Sinner's Grace

First Kiss

I wake up with a strange sense of determination the next morning. After getting dressed, I sit in front of my mirror, staring at my reflection. My mind races, and for a fleeting moment, I wonder if this is a bad idea. Still, I open my bottom drawer, pick up the phone Kade bought me, and toss it into my bag. I grab my car keys and head out before I overthink it further.

The drive to Kade's house feels longer than it should, and with every passing mile, I rehearse what I want to say. But as I pull up to the most extravagant house I've ever seen, the words evaporate from my mind.

There it is, standing tall like a fortress, its sleek modern design and perfectly maintained grounds more intimidating than inviting. This isn't just a home; it's a kingdom. And judging by the armed presence at the gate, Kade Sterling is its king.

I take a deep breath and step up to the gate, pressing the buzzer. Within seconds, a tall, rough-looking man with a leather jacket and neck tattoos approaches, his eyes narrowing as he takes me in.

"Yeah?" he asks, his tone anything but welcoming.

"I need to talk to Kade," I say, doing my best to sound confident, even though my hands are clammy.

The man's gaze roams from my head to toe, his scowl deepening with each second. "Who are you? You don't look like one of Kade's bitches. You a Jehovah's Witness or something?"

His words sting, but I manage to keep my composure.

"I just want to see him."

A second man emerges, looking equally unfriendly. "You can't meet him. You should get the f**k out of here."

Before I can respond, a new voice interrupts. "Carl, how many times do I have to tell you to be nice to the ladies?"

The voice belongs to a man with a much less threatening demeanor. He's wearing a black dress shirt tucked neatly into khaki pants, the sleeves rolled up to reveal tattooed forearms. A cigarette dangles from his lips as he smiles at me.

"Oh, I remember you," he says, taking a puff from his cigarette. "You're the girl who let the boss drive her car. Yeah, it's you."

*Boss?* The weight of that word hits me like a freight train. *Who exactly is Kade Sterling?*

"You know this b***h?" Carl sneers, but the kind man glares at him.

"Shut the f**k up, Carl," he snaps before turning to another guard. "Yo, Rodg, open the gate. She's harmless."

The gates open, and the kind man gestures for me to follow him. "Come on. I'll take you in."

As we walk through the compound, my discomfort grows. There are at least ten men scattered around the property, each one watching me like I don't belong.

"You guys don't have women drop by?" I ask, my voice shaking slightly.

The man smirks but doesn't answer.

He opens the front door for me, ushering me into Kade's home. "You'll be fine," he says, though his tone isn't entirely convincing.

The house is just as I remember it—pristine, elegant, and unnervingly quiet. My gaze lands on Kade, who's seated on a luxurious couch, a cigarette perched between his lips as he glares at his phone.

He's dressed impeccably in a black dress shirt and matching pants that fit him like a second skin. The top buttons of his shirt are undone, revealing the tattoos that snake across his chest. His sleeves are rolled up, showcasing the intricate ink on his forearms.

The man next to him shifts uncomfortably as Kade looks up, his gray eyes locking onto mine. Surprise flashes across his face for a brief moment before it's replaced with his usual calm confidence.

"Manny, leave," Kade says, his tone leaving no room for argument. The man nods and casts me a curious glance before disappearing down the hall.

Kade pulls the cigarette from his lips, exhaling a stream of smoke through his nose as he puts it out in the ashtray. Then, with slow, deliberate movements, he rises from the couch.

His stride is unhurried, every step exuding power and control. By the time he's standing in front of me, I'm struggling to breathe.

"You paid me a visit," he says, his voice low and rich.

Up close, he smells just as intoxicating as ever—a mix of expensive cologne and something inherently masculine. *How does he manage that after inhaling a cigarette?*

"I did," I manage to say, though my voice wavers.

"And here I thought you hated me." His lips curve into that trademark smirk, and my heart skips a beat.

"I don't hate you," I say, clutching my bag tighter. "But I needed to talk to you."

His smirk fades slightly, and he tilts his head, studying me. "About?"

I reach into my bag and pull out the phone he gave me, holding it out to him. "This."

He doesn't take it. Instead, his gray eyes flick to the phone, then back to my face. "You came all the way here to return a phone?"

"It's not just a phone," I say, my frustration bubbling to the surface. "It's... it's complicated."

Kade leans closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "Then make it simple for me, Little Saint. What do you want?"

My heart pounds in my chest as I search for the right words. But under his intense gaze, I'm not sure I even know the answer anymore.

"I'm sorry, I can't keep it." I place the device on the coffee table nearest to me, my hands trembling slightly.

Kade watches me for a beat, his expression unreadable, then calls out, "Manny!"

Manny appears almost immediately, his movements sharp and precise as if he's been waiting for an order. He stops in front of Kade, standing at attention like a soldier before his commander.

"Throw that away," Kade says, motioning toward the phone.

I freeze, guilt creeping into my chest. I only wanted to give it back, not for it to be discarded.

Manny hesitates, glancing at Kade for confirmation.

"You heard me." Kade's voice is calm, but there's a steel edge to it.

Manny nods and picks up the phone, sparing me a fleeting glance before walking out of the room with it.

"You really didn't have to do that," I say, my voice barely above a whisper.

Kade shrugs, his expression indifferent as he takes two steps closer, closing the distance between us until his presence is overwhelming.

"It's okay. You didn't want it."

He's standing so close now that I can feel the warmth radiating off him. My breathing hitches as his piercing gray eyes bore into mine, leaving me unable to look away.

"Are you scared of me, Ivy?" he asks, his voice soft but laced with something darker.

"I'm not..." I stutter, my words trailing off.

I'm not scared of him. I'm scared of the way he makes me feel—scared of the vulnerability bubbling to the surface, the memories I've fought so hard to bury. Marcus's shadow still lingers, an open wound I've spent months trying to close.

Kade tilts his head slightly, studying me as though he can see every thought running through my mind. Then, without warning, his hand reaches out to cradle the back of my neck, pulling me forward with a gentle but firm tug.

The air between us feels heavy, charged, and I can feel every inch of his strong, commanding presence. His gray eyes are even more captivating up close, a mix of chaos and calm that has me utterly mesmerized.

My heart pounds wildly in my chest, echoing in my ears. I should step back, but my body betrays me, rooted to the spot.

His thumb brushes my cheek in a slow, deliberate motion, his gaze locked on mine with an intensity that makes my knees feel weak. He tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers trailing softly along my skin, leaving a trail of warmth.

My breath catches in my throat. My mind is screaming at me to say something, anything, but my words are tangled in the haze of his touch.

"What do you want?" he asks, his voice calm and low, the timbre reverberating through me. His thumb grazes my cheek again, sending a shiver down my spine.

"I..." My voice cracks, and my thoughts scramble. "I want us to... stay away from each oth—"

Before I can finish, Kade closes the gap between us, his lips capturing mine.

The kiss is firm, catching me completely off guard. My breath hitches, and for a moment, my world narrows to the feel of his mouth against mine. His free hand rests on my waist, anchoring me as if he knows I might try to pull away.

But I don't.

Instead, I'm lost in the unexpected tenderness beneath his commanding touch, the warmth of his lips contrasting with the raw power he exudes. My fingers twitch at my sides, aching to move, to either push him away or pull him closer—I can't decide which.

My eyes flutter shut on their own, betraying my better judgment, and the next minute, I'm kissing back. He tastes so good—like danger, warmth, and a hint of something sweet. I don't want to stop, even though I know I should. Every fiber of my being is screaming for me to pull away, but I can't.

Kade pulls me closer, his firm hand trailing down my back until it rests on the curve of my waist. A shiver runs through me, and I don't know when or how, but my arms find their way around his neck. My fingers tangle in his messy dark hair, and it feels like they belong there.

His lips mold perfectly against mine, like we've done this a thousand times before, like they were made for me. Kade's movements are confident and consuming, and I can barely keep up with his pace. A soft, involuntary moan escapes my lips when his hand boldly grabs my hip, sending a wave of electricity through me.

*Oh, my god. What's he doing to me?*

My body ignites, heat radiating from my skin, and my thoughts become hazy. Kade's lips leave mine and start trailing down my neck. My breath hitches, and my knees feel weak as his kisses leave a searing trail along my sensitive skin. I'm a mess—a tangled web of want and confusion—and I realize with a shocking intensity that I've never wanted anyone as much as I want Kade Sterling in this moment.

But then, like a slap of cold reality, it hits me: I just let a stranger—someone I barely know—steal my real first kiss.

My heart pounds, this time not just from desire, but from panic. *What am I doing?*

I pull away abruptly, stepping back as though his touch burns me, putting a safe distance between us. My chest rises and falls as I struggle to catch my breath. Kade watches me intently, his gray eyes dark with an emotion I can't decipher. His presence is overwhelming, and yet, I can't bring myself to look away.

"I've always wanted to do this," Kade says, his voice low and steady, "since the very first day I barged into your car."