CHAPTER FOURTEEN #2
Not wanting her to take control just yet, Lexi lifted her rounded chin defiantly. Meeting his wild gaze, she squared her shoulders to psyche herself up. Her alter was right, now was not the time to let weakness set in. She couldn’t allow him to think he had any power over her.
“Now what?” she asked, trying to best to harden her voice.
Smirking at his hellcat, Kade lifted his hands and gently cradled her face between his hands.
Bending down slightly, he licked a salty tear from her cheek before moving to claim her mouth in a possessive kiss.
As livid as he was, he wanted her to know that he still desired her with every fiber of his being.
He wouldn’t have gone through all this trouble if he didn’t desperately need her by his side.
Freezing beneath his lips, she tried to process what was happening. Her head was spinning from the mixed signals he continued to throw in her direction. Did he want to fuck her, or did he want to kill her?
Probably both, Nikki snickered. Why don’t you just enjoy the ride while it lasts?
Taking her advice, Lexi gave into her temptation and returned the kiss with fervor; gliding her lips and tongue over his in a delicious game of give and take.
This was the last few minutes they would ever have together, and she wanted to take advantage while it lasted.
As demented as their relationship was, she knew deep down in her soul that she would miss him.
She needed this passionate memory to last her the rest of her days.
Enjoying the moment longer than intended, he reluctantly ended the wanton kiss.
Reminding himself that he still needed to grab the restraints, he pulled away with a sigh and released his hold of her flushed face.
There was nothing he wanted more than to take things further, but they both needed time to forgive one another.
They would have plenty of time to enjoy each other physically once they had cooled down.
“Stay here,” he ordered, stepping away from her and heading towards the staircase leading to the loft.
“Ok,” she whispered.
Taking in a cleansing breath, she pushed the consuming kiss from her mind. Eyeing him as he made his way up the wooden staircase, her stomach dropped in a mixture of excitement and dread. This was her chance to make her move. She wouldn't have much time, she needed to act quickly.
Certain that he was upstairs in the loft, she sprang into action.
Racing towards the kitchen as fast as she could, she kept her thoughts intently focused on finding the weapon that would give her freedom.
Running to the corner cabinet, she quickly located the hidden drawer.
Pausing a moment to look over her shoulder, she yanked on the metal pull.
Glancing back to the drawer, her eyes widened in shock as she realized that it was completely bare.
Not a single steak knife to be found.
“No!” she whispered, her heart plummeting to the floor. “No, no, no!”
Well, there goes that idea . He’s a smart son of a bitch, I gotta hand it to him.
Stammering as her adrenaline spiked through her veins, Lexi stood dumbfounded over the sudden turn of events. The drawer had been filled with knives only the night before, where the fuck had they gone? She hadn’t imagined them. No, they were right there.
Instantly panicking, she began to tear through the neighboring drawers. Opening them as fast as she could, she silently cursed herself as she took stock of the harmless kitchen utensils. Rusty whisks and plastic measuring spoons wouldn’t take him down.
She was absolutely fucked.
“No!” she squeaked. “This isn’t happening... this isn’t hap—"
“Looking for something, Alexandria?” Kade interrupted, silently stepping behind her.
Whipping around on her bare heels, Lexi held out her hands in a protective measure. He had completely caught her off guard. She knew she was in danger, but it wasn’t until she registered the feral look on his face that it really began to sink in.
He was going to kill her.
“Looking for the knives, huh? Yeah. About those,” he said, invading her personal space.
“You see, I knew that you had found them last night. So, while you were in the bathroom getting dressed this morning, I got rid of them. I was hoping you wouldn't be stupid enough to go back for them, but once again, you’ve disappointed me, Sweetheart.”
Opening her mouth to respond, she was silenced as he slammed his hands down on the linoleum countertop. Jumping in fear, she whimpered as he used his arms to cage her against the old cabinets.
“You have failed every test I have given you, Lexi,” he seethed, leaning his face so close that his nose nearly touched hers.
“Every single one. Our first kiss in the bunker...the cell phone...trying to escape at the diner...the knives. I gave you so many fucking chances and you failed them all. What am I to do with you, huh?”
A cold shiver ran down her spine as her body poised for fight or flight.
She had severely underestimated her captor.
Of course he would test her, why didn’t she think he would?
Because of her hubris, she was now staring at a snarling wolf on the verge of snapping.
There was no way she could overpower him physically; she was completely outmatched.
“I’m...I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I didn’t mean--”
“You’re sorry?” he interrupted, lifting his hands to roughly grip around her upper arms and giving her a hard shake. “YOU’RE SORRY? WELL THAT FUCKING DOESN’T CUT IT FOR ME!”
Let me out, Nikki growled. I promise to let you back in as soon as he’s dead. I promise, just let me out!
Not trusting her to keep her promise, Lexi struggled against Kade’s hold. Glancing around the space, she frantically tried to find something of use. She was just as capable of murder as the voice in her head. She could take her abductor down.
No. She would take him down.
“Please...I won’t try to run away again...I’m yours...I’ll...I’ll do whatever you want me to!” she pleaded, trying to distract him from the object she noticed from the corner of her right eye. “Please... I love you!”
Raking his livid gaze over her terrified face, Kade softened from her heartfelt confession. She was a liability, and would always remain one, but he couldn’t envision a life without her by his side. She truly seemed remorseful, perhaps he could let her live. Yes. He had to let her live.
“You do?” he asked, his voice strangled and gruff.
Nodding her head, she swallowed the bile rising in her throat. She was instantly disgusted with herself. The phrase may have slipped out in desperation, but it was the ugly truth.
“Yeah, I do,” she replied breathlessly. “I do love you, Kade.”
Closing his eyes, he smiled to himself. Relaxing his broad shoulders, he pushed out a long sigh. Relief flooded his muscles as he soaked in the knowledge that his plan had worked. He knew she would fall in love with him.
“God, I’ve waited so long to hear you say that,” he said.
“You have?” she asked.
Lifting his eyelids, he quirked his mouth into a cocky smirk. He could see disappointment forming over her face, he was sure she was expecting him to tell her that he loved her, too. She would have to wait just a bit longer for that.
“Yeah, but it was worth the wait,” he admitted. “I’m so excited for our future, Lexi. We are going to be so great together.”
Locking her eyes on his, Lexi wrestled with her racing thoughts.
Straightening her posture, she forced herself to ignore the part of her that wanted to cave.
At the end of the day, it didn’t matter how she felt for him.
They weren’t meant to be, and she would be a fool if she let this opportunity pass her by.
“I’m excited too,” she lied.
“That makes me happy to know, Sweetheart,” he said, releasing his hold ever so slightly. “So very happy.”
Feeling his tight grip easing around her arms, she seized the moment.
Gritting her teeth, she called upon all the anger she had harbored since her abduction.
Pushing out an animalistic growl, she gave into her rage and lifted her knee as high and fast as she could.
In a split second, the flat plane of her toned thigh landed squarely between his spread legs.
Freezing in place, the air was knocked from his lungs as his mind registered the acute pain radiating from his groin.
Letting out a strangled groan, his large form buckled.
Releasing her arms, he doubled over in a mixture of shock and panic.
Time seemed to stop for the dangerous monster.
Nothing felt real. It was as if he was experiencing some sort of disordered nightmare. How fucking dare she.
Screaming out an obscenity, Lexi continued with her assault. Pulling back her balled fist, she released every single bit of her frustration.
With bewilderment dancing across his masculine features, Kade watched in stunned silence as she threw her fist into his jaw with enough power to make him see stars.
Unable to react in time to defend himself, he felt her bony knuckles contact his face for a second time.
This punch breaking the flesh covering his left cheekbone and effectively subduing him.
Screaming like an unhinged creature, she wiggled her naked body away from him as he dropped to his knees.
Lunging to her right, she reached for the dense object sitting on the stove.
Wrapping her hand around its metal handle, she lifted the iron tea kettle from the burner and swung it wildly.
With a horrid “crack,” the teapot crashed against her captor’s temple, easily splitting his skin and fracturing his skull.