Page 24 of Cayden

But then he had met her, and his focus had changed. It was an insidious change, one that had happened without him realizingit. But it was there. Before he knew it, he wanted to be better for her. He wanted her approval.

He wanted her – all of her. The fight and tension between them was killing him, but he could not get over the fact that she had gone behind his back on something so bloody life changing.

Underneath the anger, there was the fear creeping in. He could not lose her. It would destroy him.

As the night drew to a close, Cayden found himself standing alone on the terrace, the cool night air a stark contrast to the warmth inside. The city's lights stretched out before him in a dazzling display, but they did little to ease the turmoil within. He leaned against the railing, gripping it tightly as he tried to collect his thoughts.

Clive's words echoed in his mind, intertwining with memories of Blair - their laughter, their whispered secrets, the way she looked at him with those eyes that seemed to see straight into his soul. He closed his eyes, taking a moment to breathe in the crisp air, hoping it would clear his head. It was a futile effort.

Shaking off the fatigue and worry, he turned and walked back into the hotel, determined to let it go for now.

*****

‘Spending the night with my dad. I have an appointment at the clinic tomorrow if you are interested. Blair.’

He read the text message twice. It was terse and abrupt, and he supposed he deserved it.

He was hurting her and could not seem to stop. He was festering in a morass of anger and pain and was unwilling to let it go.

Of course he was going with her to the clinic. How could she think otherwise? He thought angrily.

He was on his way back home, after an almost entire day of negotiations that had gone well. Now he was going to the manor and sleeping in a bed that was too big without her in it.

Even when they were mad at each other, just her presence next to him was enough to anchor him. Before he could change his mind, he called for her number and very soon, her sultry voice filled the interior of the car, caressing him, winding through him like silk.

“Cayden?”

“Hi. I got your message. Is your dad all right?”

“He is. I decided to come and cook him dinner.”

“Something you never really get to do.”

“No!”

There was an awkward pause as if neither of them knew exactly what to say next.

“This appointment. What is it for? Just a regular checkup or something else?”

“Just a routine check.”

There was a small pause again as he made the left turn that would take him home.

“You’re staying the night.”

“Yes. Dad is feeling a little under the weather, and I want to make certain he is okay.”

He parked just outside the perimeter, somehow reluctant to go in. “Is it serious?” He was not his father-in-law’s favorite, and the man had made that plain enough.

Blair was his only child, and he treasured her, especially since he had lost his beloved wife. He also did not think Cayden was good enough to be her husband. He was probably right, Cayden thought dismally.

“I think it is just a cold and his blood pressure is a little high. I am persuading him to rest.”

“Is that something you should be taking on? Shouldn’t you be resting as well?”

“He is my father and I am all he has. Do you expect me to abandon him?” Her voice was steeped in frustration.

“I did not mean…” Sighing, he leaned back and closed his eyes. “We keep arguing. Christ, I hate this.”

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