Melody
Chapter sixty-three
The rest of our party was a blur of faces and congratulations. Dad finally made his way back inside for our father-daughter dance. He kept asking me if everything was okay, and it warmed my heart to know he was so worried about me.
Kaden led me out to his car after everything wrapped up, our fingers intertwined as he opened the passenger door for me.
I guess the mental overload finally cracked me, because before I knew it, I was leaning against the window, my eyes closed as sleep beckoned.
The rocking of the vehicle is distant in my dreams as I slumber.
Everything stops at once, and I don’t have the strength to open my eyes before Kaden tugs me away from the window, and my head rolls on the seat’s rest. I groan, but he shushes me before his door opens.
There’s silence as he rounds the car before he pulls my door open and gently scoops me up bridal style.
My head lolls, resting on his chest as his scent washes over me. I can’t help but bunch up his shirt in my fist as he carries me into his home. I’ve never seen where he lives, but I’m not in a state to let my curiosity win. Not right now.
Everything around me is muted—the sounds of Kaden turning a key in a lock, his dress shoes scuffing over the threshold, and the quiet of the settling home.
“Another custom down,” he mutters in amusement against my temple. “Carrying my bride through the door.”
“Mhmm,” I hum tiredly.
He brings me up a flight of stairs before opening another door.
As he rests me on the edge of the bed, he gingerly helps me out of my dress.
I finally blink my eyes open, thrown off by the grand bedroom.
There’s a fireplace on the farthest end, resting cold.
It’s pretty bare, as if he’s just moved in.
The only thing that seems to be used is the massive king-size bed beneath me.
The posters almost touch the ceiling, thick oak that reaches upwards and towers over us.
The duvet beneath me is soft and plush, and I melt into it as Kaden lifts my dress above my head.
He lays me back, taking great care as he pulls the covers over me before undressing himself. He tosses his suit aside, leaving it in a pile on the floor with my wedding gown as he slides in behind me and wraps an arm around my waist before tugging me into his lap.
I’m so weighed down with sleep that I don’t even care that I’m practically naked against him. All I want is to close my eyes.
“Goodnight, Sunny,” Kaden whispers as he kisses my cheek.
Sleep tugs me under so quickly that I don’t even respond.
I’m awake before the sun even rises, my eyes popping open as everything rushes to me at once—the wedding, making it to my new home, and Kaden tucking me in.
He’s still asleep at my back, sticking to me as if he’s afraid to let me go.
He’s always been a heavy sleeper when it comes to us.
It was always as if he hadn’t known a good night’s rest until those few shared months we stole years ago.
The bags around his eyes slowly began to vanish, taking the heaviness that always weighed him down.
I wonder if it’ll be the same?
Will he start getting better as time goes on?
Am I going to allow myself to keep sleeping beside him?
Of course I am. Especially if it helps. I’m soft that way. I can’t deny him something that he seems to need more than he’s willing to admit.
But right now?
It’s time for revenge.
I’ve let my anger take a backseat, simmering in the recesses of my mind while I enjoyed our night. I allowed us to have that, but that’s as far as my kindness extends.
He went about this the wrong way, and I’m going to make that abundantly clear. I began my plan last night after getting up to use the bathroom, and I found something very intriguing just lying around. Kaden didn’t even rise as I fastened it tightly around his ankle and then slid back into bed.
I peel his arm off my waist, careful not to rustle him as I make my exit. My plan seems easy enough until I realize that I have no clothes here. With a huff, I pad into the wide walk-in closet, only to stop the moment I take in the clearly divided space.
To my right, Kaden’s clothes are neat and hung up, with his shoes resting on the floor. On the left…
Miles of sundresses, cute outfits, heels, and purses are overcrowding the space. It’s all new and pristine, as if he were only waiting for me to come home.
My mouth gapes in shock as I run my hand over a white dress with floral patterns. It’s elegant while still being casual, and I can’t help my excitement as I pull it from the hanger and get dressed for the day.
As I leave our room, I don’t close the door to make sure it doesn’t wake him, as I finally get to take in the home my stepbrother made for us.
It’s lavish, with thick plush carpet on the upper floor.
There are a few other rooms that I poke my head into, only to find that they’re completely empty.
The only one that seems to be occupied is a small office at the end of the hallway.
There’s a desk with a computer sitting on it, but that’s it.
Did he just purchase this place?
I take the stairs, thrown for a moment when I find the cozy living room adorned with houseplants and fresh flowers.
The L-shaped sofa is white and wraps around the cozy space, while a vintage coffee table rests on the floor in front of the flat-screen.
The kitchen is an open layout, with a fridge big enough to feed an army and a farmhouse sink that’s deep enough to hold more dishes than we could ever dirty.
A crystal chandelier hangs over the island, glistening with the morning sun that’s slowly beginning to rise outside the kitchen window.
This house is beautiful.
Fuck, he makes it hard for me to hate this place.
I shake my head as I catch sight of the coffee maker on the counter. A conniving smile tugs at my lips as I retrieve the coffee grinds from the cabinet above. I make us both a cup, filling the kitchen with the scent of fresh beans as I open the stocked fridge.
I deadpan at my liquid creamer. Something in me told me he would have it, and I was right. I snatch it, stomping back to the coffee pot before I make my cup. Once my concoction is mixed, I begin my search for the key ingredient of Kaden’s drink.
Above the stove, I find it. Salt.
Kaden doesn’t take anything in his morning coffee, but that changes today. I add a pinch, not enough to make it noticeable at first, but enough to wake him up before I grab both mugs and happily skip back up the stairs.
As I creep in, Kaden has turned on his back, his arm slung across the spot I once resided in as if searching for me in his sleep. His mouth is open as he snores, and I snort at the scene before silently scolding myself.
I shouldn’t find him funny. He forced me to marry him. Get it together, Melody.
I set his mug down on the nightstand, sweeping over to the curtains as my eyes trail over his bare chest. My name tattooed on his heart makes me pause for a moment, as those bittersweet memories resurface.
It looks like it’s been refreshed over the years with thick ink layered on top.
He’s taken care of that piece, and I have to shake myself out of the sappy feeling that washes over me.
I grab the curtain, yanking it back as the rising sun slants into the room, hitting right across Kaden’s closed eyes. “Rise and shine!” I sing loudly, leaning against the wall as I cross my ankles and sip my coffee.
His reaction is priceless. His eyes have barely fluttered open before his upper body rises like a mummy from the dead. He slaps a hand over my bare spot beside him, smacking his lips as he digs the heel of his other hand into his eye.
“Good morning…” he mutters, his voice rough.
“Coffee is on the nightstand.” I muse.
He groans as he reaches for it, his hard muscles flexing beneath his skin. I take a slow sip of my drink, my eyes soaking in every delicious inch of him shamelessly. We’re married. I can eye fuck him all I want.
Kaden lifts the mug to his mouth, and I hide my smile as he takes a slow sip. He pauses, his brow furrowing as the gears in his head spin. He takes another testing drink, his face pinching.
“Is something wrong?” I ask innocently, tilting my head.
He blinks before taking another sip. “I don’t think so…” He clears his throat before his eyes trail to me. Something shines in them—suspicion. “Thank you for the coffee, baby.”
He’s unsure, but he knows something is different. Psychological warfare.
“You’re welcome, dearest.” My eyes crinkle as I give him a tight smile.
Kaden pats the bed beside him. “Come here so I can see my beautiful wife.”
“You look with your eyes. Not your hands,” I quip.
He snorts. “Is this your act of revenge? Make sure I can’t touch what belongs to me? I hate to break it to you, Sunny, but I’ll do it whether you want me to or not.”
“Oh?” My brows rise. “What? Are you just going to drug me again?”
“Yes—” His head swivels to me, his eyes wide. “Wait, you knew about that?”
My lips purse. “I know everything.”
“Huh,” he mumbles as he scratches at the back of his neck. “If you knew about it, why didn’t you say anything?”
“Because,” I smile, stepping closer. “I wanted you to think you were in control.”
His jaw tightens. “I am in control.”
I glance down at the bed. “Are you?”
He shifts, and there’s a metallic click. He yanks the covers aside to reveal his ankle, which I handcuffed to the bed. His eyes widen as his head slowly turns to me. “Melody—”
I pad closer to him, booping his nose before I crouch down. “You really shouldn’t leave things like that just lying around. Anyone could use them against you.”
His eyes narrow. “And what exactly is your plan, wife?”
I hum as I skip over to the dresser and snatch his wallet and car keys. “It’s simple, really. I get a full day of retail therapy at your expense.”
His head tilts as he sets his coffee on the nightstand and rests back on his hands. “And you needed to cuff me for that? What’s mine is yours. No handcuffs required.”
A smirk tugs at my lips. “I know I didn’t need to cuff you to spend your money, but it’s payback. Be a good boy until I get back.”
My husband’s eyes darken. “Don’t expect to come home to your spoils. Choices have consequences, pretty girl.”
I pause at the threat in his tone, almost backing down because he’s bleeding conviction and truth. He’s definitely going to have something waiting for me when I get home, and I hate to admit it, but I’m a little excited…
I like being punished by him. It’s one of the lingering side effects of our shared connection from long ago. It has my body thrumming as I walk closer, lean over the bed, and press my lips to his sweetly.
He takes charge, curling his hand into my hair as he pulls me tighter and deepens our kiss. His mouth is hot and possessive as his tongue traces the seam of my lips, and I grant him access. It’s stupid of me, but I can’t help it.
We become sloppy, desire, and lust, mixing like gasoline and fire as we taste each other. When we pull away, I’m dazed, and my eyes are foggy as Kaden nips at my bottom lip harshly.
“Grab my phone. You aren’t going alone.” He commands.
I blink back my haze. “Alone? Why does someone have to go with me?”
He brushes my hair out of my face before tucking it behind my ear. “Someone needs to watch after you. If I can’t be there, then I would prefer someone I trust.”
It’s achingly sweet. He’s worried about my safety, and that makes me feel things I know I shouldn’t give in to so easily. But I retrieve his phone, hand it to him as he unlocks the screen and dials a number.
The person picks up on the second ring, and Kaden speaks. “Morning, Sergey. Quick question. Can you accompany my wife this morning for her revenge shopping spree? I’m currently cuffed to my bed and can’t move.”
The man on the other end gives a booming laugh that fills our room. It makes my lips twitch as Kaden deadpans.
“I’ll be there in twenty,” Sergey guffaws before hanging up.
Kaden lowers his device. “I’m never going to hear the end of this.”
“Payback,” I shrug.
His eyes, amused and creased, shift up to me. “Enjoy what freedom you have left…”
I stop, my mirth dying a quick death as I swallow. “What do you mean?”
Kaden leans back cockily, his arms extending out behind him. “You’ll see.”