Chapter 14
Wren
Regret of answered prayers.
Not five minutes after I flip the sign to open, the bell above the door chimes.
My stomach does a somersault as Kayden struts in, looking better than ever in his jeans and black leather jacket with a white tee underneath.
It reminds me of the boy I met seven years ago.
The boy with a daring edge and a smile that could melt my heart.
“Morning, baby.” His low voice rumbles right through me like a warm cup of coffee, waking up all of my senses.
“You must have a real hard time of hearing. If you want service, Kayden, you won’t find it here.
” I turn and head straight back to my office.
It’s bad enough I had to wake up again soaked in sweat with yesterday replaying in my mind; I don’t need him showing up and slapping me in the face with the reminder of how good looking he is.
My plan seriously backfired. For as much as I wanted to send him off with a parting “fuck you,” I’m the one that is feeling the pain of the loss.
Sex with him was so much better than I remember.
Then again, I wasn’t nervous this time around.
I wasn’t self-conscious about my lack of experience; I just did what felt right.
And he came hard, grunting my name over and over.
His entire body convulsing beneath me, nearly bucking me off his hips.
And when he opened his eyes, they were filled with adoration.
The heat still sizzling in their depths.
I reach for the knob of my office door but am stopped by his big body pressing against my back, pinning me up against the wood.
“I was going to try to behave this morning, but you’ve gone and tempted me, little one.
” His big hand is braced at my hip, sliding down around to my waist. “Seems as though you woke up on the wrong side of the bed and need to be set straight. I’m going to remedy the fact. ”
His fingers dive into my pants, sliding over my panty-covered pussy and press right down on my clit. A tremor rocks through me and I slump against the door, pressing my forehead to the cold wood.
“You’re already swollen, babe. Did you wake up this slick because of me?”
“Don’t flatter yourself, Kayden.” The words come out a breathless rasp, as his thick finger slides right under my panties, rubbing over my swollen flesh. Pulling at my need.
“Liar.” His whisper casts over my ear as he nibbles his way across my flesh, leaving a trail of tingles along his path.
“You always were a lousy liar, baby. If it makes you feel any better, I beat off all night to thoughts of you. Your perky little tits bouncing around as you rode my cock. Your tight pussy squeezing me so well. You’re so wet, baby.
” He pushes into me and I moan against my will, doing a terrible job at denying the effect he has on me.
“You know what I dreamt of when I was locked in the slammer?”
I can’t even think straight, let alone answer him.
“I thought of the first time you went down on my dick. Those innocent eyes looking up at me, watering as those pretty little lips stretched around my girth, trying to suck me in deep. I thought about you working so hard to take me whole that you nearly choked yourself. Everything has always been so fucking incredible with you, Wren.”
His fingers are incredible, drilling into me. In and out as his big palm provides pressure at the top. I’m so close, I can almost taste it. The delicious tightening. The release of that unbearable ache as the shocks rolls in.
“And every time I beat myself off in the shower, I thought about the time you first let me take a peek at your tits. Your cheeks were pink with that bashful look on your face, slowly sliding your shirt over your head. Then the prettiest set of nipples came into view. Peaked and eager. That image is burned in my memory. Your teeth sinking into your bottom lip as if you were unsure of whether I’d approve.
Fuck.” His groan hits me everywhere. “Never seen a prettier set of tits.”
His free hand squeezes over my bra and the tension between my legs starts to unfurl. “Come for me, little one. Tighten those muscles around me and let me hear you scream.”
The dam breaks, and the heat floods in. My entire body is rocked with those exquisite sensations that have me moaning and begging for him not to let me go.
“I’m never walking away, Wren. You’re fucking mine. Always have been.”
There’s a hint of a protest wanting to form on my lips, but I’m not quite coherent, let alone in a state to argue. He can think whatever he wants, but it’s never going to happen. Lesson learned.
“Ms. Wren!”
I hear Mr. Granley’s voice calling to the back, and it snaps me right back to the present and has me panicking that the old man heard everything that just transpired. I’m just hoping his hearing aids were turned down, because otherwise, I’ll never be able to look him in the eye again.
Kayden removes his hand and steps away, allowing me space to put myself back together.
“I’ll give you a sec, baby. I’ll pretend like I’m using the restroom before I come out.”
I nod, not really knowing what to say to him at the moment. Just when I couldn’t get more confused about my feelings, he had to go and be all considerate, reminding me of the boy I fell in love with. The one who promised never to lie to me.
I head out to the front, not wanting to spiral into my thoughts again. Mr. Granley is perusing the case like he’s deciding what he’s going to have, but every morning he has the same thing.
“Good morning, Mr. G.”
He looks up with a smile. “Good morning, Miss Wren. It’s a beautiful day today, isn’t it?”
“It is.” I smile genuinely. Shocking myself that it’s not forced as usual. “What can I get for you, Mr. G?”
“I’ll take an apple turnover and a crumpet, but if the missus comes by, I only had one.”
I shake my head, plating his pastries, and getting his coffee. When Kayden comes walking out, I almost spill the cup in my hand.
“Good to see you again, son,” Mr. G greets him in kind, and I’m wondering how on earth they know each other. It’s not like I did the introductions the other morning.
“Good morning, sir. Good morning, pretty girl,” Kade looks right at me, giving me a wink.
I give him a scowl in return, not wanting him to let on like there’s something happening between us. The last thing I want is for rumors to be spread.
“Why don’t you sit down and have breakfast with me?” Mr. G pats the spot next to him, but Kayden shakes his head, and I breathe a sigh of relief.
“I won’t be able to join you. I’m heading out of town.
” Again, he looks at me, and this time, my stomach sinks.
He’s leaving? But he just… We just… No. I told him to leave, and he’s respecting my wishes.
He’s finally respecting my request. So then why the hell does it feel like my heart is being ripped out again?
“Well, you have a safe drive. Best of luck to you, son.” Mr. G tips his head politely and smiles.
And just like that, Kayden tells us both goodbye and turns and walks out the door.
I watch as he climbs into his fancy red car and pulls away.
My stomach tightening as I see him drive down the main street, leading right out of town.
And the second his vehicle disappears from view, tears fill my eyes and I nearly lose my balance, having to prop myself against the counter before my sadness takes me down.
He left. Just like that. No hug. No I’ll miss you. No more pleading. He just left.
“I just need to take care of something in the back, Mr. G. If someone comes in, can you holler for me?”
Before he can answer me, I’m rushing to the back and locking myself in my office.
The tears run down my cheeks, reminding me of what a fool I am.
I wish he’d never come back because now what little progress I’d made to healing has been lost. I reach for a tissue from my desk and notice an envelope sitting on my keyboard.
To my little one.
I rush to open it, stupidly hoping that it’s a note saying he had to go meet with his parole officer and will be back in a few days, but when I start to scroll over the words, I realize it’s something different, and my heart breaks in two.
Dear Wren,
I didn’t know how to get you alone to tell you what I needed to say, so I wrote it in a letter. I want you to know that you weren’t alone in your pain. Not that it makes what I did any better, but you need to know I was suffering right along with you.
Night after night as I was locked in that cell, fighting for sleep to take me out of hell, I battled with my regret.
The moment I wrote you that letter, I knew it was a mistake.
But I’d hoped and prayed that I was doing right by you.
It tore my heart out writing those words.
Honestly, lying to you nearly killed me.
But having to live with knowing that you were throwing away all your hopes and dreams, and spending all your time working on my case, broke me.
I knew the only way for you to let me go was if you hated me.
I believed that once you healed from the breakup, you’d be able to pick up the pieces of your life and find your happiness again.
I was hoping you’d put me in the past and live.
But I was wrong. It kills me to know the pain I put you through, baby.
I hate myself for taking away your smile.
And if I could go back in time, I would’ve written you an entirely different letter.
I would’ve told you how much I love you.
I would’ve told you how lucky I was to have you in my life, and that I dreamt of you every night.
The memories of you were the only thing that kept me kicking in that place. I’d read your letters over and over just to ease the fear and heal the pain. You’re what got me through that hell, and I am so fucking sorry you didn’t have me or my words to help get you through, too.
I know that after everything, you may never be able to forgive me.
But I want you to know that I was desperate for your happiness, and I still am.
Which is why I’m going to respect your wishes.
I’m going to give you space and time. But just know that I love you with all my heart.
Always. Whether you forgive me or not, Wren, you’ll always be the love of my life. There will never be another for me.
I love you, little one.
Your Kade
The letter slips from my hand and falls to the ground.
I was wrong. I was so wrong. And I think I just made the biggest mistake of my life.
I never even considered how he felt or why he did what he did.
I let my anger rot my thoughts. But he was only ever trying to look out for me. He only wanted me to be happy.
I hate to think of him in that place. Scared and lonely, locked away amongst dangerous men.
Suffering in his pain. I should’ve known it wasn’t real.
I should’ve read through all of it and seen the truth.
But he always promised he’d never lie to me, so I believed him wholeheartedly, even when it came to this. And now…he’s gone.
He didn’t leave an address or a phone number. There’s no way to get in touch with him. There’s no way for me to tell him that I’m sorry. That I love him.
The tears rock me harder. It feels like I’m breaking all over again. My heart is gone and I don’t know if he’ll ever come back.
God, please send him back to me. Please.