Chapter 32
Evelyn’s POV
“You only have one bed,” I state the thought aloud then.
“And?” Kane asks, causing me to turn back to him.
I shake my head at him. “So one of us is going to have to sleep on the floor or something.”
To that, Kane scoffs and rolls his eyes. “Don’t be fucking ridiculous.”
“There’s no way we’re sharing the same bed,” I throw back at him.
“Why?” he asks harshly, taking a step toward me. I can feel the heat rolling off of him, immediately making my heart leap as I shift backward.
“Because -” I begin.
“I have no interest in you, Evelyn,” he states firmly. “And I sure as hell don’t have any interest in fucking
you.”
My heart hammers in my chest as he leans down, glaring right into my face.
“So
you don’t need to treat me like I’m some fucking creep who’s going to take advantage of you,” he finishes, the low timber of his voice rattling down to my toes.
He then leans away from me, brushing my shoulder as he walks past me. I have nothing to say in response so I simply shut my mouth and escape into the bathroom.
I take a shower of my own, calming myself down and washing away the day in the hottest water my skin can bare. Once I’m done, I step out and wrap myself in one of Kane’s soft, gray towels in order to dry off. On the counter, someone has been gracious enough to leave me a set of pajamas – though I’m not entirely sure when they got there.
Once I’m dry and dressed in a silk camisole and shorts, I exit the bathroom. Kane is already in bed, his large frame taking up his side and even a bit of mine. I won’t be surprised if I fall out of the bed at some point throughout the night.
Going to the other side, I carefully climb into the bed, making sure there’s no chance of me somehow touching him as I settle in. The lamp on my bedside is the only light still on and I reach over to turn it off, casting the room in complete darkness. It’s unnerving, making my heart skip a beat as I slowly lower myself back into bed.
The room is quiet, dark. And yet Kane overwhelms all of my senses.
I can hear the faint sound of his breathing, feel the warmth radiating from his side of the bed. But more than anything, I can smell him everywhere.
His scent is all over the bed – it’s in the threads of the pillow underneath my head. I feel dizzy once more,
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sensing that tether coming to wrap around me again as it begs me to slide closer to him.
However, I resist it. My breath is heavy in my chest as every inch of my skin is sensitive. Again, the mating bond rears its ugly head, reminding me of the undeniable effect Kane has on me – whether I like it
or not.
Beside me, Kane sighs, making my head spin as he shifts. Then he moves again, as if he can’t get comfortable. As he sighs again, he sounds somewhat agitated.
The realization makes my breath catch.
It’s not just me who’s affected by our bond – Kane is too. It becomes clear as he sharply exhales again and I can make out a faint silhouette of him in the dark. His chest rapidly rises and falls, and he appears
frustrated as he rubs a hand over his face.
“This,” Kane grits out. “Is fucking torture.”
The sound of his voice makes my thighs press together reflexively.
“What is?” I ask.
I can hear Kane’s head turn against the pillow.
“Don’t try to be coy,” he reprimands. “I can hear you practically whimpering over there.”
Shocked, my head turns as my eyes snap to his. “I am not whimpering,” I scold.
“Your heart is hammering, though,” he states next. That’s true and I know there’s no denying it. Not when I can hear the heavy beat of his own heart.
“It’s just the mating bond.,” I remind him. “We’re just -”
The next words are lost as the soft brush of Kane’s knuckles on my arm nearly makes my entire body convulse. I want to ask him what the hell he’s doing or tear my arm away, but I realize I can’t. All I can do is bite my lip as I really try to not actually whimper.
“This mating bond is pretty fucked up….isn’t it?” he asks, his skin still brushing mine.
“Yes,” I manage. “It’s like some sort of sick joke.”
Kane’s hand leaves my arm but only so he can shift once more. He turns on his side, facing me so that he practically leans over me. I take in a quiet breath.
“Sick joke, huh?” he asks, and then Kane’s touch is on me again. Only this time, his fingers fiddle with the strap of my camisole. I gently gasp as he skims my collarbone.
A hint of a smile comes over his lips. “I don’t know,” he murmurs. “That doesn’t seem so bad.”
My brows pull together as I glare at him, deciding that two could play his little game. Wordlessly, I bring my own hand to him, placing my palm on his chest as I drag it down. Immediately, Kane shudders.
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