Page 9 of Hard Hearts

“It’s not pretend, Kitten. It’s for real, and we’re here to plan it.” And then I pull her in for a kiss.

Chapter Seven

FRANKIE

Asmall gasp of surprise leaves me when Kaden’s mouth comes down onto mine. He slips his tongue right past my parted lips. My hands go to his chest to push him away, but instead I find my fingers gripping his shirt as he thoroughly kisses me.

I let my eyes fall closed, my whole body lighting up in a way I’m not sure I much appreciate. The not appreciating part is a lie to myself, because I start to stroke my tongue against his as he deepens the kiss. He doesn’t stop until I’m breathless and in a daze. My panties are drenched.

I’m kind of at a loss for words. I never anticipated that a kiss could be so all-consuming. Of course, Kaden would give me the best kiss of my life. A fact I’ll never share with him. Why does he have to be so damn attractive?

“What was that?” I breathe out, reaching up to touch my lips.

“Knew you’d taste sweet.” Kaden smirks, but it’s not cocky; it’s knowing.

“I’m not sweet.”

“I won’t tell. Your secrets are safe with me.” Kaden drops another kiss on my lips before he’s out of the car. I use those two seconds before he can open my door to get my shit together.

“I’m not sweet,” I repeat when he takes my hand to lead me toward the front door.

"If you say so, Kitten." He lifts my hand, kissing right next to the giant ring he'd gotten me.

There is no forgetting the ring either. It’s heavy on my finger and very eye-catching. It’s beautiful and girly, nothing like me. At least not the me I put out to the rest of the world. A more feminine, girly part of me that I keep tucked away for her safety loves it.

The door is opening before we reach it. Jasper and his wife are there to greet us themselves. "You must be Frankie." Her whole face lights up. "I'm Kate." I already knew that because I spent today digging into her.

I go to hold my hand out, but she pulls me in for a hug, pressing a kiss to my cheek. Kate is a big philanthropist. Once upon a time, she'd been a school teacher until she knocked Jasper off his feet.

It was adorable reading about their love story. Jasper would give small details about it to the press here and there when they asked questions. He was instantly smitten the second he met her.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," I tell her.

"Let me see what you’ve got here." Kate takes my hand to see my ring. "There is no missing that, is there?" She laughs.

“Only the best for my kitten,” Kaden says as he comes up behind me, kissing the top of my head. I want to elbow him, but it would be too obvious.

“Only the best way to make sure everyone knows she’s taken.” Kate gives a playful smirk. “I’d know. I have a possessiveone myself.” Kate does, however, elbow Jasper in the side, making him chuckle.

“What can I say?” Jasper shrugs, making no apologies about it. I peek over at Kaden, who is staring down at me. I notice he is always watching me. Is he really possessive of me? I can’t tell if he’s joking when he says things or possibly quite serious. I hate that I want it to be the latter.

“Come in.” Kate motions for us to enter her home. “Jasper tells me you're a lawyer for the steel company.”

“Yes, I’ve been with them for a few years.” I'm starting to wonder if I picked my current company as a way to prove myself. To show that I can go toe to toe with the boys.

"You like it?" Kate leads us up into what I'm guessing is the parlor. Isn't that what they call it in rich people's homes? I could be mixing it up with the Clue game.

"The company I work for is the best steel producer in the country."

"That wasn't answering my question, but I'm going to let that one go." Thank God, because I'm not sure how to answer it. I don’t want to lie to the Parkers about anything else. I’m already at my lie quota with this whole engagement/marriage situation.

"I brought wine." Kaden holds the bottle out for Jasper.

"Oh, we can't drink that." Kate takes it from her husband. Shit, is it that bad? Kaden could splurge on a crazy ring but got a junk bottle of wine? Wait, what if the ring is fake? Luna had a fake ring and didn't even know it. "Unless you really want to."

"No, the bottle is yours to do what you want with."

"Then you wouldn't mind me using it for an upcoming charity event I'm on the board of? We could get a fantastic price for it."

---