Under His Skin

by Stacey O'Neale

  She would have to schedule an extended weekend visit soon. Getting out of town might be the best way to wash Kaden from her heart. But even if she were able to rid her thoughts of him, how would she convince her heart it was never meant to be? How would she move on after all they had been through, after all she had learned?

  How will I ever get over Kaden Chance?

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  “Harder, Cam,” Kaden insisted, seconds after he took a blow to the face. Ever since he’d watched Fight Club, boxing had become his favorite way to release stress. “Hit me like you mean it.”

  They circled each other inside the boxing ring they’d built in the basement of their house. Sweat poured down his bare chest, settling on the waistband of his black Under Armour shorts. To keep them safe, they wore the same protective gear the professionals used. Although Kaden could heal them, Hayden preferred they safeguard themselves while they beat the shit out of each other.

  Cam shook his head, then delivered an uppercut punch to the gut that knocked the air out of his lungs. “I can do this all night.”

  “Then stop talking and keep swinging.” Kaden swung a right hook, but Cam ducked, the shot missing him by only a few inches.

  They circled each other again, each taking a few jabs from the other. Kaden’s arms weakened, slowing down the force of his assault. He wondered how much longer he could go before he passed out on the floor. Maybe that’s what he was trying to do. Maybe he wanted Cam to knock him out. If he was unconscious, he would be rid of the constant pain he felt in the center of his chest.

  Cam held out his gloves then put his hands on his knees. “Okay, it’s time to stop. We’ve been going at this for two hours.”

  “I thought you said you could continue this all night,” he growled.

  “This isn’t about me and you know it.” Cam tugged at the strings of his gloves, loosening them with his teeth until he pulled the first one off. “I could beat you an inch from death, but it’s not going to make you feel better.”

  Nothing was going to make any of this better. Before Hayden left for his surveillance shift, Kaden had told his brothers he’d broken things off with Annabelle. Both of them thought he had lost his mind. After learning she was in love with him, Hayden was more convinced than ever that she was his mate. He grimaced. The look on her face when he’d said he didn’t love her hurt more than any punch his brother could deliver.

  Kaden held out his hands while Cam untied his glove strings. “What am I supposed to do? I did what was best for her. I made the right choice.”

  “For who?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. “Not for Annabelle. She said she loves you. And certainly not for yourself. You’re worse off than before.”

  Kaden grabbed hold of the boxing ring, gripping the rope so tight blood seeped out between his fingers. “So what am I supposed to do? Let her risk her life, her business, her friends and family, all because she loves me?”

  “Yeah, dumbass. You do.” He rolled his eyes. “You told Annabelle the truth about everything, and she still wants you. If she’s willing to risk it all, you should’ve accepted her decision.”

  She wanted him. The woman he had desired since the moment they met. Even after everything they had been through, she said she was in love with him. It was more than he had dared to hope for, and he’d thrown it all away. What the fuck had he done? How could he have been so foolish? He only had himself to blame for his stupidity. James might have been the one who’d pointed things out, but his insecurities were already there. All James had done was feed them.

  The phone rang, shaking him from his thoughts.

  “I’ll get it,” Cam said, heading toward the receiver hanging on the wall.

  After what he’d done, he didn’t deserve her. He didn’t deserve any kind of happiness. Putting his hand on his chest, Kaden felt the thump of his heartbeat. All his life, he’d thought he would never feel the sensation. Then, when it finally happened, he’d pushed her away. Denying the obvious: he was in love with her. And now she was gone forever.

  “It’s too late now,” he said under his breath.

  Cam cleared his throat. “You’ve got bigger problems than that.”

  His back straightened as the tension in his shoulders tightened. “Was it Hayden? Has something happened to Annabelle?”

  “No, that was Barney on the phone.” He scratched the side of his head. “He said a woman named Hilary is on her way here.”

  Great. As if this wasn’t bad enough. He could only imagine what she had to say. “That’s Annabelle’s best friend.”

  Cam chuckled. “You’re in deep shit.”

  As soon as Kaden opened the front door, Hilary barreled inside. Her arms were crossed, with her oversize sunglasses sitting on top of her head. With her tan business suit and heels, she looked as if she had come from work. He was still covered in sweat, only wearing his shorts. The call from Barney hadn’t left him much time to get dressed, but then again, he’d had no idea he was about to have a guest.

  “This is a nice house, Kaden. It certainly wasn’t what I was expecting.”

  Annabelle had said almost the exact same thing the first time she came over. The night she’d showed up drunk after her date with that human. “I get that a lot.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “I’m sure you can guess why I’m here.”

  There was no doubt in his mind why she was here. She’d probably heard what happened from Annabelle and driven over to confront him. Annabelle was right. She really was a good friend to her. “Not really.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “Don’t play dumb with me. I just came from seeing Annabelle.”

  Exactly what he had expected her to say. “I really don’t want to talk about my relationship with Annabelle.”

  “She told me what you said.” She poked her finger into his chest. “How could you do that to her?”

  “I’ve been wondering that myself,” Cam said, stepping in the room with a half-eaten sandwich in his hand.

  “Who are you?” Hilary asked curiously.

  “His brother, Camden.” He took her in slowly with a smirk on his lips. “And you must be the best friend. I can’t believe this is the first time I’m meeting you.”

  It was obvious from the way he was looking at her that Cam was interested. And the way she eyed his bare chest signaled she was feeling the exact same way. For a long minute, they stared at each other. It was uncanny. Kaden started to wonder if there was a human on this planet who could resist his little brother.

  Breaking first from their staring contest, Hilary turned her attention back to Kaden. “You took her out on the best date of her life, led her to believe there was something special between you, then the next day changed your mind completely. Who does that?” She put her palm up before he could attempt to answer her. “I’ll answer. A total asshole.”

  Everything she was saying was true. He was an idiot for letting Annabelle go. And he couldn’t blame her best friend for coming over to point it out. “I’m sure you’ve come here with lots to say, and I’m not going to try and stop you, but I can promise you it’s nothing I haven’t already said to myself. I know I made a huge mistake. I know I’m the biggest idiot in the universe. I had everything I wanted, and I should’ve never let her go.”

  Her eyes widened, as if she were surprised by his response. “Then why did you?” she asked.

  Because he’d never thought he was good enough for her. She deserved the best because she was the best. He didn’t think what he had to offer was worthy of her. And because he loved her so much, he was willing to let her go. But that wasn’t the right move. He’d taken the decision out of her hands. “I thought I was doing what was best for her.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “I know I screwed up, but it’s too late now. I’m sure she hates me.”

  “I think you’re nuts, but for whatever reason, Annabelle loves you,” Hilary said, crossing her arms in front of her. “If you feel the same way about her, then you should go and apologi
ze. I know she still wants to be with you.”

  “I agree with her,” Cam said in between bites. “You’re miserable most of the time, but a little less miserable when you’re with Annabelle. I say you go for it.”

  Kaden shook his head, letting out an exaggerated breath. “There’s no way she’ll forgive me.”

  Hilary rolled her eyes. “Would you stop it already and go talk to her? You’re giving me a headache.”

  Cam laughed. “Oh, I like her.”

  “I just bet you do.” She winked.

  Hilary was right. Annabelle was his mate and the woman he loved. There was no walking away from her. He couldn’t live without her. He was a fool to even consider the possibility. He had to go to her and tell her why he’d tried to break things off. Explain what a moron he had been and hope she found a way to forgive him. With determination surging through him, he said, “I have to make this right.”

  “It’s about time,” Cam said, swallowing the last piece of his sandwich.

  Hilary headed toward the front door and nodded at Kaden. “Good luck. I suggest you beg a little. You’re gonna need all the help you can get.”

  Kaden rubbed the back of his neck. “Thanks, I think.”

  Hilary peered over her shoulder at Cam, letting her eyes lazily take him in. “See you soon, tiger.”

  They both watched as the door closed behind her. Cam made a moaning sound with a wild expression across his face. “She’s going to be fun to tame.”

  Kaden almost burst out laughing, but managed to hold it in. If Cam was going after Hilary, he was going to get the shock of his life. She wasn’t like the girls he met at college. She was a woman who didn’t take any shit.

  And if anyone had a chance of taming Camden, it was definitely her.

  Kaden raced up the stairs. He needed to go to Annabelle, but not in sweaty gym shorts. While turning on the shower, he tried to figure out what he was going to say. He had never been in a mess this big, and it was going to take something special to get him out of it.

  “What’s the hurry?” Cam shouted from outside the door.

  Kaden smiled. “I’m going to get my girl back.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  If the lords of the underworld can’t bring me out of this funk, no one can.

  Annabelle stopped by the bookstore after the bakery closed. One of her favorite adult paranormal authors had released the latest book in her series, and she had to have it. She spent the next hour eating dinner and showering before getting into her most comfortable pajamas and snuggling into her bedsheets. The next few hours would be spent with some of the sexiest men that ever graced a page.

  Just as Torin was about to make his move on Keeley, something cracked against her bedroom window. She paused for a moment before shrugging. The sound was so slight, she assumed the wind had smacked a twig into the glass. A second later, a louder crack made her startle. Pulling the covers back, she put her feet on the floor and peered out the window. To her shock, Kaden stood in the alley.

  She opened the window. “What are you doing here?”

  “I came to ask for your forgiveness.” His voice echoed. “I’m sorry for what I said the other night. I didn’t mean any of it.”

  Why was he doing this to her? Hadn’t he put her through enough already? “Go home, Kaden. Some of my neighbors live in these buildings.”

  “I don’t care if they can hear me.” His voice got louder. “I want them, the FBI, the whole world to know that I’m the biggest idiot on the planet. I had the most amazing woman, and I let her go. I let my own insecurities get in the way of my real feelings, and I said things I didn’t mean.”

  Lights in other buildings flipped on, and a few residents peered out their windows. Her face reddened. “Kaden, please. I’m begging you to go home.”

  With a smirk across his lips, he shook his head. “I’m not going anywhere until I can convince you to give me another chance. If I have to stand here all night, so be it.”

  After all the tears she had cried, she wasn’t sure how she felt about his new revelation. “I can’t just forgive you for what you said. You really hurt me, and I’m not sure I want to be with someone who can throw me away so easily.”

  “I never threw you away. I let you go.”

  None of this made any sense. “Why did you let me go?”

  “Because I thought you deserved a better life than I could offer you.” He lowered his head. “I didn’t think I was good enough. And because I love you so goddamn much, I let you go.”

  A lump swelled in her throat. “You love me?”

  “I’ve loved you since the first day I met you. Maybe I didn’t know what I was feeling at the time, but I have no doubts now.” Kaden reached behind a tree, pulling out a megaphone. Into the microphone, he screamed, “I am in love with you, Annabelle Sparks. And I will do anything to make you mine again.”

  She giggled. “You’ve lost your mind.”

  He crossed his arms. “Say you’ll give me another chance or I’ll start the serenade.”

  Kaden was a lot of things, but a singer he was not. “Don’t you dare.”

  “I told you, I’ll do anything for another chance. I don’t care if I have to humiliate myself in front of every person in this town.” He rubbed his fingers over his throat as if he were preparing his vocal cords.

  Holy hell, he was really going to sing. Kaden had made a point never to draw attention to himself, and here he was outside her window preparing to belt out Lord knew what. It was so unlike him. That had to mean what he was saying was true. He really was in love with her. Tears ran down her cheeks. “Get up here before someone calls the cops.”

  He didn’t hesitate, quickly heading toward the front of her building. She took a look in the mirror and tried to finagle her hair into something presentable. The call button buzzed, and she startled. There was no time to think or weigh out her decisions. All she could think about was his words: I am in love with you, Annabelle Sparks. She ran to the box and unlocked the door. Her heart pounded in her ears, beating stronger with every passing second. The stairs creaked with each step he took.

  The door opened.

  Kaden stood in front of her.

  She forgot how to breathe.

  Nerves piled on top of one another as Kaden entered her apartment. Annabelle stood a few feet from him with her arms wrapped around her waist. She had on a tight pink tank top that hugged every one of her luscious curves. Painted toenails peeked out from beneath the matching silk pants. The tips of his fingers throbbed, aching to touch her. To show her how much he loved her. To wash away any doubts she might still have.

  But he had made so many mistakes, done so many things he wished he could take back. Would Annabelle really give him one more chance? He took a step toward her.

  “How do I know this is real? How do I know you won’t change your mind again?” she asked.

  “I never changed my mind.” He dug his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “I left because I thought I was doing what was best for you.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “I can make my own choices, Kaden.”

  “I know that. It was wrong for me to take that away from you. I just thought—” He hesitated. Lowering his glare to the floor, he said, “You deserve better.”

  She came forward, only inches separating their skin. “Better than you?”

  He nodded.

  Reaching up to touch his face, she tilted his head until his eyes were on her. “There’s no one better than you, Kaden Chance. Not for me.”

  “It ripped me apart to say those things to you, Bells. I plan to spend the rest of my life making it up to you.” Cupping her face with his hands, he pulled her to him and claimed her lips. She moaned, opening her mouth to stroke his tongue. They took turns panting, petting, and kissing.

  Breaking the kiss, she stared at him with eyes wide and full of love. “I don’t need any more apologies from you,” she said, gliding her hands down his chest, then underneath his shirt. A low gro
wl escaped his lips as her fingernails scraped down the muscles in his stomach. “We’ve done enough talking.”

  Heat surged through him like hot lava. She had truly forgiven him. No matter what, he would never let her down again. He would love her and give her what she needed from a mate. All that she desired. As her fingers unbuckled his belt, his dick pulsated against his zipper. “Are you sure this is what you want?”

  “I want you to bond with me,” she said as she pushed his pants down his legs, his boxers right behind them. “I want what we have to last forever.”

  How had he come to deserve this incredible woman? Before he claimed her lips once more, he reached for her tank top and pulled it over her head. She didn’t waste a minute, pulling his shirt over his head. Their mouths met in a passionate kiss as he ran his palms over her taut nipples. He bent to his knees, gazing up at her. “I want to hear you say it again,” he demanded, pressing a line of kisses down her stomach.

  “I love you, Kaden,” she said, digging her fingernails into his hair. “I want to be your mate.”

  Kaden kissed the pink silk of her panties. A moaning gasp escaped her lips, and her legs trembled. His need for her raged inside him, desperate for release like a caged animal. No longer able to contain himself, he wrapped his fingers around her panties. And with one swift motion, he broke the flimsy fabric in two. “Oh, yes. Don’t stop.”

  He rose to his feet, backing her up against the wall. As he cupped her breasts, her back arched. “Tell me you’re mine,” he said, pinching and teasing her nipples between his thumb and index finger.

  “I’m yours,” she said, panting heavily.

  Their eyes locked, and he could see her desire for him. This woman had become his everything. He’d never imagined he could ever feel this way. His body yearned to seal their bond, to join their bodies as one. Wrapping her legs around his waist, he carried her into the bedroom, settling her on the bed. “I can’t wait another minute. I have to have you.”