Page 113 of Shadowed Vows: Ghost
What just happened?
I stare at Kade, taking in his disheveled appearance—the way his chest heaves with each breath, the slight tremor in his hands as he runs them through his hair. The anger is still there, but now mixed with raw desire.
My mind races, trying to make sense of this sudden shift. The kiss was amazing, but it doesn't explain why we're here or what Kade needs to tell me.
I open my mouth to speak, but Kade beats me to it.
"Don't you ever," he growls, his voice rough with emotion, "put yourself in danger like that again."
Kade tangles his fingers in my hair and gives it a tug. My breath catches as I look up at him. His eyes are dark, the irises barely visible.
I should be pissed. He just manhandled me again. But instead of anger, I feel a rush of heat. My body betrays me as I feel my panties grow damp.
What the hell is wrong with me? This isn't like me at all. I'm not some swooning damsel who gets turned on by caveman behavior.
And yet... the intensity in Kade's gaze makes my heart race. The feeling of his strong fingers in my hair sends tingles straight to my pussy.
He tilts my head, bringing my face close to his. I can feel the warmth of his breath on my lips.
"I can't lose you." Kade's voice is low and rough.
The vulnerability in his tone catches me off guard. This isn't the cool, controlled Ghost I've come to know. This is raw emotion, unfiltered.
"I'm still here," I whisper. My voice comes out breathier than I intended.
"You don't understand," Kade growls. "When they took you, I thought—" He cuts himself off, jaw clenching. "Do you have any idea what they could have done to you?"
He was scared for me. The great Ghost was actually afraid.
Kade releases my hair, his hand on the small of my back as he guides me through the living room. The plush carpet muffles our footsteps. My skin tingles where he touches me, even through my shirt.
We move down a hallway, the walls lined with abstract art in muted tones. A faint scent of sandalwood grows stronger as we approach Kade's bedroom.
He pushes open the door to a spacious bedroom dominated by a large bed with crisp dark sheets. More floor-to-ceiling windows offer a stunning view of the city lights twinkling below.
Kade's hand moves back up to my hair, gripping it tighter this time.
"You should have listened to me. You shouldn't have taken that risk."
A small sound escapes me—something between a gasp and a whimper.
What the hell was that?I don't whimper.
"You're right," I say softly, surprising myself.
Kade's eyes narrow slightly. I can almost see the gears turning in his head, probably because I always argue with him.
"Well, well," he murmurs, a hint of amusement in his tone. "Who knew there was a good girl underneath it all?"
My body reacts instantly to his words, a throb of desire pulsing between my legs. I bite my lip, trying to maintain some semblance of control.
I feel my face burn as my mind goes blank. Kade's voice and fingers are stirring up feelings I've never felt before—raw and intense. I reach for my usual clever comebacks, but they escape me completely. My quick thinking has abandoned me, leaving me flustered and off-balance.
"I'm not... I don't..." I stammer, unable to string a sentence together.
Kade's mouth twists into a cocky grin. His thumb glides across my bottom lip, making my whole body tingle.His other hand slides up my torso, fingers tracing a path that leaves goosebumps in their wake.
When he reaches my neck, his large palm wraps around my throat. The pressure is firm but not painful. My pulse pounds wildly against his skin. A rush of heat floods my body, pooling low in my belly. I gasp, torn between fear and a surge of overwhelming desire.
