THE TEMPTRESS

||Confessions||

•STEPHANIE•

I paced around the empty bedroom, my anxiety gnawing at me. His text had been vague-just 'be here' with no further instructions. The uncertainty triggered my nerves.

It wasn't the idea of being intimate with him that scared me. I wasn't a virgin; that ship had sailed a while back, making it easier to navigate situations like this. I'd had my share of fun in between plotting my revenge.

But Kaden was different. He was like a wild animal, unpredictable and dangerous. That's what frightened me. I worried I wouldn't meet his expectations and he'd lose interest in me.

I couldn't afford to lose him now, not when I was finally gaining access to his house, and feeling closer to Luca. The plan was in motion, and Kaden's satisfaction was my current concern.

The bedroom door swung open, and he strolled in, taking his time to check me out. I summoned a smile.

"I got your text," I said, meeting him halfway.

"What's go-" He didn't let me finish, his hand wrapping around my neck, pulling me close, and his lips crashing onto mine.

I froze.

His urgency made me uncomfortable, and despite my efforts to match his pace, I couldn't. I pulled away.

"What's up with you?" His eyes were hazy, fixated on my lips.

"I just want to kiss you," he said, leaning in again. I turned my head, and his lips met my cheek instead.

"Why won't you let me kiss you?" he murmured against my skin, his hand keeping my head in place as he tried to kiss me once more.

"Kaden, wait," I struggled, attempting to break free, but his grip on me was firm.

"I want to touch you." He moved his hand underneath my skirt, and I grabbed it, halting his advances.

"Kaden, seriously, just stop!"

He leaned back, shooting me a glare.

"Okay, now you're seriously pissing me off."

Despite the tension, his intense voice and the dark look in his eyes sent a shiver down my spine. My body flushed with warmth.

Pull it together, Stephanie!

I forced a smile and gently touched his arm.

"Look, I didn't mean to upset you. But you surprised me by just coming in and kissing me out of nowhere. I sense you've got a lot on your mind right now."

I tried to ease the tension with some physical contact, and judging by his expression, it was working.

"What's bothering you? We can talk it out, you know."

He brushed past me and slumped on the small couch in the room. I rolled my eyes before joining him.

I rubbed his arm soothingly and scooted closer to his side. My hunch was right; his mind was somewhere else today, which explained the forceful kiss.

We had an agreement to act gentlemanly, and what he did moments ago didn't exactly fit the bill. Even though I knew he wasn't the epitome of a gentleman, he was trying, and that counted for something.

How charming. (Note the sarcasm)

"Tell me what's going on with you," I prodded gently. He narrowed his eyes at me.

"I don't want to talk about it."

Come on, why was he so stubborn about this? Conversation involved sharing, after all. What was so difficult about opening up to others?