by Gigi Thomas
Now, Kenya looked at him defeated.
"Listen, princess," Caden began, kneeling before her and pulling her closer. "How about tomorrow I come to get you and we spend the whole day together. I'll have presents." He smiled, eagerly.
"I don't want presents," Caydee declared. "I want you, daddy!"
"I know sweetie, but-"
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“Sorry?” Since Caydee had fallen silent, chewing on her lip and looking down at her feet, Caden crooked his finger and tilted her chin up towards him. “What for?”
“I...” Caydee’s face was twisted in confusion, and she toyed with the necklace Caden had given her for her birthday. “I don’t know. For what I did wrong.”
“What? No. Sweetie, don’t say that,” he said pulling her closer. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”
"Then why did you go away?" Caydee asked, her eyes wet with tears. "Why don't you love us anymore?"
"I-I do. I do love you. How can you say that?" Caden choked. There was a lump in his throat, and his eyes quickly welled with tears. He swallowed hard, but the lump had grown and refused to go away. His voice was strangled when he spoke. "Of course daddy loves you. You must know that. You're my princess. I love you more than anything. I..." His eyes flashed to Kenya, and Caden guiltily looked away. He brought his hands to Caydee’s face and wiped her tears. "This is not your fault, okay. You couldn't do anything to make me not love you. Ever. I promise."
"You promised before, daddy!" Caydee cried, her tiny fists vehemently pushing his hands away. "You promised you wouldn't leave. You said you wouldn't go away like before."
"I-" Caden could not speak. He was gutted. He thought he’d been through hell these past five years. The wounded expression currently on his girl’s face, this was worse. Nothing he’d experienced had ever felt this bad.
Kenya, hand pressed to her mouth, turned away from them. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and tried to steady herself. She never imagined Caydee feeling like this. She knew she missed Caden of course, but Caydee still saw him—just not every day like before. She had depended on Caydee being so young and easily distracted. After all, she had only known Caden for a few months. Kenya never imagined that she would take his absence to heart so much.
There was a soft knock on the door. "Hey guys," Charlotte popped her head in the room. "I was just wondering if I could-"
"Denny darling.” Lady Harlow, who had been waiting eagerly for an opportunity, popped into the room as well. “Are you almost done here?"
They all looked at the redhead in stunned silence.
"I didn't want to interrupt the little family scene," she said.
"And yet, you did," Charlotte said not attempting to hide her displeasure. "We'll, be out when we're done." She closed the door in Harlow’s face.
Kenya almost smiled. She loved Lottie.
The blond turned back to face them. She reached a hand out and quickly squeezed Kenya's as she walked past her towards Caydee. "Hey sweetie, do you want to stay with Aunt Lottie and Uncle Shelton tonight?"
Caydee looked from one adult to the other not knowing what decision to make. It was obvious that her daddy was not coming home with them. And though she still didn't know why, the answers she'd gotten so far were not very enlightening. She had been asking similar questions for weeks now.
Charlotte leaned down before Caydee. "You know we will have so many sweets and cake left after the party that Uncle Shelton and I don't know what we will do with it all. I’m sure Henry and Victoria need help finishing them."
Considering the choices, Caydee made the most sensible decision any four year old would make. Charlotte took her hand, as Caydee probably needed a good sugar high after her ordeal.
The pair stayed a few minutes in silence, each unable to look at the other after what they had done to their daughter. Kenya looked down at Caden, who remained on his knees staring at the door. His hair was a little longer now and brushed at his neck, the ends curling to frame his face beautifully. The devastated look in his eyes was heartbreaking, and Kenya couldn’t bear it. She didn’t want to talk. She couldn’t be in his presence anymore. Kenya quickly excused herself and left, Caden not saying a word in response.
~
Kenya sat in the window seat of her London apartment trying to read. She'd given up on her book and started scrolling through OK Magazine’s website. She promptly stopped and put away her tablet after stumbling upon an article, “Football's Scrummiest Players,” and a GIF of Lance kept smiling and winking at her. She'd had enough of that from Lance tonight, not to mention the mauling he tried to give her when he dropped her off. Kenya leaned her head on the window and closed her eyes. She just needed to relax, but it wasn't working. Nothing was working.
She couldn't stop thinking about Caden; though Kenya was sure he was not thinking about her. He probably didn't have any trouble sleeping. He probably didn't toss and turn at night, his body haunted, tormented by guilty memories. Caden didn't know what it was like to walk into that bedroom and feel his stomach contract and his knees quiver because a shiver of memory runs through his body, every single time. How was Kenya expected to sleep in that house, in that bed, when that night was all she could think about?
Thinking about Caden was bad enough, but Kenya also couldn't stop thinking about that awful woman he brought to Lottie’s. What did he mean, coming to the party with another woman? When Kenya first saw the woman wrap her arms around Caden, an unfamiliar heat began searing through her veins. Damn, she was beautiful. Stunning. Her willowy frame with long fiery-red hair, she looked like a perfect specimen of British nobility. She looked like the kind of woman Caden was expected to be with.
What kind of a name was Harlow anyway? And Caden had called her Kenya. What happened to Yaya? It didn't matter, Kenya remembered. It was not as if they were together anymore. They haven’t been together in five years, Kenya reminded herself. One night doesn’t change anything. That night was a mistake. Caden said so himself, remember?
Kenya knew what happened on Christmas only happened because of her admission that she hadn’t been with anyone since Caden left. She was still cursing herself for that one. That night probably had to do with Caden’s pride, his ego, more than it had to do with her as a person. It was probably something biological. Some canine like reflex to go back to a territory that he’d marked, just to make sure no other hound had been there. When Kenya realized she was likening herself to a lawn or fire hydrant that had been peed on, she dropped her face in her hands and screamed into them her frustration.
This was pointless! Besides, after what happened tonight, Kenya realized that Caydee was too close to him, at least too used to seeing them together. Caydee didn't understand. Caden being Caydee’s father didn’t mean that his relationship with Kenya would change. And it’s not as if Kenya wanted it to change. Right? She was just thinking of her daughter. In a few short weeks, she and Caydee would be heading back to The States and returning to their real lives. Caden would be dating other women and eventually getting married—shit, Caden getting married. To someone else?
After everything, to think that he would just up and abandon them all over again and get married to someone like that harlot Lady Harlow. Would he expect her to be around Caydee? Oh, no! That woman was a wicked step-mother waiting to happen, and there was no way Kenya was going to let her daughter be Caydeerella. Wait, Kenya wondered, Cindercaydee? Either way, it wasn’t happening. How could Caden not see through her? How could he want to actually have a life with someone like her? And Kenya was supposed to let him abandon her again—that is abandon Cadence?
The knock on the door ripped Kenya from her thoughts, but they were still so potent in her mind that when she answered the door she was fuming. And who the hell was coming to her house at this hour? It was nearly two' o clock in the morning. Somebody better be bleeding or on fire.
"What do you want?" She stared at Caden on her doorstep, still mad at him for earlier and for
all the things she'd just imagined him doing.
“We need to talk.” Caden didn't wait for Kenya to invite him in. He just walked past her stunned frame and entered the apartment.
"I was in bed."
"No, you weren't," Caden countered her lie.
"I'm going to bed," Kenya said.
"No, you aren't." He removed his jacket and hung it in the closet.
“I…” She reluctantly followed him as he led the way to the living room. "I'm-"
"Look Kenya, I can't do this," he began, turning to face her.
"Do what Caden?" Kenya stood with her hands on her hips the way Caydee did when she was being cheeky. "You seemed to be doing just fine with Lady Harlot or whatever her name was."
“Are you...” Caden just surveyed Kenya for a bit, eyebrow raised. He didn't expect this. Granted, he'd secretly hoped—after all that was the point—but he never really thought Kenya would be. "Jealous?"
Kenya scoffed in what she hoped sounded like disbelief. "I don't know what you're talking about?"
"You are! You're jealous of Harlow." Caden laughed out loud. This was great! No, he reminded himself. This was not great. This should not be great. You should not be happy about this. Focus, he thought. Smiling.
"Don’t you mean Lady Harlow?" Kenya spat the word out so coldly that Lady Mildred and every other titled female, from Buckingham to Balmoral, could feel the chill of her disdain. "Besides, I had a whole date of my own, so I had no reason to be jealous of yours."
"Oh, right your duffer footballer," he retorted. "I would've said more to him but I didn't think he'd be able to hear me, what with his head being so far up his arse!"
Unable to even look at each other, they both stood silent. They’d been getting along so well. How could one night make them come to this?
"I'm sorry." Caden sighed. "About that night...about everything. It was all my fault. I should go. Never mind."
"How long are we going to do this, Caden? Really? We can't even be in the same room together now? I can't do this with you anymore. I can't let Caydee go through what she did tonight.”
“Do you think I wanted that?” Caden argued.
“How would I ever know what you want, Caden?!” Kenya yelled. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath as if to calm herself.
“It doesn’t matter. We need to make some arrangement or something to ensure Caydee doesn’t feel hurt like this again. I know you regret sleeping with me and everything, but—” Kenya chuckled, mirthlessly, shaking her head before she continued. “It’s my own fault really. You’d think I would’ve gotten the message five years ago, right? Don’t worry; I won’t make that mistake again. Message received, this time. The important thing here is Caydee. You not wanting me isn’t-"
Caden's lips were pressed against Kenya’s. He didn’t even realize he was going to kiss her until he was already doing it. He knew he shouldn’t have, but Caden couldn't hear Kenya speak any longer without letting her know how wrong she was. So very wrong.
Kenya barely had the opportunity to react to the kiss before Caden ripped himself away. She stood nonplussed, for he withdrew from her as suddenly as he had approached.
"What was that?" Kenya asked, out of breath.
"Ah...nothing." Damn, Caden silently cursed himself. "Nothing, Ya—Kenya. I'm sorry."
He had to leave before he did more damage. He was undoing everything he had done to convince Kenya he didn’t care. He leaned over Kenya, clutching the wall on both sides of her, as if he was holding on for dear life. His chest heaved like the wounded creature that he was. Reluctantly, Caden pushed himself off the wall and stepped away.
“No!” Kenya said, moving closer. "No, Caden you can’t do something like that and then just run away. What is going on with you?" she asked, clutching his shirt.
“Don’t,” Caden growled, seizing her wrists and rashly pinning her to the wall in his attempt to keep her from touching him again. "You don’t understand, Ya—Kenya. We can't do this. I..."
Looking down at Kenya in her current position, Caden became painfully aware of the champagne colored satin and lace chemise she wore and how seductively it draped her curves. The matching robe looked as though it must’ve been thrown on and tied hastily when she came to answer the door. He felt himself harden in his pants, and he shifted uncomfortably. Just this, Caden realized. Just this slight fabric is all that separated him from Kenya’s naked body. He swallowed hard and recklessly moved closer.
Kenya’s curved frame and long shapely legs caused the short slip to fall high on her thigh. And the low cut and lace trim did more to draw his attention to her cleavage than to cover it up. Caden’s fingertips gingerly outlined the trim as they moved across the sensitive skin of her décolleté. Kenya’s breathing was becoming shallow at his light touch.
Desperately, Caden tried to maintain his resolve and remember all of the reasons this was a bad idea. Could he not control his emotions around Kenya? Could he not control his body? And why was that damned robe of hers not doing its job in providing coverage? It slid off her shoulders too easily. Just a slight tug from him was all it took, and it slipped towards her elbow. Caden could not help thinking how much Kenya looked like chocolate being unwrapped. He'd never seen anything so delicious, and Caden licked his lips in response.
It was torture, Caden thought, as he purposefully pulled at the sash around Kenya’s waist, the bow slowly unraveling like that of a much anticipated present. How could people call this thing a robe?—he fumed. It was just as short as the flirty little thing she wore under it, and hugged Kenya’s tantalizing hips. Caden knew he wanted her.
“I...” Damn, he wanted her.
You shouldn’t do this Caden, he thought to himself. But, Caden wanted her: tonight.
He loosened the fabric of Kenya’s robe. Parting the two curtains that obstructed the view of his private sanctuary, Caden knew he shouldn’t be doing this. He couldn’t fight it anymore.
He wanted Kenya. Now.
“Bugger it all,” he muttered.
Forever.
“I love you, Yaya.” He pulled Kenya into his arms and brought his lips to hers in a gentle kiss. The robe delicately floated to the floor.
“Damn you!” Kenya pushed him away and slapped him, the fury evident in her face and the sting of her hand. “You can’t do this! My body doesn’t belong to you, Caden. You don’t get to turn me on and off like some machine whenever the hell you feel like it. You don’t get to just show up say that you love me out of nowhere and expect me to submit to you. Get out of my apartment. Just, get out!” she ordered.
Kenya was right. Caden knew that. He couldn’t just expect her to react to his confession. And, he couldn’t behave as though her body was his for the taking. He shouldn’t be ruled by his desire for her. He didn’t have the right to sate his hunger for her anytime he wished. He deserved to be slapped by Kenya and much more after everything he’d done. He knew Kenya would never forgive him. There was nothing he could do. He should leave. Caden knew that.
Instead, Caden wrapped his arm around Kenya’s waist, one hand slinking behind her neck, and he locked her body in his embrace and a ravenous kiss.
This time Caden was not gentle. His desire for her consumed him, and the fury in her eyes was like petrol to the flames burning within him. His large hands raked across the smooth material, boorishly massaging Kenya’s curves, one hand on her breast the other on her behind. As Caden’s hands mercilessly toured her body, his tongue entered her mouth.
Kenya moaned against his lips which only made Caden more aroused, and his tongue moved to conquer hers. Pushing his knee between Kenya’s to part her legs, he stepped closer, so he was standing between her thighs. His hips thrust back and forth, his already massive erection driving against her.
Caden quickly removed his blazer and tossed it out of the way, before his hands began reclaiming the hills and valleys of Kenya’s body’s topography like a Conquistador. His lips moved to her neck, once again, lacking tenderne
ss but with rough kisses and painful bites. His hands grabbed the plump cheeks of her ass, and he lifted her to his waist. Kenya just wrapped her legs him.
Stepping forward, Caden pinned her to the wall as he continued his conquest. Kenya’s chemise was immediately ripped at the seam, and whether her high-pitched gasp was one of protest or pleasure, Caden didn’t care. He tossed the light fabric away from them. He would buy her another one later. He was willing to buy her a million more, if only to enjoy the pleasure of ripping them off her body.
If Kenya was annoyed by Caden destroying her expensive lingerie, she showed it by ripping open his shirt, the buttons popping off, launching across the room like catapulted missiles, ricocheting off her naked body and the window behind her. Kenya was busy with her own vampirish impressions on Caden’s neck. Her hands slipped under his sleeves and began traversing the muscled terrain of his arms. Caden wriggled himself free and dropped the shirt on the floor behind him to give Kenya full access to his naked upper body.
She slipped a hand into his recently grown hair. Her fingers clutching the curled ends tightly, Kenya jerked Caden’s head backward, forcing a growl of pain from him. Her mouth moved to his neck, where she continued her mandibular exercises on his Adam's apple, as if she meant to taste the fruit itself.
Caden’s neck was bitten and bruised, and he’d had enough of their battle for control. All his body wanted was to conquer hers. Snatching her hair, he ripped her away from her violent mastication on his neck and collarbone. His mouth crashed against hers, and he crossed the room with her.
“No, we can’t,” Kenya protested, as he laid her down on the dining room table. “Caydee eats here.”
“And so will I,” he said, dropping to his knees. He began tonguing her through the sheer material of her panties before shifting it to one side.
“No...Caden...bastard. Yes!”
Kenya tried to sit up, tried to protest, but Caden ignored her, removing her panties to give his mouth better access. Soon her pleasure overtook her principles, and Kenya collapsed on the table. Raising her knees to her ears, he opened her like a platter before him, gorging himself on her as if she was a holiday banquet. Kenya’s fingers curled around the tablecloth as she whimpered in pleasure.
