Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
Isabelle
I sit at the dinner table, feeling like I’ve been transported to an exotic Greek island.
The delicious spread laid out before me looks like something prepped for the gods of Olympus.
There is grilled chicken and vegetable skewers laid out on a platter, oven baked vegetables and fish, minced lamb and pine nuts garnished with feta cheese on slices of courgettes that look like little boats, and a roast beef salad.
I stare at the food mesmerized at first, then in disbelief as it sinks in that Kade prepared it.
“Are you sure you didn’t buy this in from some restaurant?” I ask as he sits next to me at the head of the table.
He looks back at me with raised brows. “What, you seriously don’t think I cooked this?”
“No. I imagine you making toast and maybe some eggs, but that’s as far as it goes.”
He laughs. The sound grips me. It’s a genuine laugh that I haven’t heard before. I’ve seen him smile. I’ve also seen the mocking smirks and menacing grins that make my insides twist with worry, but this is new to me.
“I’m half Greek. We learn to cook at about the same time we learn to walk. Or if you’re from my mother’s family, you learn to cook and fight at the same time, the Spartan way.”
“The Spartan way?” Strangely, I like that.
“My mother’s people claim to be descendants from Sparta, so everything they do is the Spartan way .”
This is the first time he’s ever spoken to me about his family. “That’s very cool.”
He reaches for a chicken skewer and holds it out to me. “Go ahead, try it and tell me what you think.”
I take it from him and bite off the first piece of chicken. I was expecting it to taste similar to the ones I’ve had before, but it doesn’t. This chicken is succulent with a blast of herbs and spices encased in a smoky flavor.
Shock consumes me, and I snap my gaze back to Kade. “Oh my God. This is really good.”
“Told you. Is it the best chicken you’ve ever tasted?”
I wish I could say no to be spiteful, but I can’t. “Yes. Where did you learn to cook like this?”
“My grandparents in Greece. My grandfather was the master chef of the family, but my grandmother was his second-in-command.”
“They sound like a power couple.”
“They were. My grandfather is dead now, but I still go to Thessaloniki every year to visit my grandmother. She always has something new to teach me.”
“That’s great. Sorry about your grandfather.”
A dull look fills his eyes, but there’s something else. Something that snuck in the moment I offered my condolences. It makes me feel like I shouldn’t have said anything.
“Thank you,” he finally says, and the tension coiling in the pit of my stomach loosens. “Eat, don’t let it get cold.”
I give him a small smile, then I polish off the rest of the chicken on the skewer. Kade watches me eat, his gaze focusing keenly on my lips every time I take a bite.
“This is so good.” The food tastes even better the more I eat.
“Glad you like it. Try the other stuff.” He lifts his chin, gesturing to the other delicious-looking dishes which I’m now sure will taste as good as they look.
We serve ourselves a bit of everything, then I dive in. And I’m right. The food does taste amazing. I eat and enjoy it, then I marvel at the mystery of us.
Of all the things I thought I’d be doing tonight, having dinner with Kade wasn’t one of them. I also never imagined sitting around a dinner table with him and not feeling like I should get away as quickly as possible.
My mind is reminding me that I did a reset of my life only a few days ago, and I need to keep my head screwed on. But secretly, this feels nice, and I can’t completely tell myself I’m sitting here to keep the peace.
So many questions still hang in the air and so many unresolved issues that I shouldn’t touch, but the biggest mystery of all is him—Kade.
No matter how hard I try, I can’t figure him out. He’s supposed to hate me because of this thing I did to him, but he’s not acting like he does. The thing is, he never really acted hateful until he wrecked my sculpture. And even then, that just seemed to fan the flames of this wild attraction between us I’ve tried so hard to resist.
Kade finishes before me and sips on a glass of wine. I was watching him out the corner of my eye, but now I fully look at him, and he looks at me, too.
“What is it?” he asks, sounding like we were already in the middle of a conversation.
“This feels weirdly normal.”
“What’s wrong with that?” He searches my eyes.
“We’re not normal.”
He grins back at me. “Missing the monster?”
“No.”
“Still think you know him?”
“I know to avoid him.”
“Maybe I want you to see a different side of him. The side that’s definitely more interesting than Michael .”
“Oh, please, you wouldn’t waste your time like that.”
“Yet here we are, having dinner.”
My cheeks warm when I think of him preparing this exquisite meal with me in mind. “That doesn’t mean anything.”
“I’d beg to differ. A week ago, you would have been out that door before I could ask you to sit with me.”
He’s right, but there are other reasons for my compliance. “A week ago, I didn’t know the new lord chancellor was your godfather.” That’s my clever way of slipping in that I know they’re linked and I’m testing the water to see what he has to say about Parker.
Kade gives me a tight-lipped smile and leans in close enough to brush against my shoulder. “That’s not the only reason you agreed to dinner with me. It might not even be a reason.”
“It is, because I don’t want any more trouble.”
“Maybe so, but let’s not kid ourselves here. You didn’t know he was my godfather when you allowed me to eat you out in the library.” The monster comes back with that wicked grin, and his words send a bolt of arousal through me.
My cheeks burn and my heart skips like rocks over the surface of a river when I think of the unforgettable incident I will never forget.
Kade tries to touch the ends of my ponytail, but I swat his hands away. “Looks like it’s time for me to go.”
He taps his Rolex. “You still have another hour and ten minutes. You’re not going anywhere yet, Lolita.” He leans back in his chair while I fume.
“I’m not going to be your prisoner and sit here listening to you torture me about my mistakes.”
“Except it wasn’t a mistake.” He taunts back with a knowing, arrogant smile. “You don’t make mistakes like that.”
I search my mind for a good comeback. Something good that will shut him down and restore my dignity.
I feel like a fool when I find nothing and realize I can’t come up with an excuse because last week wasn’t a mistake.
“Don’t worry. I don’t make mistakes like that either.” He chews on his bottom lip for a few seconds, then something serious invades his eyes, shifting the lighthearted humor from his expression. “You don’t like him.”
The statement catches me off guard because of the way he changed the subject. "Who are you talking about?” I know who he means, but I’m playing dumb.
“My godfather .”
I’m not sure how he knows that. Maybe he picked up on it at the assembly, but I need to be careful with my answer.
“Why do you think that?” I swallow past the sudden constriction in my throat.
“Just an observation.”
“You must be seeing things.”
He leans onto his elbows and inches closer. “No. I’m not. Why don’t you like him?”
“I never said that.”
“You didn’t have to. You’re the only person so far who’s displayed any dislike toward him. You also seemed awfully shocked when you heard he was going to be the new lord chancellor.”
“I told you I was sick.”
“I don’t believe you.”
I hate that he’s so blatant, so outspoken, and so not afraid to call a person out when he notices something suspicious.
“I was sick,” I insist. “You saw that I almost fainted.”
His eyes narrow, and I hope he buys what I’m saying. “Fair enough, but I sense something more is up with you in regard to him.”
“Maybe I just miss Chancellor Potalov.” He can see I’m still lying, but I keep going. “Your godfather might not like me so much because I torched your bike.”
He straightens and stares back at me, the tension in his expression softening. “If it’s any consolation, he’s a fair man. He’s not going to use his relationship with me to condemn you. I’ve also told him that we’re sorting out our little misunderstanding between us, so he doesn’t have to worry about you.”
Okay … I… wasn’t expecting to hear that. No way did I think he’d basically cushion my visit with Parker. Maybe that might help me. Then I’d just have to deal with my personal demons. “Thanks, even though what happened between us was so much bigger than a little misunderstanding.”
“You’re right. It cost me sixty g’s to buy a new bike.”
“I thought it was fifty.”
“Lolita, bikes like mine go up in price. You’ll see what I mean when I take you for a ride.”
My lips part, and I stare back at him wide-eyed, shaking my head. “I’m not going on that monstrous thing with you.”
“You’re supposed to do what I want, remember?”
“That’s not service. That’s putting my life in danger.” I’ve seen him riding around like a demon, jumping his bikes over hedges and all sorts like they do in extreme sports.
“You’re safe with me. As for service , remember it’s whatever I need you to do for me, so that’s what we’re doing.” He winks at me.
“You are such an asshole.”
“At least I’m not boring.” He’s talking about Michael again.
I realize this is a fight I won’t win. At least I know it’s happening. “When are we going?”
“I’ll surprise you. Anything else you’re worried about in relation to my dear godfather?”
“No.” My secrets will stay locked away in my heart.
He looks like he wants to question me further, but I’m glad when he doesn’t. “Alright. Ready to play some pool?”
“I suck at pool.”
“Then I’ll teach you to get better.” He stands and crooks his finger, beckoning me to follow.
I push to my feet and follow him into the game room.
I’m always impressed by how big his apartment is. There’s enough space for two and some people to live here. Apparently, all the apartments at Erebus are as big as this and look like the penthouse apartments you’d find in the city.
I was told the guys here get apartments this big because they may get married during the course of their studies. However, heirs like Kade would be moved into one of the houses Raventhorn has set aside for married students.
We walk over to the pool table, which takes up the center of the room.
The other week, when I first walked in here, I could tell Kade plays pool a lot. This room was the only area of the apartment that seemed to be in use continuously. I also noticed his math and business books down here. It seemed to be where he studied.
He grabs a cue stick and hands it to me, then he positions the balls on the table. When he picks up his stick, he raises it up like a scepter.
“Ladies first.”
“Shouldn’t you go first so I can see how you play?”
“No. You go first so I can see why you think you suck.”
I roll my eyes at him and decide to get on with it. I level my stick with the cue ball—at least I know that much—then I take my shot.
Like the last time I played pool, the ball bounces up and off the table, then it lands on the floor and rolls toward the wall.
I glance back at Kade over my shoulder. He is biting the inside of his lip. “See, I suck.”
“You do, but there’s nothing I can’t fix.”
His confidence annoys me sometimes, but at other times, like now, I envy him. Kade is almost like Mackenzie in that respect. They have this dominating outlook on life where they think they can take on the world. Whereas people like me just want to be free to live in our own little spaces that we can control.
“How are you going to fix me?”
“Simple.” He retrieves the cue ball and places it back on the table. “Keep your hand like this.”
Kade positions me in front of the table, then guides my fingers over the stick so I’m holding it properly and am more leveled with the cue ball.
“I think I’m still going to suck.”
“Just do what I tell you. All you need to do is keep your eye on the ball and nothing more. You’re thinking too much about hitting the rest of the balls.”
“How do you know that?” He’s right, but I’m curious to know how he guessed.
“I just do, Lolita. Trust me.” The way his voice dips on those last two words seeps into my skin. I glance back at him.
He winks at me. “Take your shot now.”
I look back to the ball and take my shot. As if by magic, when I hit the ball, it shoots across to the others and they scatter when the cue ball smacks into them. The balls shoot out across the table the way they’re supposed to when you play pool, and I even have a few balls go down the holes. That’s the first time I’ve ever gotten so far.
“My gosh.” I look back at Kade, surprised that he was so right.
“See? There’s nothing I can’t fix.” He nods with that alluring cocky arrogance. “Now let’s really play. My turn.”
I bite back a smile, and he cuts me a playful glance. Kade leans over and takes his shot with the skill of a pro. Of course, he has to be good at everything, so I’m not surprised when he clears the remaining balls from the table. They all fly down the holes as if obeying his command.
“Game two.” He smirks.
“Sure.”
Time passes, and we play. I go through the motion, but I’m very aware of how comfortable I’m beginning to feel around him. Maybe this is like getting used to something you’re scared of. If you face it enough times, it grows on you.
Although I think for that to happen, Kade would need to be predictable. He’s nothing of the sort. Tonight proves that.
“Lean in some more and keep you back straight,” he says.
He’s standing behind me, watching me take another shot. This is the best game we’ve played so far, and I’m doing well.
“Like this?” I straighten my back and angle myself the way I think I’m supposed to.
“Bend over a little more.”
I narrow my eyes, but I do bend some more. It feels weird because now it looks like I’ll miss.
“Bend over some more.” His voice drops lower.
I look over my shoulder and frown when I find him staring shamelessly at my ass.
I straighten instantly, but he doesn’t stop looking.
“You know I can still see it, right?” He cocks his head and smiles.
“What is the matter with you? We’re supposed to be playing a game.”
“And we are. Come here.” He sets his cue stick aside and steps forward.
I move away before he grabs me. “Kade.”
“ Isabelle. Come here.” His voice is like a dirty lullaby, designed to make you give in to him.
I can’t. “No.”
“Why?”
“Why do you want me to go to you?”
“I want to touch you.” He follows me around the table.
We must look comical. Especially when I burst into a run. Of course, he catches me. Two large arms swoop around my waist and pull me flush against the steel walls of his chest.
“You do know I’m the quarterback of the team for a reason, right?”
“It’s not to chase me.”
“If you run, I’ll always catch you, Lolita .” He nuzzles his face in the crook of my neck and plants soft kisses against my skin.
It’s too much. And damn my stupid body. It likes his possessive touch and the languid kisses he feeds me.
He turns me to face him, and his lips find mine like they always do. I’m so lost in the fire of his kiss that I don’t even back down. I kiss him back and sink into him when he slips his hand behind my head, lacing his fingers through my hair.
There is no resistance in my body. Not even a little bit.
I want him to touch me everywhere the way he did at the library, and I don’t care about the consequences.
The buzz of my phone snaps us from the haze. It’s my alarm.
The sound of it makes me aware of how late it is. Way past the time I should be here.
“Don’t answer the phone,” he whispers over my lips, keeping me right there so I’m a kiss away.
“It’s my alarm.” I’m supposed to check that I have everything ready for my meeting with Parker.
“Even better. Stay the night.”
My breath hitches, and my mind flips into a tailspin. “I…can’t.”
“You want to.”
“I have to go.”
He smiles. “You know you don’t have to go anywhere. It’s late. You should stay.” His warm breath caresses my skin, luring me to say yes. “There’s plenty of space in my bed, or on top of me.”
Me in his bed.
Me on top of him in his bed.
Him owning every inch of my body in his bed, taking the one thing he can’t give back.
That’s what I see in my head, replaying over and over again. And I crave it. I want nothing more.
The sudden thought hits me like a punch to my gut, and I realize I’m not scared of him anymore. Not the way I used to be. But what I feel now is much worse, because I’m scared of him in other ways I never expected.
I’m scared of how he makes me feel.
I’m scared of feeling anything for him and knowing I’ll be heartbroken when all is said and done. When he’s done with me. Done punishing me. Hurting me.
“I have to go.”
His face hardens, and he stares at me for a few agonizing moments, his eyes stormier than the raging sea in a tempest.
He inches away and releases me. I step back, out of the spell.
“You can’t say no to me forever, Isabelle.”
“I should.”
“But you won’t.” There’s that confidence again.
“You don’t know me.”
“I know everything about you. Remember, I know you liked me first.” He’s not talking about Michael anymore. He’s talking about me from the past. Me in high school. “I walked into school that first day, and you were already looking at me. I saw you with that curious look in your eyes. You were wearing a blue dress with white flowers splashed over it. Your hair was in a ponytail, but you had a hairband around your wrist and another wrapped around the pencil in your hand. On your desk was a copy of the Odyssey . You hid it under the math textbook.”
My nerves scatter, and I suddenly feel weaker than I already did. I want to ask him how he remembers all of that. And… why . I thought I was invisible to him.
“You actually saw me?” My voice is whisper soft, barely there but still there.
“I always see you, Lo..li..ta .”
I press my lips together and look him over, feeling more than stupefied. I’m not sure what to say. The other week, he shocked me when he told me he wanted me and had for three years. But that felt different.
“Good night, Kade. Thanks for dinner. And for teaching me to play pool.” I turn to walk away, taking the easy way out because I don’t know what else to do.
“That cherry between your legs belongs to me.” The eerie calmness in his voice stops me again. “If Michael touches you, I’ll kill him.”
The blood drains from my body, and I look back at him, noting the absolute seriousness on his face. He’s not joking. “You can’t do that.”
“Watch me. No one touches what is mine.” A thin smile slides across his face like a wound, too wide, too forced. It’s the kind of smile that crawls under your skin and wraps icy fingers around your heart.
I was a fool to think I’m not as scared of him as I used to be. I am. And the truth is, I just have more things to worry about now.
“Good night, Isabelle.”
I don’t answer. I just gather my things and leave.