Chapter 30 Evelyn
THIRTY
EVELYN
I sat in my living room as the sun was going down, scrolling through shows and movies on Netflix, knowing that I would end up watching reruns of New Girl.
My anxiety was in overdrive, my brain replaying the conversation with my mom over and over again.
I hadn’t touched my phone all day even though I’d heard the notifications come through.
I was so hyperfixated on trying to come up with a rescue plan for my mother that I didn’t hear the buzzer to my apartment ring.
When the sound penetrated my racing thoughts, I walked up to the intercom panel. “Hello?” My voice sounded hoarse.
“It’s me, can I come up?” Kade’s melodious voice came through the speaker, making my eyes bulge in surprise. I buzzed him in as I grabbed my phone to see I had three missed calls and ten text messages.
Kade Romano:
Hi beautiful
Kade Romano:
Can I see you tonight?
Kade Romano:
I’m sorry I’ve been MIA. Had some work stuff I needed to deal with.
Kade Romano:
Princess, please answer me.
Kade Romano:
Evelyn, it’s been two hours since my last text. Are you okay?
Kade Romano:
Ok… now I’m really worried.
Kade Romano:
If I don’t hear from you in the next half hour I’m coming over.
Kade Romano:
I’m coming over and I have stuff to make dinner. Can I get something back to know you are okay??????
Kade Romano:
Well I’m here. I will break down the door if needed
I slapped my hand on my face and wiped it down. Fuck. I was really out of it to miss that much from him. I heard a knock on the door and opened it to a very worried-looking Kade.
He was delicious in dark jeans, loafers, and a gray quarter-zip sweater.
He dropped the bags he had in his hands and scooped me up into his arms. His relief was palpable as he buried his head in my neck.
“I was so worried. Are you okay?” His voice was muffled.
His embrace was everything I needed. Immediately the tension and anxiety seemed to drain from my body as soon as I was in his arms.
“I am now,” I whispered.
He drew back and glanced me over, searching for injuries or a clue on what was going on.
I waved him in. “Come in, I promise I will be fine. Just family stuff. But I don’t want to talk about it.”
He nodded his head in understanding before grabbing the grocery bags and walking into the apartment. After leaving his shoes near the door he gazed around my apartment. I moved from one foot to another while chewing on my thumbnail.
“Welcome to my home,” I said awkwardly. My apartment was definitely not as nice as the luxury he was used to.
Kade dropped the bags on the island and gave me a smile. “I like it, it’s cute. Just like you.”
I rolled my eyes. “Ya, ya,” I teased. I took a step and paused to glance down at myself and was mortified. I was in a stained t-shirt, yoga shorts, no makeup, and my hair was up in some sort of a clusterfuck of a bun.
“Don’t you dare change.” He pointed his finger at me as if reading my mind.
I gave him a stunned expression. “How… I … what?”
He smirked at my fluster and curled his index finger in a come here motion.
I obeyed and walked over to him where he picked me up and sat me on the island. Squealing as the cold stone of the countertop hit my exposed thighs I looked down at the bags. “What are we making?”
Kade kissed my temple. “Pizza.”
I moaned at the sound of comfort food. Kade’s hands tensed around my hips. “None of those noises now. Later, yes, but now we are cooking.”
I giggled and gave him a quick salute before hopping off the counter.
Kade helped mix up the pizza dough, his hands guiding mine as we kneaded the dough.
I’d never realized how sensual pizza-making could be.
I watched his forearms as he pushed the dough out.
His muscles bulged at the movement. We picked up the dough, stretching it before dropping it on the floured-covered counter.
The force pushed the excess flour in the air and onto our faces.
We both burst into laughter.
He grabbed a dish towel and started wiping the flour off my shoulders and face. His eyes never left mine and seemed to darken. I bit my lower lip, wanting nothing more than to pounce on him. He seemed to read my mind. His lips curved into a knowing smirk.
Before he could react, I set my hand into a pile of flour on the counter, then lifted it and smeared my palm across his beautiful face. I giggled at his surprised expression.
“Well that wasn’t fair.” He wiped the flour from his eyes. “I cleaned you off and you got me more dirty.” He took a predatory step toward me.
I stepped back. “I never said I would be fair.”
He seemed to contemplate that for a moment. “This is true. However, princess, you are forgetting one thing.” His voice was huskier than before.
I took another step back, not realizing how close to the fridge I was. The cold metal from the appliance chilled my hot skin. “And what’s that?” My voice was breathless. A buzz ran through my veins in anticipation of what was to come.
He pinned his arms on either side of my head as he leaned close to my ear, his breath sending shivers down my spine. “I always come out on top. If someone tries to one-up me, I punish them.”
I gulped as one hand gently caressed my side.
“Now princess, it’s time for my payback. Are you ready to be my good girl as I punish that sweet ass of yours?” He gripped a handful of my asscheek.
I could only whimper in response.
“Words, princess,” he whispered.
“Yes, I’m ready.” I tried to shift my hips to get some much-needed friction, but was held in place by his strong hands.
“Turn around, brace yourself on the counter.”
I followed his instructions, needing his hands on me.
“Good girl,” he praised, sending a wave of heat to my core.
Just before he could give me my punishment the front door to my apartment opened.
“E, I brought Chinese from that place you like, and I bought Alfredo a teepee…” The voice cut off as he looked toward the kitchen where I straightened, my eyes wide with horror.
Aaron furrowed his brows. “Oh… shit. My bad, I didn’t realize…
” he cleared his throat, “you had um, company.” He held the cloth teepee in one hand and the Chinese takeout in the other.
Kade’s phone began to ring, startling me out of my shock. He cursed before picking up the call. “Sorry, I need to take this.”
I nodded as he walked down the hall to my bedroom and closed the door. Wiping off my clothes, I avoided Aaron’s gaze.
He placed the items on the island and rounded it to be face to face with me. “What the fuck is he doing here?” He crossed his arms, his body stiffening.
“Will you keep your voice down?” I whispered, peeking around the corner to make sure the bedroom door was still closed.
I had never seen Aaron be jealous before.
“Green is not a good color on you, Aaron.” My voice came off more curt than I intended.
He scoffed. “I’m not jealous, E, I’m concerned because he is your assignment, not your booty call. It would be in your best interest to remember that. I came over to go over what Z and I found...”
I pressed my pointer finger into his chest and stared into his blazing eyes.
“You don’t have to remind me of my assignment, Aaron.
I am well fucking aware of my responsibilities.
And to just make one thing clear, you have no right to tell me who my booty call can be.
I will fuck whoever I want. You don’t hold a claim on me!
It would be in your best interest to remember that. ”
He stumbled back, hurt evident in his eyes. I regretted my words instantly, even if they were true. I went to reach for him as he started to turn around. “Aaron… wait… that came out wrong.”
He pulled his arm from my grasp. “No, you’re right.
I don’t have any claim on you, Evelyn, and this is your home.
” He paused, sucking his lower lip in between his teeth.
“I appreciate the reminder. It put things in perspective…” He shoved his hands into his jean pockets.
“Enjoy the food and teepee for Alfredo. I’ll see you at HQ.
” And with that, he turned around and left me standing alone in the entryway of my kitchen.
My eyes filled with tears. Looking down at the fort he brought, I noticed the embroidery. Alfredo’s Place.
My eyes met the ceiling as I willed the tears to stop. This wasn’t how I wanted things to end with Aaron. My chest hurt from the piece of my heart that’d just walked away.