Chapter 13 Chapter Thirteen

Chapter 13 Chapter Thirteen
Nina's Pov

Before I knew it, I was back at work, and Kane didn’t bother hiding how pissed he was about it.

At first, he outright refused to let me leave, insisting I needed more rest. He said I didn't need to work and if I wanted anything—anything at all—he could afford it, no matter the cost. I told him I was fine, strong enough to work, but he wouldn’t listen. He was incredibly adamant and relentless in a way that made it nearly impossible to argue.

It took an eternity to leave. An eternity and a bribe—countless kisses and a quick, heated session that left me breathless and shaky. Even then, I had to be smart about it.

Afterward, I took a shower to wash off the strong scent of sex, changed into casual clothes, and made my way to the window—one low enough to the ground that I could climb out without breaking my neck. At least, that was what I thought.

I was already halfway out, one leg over the ledge, when his growl stopped me cold.

“Don’t jump! That ground is way too far for you! You’ll hurt yourself!”

I rolled my eyes. It wasn’t that far, and he was being dramatic.

“Nina, don’t leave this house through the damn window!” His voice was sharper this time, laced with irritation and a hint of warning. “If you want to go so badly, use the door.”

I finally glanced back, just in time to see him struggling into his boxers, his movements rough and urgent, his expression lethal.

Shit.

I jumped.

I hit the ground running, but I barely made it two steps before I heard his low growl cutting through. “You just had to test me, didn’t you?” His voice was rich, dark—dangerous. But it didn't scare me. If anything, it sent a thrill through my veins.

I keep running, my heart pounding—not from fear, but from something far worse. Want. Need. Desires. It was as if I was testing his patience on purpose.

“Go on, run,” he called, his tone laced with amusement. “But you know how this ends, don’t you, Nina?”

I gritted my teeth, ignoring the way heat coiled low in my stomach at his words.

“You disobeyed me,” he continued, his voice dropping into something sinful, wicked. “And, I’m going to punish you for it.”

A shiver rushed down my spine, my fingers curling into fists.

Not because I was scared.

But because I knew a part of me wanted him to catch me.

But Kane knew I’d be back. So he didn’t chase me.

He didn’t have to.

That was the worst part—the way he knew me, the way he understood exactly how long I’d go before I turned around and walked right back into his arms. He didn’t need to hunt me down. He just had to wait.

And that made me hate him and love him.

Almost as much as I wanted him.
.....

The familiar chime of the flower shop’s bell barely finished ringing before Laila shrieked.

"NINA!"

I barely had time to blink before she launched herself at me, arms wrapping around my neck like a human octopus.

"Oh my God! You're back! You abandoned me, you traitor! How dare you—oh my God, wait."

She suddenly gasped mid-hug and grabbed my shoulders, pushing me back at arm’s length. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously.

She squinted, then gasped again, “You're glowing! You look way more beautiful and younger than you looked two weeks ago”

I smiled at her. "Laila, I am pregnan—"

Her scream nearly shattered the flowerpots.

"OH MY GOD, YOU’RE PREGNANT?!"

I groaned. "Can you not announce it to the entire—"

"You’re pregnant," she whispered, grabbing my face. "With whose baby? Who is he? Tell me everything. Is he hot? Rich? Some mystery man with a dark past?"

I sighed, rubbing my temples. "It’s complicated."

Laila gasped dramatically. "IT'S COMPLICATED?! Oh my God. That means there’s a story. Tell me everything."

I hesitated for a moment before mumbling, "His name is Kane."

She nodded. "Kane and then? Tell me everything in detail!"

I inhaled deeply, trying to prepare myself for Laila’s inevitable dramatics. "Okay, fine. I’ll tell you everything. But you have to promise not to scream again."

Laila zipped her lips. "I make no promises."

I rolled my eyes but continued. "It started with this site. DesireMatch."

Her brows shot up. "That sounds... scandalous."

"It’s not just a dating site," I explained. "It’s for people who know exactly what they want—things they can’t find in regular relationships. It matches you based on your deepest desires—fetishes, things you don’t even know how to put into words."

Laila’s eyes practically sparkled. "Holy shit, Nina. This is already sounding like the setup of a dark romance novel."

I sighed. "It wasn’t supposed to be serious. I wasn’t looking for love, just… someone who could take me raw and unprotected, leaving me spent and you know? Pregnant. And then I matched with him. Kane."

Laila leaned in, her curiosity palpable. "And?"

"He was different," I admitted, my fingers absentmindedly brushing my stomach as I traveled through memory lane. "Just a little form I had filled out and Kane… already understood. Every message from him felt like he had read a part of me I hadn’t even figured out myself. He wasn’t pushy, wasn’t crude. Just confident. Calculated. Like he was waiting for me to catch up."

Laila exhaled dramatically. “That’s… disturbingly hot. I’m about to start fanning myself. Keep going."

I crossed my arms, feeling warmth creep up my neck and cheeks. "Then one night, he was right there, standing in front of my door."

Laila's gaze burned into my skin as she stared at me with fascination.

"I met him in person for the first time that night. He was already waiting for me—leaning against my door frame, watching me like he had been expecting me his whole life."

Laila shivered. "What does he look like?"

I closed my eyes, picturing him. "Tall. Broad. Sharp jaw, dark eyes that don’t miss a thing. He moves like he owns the ground he walks on like nothing can touch him unless he allows it."

“Tell me more, does he have brothers? Tell me quickly so I can shoot my shot! If he is as sinfully hot as you're describing, then his brothers would be just as equally hot.” Laila was almost screaming.

I laughed, shaking my head. "I never ask much about his life aside from his 'job.' Kane doesn’t talk about himself either. He listens. Watches. Makes you feel like you’re the only thing in the world that matters to him in that moment."

But I knew it wasn’t true. He probably had more women than I could count, a different one every day. I bit my lip, swallowing the emotional wreck threatening to surface—I didn’t want to dampen the cheerful mood with my sadness.

I kept quiet about the fact that he was never mine, to begin with, and that he’d leave the moment he found out I was pregnant. There was no point in worrying Laila. Thankfully, she wasn’t the type to question or pry. She trusted easily—something that worked in my favor now, though it wasn’t always a good trait to have.

Laila sighed dreamily. "I think I’m in love with your baby daddy."

I groaned. "Laila—"

She gripped my shoulders. "No, listen. This is insane. This is a dark romance in real life. Tell me what happened next. Did he kiss you? Whisper something sinful in your ear?"

I really think she should stop daydreaming. Those books she was always reading are starting to get into her head a little too much, lol.

I bit my lip, remembering. "Hello, Nina. I see you're searching for something real. Something raw. I’m here to make sure you get exactly what you need. Are you ready?" His voice was dark and patient like he already knew what I’d do before I did. Back when I was still unaware of his first name, he was the mysterious D.

"We spent the night together," I admitted. "And then another. And another. I don’t know how it happened, but suddenly, he was a part of my life. Like he had always been there, waiting for me to realize it."

Laila exhaled loudly. "Jesus. And now you’re pregnant with his baby."

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