Chapter 12 Chapter Twelve
Kane smirked, leaning back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest as he watched me take another bite. “I’ll take that expression as a compliment,” he said smugly.
I swallowed, narrowing my eyes at him. “Where did you learn to cook like this?”
“A man has to have a few surprises up his sleeve,” he teased, tilting his head slightly. “Besides, I’ve had plenty of time to perfect my skills.”
I arched a brow, unconvinced. “Between your, uh, demanding schedule?”
He chuckled, the deep, velvety sound sending an involuntary shiver down my spine. “I find cooking relaxing. And watching you enjoy my food? That’s even better.”
My heart fluttered, and I quickly looked down, focusing on my meal. I couldn’t afford to get swept away by his charm. Not when reality loomed so close, ready to shatter whatever fantasy I allowed myself to indulge in.
Kane leaned in, his voice dropping to a near whisper. “You’re overthinking again, Nina.”
I stiffened, my grip tightening around the spoon. “Am I not allowed to think?” I shot back, trying to mask the vulnerability creeping into my tone.
“You are,” he said smoothly, brushing his fingers along my wrist, sending a jolt of heat through me. “But not if it’s making you miserable.”
I bit my lip, resisting the urge to lean into his touch. He made it so damn easy to forget. To pretend. And that was dangerous.
I continued eating my food and didn't stop until some of the dishes spread out before me were empty. I rested for a bit and then I couldn't resist having sex again. And I ate again and then had more sex but today, he was amazingly gentle, as if he was scared he'd hurt me. Which, of course, I am grateful for cause I am pregnant, after all.
Kane came inside me once again before pulling out and then he pulled me into his arms. I smiled against his chest, nestling deeper into his embrace—until a sudden knock shattered the moment.
My heart plummets at the thought of my mother and younger sister knocking again, just like yesterday—bursting in uninvited, ready to disrupt my peace. But this time, if they saw Kane sitting in my living room, they wouldn’t just be here to annoy me. They’d be out for my neck.
Panic grips me. I can’t let them see him. If they do...
“I’ll get it,” I say quickly, trying to pull away. “It’s probably my mom. If I open the door, you need to hide. Please.”
But Kane tightens his hold on me, his warmth steadying my racing thoughts. He presses a soft kiss on my forehead.
“Don’t worry. It’s not your mom,” he murmurs. “I’ll get it. Just lie down and wait for me.”
Then he stood up, and his eyes turned cold—so cold it stole the breath from my lungs. I’d never seen that look in his eyes before. A shiver runs down my spine as Kane strides toward the door, his entire demeanor shifting. The warmth he held just moments ago is gone, replaced by an icy resolve that makes my chest tighten.
I push myself up on my elbows, watching him. “Kane…” I whisper, unsure if I should follow him to the door or obey.
He doesn’t look back. Instead, he reaches for the door handle, his jaw clenched. The knock comes again—louder this time.
Kane pulls the door open.
Kane~
I pulled open the door and met his smirking face. My eyes turned cold, the kind of cold that made men flinch—but Kendrick Diamante wasn’t just any man.
He tilted his head, eyes half-lidded, a lazy smirk pulling at his lips like he owned the world. He didn’t even bother to open his eyes fully, just waved a hand like we were old friends and not two men who would slit each other’s throats if given the chance.
"Hey, Kane. What's up?" His voice was smooth and teasing like he was amused just by breathing the same air as me.
I hated that tone. I hated him.
"Cut the bullshit," I snapped. "You’re here because of Miss Carrie, aren’t you?"
Kendrick let out a low, theatrical sigh, running a hand through his jet-black hair. "Still so impatient," he mused, leaning against the doorframe with an ease that set my teeth on edge. "You never change, do you? Not even a little warmth for an old friend?"
I clenched my jaw, fingers twitching at my side. Kendrick Diamante—second best, second most sought after, second highest paid. Always second. He had spent years clawing at my heels, trying to close the gap between us, but it was impossible.
I was better. Stronger.
More feared.
More loved.
Kendrick had everything that a woman 'could' want—sharp features, brown eyes that caught the light just right, and the kind of charm that made them swoon. But I had everything a woman 'needs'. Women drooled over him. But they worshiped me. They melted in my hands, writhed under my touch, and I didn’t even have to try. Including Miss Carie.
And Kendrick? That fact ate him alive.
"Okay, okay." He raised his hands in mock surrender. "I’ll get to the point. It’s exactly as you guessed. Miss Carrie sent me to remind you what happens when you double-cross her." His smirk deepened. "She’s willing to be generous. Come with me now, return to headquarters, and she’ll pretend this little rebellion of yours never happened."
"And if I don’t?"
Kendrick chuckled. "Then she’ll ruin you, Kane. She’ll rip apart everything you’ve built—your empire, your reputation. She’ll make sure you’re nothing but a cautionary tale."
A slow chuckle rumbled in my chest. "I'd love to see her try, but she doesn't need to waste her energy on me. Tell her—I motherfucking quit."
Kendrick stilled for a moment, staring at me in silence. Then, his half-lidded eyes finally opened, a smirk curling at his lips. "Very well, then. I’ll inform the boss."
I didn’t miss the flicker of excitement in his eyes. He was enjoying this. My so-called downfall. A chance to be number 1. Of course, he was overjoyed.
He turned his back to me and took a step forward to leave but paused, “Be careful, your reckless decision can harm the woman curled up inside this house, waiting for you. I don't really care if you die or not but I don't want an innocent woman to be dragged into this.”
Then he left.