The chair scraped against the wooden floor as Zain pushed it back and stood, his fists clenched tightly. Rage bubbled inside him as he took himself out of the living room and found the furthest balcony to revel in the fresh air and stillness of the night.

He’d barely had a moment to himself when a hand lay on his shoulder. In aflash, he grabbed the person’s wrist. He bent it behind their back, then pushed them face first onto the wall.

Hearing a surprised yelp, his eyes widened when he realized it was Taeja. He quickly released her. “Fuck, Taeja,” he cursed, gently taking her off the wall and rubbing her wrist while assessing her for injury. “Did I hurt you?”

“No,” she said with a small shake of her head.

He clenched his jaw. He’d been so caught up in his thoughts, he didn’t hear her approach him. His rage increased when he realized he almost harmed her.

She hesitantly reached out a hand, and Zain jerked away. Taeja’s brows furrowed, but she didn’t question his reaction. She brought her hand to her side. “Zain, you didn’t hurt me. See? I’m fine.”

He nodded, unsure what else to say. He wanted to be alone, but she was here now. She looked too good to be turned away.

Taeja nibbled on her lower lip while staring up at him. Her focus kept darting to the scar that almost made him lose his left eye.

People knew better than to ask, but not Taeja. He anticipated her question from the second time he saw her, but she’d never asked. Not even now when he could see the questions swirling in her eyes.

Remembering his brother’s words, he decided to put Taeja out of her misery. “Two years ago, I was abducted by mercenaries and tortured for six months,” he explained, watching as her mouth fell. “Don’t say it,” he insisted. “I’m thankful to be alive… I guess.”

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