Chapter 24 CHAPTER 24
My feet paused at Naomi's window, a sudden tension crawling into my veins.
“Having second thoughts?” She asked, smiling gently at me.
I shook my head quickly.
“I'll call you.”
“You better.”
I walked towards Kane’s car, his headlights bright as I got to the passenger side.
Our eyes met, and his face shifted from bored to a beautiful, loving smile. I opened the door and got in.
“Hi.”
“Sorry I didn't open the door for you, watching you walk towards me gave me a hard on.”
I did a double-take, my mouth agape.
“What? You do things to me, you should know that by now. Are you ready?”
Speechless, I nodded.
I affect him, it's a good thing.
Right?
I shook off the weird feeling I had and focused on singing along with him to the song he put on.
Gradually, the odd feeling faded away and we were genuinely vibing.
When we arrived at the restaurant, the largest one in Nashville, by the way, he insisted on opening the car door for me.
“There you go Princess,” he winked, helping me get down.
“Thank you My Prince,” I blushed but managed to reply and I shivered a bit.
He noticed and draped his coat over me before taking my hand and walking us to where we sat down.
“Here you go,” he pulled the chair back for me and I sat down, feeling special, regal, important.
He sat down opposite me and signalled to a waiter and then took my hand in his.
“I wish I had more free time, we should do this more often.”
“What nineteen-year-old is as busy as you are?”
He laughed heartily.
“Anyone in my position will understand. This large amount of wealth and the people under our care, it's not a job I want to leave for my father alone. And I'll become the leader of our group soon, practice makes perfect baby.”
“I can't wait to see you in your leading element.”
“You'll be the perfect partner, supportive and loving. The dream is beautiful with you by my side.”
I fought the blush that kept ruining my face and cleared my throat.
“Before we start dreaming too far, I need to… discuss something with you,” I began, the tension rising.
“Oh yeah? Talk to me, baby.”
“Naomi said she saw you kissing Cara.”
“Oh come on,” he pulled back, irritated. “Don't tell me you believe everything that girl tells you? Don't you know she's jealous of you?”
“She showed me a picture, Kane.”
“Wait, she took a picture of me? Without my permission?”
My heart rate increased as I realised I might have put the girl in trouble but I don't let it settle.
“That's not the point Kane. I just can't bear to share you with someone else. If you want her, you –”
“Just quit this nonsense Sera. I've told you we're family friends. So what if she kissed me? You want me to make her feel bad? I put her down gently, something I'm sure your fat, ugly and jealous friend failed to tell you!”
“Stop talking about my friend like that, you and I know she's none of those things!”
“I'm sorry baby,” he switched and pulled my hand back in. “All of this is just getting to me. We're lovers, nobody should have any opinion about us. I need you to trust me love, block off all of these naysayers, even your cousins. I'm the only voice you should allow into your head, okay?”
“I'm not sure –”
“That's the only way this will work Sera.”
“Are you breaking up with me?” I gasped, my lips quivering with the feeling of being abandoned.
“What? No. I'm just saying the best way to make me happy is to let me be the man.”
“But I let you –”
“It's not enough! When next she tells you shit, tell her I make you happy and that's all that matters. Don't I make you happy Sera?” He asked, rubbing my hands.
“Y-you do.”
“Then you must stop anyone else from trying to ruin this beautiful thing we have. Where's this damn waiter?!” He growled, literally, I heard the sound from his throat.
“Maybe they're overwhelmed with people?”
And they probably were, the entire hall was full, it's Saturday and the rich people of Nashville were taking their families out.
“They can't be too busy for me!”
I reached forward and massaged his arm. I don't know why I did that, the feeling just came and it made sense. Thankfully it worked, he calmed down.
“My flower,” he whispered, his finger coming up to trace my cheeks. “I'll ruin you in such a beautiful way.”
He has such a way with words. I lean in and he closes the distance, taking my lips in his.
I just wanted the cheek rubs but hey, his breath smells good today so, that's that.
A throat cleared and he doesn't stop kissing me, even though I kept trying to pull back. His hands closed around my neck and he held me in place, kissing my lips thoroughly until the waiter's patience ran out.
“Come back here,” he demanded as the girl made to leave. “You don't get to come when you please and then walk away without taking my order.
“But Alp –”
“Shut it. Take her order.”
I looked at both of them with shaky hands and I ordered what Naomi advised me to get in the restaurant so I wouldn't get an upset stomach.
“Good choice baby, but add a steak to her meal. She needs more meat on those bones.”
I wanted to tell him I've added more muscle and fat recently and my neck has filled up but I kept it to myself.
If he's not seeing it yet, it must not have been enough yet. Besides, he's been really caring and it's been a while since anyone genuinely gave a crap about me.
“Um, I need to go pee,” I said, feeling the pressure increase.
“The restroom is over there Ma'am.”
“Don't worry, I'll take her myself.”
“But sir, it's the female restrooms.”
“Yes. So make sure no one comes there until we come out. You hear me?” He gritted out.
“Are you sure?” I ask, concerned with the decision.
“I'm not letting you go anywhere alone looking like that.”
My heart beat faster but I ignored the signs my body was screaming and I headed to the restroom.
Soon, I feel his presence behind me and I don't know if to feel safe and protected or…
No, that's ridiculous.
I ignore the weird feeling lodged in my throat and go to do my business.
After cleaning up, I went to the sink to wash my hands.
Our eyes met in the mirror and I noticed that in the time between me going to the toilet and out, something had changed.
And I'm about to find out what.