The Secrets We Hide (The Four #2) - Becca Steele Page 0,76
stammered, flustered.
“Like what?” His voice grew impossibly soft, as he cupped my face in his hands, not allowing me any escape from his intense gaze.
“Like…I don’t know. Like you care.” I lowered my eyes, unable to look at him anymore.
He lifted my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze again.
“I do care. So fucking much. Why do you think I was so angry? You could’ve called or sent a message. We could’ve created a diversion for you so you could get out without putting yourself in danger!” His eyes closed for a moment, a muscle ticking in his jaw, before he turned the full force of his stormy gaze back on me again.
Being the centre of his focus?
It was like being in the hottest part of a fire.
He burned my defences away, leaving the truth exposed.
But I couldn’t say it.
Couldn’t think it.
I threw my walls up over the top, smothering the flames.
“I wasn’t thinking.”
“Remember what happened to my mum? Remember what happened to you, when you were fucking taken!”
His voice echoed around us, full of the pain he’d never shown me. Yeah, he’d told me about his mum, but this depth…the absolute despair in his voice…
The walls cracked and crumbled, burning away in an instant.
“I love you.”
My words, shocking us both, hung in the air, then crashed to the ground.
Absolute silence.
Fuck.
“I—I didn’t—”
“I fucking love you,” he breathed against my lips, and then his mouth was on mine and we were kissing, pouring everything we wanted to say into this kiss. No other words were needed. Nothing else existed in that moment.
Just him and I.
THIRTY-ONE
He loved me.
He. Loved. Me.
“I’m still angry, by the way.” He finished dressing, glancing over at me where I sat on the weights bench, my legs still shaky. A small smile played across his lips as he registered the happiness that was probably beaming all over my face.
“I know. But you love me, right? So you can’t be angry forever.”
“You’re fucking impossible,” he growled, stalking over to me and pulling me up and into his arms. “Yeah. I do. I won’t be angry forever, but don’t push me right now, okay?”
“Say it,” I begged, linking my arms around his neck. “I want to hear you say it.”
“For fuck’s sake,” he muttered, before kissing the tip of my nose. His arms tightened around me, and then his eyes met mine. “You’re mine, and I love you. You got under my fucking skin the first day I met you, and I never managed to escape.”
“Did you want to escape?” I raised a brow at him, smirking.
He rolled his eyes. “You know I did. It was like you were sent here to purposely test me, to fuck with my head.”
“Uh, same for me, thanks. You were fucking with my head just as much.”
“That’s true. Who would’ve thought you’d fall for your stepbrother, huh? What will our parents say?” He grinned at me, the anger in his gaze finally gone.
“I have no idea, but that’s going to be one awkward conversation. Not that I care. I love you, Cade, and we’ll get through whatever shit gets thrown at us.”
“Yeah, we will. Come on, I’m gonna have a quick shower, then we need to sit down and find out what the fuck is going on with Allan.”
He let go of me, and I dropped my hands from his neck, taking a step back. “I’ll see you up there.”
“No.” Reaching out, he gripped my hand firmly and started tugging me towards the stairs.
“What?” I stared at him, confused, and he glanced over at me, giving me that wicked smirk that he knew I couldn’t resist.
“Part two of your punishment for the way you acted. I need you in the shower to wash my dick.”
Riiight.
“With your mouth,” he added, his smirk widening into a huge grin.
“Oh, really?”
“Yep.”
“Just how many parts to this punishment are there?” I asked curiously as we made our way up the stairs, excitement building inside me as I watched his eyes darken. Dirty, dirty thoughts filled my head as he contemplated my question.
He licked his lips. “I’m thinking…at least five.”
“I’m okay with that.”
Back all together, minus Weston, who was busy digging for any data he could get his hands on, the mood turned deadly serious as the reality of what I’d discovered about Allan sank in.
“He’s always been so quiet and unassuming. I never once would’ve imagined he’d be involved in any of this.” Cassius rubbed his chin, deep in thought. “Nothing adds up.”