Dark Velvet (Book 2)

Petals and warnings

Layla felt a chill ripple through her, lingering long after that familiar scent hung in the air. She couldn't shake the memory, the strange way it reminded her of... him. Just as her thoughts started to piece things together, Kaelen slipped back into the room, his gaze sharper, a flash of something unreadable behind his eyes. His jaw was tight, but as he looked at her, a smirk slowly crept onto his face, melting away whatever had held him tense just moments ago.

"Nah, c'mere, baby," he murmured, voice dripping with that sweet, dangerous charm she couldn't resist. He moved toward her, his hands finding her waist, pulling her close, as if trying to erase any question she might've had. "Forget all that noise. Let me take care of you."

Before she could answer, he was on his knees, his lips pressing into her skin like he was starving for her, every kiss more intense than the last. His hands gripped her hips, pulling her in as his mouth moved lower, his tongue tracing a path that made her knees weak, her breath catching with each touch. Layla's fingers tangled in his hair, surrendering to the way he knew exactly how to unravel her, making her forget everything except the fire he sparked under her skin.

For a while, all her questions faded, replaced by the way he held her there, caught under his spell, her body responding in ways that wiped every other thought clean from her mind.

Then, as her eyes fluttered closed, something else crept into her senses—like a chill slicing through the heat of his touch, sharp and out of place. She saw herself standing in a barren room, cold and still, a low vibration humming beneath her feet. Silhouettes lingered in the corners, blurred but watching, their presence thick in the air. And then, a face broke through the haze. It was Kaelen... but his gaze was empty, his features twisted, as if he were both himself and something unfamiliar, something hollow.

Layla's chest tightened, a wave of dread seizing her, pulling her out of the vision with a gasp. She pushed Kaelen away, her breath coming fast as the room snapped back into focus.

"What's wrong?" he asked, his brows knitting together, but there was an edge to his voice, a flash of irritation in his eyes as he searched her face.

Layla's hands shook as she brushed her hair back, trying to steady herself. "I... I don't know, I just... maybe I need to go home," she managed, forcing herself to her feet, every nerve in her body on high alert.

Kaelen's expression softened, but something about it felt too smooth, too careful. "You sure you good, baby?" he asked, his voice low, but his gaze remained sharp, like he was trying to read her.

Layla swallowed hard, nodding, though that eerie feeling still clung to her, lingering like a warning she couldn't quite shake. "Yeah... I think I just need some air." she murmured, taking a step back.

But Kaelen's hand clamped around her wrist before she could move any further. His grip was firm, almost bruising, his fingers digging into her skin. "No," he said, his voice low but laced with an unsettling intensity. "I don't want you to leave." His eyes held hers, the warmth from earlier replaced by a coldness she hadn't seen before.

He gave her a small shake, as if to snap her back into his control. "You're good here with me, Layla. Ain't no need to run off."

She pulled her wrist back, her heart pounding, a mix of fear and defiance flashing through her. "Kaelen," she said firmly, steadying her voice. "I'm gonna contact you tomorrow, alright? But right now... I just need to go."

For a moment, he didn't let go, his gaze unyielding. But then, with a tight, forced smile, he released her. "Fine," he muttered, though his tone held an edge that made her stomach twist. "Tomorrow, then."

Layla didn't waste another second. She turned and left, her pulse still racing as she walked quickly through the dim hallway and out into the night air, feeling like she'd just escaped something she couldn't quite name. As she made her way toward her car, she reached for her phone, needing to tell someone about what had just happened , and after a beat, she typed out a quick message: