Page 119 of Silk Sheets

A reluctant smile tugged on my lips as I thanked Logan, taking the TV remote from him.I guess he was right.

“And Kaden,” I finally said, turning to face him. “I do expect you to make it up to me to the best of your abilities.”

“The best of my abilities?” he repeated after me, and I could hear the faint amusement wrapping around his words.

“Yes,” I crossed my arms over my chest, leaning back as my eyes fell on the TV.

“Anything you want, pretty girl,” he tugged my earlobe with his teeth then kissed my ear. I fought back a smile.

* * *

I must have accidentally fallen asleep because when I peeled my heavy eyelids open, I was lying in bed, staring into darkness.

A yawn slipped from my mouth, and when I positioned my hands on the bed to lift myself, something heavy and warm was sprawled across my back.

I turned my head, seeing a deep in dreamland Kaden beside me.Of course, he carried me to his bed.

Carefully, to not wake him, I slipped his arm off of me and moved it to the space between us. I sat up against the headboard, bringing my knees up to hug them.

Their kiss replayed in my head like a goddamn loop. I wish I could just blink and it would be over.

I know that he didn’t kiss her, and I know that he didn’t intentionally put himself in the position to hurt me, but, he still let her touch him.

He allowed her into his space without hesitation. That simply meant that she still held some sort of power over him, no matter how little it was.

I rested my chin on my knees as goosebumps rose on my bare legs.

I noticed his hand patting the empty space beside him. Still clearly being half asleep, he lifted his head with a deepened scowl.Huh. He even sleeps with a scowl.

His eyes finally landed on me and I sighed, staring down at him.

“Come here,” he lifted the sheets.

With a fleeting pulse, I shook my head. “I’ll just go back to my own room,” I muttered, biting back tears as I climbed out of bed.

“Get back into bed, Dakota,” I heard his voice behind me but I didn’t dare turn around and continued walking. With tears swelling in my tired eyes, I grabbed the door handle.I can’t do this right now.

Right as I opened the door his large hand slammed against it, shutting it again. His large presence behind me forced my body to go completely still. In the silence I could hear his heavy exhale. “I said get back into bed.”

Balling my fists at my side, I whipped around to meet his gaze. “No.”

It must’ve nearly been morning because the sky, although grey, had gotten lighter. I could make out his deep frown, and I was certain the muscle under his right eye twitched.

“Dakota—”

“No, Kaden,” I cut him off. “I can’t keep doing this with you. Yes, you apologised for what happened but that doesn’t change anything because all I know is how you feel about her, but I still don’t even know how you feel aboutme,” my nails dug into my palms. “Do you evenlikeme?” a sarcastic scoff fell from my lips. “Or do you simply tolerate me because of Chase and Logan?”

“Tolerate you?” he repeated as though I was being ridiculous.

“Yes, Kaden,tolerate. You’ve not once opened up to me, admitted your feelings—you haven’t even cracked a goddamn smile.”

A dark emotion burned behind his eyes, and as much as it sparked fear inside of me, I didn’t stop.

“I amnotJosie. And I never will be. So, let’s get one thing clear…” I stepped closer. “I will not let you hurt me, or use me because you can’t get over her. I swear to God, Kaden, I’ll use my safe word as many times as I need to, to keep you away from me.”

His expression softened, a glossy layer covering his eyes and only then did my words hit me.Fuck, that was harsh.

With a subtle single nod, he stepped back and away from me, allowing an eerie coldness to settle between us. I wanted to reach forward, to reach for him, but I didn’t.