Paradise Found: Cain (Paradise #2)(57)

Inside the entryway, I didn’t stop. I reached back blindly for him, and he took my cold hand, wrapping his warm one around mine. I led him up to my apartment as we literally dripped like a faucet in the stairwell. Once we reached my place, he stopped just outside the doorway.

“I can’t come in. I’m too wet,” he said, his teeth chattering as the cold settled on him. I reached a hand out for his jacket again and tugged him forward.

“I’m soaked, too. I don’t think it matters anymore.” The force of pulling him drew him close to me and his warm breath mixed with mine. His mouth was inches away from me, and for a second, I prepared for the collision of lips. But Cain held steady. He breathed me in, inhaling my oxygen, but not drawing closer. His throat rolled; the only sign he was affected being so close to me.

“We need to get you out of those wet clothes,” I said quietly, my voice shaking from a mixture of cold skin and warm Cain. His eyes opened wider, the dark brown turning darker. Desire. On so many occasions, I’d witnessed the look, but I didn’t want him to only desire me. I didn’t want him to be tempted by the fruit he couldn’t savor. I wanted him to cherish me. I wanted him to love me, like the vows intended. I stepped back instantly, realizing I wanted from him something he wasn’t capable of giving.

Sensing my retreat, he reached out for me. It was only a firm hand on my upper arm.

“You need to get out of those clothes, as well,” he stated the obvious, his voice raspy. The sound slithered around me, but not in a sinister way. In a way that almost undressed me, without him ever touching me.

“The bathroom’s right there.” I pointed behind him, adding a nod to emphasize where he could change. He released me and stepped back, tugging off his coat as he took the two short steps to the door. He turned back; his eyes questioned me. My body screamed yes, but my heart was in control at the moment, and my head shook no. I would not join him in the shower. When I heard it start, taking his liberty with it, I crossed into my small bedroom area and undressed. Throwing on a sweatshirt to warm the chill, I draped my clothes over the kitchen sink. From the small galley kitchen, I could see Cain in my bedroom area, standing in only a towel wrapped around his waist.

“I … I don’t suppose you have anything that fits me?” he teased softly. As a matter of fact, I did. I had a t-shirt of his that I’d stolen from him. His eyes followed the movement of my body as I passed him. I held out a pair of large sweats, which might still be too small for him.

“You’re not wearing pants,” he whispered in a raspy tone.

“I …” I hastened to pull up some pajama pants that lay on the floor near the bed, but twisted, stumbling onto the bed in my surprise. My feet were tangled in the material and we stared at one another. This could go one of two ways. He could come for me, or he could step back and allow me privacy. But this was Cain, and he did neither. He stared at my naked legs and tangled ankles.

“I’ll never fit in your pants.” The irony and hilarity of that statement caught me off guard, and I started to giggle as I stood back up. He turned a shade of red I had never seen on him. I laughed harder.

“Are you blushing?” I teased.

“No,” he bit. A twinge of annoyance laced his voice, but he couldn’t hold it long. I giggled more and he lunged for me, tackling me gently back on the bed.

“Are you laughing at me?” he snapped, but there wasn’t enough anger to contain the smile slowly crossing his lips.

“No,” I mocked, but snorted instead, which made me laugh even more. It was a nervous reaction to him being in my small apartment, him being so close to me, him being on my bed.

“God, I’ve missed that sound,” he whispered loudly. I stopped instantly and twisted my neck to look at him beside me. His large arm was still over my waist as I lay on my back, my feet dangled off my bed.

“Don’t stop,” he whispered quieter, but the moment was gone. We stared at one another for a long minute. So much to say, and yet, I just wanted to drink him in. Like the rain outside, I just wanted to let his presence wash over me.

“I want to kiss you,” he said, leaning close to take advantage of our position.

“But you won’t,” I stated, calmly, holding his eyes.

“But I won’t,” he muttered. I expected him to release me in frustration. He didn’t often get denied what he wanted, especially with me. I gave in like an easy prey. He’d hypnotize me with that intense look in his eyes, and I’d follow his lead. I’d bite if he asked me. He was my temptation, even though he called me his.

“Your hair is still soaked,” he said, brushing back thick weighted locks.

“Why are you here?” I asked, ignoring the gesture.

“I came to check on you.”

“Are you spying on me?” I huffed, annoyed that he felt he had a right to keep tabs on me.

“No,” he said in the same tone from moments ago. “I just want to see that you’re safe.” His eyes never left mine as he spoke. Genuine concern radiated in their darkness. There had been nights I was too nervous to sleep in the small space. I missed the comfort of him wrapped around me. I missed our shared bed in his home. Our home, he would have corrected me. But when I thought of that bed, I had visions of a snake coiling over another snake. His arms wrapping over her legs, and I couldn’t shake the sensation.