FOURTEEN #2
“Don’t believe everything he says.”
I whipped around—turning my back to Chase—and watched Kaden enter the kitchen. “Red or white wine?” he asked, looking over at Chase.
“Red,” Chase and I said in unison and both of their eyes fell on me.
“You can never go wrong with a good bottle of Chateau Pétrus, or Screaming Eagle.”
Chase was puzzled. “How do you—”
“Legal age in Bulgaria is eighteen,” Logan chimed in, entering as well and Chase shifted his eyes to Logan who crossed his arms over his chest. Logan’s tone was teasing, and when his amusement filled eyes met mine, I couldn’t help but smile.
Chase dropped his eyes down to me and innocently, I smiled.
“You’re not in Bulgaria right now.”
My smile immediately dropped and Chase leaned down to kiss my forehead. “Logan will show you the nonalcoholic beverage options.”
Logan nodded—signaling for me to come with him.
“Even though I’m already—”
“Yes,” Chase said before I protest that I was of legal age.
I quietly groaned, approaching Logan and felt a light smack to my ass. I softly gasped, fighting back a smile as I exited with him.
After he had displayed all the nonalcoholic options, I decided that some grape juice would simply have to do. Logan couldn’t help but laugh at my choice, which I followed with, “I’ll smell your wine, then sip my grape juice.”
We then made our way to the dining room, and Logan pulled out the chair next to Kaden for me. I thanked him, sitting down before he found his place in front of me.
The food and drinks had already been placed on the table. Chase soon entered, sitting beside Logan.
Thankfully, dinner went smoothly, to the point where I even forgot that Kaden was the one seated beside me.
Although, he wasn’t one for much talking… not tonight at least. Chase and Logan, on the other hand, were pretty keen on indulging in my odd conversation topics.
They were also infatuated with my Bulgarian culture and history.
Since my mothers family abandoned her when she fell pregnant with me, I only ever got to experience the culture through and with her.
Occasionally, when he felt generous, my father would surprise us with tickets and we’d go for a month-long trip.
It felt really good sharing that side of myself with them. Not to mention, my nerves disappeared as soon as I sat down. This felt oddly comfortable. It felt… right.
“Arson? Really?” I couldn’t help but smile and Chase nodded in confirmation. “Oh, there’s definitely a back story. Tell me—I need to hear it.”
Logan was quick to attempt to shut it down. “No. You don’t.”
“Yes, she does,” Kaden finally added, taking me by complete surprise.
When I turned to look at him, his eyes held a hint of mischief before he looked down at me. “Logan had a temper. And in his final year of high school when the teacher wouldn’t let him rewrite his final exam, he set her desk on fire during lunch.”
My jaw nearly dropped, as my eyes widened. “Whole class nearly burned out.”
“Logan…” I trailed off, taken aback.
“Didn’t I have to bail you out after your breaking and entering charge in college?” Chase questioned Kaden.
My eyes widened even more. “Kaden…”
“It’s not as bad as attempted manslaughter,” Kaden gave his shoulder a slight shrug. “Right Chase?”
“Chase…”
By now, my jaw wouldn’t close, and my eyeballs were bulging out of its sockets.
“I’m acquainted with criminals,” I breathlessly said, darting my eyes between the three of them, and lifting my glass to my lips. “Is this the part where I run?” I questioned, suddenly feeling playful—yet brave.
Logan grinned. “You can try.” I’d let this man chase me all night if it meant he’d fuck me afterwards.
* * *
“Is that the last of it?” I asked as Kaden entered the kitchen with two plates. He nodded, handing it to me and I carefully slipped it into the dishwasher.
“How long have the three of you known each other?” I asked, resting my ass back against the countertop while he closed the dishwasher and turned it on. “Since Logan’s final year in high school?”
He nodded.
That was too vague for my liking, so naturally, I kept the questions coming.
“And how did the three of you meet?”
“Logan’s arson charge, and my breaking and entering charge happened in the same week. Chase’s father represented both of us.”
I slowly nodded in understanding, watching him step closer as he continued. “We spent a lot of time at Chase’s house.”
“Ohhh.” I couldn’t help but laugh as I uttered, “So, Chase just thought, yeah, a couple of criminals would make some really cool friends?”
Kaden eliminated the space between us, making my heart flutter. “We did, didn’t we?”
The question sounded rhetorical, but I answered nonetheless. “Yeah.”
Goosebumps trailed along every inch of my skin as I inhaled his addictive scent. The warmth radiating off his body was enough to make my insides melt. I swallowed hard, not missing the way his eyes fixated on my lips.
I wanted to lean in, but I knew better than to touch him without his permission. So, I simply fisted my hands at my sides, digging my nails into my palms.
I could tell he picked up on the subtle gesture, because he gently brushed a few stray strands of hair behind my ear, and trailed his fingertips down my jawline to hold my chin with his fingers.
“You remembered.”
I simply nodded in response.
His touch alone asserted dominance. It left me craving for more—desperately.
His hands gripped my waist as he effortlessly lifted me onto the countertop. He slipped between my legs and I sucked in a quick breath.
Kaden was so handsome it hurt to look at him. Sharp, chiseled jawline, full lips that pushed me off the cliff of temptation, and worst—best—of all, his eyes. Eyes that lured you in until there was no escape. Eyes you’d sell your soul to get lost in forever.
He didn’t have to speak, and neither did I. But, we didn’t have to.
Steadily, he cupped the side of my face in the palm of his warm—rough— hand. His voice was husky, settling in my core. “You afraid of me?”
I swallowed hard, nodding. I was. “Yes.”
He gently turned my face, and lowered his lips to my ear. “Nyama zashto da se strakhuvash ot men, malkiya.”