Chapter 10
CAIDEN
S elene made good on her bet and allowed me to make her come using my mouth and fingers until she begged me to stop. We passed out each other’s arms after. Her alarm became my number one nemesis when it woke us up.
“I’m exhausted and sore,” Selene says with a groan, stretching her arms and wings wide.
“I just don’t want to get out of this bed.” A yawn escapes me, and I rush to cover my mouth so she doesn’t smell my morning breath.
She lifts a brow, a small smile on her lips. “Did you enjoy yourself last night?”
“Immensely.”
“Good.” Her smiles falters as she begins to chew her bottom lip.
I sit up in bed and plant a kiss on her shoulder. “What’s wrong?”
She sighs. “My anxieties are getting the best of me right now.”
“Wha—” but my question is interrupted by the growl of my stomach.
Selene’s eyes widen. “Are you hungry?”
My face and neck heat. “I guess so. I haven’t eaten since before the show.”
“Oh my!” She scrambles out of bed. “We need to fix this immediately.”
“Don’t trouble yourself.” I stand to follow her.
“Don’t be silly, Caiden. We both need to eat.”
I follow her to the kitchen. “If you insist. But let me help.”
“You want to help me cook?”
“Of course.”
I hold my breath, awaiting her answer. Victoria never wanted to help me in the kitchen. Not that I minded, I enjoy taking care of my partner. But I love how romantic it is to cook with someone else, even if it’s something as simple as breakfast.
Her face softens. “Alright. How does pancakes, scrambled eggs, fruit, and avocado toast sound?”
“Do you have salsa?” I ask, perking up.
“Yes.”
“Perfect. I’m in.”
Selene begins placing all the ingredients on the counter while I rummage through her cabinets for pans and cooking utensils. Thankfully, she has everything organized exactly how I would have it. Yet another sign that we’re meant to be together.
We agree that she’ll start the pancake batter while I handle slicing the fruit and avocado. Once we’re in the groove, I steal at glance at Selene. Her face is content, the corners of lips lifted into small smile as she cracks eggs into a bowl. The late morning light streams in through the kitchen window, glinting off her dark hair and white fuzz, making her look like an otherworldly angel.
I hate to shatter the moment, but we need to talk about why she’s anxious. “So,” I say, clearing my throat. “Do you want to talk about what’s bothering you?”
She stops mixing the batter, but her hand begins to tremble as she sucks in a shaky breath. “I’m scared.”
“Of what?” I pause my slicing of strawberries to rest a hand on her shoulder.
“That this is all too good to be true.” Selene begins to furiously mix the batter again. “That the other shoe will drop at any moment.”
“What do you mean?” I step back, giving her space to speak, even if it breaks my heart that she’s worked herself into such an anxious frenzy.
“All I’ve ever wanted was to be someone fortunate enough to share my art with the world. And now that I have it, all I want is to share that success with you.”
“And what’s wrong with that?” I ask, cocking my head.
Selene wets her fingers in the sink then flicks them onto the pan, nodding when it sizzles. “Why do I think I deserve that? Who has both a successful art career and their fated mate by their side?”
I wait for her to pour the first few dollops of batter into the pan before answering. “I’m sure plenty of people have both. But let’s talk about why you think you don’t deserve happiness.”
Her brow furrows as she glares down at the firming pancake batter. “It’s just a weird thing I’m always battling with myself. Thanks to therapy, I know it’s illogical and I have the tools to combat it. But sometimes, like now, my anxiety is getting the upper hand.”
“Thank you for sharing that with me,” I say as I pull the pit out of an avocado. “It makes me feel less alone about my own insecurities.”
“You have insecurities?” Selene flips the pancakes.
“I do. I was previously married and it did a real number on me. My ex-wife wanted me to change who I am, but I refused. How could I be someone I’m not? She made me feel like I wasn’t good enough. And even now, after the amazing night we had together, I still can’t help but wonder what you see in me.”
Selene nibbles her bottom lip, her eyes shining as if she’s on the verge of tears. “But you’re amazing. I would think that even if we weren’t paired by Kismeet.”
“And I think you deserve to be happy with both a successful career and someone to share it with.”
She dishes the pancakes out of the pan and plops them on a plate. They’re perfectly round and golden brown. Her dazzling smile has returned. “Let’s make a promise.”
“What’s that?”
“That whenever we have these insecurities, we speak up and tell each other.”
I set down my knife and hold out my pinky finger. “I swear that whenever I feel insecure, I will talk to you about it.”
She hooks her pinky through mine. “And I promise to do the same.”
“Good.” I release her pinky and pull her in for kiss.
The fire that burns whenever we kiss has cooled a little, as if satisfied we’ve been in such close proximity, but it’s still there, smoldering, waiting to reignite. I try to keep the kiss as chaste as possible since we’re in the middle of breakfast, but I can’t help sliding my tongue over the seam of her mouth.
Selene giggles and pulls away. “As much as I would love to have you for breakfast, it’s not exactly going to provide either of us with the energy we need to get through the day.”
“Fine,” I say with a playful eyeroll. “But I expect dessert after breakfast.”
“As if pancakes and fruit aren’t sweet enough.”
“Nothing is as sweet as you, Selene.”
I hate that I have to go home, but I have to return to work. Andre was kind enough to let me take last night off to go to the opening night of Selene’s show, but it’s time to get back to reality. Besides, I look forward to seeing how she will fit into my life.
“I’ll miss you,” Selene says, holding me tight against her.
I kiss the top of her head between her antennae. “I’ll miss you too. But maybe we can meet for breakfast once I’m off work?”
She bounces up and down in excitement. “Yes! Same Waffle House?”
“Sounds good to me,” I answer with a smile. I love her enthusiasm.
Our lips meet in a lingering kiss goodbye, and I reluctantly pull away. As I walk to my car, my heart squeezes. Every step I take farther away from her feels wrong. I can’t wait to be back in her arms, but duty calls. Also, I have a little surprise in store for Selene.
Before heading home, I swing by Shadow and Light Gallery. Selene’s succubus sculpture would look amazing in my home. I don’t know where I would put it yet, but I know it belongs with me. Thankfully, the gallery is open and as I walk through the doors, I’m greeted by Frederick.
“Ah! Caiden!” He rushes to me and shakes my hand. “Nice to see you again.”
I smile at him, genuinely happy to get the opportunity to talk to him again. “How are you doing, man?”
“Excited for the second night of the show.” He beams at me. “We got glowing reviews. Does Selene know yet?”
“That’s awesome! And she doesn’t know yet as far as I know.”
Fredericks wrings his hands. “Is it okay if I’m the one to tell her?”
“Of course. My lips are sealed.”
His goat ears perk up. “Perfect! Now, what can I help you with?”
“I’m here to purchase a piece from Selene. It’s a surprise, so don’t tell her I purchased it.”
“Oh really?” Frederick walks behind the front desk and picks up a clipboard and pen. “Which one?”
“The succubus.”
He nods. “Good choice. I just need you to fill out this form and sign it.”
I take the form, read the fine print carefully, and fill it out. “Here,” I say, handing back the clipboard once I’m finished.
“Excellent. She will be so ex?—”
“What are you doing here?” a harsh voice snaps from my right.
Frederick’s eyes widen and I turn around to see who rudely interrupted.
My jaw drops. It’s The Asshole from the club and based on the venom in his glare, he’s pissed I’m here.
“Don’t make me repeat my question,” he spits.
I close my mouth and narrow my eyes. “I’m here to purchase a piece. Not that it’s any of your business.”
He lifts a brow. “It is my business actually. I own this gallery.”
Once again, my jaw goes slack. Oh shit. “Seriously?”
“Yes.” He crosses his arms over his chest. “The name’s Sebastian Johnson, in case you didn’t know.”
I recover from my shock. There’s no way I’m letting him get the best of me. “I didn’t. I don’t bother to learn the names of assholes.”
Frederick gasps. “What’s going on here?”
Sebastian’s eyes narrow and his lips twist as if he’s swallowed a lemon. “Get the fuck out of my gallery.”
“Sir!” Frederick’s hands fly to his mouth as his eyes dart between me and Sebastian.
Not taking his venomous gaze off me, Sebastian stomps to Frederick and snatches the clipboard out of his hands. He reads over the form, his brows rising. “You were Selene’s date weren’t you?”
The nod I offer him is hesitant. “Why does that matter?”
Sebastian takes the form I filled out off the clipboard. Holding eye contact with me, he rips the paper in half. “Get out.”
“But sir,” Frederick interjects, “he’s a paying customer.”
“I don’t care,” Sebastian spits, turning to Frederick. “He’s not welcome in my gallery.”
I clench my fists, trying to not to lose my cool. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”
“I’m not,” he replies, his tone clipped. “I don’t want your business. Now get out before I call security.”
I hold up my hands in surrender. “Fine.” I turn and begin walking toward the doors. “I’m leaving.”
Just before I’m about to exit, I turn back to him. “How’s your eye by the way?”
Sebastian releases a frustrated roar. “Fuck y?—”
But I’m already out the door.
I hold my breath until I’m in my car. The release is shaky as my adrenaline is pumping. What the fuck? The Asshole from the club is the owner of Shadow and Light Gallery?
This can’t be good. Selene needs to know the kind of guy she’s working with, but I can’t tell her over text. No. I’ll have to wait and tell her in person.