Total pages in book: 136
Estimated words: 137326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 687(@200wpm)___ 549(@250wpm)___ 458(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 687(@200wpm)___ 549(@250wpm)___ 458(@300wpm)
“K-Kane? You’re here.”
“I’m the one who’s supposed to say that.” He strokes my waist, his fingers gentle and possessive at the same time. “Not that I’m complaining.”
“Megan said there was an accident with Preston, and you were there and…and…”
“And you were worried about me?” There’s a small light in his eyes, a flash of careful hope, maybe.
“Of course I was!” I hit his chest, tears streaming down my cheeks. “I thought you jumped off the cliff to save Preston or something. I would’ve never forgiven you if you’d done that.”
“Good thing I didn’t, then.” A light smirk tilts his lips. “I’d hate it if you didn’t forgive me. My worst nightmare.”
“Are you joking around right now?”
“I’m dead serious. I hate it when you give me the cold shoulder. I hate it when I can’t touch you. But most of all—” His right hand strokes my cheek, wiping away the tears. “—I hate when you cry because of me.”
“Says the man who gets hard at the sight of my tears.”
“Different tears. The ones you release because you love it when I fuck you. These, however, I loathe.”
“Then you shouldn’t get into dangerous situations. For Preston or anyone else.”
“I will try not to. For these beautiful eyes.”
My nails sink into his shirt. “So you won’t abandon it completely?”
“I can’t. Preston and Jude are my family. They’re the only family I’ve ever had. You can’t ask me to abandon my family, just like I can’t ask you to abandon Violet.”
“Is that why you got Jude off her case? Even if it meant sacrificing your leverage over him?”
“Yes.”
“Why? So she’d be on your side?”
“So you’d be on my side. Everything I did, I did for you, Dahlia. Not anyone else. Just you.” He drops his forehead to mine, his hot breaths skimming my skin as he closes his eyes. “I can’t live without you. I don’t want to live without you or your warmth, your nosiness, or your spirit that overflows into mine. The few days where I couldn’t find you were hell on earth. You were everywhere, but I couldn’t see you. It turned me into a fucking madman.”
“Kane…” The lump in my throat is so big, I can’t properly form any words.
“It’s okay if you can’t forgive me now. I’ll wait for months or years if that’s what it’ll take. Just let me be close by. Let me see you. Let me protect you. Let me breathe you in.” His hand wraps around my jaw and he inhales me. “My obsession with you might have started as a form of limerence, a need to possess and dominate. An urge to prove that you’re a phase and mean nothing in the grand scheme of things. But you have slithered between my heart and rib cage and I’m unable to breathe without you. You’ve conquered me, heart and soul, Dahlia. I don’t know what love is and whether or not it’s real, but if it exists, you’re its definition for me.”
He opens his eyes again and they’re darker and the clearest I’ve ever seen. “Why are you crying again?”
“Because you’re not supposed to say shit like that when I’m so jaded.” I sink my fingers into his hair. “Asshole.”
“I’m sorry,” he whispers, dropping a kiss on the top of my nose.
“You’re not! You’re not sorry that you’re the first man I’ve loved. The only man I’ve ever loved and probably the only man I’ll ever love. You had me in the palm of your hand and refused to let me go. No matter how much I think about it, I just can’t let you go either. No matter how much I tried to deny it, I’m miserable without you.”
“Is that so?” His features ignite in a myriad of colors.
“Shut up. I swear if you hurt me again—”
His lips cover mine, and my words end in a groan, but he quickly pulls back.
“Won’t be happening. You have my word.”
“You better keep your word. You know I can ice you out.”
“I’m well aware. You’ll be my queen. Actually, you already are.”
“Even if we’re worlds apart?”
“You’re my world. If anyone dares to touch you, I’ll end their miserable life.”
“You’re awful.”
“You love it, wildflower.”
I smile and he kisses me again.
This time, deeper, slower, and for the first time in my life, I breathe properly.
Kane broke the unlucky chain.
He’s my knight in shining armor in the most unconventional way.
I’ve always lived on the run, but I’m ready to stop now.
And just be with him.
EPILOGUE 1 — DAHLIA
TWO WEEKS LATER
The crowd is buzzing with infectious energy, chanting the Vipers’ names, getting drugged by the team’s perfect play.
Led by Kane.
Today, he’s an absolute star. He’s scored the most, more than any offensive player, and has been the best defenseman as well, smoothly cutting off the opposing team’s offenses, and forcing their players to commit penalties and get sent to the penalty box.