There has to be some mistake with all of this. Kai must be confused.
Right?
Deep down, I don’t think so, but I’m clinging to the hope that my own parents didn’t betray me like this.
The front door opens, and I hear Kai’s steps on the stairs as he heads up here. I freeze, waiting to see what he’s going to do once he gets here. I was hoping my hands would be untied so I could slap him. I guess that will have to wait.
A white shirt appears behind the door, and despite my anger, I can’t help but laugh. He looks like a sulking child coming to apologize.
“Hey,” Kai says, giving me a sheepish smile as he rubs the back of his neck in a nervous gesture.
“Seriously?” I clip out, rattling my hands against my restraints. “You kidnapped me, and all you have to say ishey?”
“Yeah, I didn’t know how else to break the ice and beg you to forgive me and hear me out,” he says, his smile dropping as he heads over to untie me.
I watch as he undoes the belt from my left hand. He’s so gentle with me now, his fingers rubbing away any soreness from my muscles before he sets my hand back on the bed and moves to the other side.
“I’m sorry for tying you up,” he says after he’s done. “I panicked.”
“You panicked? About what?” I ask, sitting up in bed. Kai is standing next to me, avoiding my eyes.
“I thought I was losing you,” he murmurs. “And I can’t let that happen.” Kai finally meets my gaze, and the heartache I see there rattles me to my core. I can feel the weight of his sorrow, his fear. “I love you, Oakley. I’d do anything for you. Anything but let you walk away from me.”
I sit up on my knees on the bed, facing Kai. We’re chest to chest, and I smooth my hand over his shoulder. “I wasn’t going to leave you,” I promise, looking into his deep brown eyes so I know he hears me. “I just wanted to talk to my parents and get to the bottom of this.”
He nods, breaking eye contact and looking down at his feet.
“I really thought you knew. I’m sorry for breaking the news to you that way,” he says.
“If you hadn’t told me, I might not have learned about it until I was homeless,” I tell him bitterly.
“I didn’t know you wanted the farm, sweet girl.” My anger is mostly gone, knowing his actions were rooted in his fear of losing me. It’s messed up, but I get the logic behind it. “To be honest, the only reason I bought it was to feel closer to you. If you want it, then it’s yours. I’ll sign over the deed first thing tomorrow morning,” he promises me.
I know he’s telling the truth. He had to pay a pretty penny for my parents’ property, but he would give it all away if it made me happy.
“You don’t want it?” I ask him. He shakes his head slowly, cupping the side of my face.
“I just want you,” he tells me honestly. I can see the love shining in his dark brown eyes, feel it in the tender way he’s holding me. I always feel precious in his arms, like I really am the most important thing in his life.
Tears sting my eyes, and I blink, looking away from him. I never thought I would have this. Someone who loves me no matter what. Who would do anything for me.
I know we still have to tell Clara about us dating, but I have this feeling deep in my gut that she’s going to be okay with us being together.
“I love you,” I tell him. His body seems to sag with relief, a smile spreading across his face.
Did he really think I would leave him? Now that I’ve had him, I don’t think that I could ever walk away. Kai is my one and only. He has been for a decade, even though we were both too scared to admit it.
“Does this mean you forgive me?” he asks tentatively, his hand slowly moving so his thumb brushes against my lips.
I nod, kissing his thumb. Kai’s eyes flash nearly black, and just like that, I need him in a desperate, excruciating way.
“Tell me,” he commands, his voice firm as he leans down and kisses the side of my neck.
“I forgive you,” I whisper, tilting my head back to give him better access.
“Tell me you’re mine,” he growls, continuing to trail kisses down my neck as his hands slip under the hem of my dress.
“I’m yours,” I breathe out, lifting my arms so he can peel the fabric off my body.