Memory
Kaiden didn’t greet me when I arrived for our normal Saturday dinner.
I also noticed that none of the lords were in attendance either. I found him in his study—head clutched by his hands and the room barely lit.
“Kaiden,” I whispered, entering with caution. “Are you alright?”
He grunted as he lifted his head, keeping his eyes squinted. “I’m sorry. I didn’t… I didn’t even realize what day it is…”
As I grew closer, I noticed sweat sticking to the back of his shirt. “Are you sick?” I asked, leaning down and placing a hand to his forehead. His skin felt unnaturally hot to the touch. “Kaiden, you’re burning up.”
“I just need rest,” he groaned. His fingers wrapped around my wrist, tugging me until I fell onto his lap. “And you,” he whispered. “I need you.”
My cheeks blazed as I let his head rest against my chest. “We can relax tonight. I’ll make you some tea.”
“Right,” he breathed, trailing his nose up my blouse to my collarbone. “You smell so good.”
I had to bite my lip through the embarrassment. Though we may have kissed before, this felt far more intimate than anything we had done thus far. “Maybe I should get you something to eat?” I offered, but he gripped my waist tightly, preventing me from moving.
His nose reached my neck, and it sent a shock of heat down my spine.
“Why do you smell so good?” His words came out in an almost snarl, and the moment I felt teeth scrape against my skin, I leapt from this grasp.
“Kaiden!” I squeaked, ashamed of the fire growing within me from what he had just done.
But Kaiden looked… frightened. He ran a hand through his hair and stood abruptly, shoving past me. “I think… I think you should go.”
Go? “Kaiden, it’s fine, I was just—”
“Go!”