Page 94 of Cruel Delights
“I fell a little behind.”
He eyes me with a flash of tepid humor. “I’m sure.”
“Would you like something to drink? Or maybe a snack?”
“I’m fine.” He glances around my room as if checking for a place to sit that’s sufficient enough for him.
“You can sit on my bed… or my computer chair. I’m pretty sure Taviar has a beanbag I can—”
“I’m fine,” he repeats.
“Then I’ll pour us some drinks! Be right back.”
I scurry out of the room in a haste to be a good host. Normally, I refrain from using anything that belongs to Taviar—an unspoken agreement we had along with Jael. But, as the cliché saying goes, desperate times call for desperate measures.
I open the cabinet where Taviar keeps his liquor and mix us some drinks. There’s a plastic container of chocolate chip cookies I snag too.
Does Kaden eat cookies, or desserts at all for that matter? I’ve never once seen him eat a bite of any dessert.
“Jack and Coke,” I announce, handing him his drink. I hold up the container of cookies. “And chocolate chip cookies if you like them.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Jack and Coke and cookies. And you wonder why I don’t come over.”
My enthusiasm melts away and I realize I’m still wearing my soggy dress. My glum expression must read on my face, because Kaden reaches for my wrist and pulls me toward him.
“That was sarcasm, Lyra. Thank you for the drink. It’s very… hospitable of you.”
“If there’s anything else you need, just ask. I’m going to change. I wish I had clothes that fit you. Want me to throw your shirt in the dryer?”
“It’s Tom Ford.”
“Dry clean only, huh? Or do you wear your clothes once and then toss them? I’m sure you can afford to.”
I’m teasing him now as I turn my back to him. He gets the hint and reaches up to undo the zipper of my dress. The top portion folds over at my waist and reveals I’m not wearing a bra. As I walk toward the closet, I can practically feel Kaden leering.
His aroused stares are more than welcomed. Creeps like Fyodor Kreed’s are not.
I disappear into the closet to find a hoodie and sweats. Kaden proves he won’t be distracted for long.
“The opera house. Tell me what went on. Why were you running out crying?”
“Why were you there?”
“I was there to surprise you. I saw you flee Fyodor’s office in a panic. He looked puzzled.”
I bet he did. The old pervert.
But I don’t want to tell Kaden the details. If his reaction will be anything like how he behaved around Grady that night at the Velvet Piano, it won’t be good. A darkness had washed over him that was unsettling. That almost made me want to never see him again.
“It’s not important. I’m just glad it’s over.”
“I take it your performance didn’t go well. You let your nerves get the best of you.”
I flop onto my bed and stare at him in my computer chair. “Something like that.”
“I know when you’re lying, little lamb.”
“Why do you want to know?”