Chapter 29
Twenty Nine
Val
Last night was perfect. After Kaden dropped me off at home, the first thing I did was rush to the bathroom so I could see the bruising.
As I hiked up my dress and turned around, I couldn’t help but admire his handiwork.
The shades of red, purple, and yellow spread across each cheek like a beautiful painting on a canvas.
I patted the translucent setting powder into my skin and glanced up at the clock to see how much time I had left before I needed to be at his house.
Tonight, I got to be the one on Kaden’s arm, the one who got to cheer him on and watch in awe as he claimed his award and gave a speech.
Tonight, I got to be proud of the hard work he had put in as a trainer and as the co-owner of the gym with Arlo.
???
Before I knew it, I was standing at his front door, hesitating about walking in unannounced.
Kaden had instructed me to let myself in when I arrived at his place, so I quietly opened the door, and as I closed it I called out, “Hello?” My words echoed in the entryway.
I turned to the side and looked at the sparkling red gown Summer had helped me pick out over video chat.
It was a floor length dress with a deep neckline and a slit went all the way up my thigh, hugging all of my curves.
I had worried it would clash with my hair, but as soon as I put it on I felt like a princess, and suddenly, my hair didn’t matter. I knew Kaden would love it.
In the other room I heard the sound of heels clicking on the floor, and a woman appeared. “Hello? What are you doing here?”
“You must be Isabella.” I pressed my lips together and cleared my throat. “It’s nice to meet you.” I held out my hand in an attempt to be civil. She stared at it for a brief moment before looking back at me.
She gave me one of those fake smiles and proceeded to look me up and down. “And you must be what the cat drug in after I left his pathetic ass.”
Wow, she is not what I expected. Yet, here Isabella was, standing in Kaden’s home, wearing a formal dress that looked more like a slip.
I tried to imagine her and Kaden together, and the more I thought about it, the less I could picture them even beginning to work for as long as they did. But those thoughts didn’t even begin to answer the question floating around in my mind. “So, what are you doing here?”
Isabella laughed. “I’m Kaden’s date, didn’t he tell you?”
I took a step back in shock and flashbacks of our moments together flooded my mind. Valerie St. Clair, will you please go with me to the UFL Banquet?
He had asked me. I wasn’t imagining it. So, why was she standing here in Kaden’s home acting like she was still the head bitch in charge? “Where’s Kaden?” I was going to have to assert myself and the thought made me nervous.
Another smug look crossed her face, and I just wanted to knock it off of her. “He’s in the shower.” She paused. “You know you’re just one of his casual flings? Kaden doesn’t commit.”
Her words stabbed me like a knife, but I couldn’t let her get to me. I had to remain strong and not come across like a jealous girlfriend, or whatever I was. Crap, she’s getting to me. “And he knows you’re here?” I had a hard time believing he invited both of us.
She shrugged, and right on cue, the door to the bedroom creaked open. “Babe, are you here?” Kaden called out.
Isabella didn’t respond. Neither did I. She continued to stand there with an eyebrow raised and a mischievous smirk on her face, like she was silently challenging me to a match in the octagon.
I wonder if he ever trained with her?
Kaden walked through to the entryway where we still stood and saw me first. “Wow, mi amor, you look stun-” He stopped mid-step and stared at Isabella. “What the hell are you doing here?”
He definitely didn’t sound pleased at her presence.
“You asked me to be your date to the banquet. I didn’t want to cancel our plans just because things between us are different now.” She reached up and adjusted his collar for him. A surge of jealousy spread through every inch of my body. I could only imagine I was as red as my dress.
“Stop.” He grabbed her wrists and placed them back down at her side. “You know damn well the minute you walked out the door, your invitation was null and void.”
I had never heard such frustration and confusion mingling in his tone until now. We had only talked about their relationship briefly, but I could tell deep down he was hurt by her leaving and maybe there was still a tiny twinge of pain he hadn’t healed from.
Isabella’s words cut through my thoughts. “I didn’t know you were going to find someone to replace me so quickly.” She glanced at me up and down once more. “I just hope she can wait a few hours before she’s crawling around on her hands and knees for you.”
“Enough.” Kaden’s voice was demanding. “You will not disrespect her. Now leave before I call the cops because you’re trespassing.”
As Isabella stomped out the door, she stopped and glared at me. “It won’t be long before he’s trading you in for a different model.” She huffed and stomped out the door.
She had planned all of this. Every last miniscule aspect. From me finding her in his house, to trying to make me question his loyalty, all to just attempt to break us apart.
But her words cut through me like a whip with rusty nails attached to the ends. If her goal was to make me question where I stood with Kaden, she had succeeded.
Everything between Kaden and I happened so fast. We just sort of slipped into our relationship by submitting my heart, mind, and soul to him.
Never had I questioned what we were; it was just sort of given. Like the trust I put into him to know me better than I knew myself. The trust any submissive gives to her dominant.
Now I was standing there, speechless. Staring past Kaden as he watched out the front door.
Does he want to go after her?
“I am so sorry.” He rushed over to me and wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me into his embrace. “Are you okay? I don’t even know what’s gotten into her, but if she ever comes near you again I’ll-”
I cut him off and looked away. “It’s fine.”
The stern look he gave me was burning through my skin as he placed his finger beneath my chin and pulled it up so I was looking in his eyes.
“You don’t deserve to be treated like anything less than a goddess.
” He smiled. “You’re immaculate, the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.
You’re intelligent. You’re everything a man could ever want and more and I feel sorry for anyone who treats you as less. ” And then he kissed me.
“The crawling on your hands and knees for me is just a benefit of it all.” He winked.
Now I knew my face was as red as my dress. “Thank you.”
His gaze locked on mine as he pulled a small black box out of his pocket and presented me with a gorgeous chain with a dainty red gemstone in it.
“This is a day collar. I thought you might prefer something a little more discreet compared to the other one I’ve given you. I apologize this is how I am giving it to you but I know how important this aspect of our relationship is.”
“And what is our relationship?” The words just slipped out.
Kaden smiled. “I knew she’d get to you.” He cleared his throat. “First and foremost you are my person. My partner in crime. The one whom I think about nonstop. Some may even call you my… girlfriend.”
My eyes lit up. “And then?”
“And then there are the other benefits, too.” He flashed a charming smile.
He knew all the right things to say and I couldn’t help but to feel like it was possible I could love him. In fact, I thought I might already.