Page 144 of Shadowed Vows: Ghost
He looks down at my hand, then back up to my face. "How can you still be here, after what you saw?"
"Because I see you," I say simply. "The good and the bad. And I'm not walking away from that."
I take a step toward Kade, my heart pounding.
"Let me be here for you," I say softly.
His eyes lock onto mine, filled with a storm of emotions. Without a word, he closes the distance between us. His lips meet mine in a kiss that starts tender but quickly ignites into something more.
Heat floods through me as the kiss deepens, becoming hungry and desperate. I tangle my fingers in Kade's hair, pulling him closer. His hands roam over my body, leaving trails of fire in their wake. My skin prickles with goosebumps despite the warmth building inside me.
We break apart, both breathing heavily. I can see the conflict in Kade's eyes—the desire warring with his guilt over what just happened. But in this moment, I don't care about any of that. I just need to feel close to him, to reassure myself that we're both still here.
I reach for the hem of his shirt, tugging it upward. Kade hesitates for a split second before helping me remove it.
My hands explore the planes of his muscled chest, tracing old scars and fresh bruises. The firm warmth of his skin under my fingertips grounds me, making everything else fall away.
Kade's fingers fumble with the buttons of my shirt. Growing impatient, I bat his hands away and undo them myself, shrugging out of the garment. His eyes darken as they roam over my exposed skin.
"You're beautiful," he murmurs, his voice rough with desire.
We come together again in a clash of lips and tongues. I nip at his bottom lip, drawing a low growl from him. His hands grip my hips, pulling me flush against him. I can feel every hard line of his body pressed to mine, his arousal evident against my stomach.
I push Kade backwards until his back hits the tiled wall. My lips trail along his jaw, down his neck. I taste the salt of his skin mixed with something metallic—a reminder of what transpired earlier. But even that can't dampen the fire burning between us.
Kade's hands slide lower, cupping my ass and lifting me. I wrap my legs around his waist as he spins us, pressing me against the wall. His mouth descends on my neck, sucking and biting. I know it will leave marks, but I can't bring myself to care. Each nip of his teeth sends sparks of pleasure-pain radiating through me.
"Kade," I moan, surprised by the neediness in my own voice.
His hands make quick work of my pants, shoving them down my legs. I kick them off, along with my shoes, leaving me in just my bra and panties. The cool air against my heated skin makes me shiver.
We're both still half-dressed, but I'm already trembling with need. I roll my hips against him, drawing a sharp intake of breath. Kade's fingers dig into my thighs almost painfully.
"Alina," he groans, his voice rough with desire.
In response, I capture his lips in another searing kiss. My hands roam over his back, nails raking across his skin. I pour all my frustration, fear, and longing into the kiss. My head spins with the intensity of it all, nearly drowning in sensation.
I pull Kade closer, craving more of his touch. My fingers tangle in his hair as I kiss him fiercely. He responds with equal passion, his hands roaming over my body and setting my skin on fire. Every touch makes my nerves sing, my body arching toward him instinctively.
I break away, panting. "I want you. Now."
Kade's eyes turn black with desire. He sweeps me up in a single smooth movement and takes me to the shower. My back meets the cold tiles as he pushes me against the wall. I lock my legs more firmly around his waist, rubbing against his body. The contrast between the cool tiles and his burning hot skin makes me gasp.
Kade reaches behind him and twists the shower knob. Water cascades down, washing away the crimson evidence of Steele's murder, the proof disappearing down the drain beneath us.
"Alina," he moans.
I reach between our bodies, my fingers trembling as I struggle with Kade's belt buckle.
Damn, why are my hands shaking so much? I'm usually not this clumsy.
The metal finally gives way under my urgent fumbling. I yank at his zipper, desperate to feel his skin against mine. Kade grunts and helps me, roughly shoving his pants and boxers down in one swift motion.
My breath catches as his cock springs free. I wrap my fingers around his thick, hard length, stroking him firmly from base to tip. The velvet hardness of him in my hand sends a bolt of desire straight to my pussy.
"Fuck," Kade hisses, his head falling back in pleasure. His muscles tense beneath my palm.
Before I can react, Kade's fingers hook into the sides of my underwear. With a sharp tug, he rips the delicate lace clean off my body. The sound of tearing fabric echoes loudly in the tiled shower stall, sending a pulse of heat through me. My clit throbs at his show of strength.
