Chapter 119
Ariel didn’t wait to see if Kane was going to listen to her; she had decided to take law into her hands, and she grabbed him by his hands and began to pull him away.
But she was met with little resistance as he dug his heel on the floor, refusing to follow her, and she turned to look at him, a challenge in her eyes. Goddess, help her; she could claim him right now if he continued like this.
There was a twinkle in Kane’s eyes as he understood what she was trying to convey, and he allowed himself to be led by hand until they got to the comfort of his office and she dropped his hands.
Ariel tucked her arms in each other, and she fastened her eyes on him, with a look that could burn, but Kane was immune to all this, and he looked at her, although the sides of his mouth tugged up in a small smile.
“What were you doing with her?” Ariel demanded, hoping her jealousy didn’t shine through. But who was she kidding? When it comes to Kane, she seems to lose all her senses. “What did you say that was so funny that had her cackling? I knew you were a wolf, but I have never pegged you to be a comedian.”
“You are jealous.” Kane stated, more to himself than to her, but Ariel didn’t think it was funny, and the sides of her lips curled downward in a smile.
“I am not jealous, Kane.” She stated it as a matter of fact. Jealousy is when I don’t have you. I am only possessive of what I consider mine.”
“Hmmm. Possessive.” His smile ever so widened, and Ariel wanted nothing more than to knock it out. “When did this ownership take place? I don’t think I was a willing participant.”
“Kane!” Ariel snapped. The man was enjoying this more than she liked, and he was trying to pull all of her buttons. “Can you just focus on what is at hand or, goddess, help me? You would not like what I will do.”
Her outburst was enough for him to realize that the issue was serious, and he sobered up immediately. “You said goddess.”
Ariel tilted her head in confusion, her frown getting deeper as she tried to make sense of what he was saying. “I don’t understand.”
“You said goddess; you never say it. I guess you are gradually accepting us.”
“Is that what is important? Who is the lady?” Ariel barked, and at her words, Kane took two steps towards her. He was in front of her, so close that she could feel his breath on her neck whenever he exhaled, and her stomach seemed to be doing the cartwheels.
She would never have pegged her body to be an Olympic sport.
“Mm mm.” Ariel cleared her throat as she tried to focus on something else other than the fact that he was standing so close to her and his breath was sending tingles down her spine. “You could say whatever you want to from where you were standing. There is no need to be this close.”
“I wanted you to hear it very well.” Kane whispered, and Ariel fought the urge to fan herself. Has the room always been this hot? “She is nothing compared to you, Ariel. You will always be number one to me.” He continued in that voice that made her want to submit to him. She wanted nothing more than for him to touch her, to have his wicked ways with her.
And Kane seems to want the same thing because his hands were resting on her waist and they were slid in place, but his eyes widened ever so slightly, and he was removing his hands so fast as if they were burned, and he took a few steps away from her.
“Kane.” Ariel whined, her voice conveying her want, but the moment was already lost, and Kane’s face was as blank as white paper.
“You were going to say something?”
“Kane?” Ariel tried again, taking a step towards him, but he brought his hands out in a bid to stop her, and all she could see was the moment in their room when she was telling him that he had touched her against her will and she wanted to bury herself.
“You must have a reason for dragging me up here. Just say what you want to say and make it snappy; I will be having a meeting soon.” He glanced at his wristwatch before raising his eyes to meet her.
“Yea.” Ariel swallowed the painful lump that had lodged in her throat, but she nodded her head—she deserved it. “I wanted to apologize for what happened the other day. I was out of my mind, and I accused you of something that was never there. Please forgive me.” She lowered her head as she begged for his forgiveness, hoping he still had to give her.
However, the room remained silent, except for the ticking of the clock hand, and Ariel looked up to meet his gaze, his eyes burning her to the spot.
“I don’t think you are Ariel; you still hate me for killing your parents, and I can tell you don’t believe my words.”
“No, I—”
“You only came.” Kane interrupted her before she could say anything, “because you missed me, and I am not going to accept that.”
“I can wait forever for you if that is what you want, but when you are ready, I want you to be truly ready, and nothing should hold you back. Else, I am afraid there will only be a repeat of last time.”
“No, last time was just my fear talking.” Ariel's voice croaked as she began to speak. “Kane, I know you would never harm me, and it was foolish for me to say that.”
“But you did.” She flinched as if his words had lashed her, and she gently shook her head.
“I am sorry, Kane. Please, we could work something together. We could talk about it or even visit a therapist, but I need you to be close. The bed is empty without you; I am empty without you.” Ariel pleaded, the word rushing out of her mouth without any thought, but from the scowl on his face, she doubted her words were having any effect on him.
A shrill ring disrupted the still air, and Ariel tensed. She watched as Kane went towards the table to get his phone, and he gave her a look before he connected the call.
And she knew there was nothing she could do again.
She stood for a moment, waiting to see if the call was going to be a short one, but he switched to his laptop, and several minutes had passed, but he didn’t seem to stop, nor did he spare a glance at her.
And she knew it was a lost cause.
Ariel dragged her legs towards the door and let herself out, taking with her her shame.