"With that dark-haired woman," I clarify, making it perfectly clear what I did and didn't see.
"Junebug, I have no idea what you're talking about," he says with a confused grin. "I was in the reception area talking to them about the internet service. It's utter shit here."
I can see his brows knitting together in worry, no doubt already thinking about work. But I know what I saw, and I know where his hands were. I also know Kade wouldn't lie to me unless he wanted to protect me... or would he? Doubt settles in, and though I don't say anything else about the subject, I'm twitchy and nervous for the rest of the day.
There's this nagging feeling in the back of my mind that someone is watching me. I feel like a pair of eyes is glued to my back, and every time I turn around, I'm just a split second too late to catch whoever it is. And it's seriously starting to bug me.
The feeling doesn't disappear but only grows stronger and stronger as the day goes on. Kade sees something is wrong but doesn't push me to tell him what it is, which I both appreciate and resent at the same time. Finally, he announces he'll go check some emails in the lobby, which is apparently the only place where he can get good reception. I accept that with a grunt, and as soon as he's gone, I change into my nightgown and start getting ready for bed.
But I can't resist stepping out on the balcony again, and when I see the sparkling water in the moonlight, I can't help it—it's like the sea is calling me home. Choosing not to care what anyone might think, I sneak my way downstairs until I'm on the beach. It's completely empty, and I enjoy the moment of solitude, though the annoying feeling just doesn't seem to fade.
I miss Theo. I’ve missed him since we first got here, and I’m worried about him, even though he’s safe. But Parker’s in the same city as my son is now. And that makes me feel nervous.
As I'm admiring the reflection of the moon on the crystal water, a pair of arms wraps around me, and my heart jumps up to my throat. Turning around swiftly, I find myself in Kade’s arms, and I laugh nervously. Despite my confusion at what happened on the beach, I'm more than thankful to see him.
"Don't do that," I scold him. "You scared me half to death..."
He looks me deep in the eyes, the moon playing tricks with his irises, making them almost completely black. He looks like a devilishly handsome demon... and I don't mind at all.
"Scared you, did I?" he whispers softly, the words like a caress on my skin. He murmurs something else under his breath that I can't hear, then leans in closer for a kiss. And even though I've kissed Kade a thousand times before, this time it feels different. As romantic as the picture might seem, there's something in his kiss. Something dark and sinister.
Shivering, I let him kiss me passionately and deeply, claiming him with his tongue and pressing his body so close to mine I can feel the length of his thick cock against my thigh.
"Kade," I whisper softly, and he moves away at the sound of his name. He gives me one last grin, but this one seems more ominous than the cheeky smile I'm used to from my love. I feel utterly confused as he salutes me goodbye, then disappears into the darkness. My heart pounding with fear and confusion, I wrap my hands around my body to keep myself warm and head back into our suite.
As I walk, I realize something was off with that kiss. That wasn't Kade—that wasn't my husband. But there's only one other person who could take his place... And he's back in New York, far away from us.
Or is he?
At first, I thought this vacation would be a breeze—a welcome distraction from our busy everyday life. But with each day that passes, my anxiety grows. I'm having trouble breathing, and the nightmares have returned after that one night of blissful, uninterrupted sleep. Kade can tell something isn't right, but I'm still sulking about what I saw on the beach that day—something he still refuses to acknowledge.
Today is a terrible day, and I've been in a foul mood since I woke up at five a.m. Kade has been gone