The wrath called Revenge

Chapter 3

Kade's POV.

The early morning sunlight filtering in through the cabin windows woke me up. I turned to look at the lithe body lying down fast asleep beside me, watching the gentle rise and fall of her chest with every breath and the way her features relaxed in slumber.

I may have worn her out last night, but I'm certain I gave her a night she would never forget.

Lexi Arthur. Beautiful, broken thing, and it seemed like she was hiding something. Suffering from something. She was mine, she just didn't know it yet.

I got out of bed, gently in order not to wake her up and went into the adjoining ensuite bathroom to freshen up. I brushed my teeth and washed my face before coming out and changing into a pair of silk lounge pants.

Then I ordered a room service breakfast and sat in the chair opposite her, watching her until she woke up.

I noticed the way her eyelids fluttered open and her pink lips parted in a yawn as she woke up. She looked around the cabin in confusion, not recognising where she was at first glance.

“Good morning, beautiful.” I said from my position at the chair, the sound of my voice causing her to jump slightly.

“Oh my gosh, Kade, you startled me. Good morning.” She said.

“Did you sleep well, beautiful? Because I know I did.” I teased, appreciating the deep red blush that colored her skin at my words.

“I did, thank you.” She gathered the sheets around her, intending to use them to protect her modesty as she attempted to get up from the bed.

“No need to hide from me now, Lexi. I don't mind looking at you at all.”

Her blush deepened even more, although she tried to keep her voice firm as she said, “All we had was a one night stand, Kade. The sooner we realise that, the better. We got what we wanted from each other, and now I'm going back to my cabin.”

“At least freshen up first and have breakfast, and allow me to offer you something to wear,” I offered, “we can't have the whole boat knowing what you were up to last night now, don't you think?”

She seemed to find sense in my words because she stopped arguing, instead allowing me show her the direction of the bathroom. I rummaged through the few clothes I had on board, picking out a gray t-shirt and a pair of black shorts. I gestured to the items of clothing as she emerged from the bathroom, satisfied at the way she followed my orders without a hitch.

With what I had planned, the sooner she got used to me being around her, the better.

A soft knock on the door announced the arrival of the room service breakfast, which consisted of a full spread of breakfast meals, complete with tea, coffee and hot chocolate.

“I didn't know what you liked, so I ordered one of everything,” I explained as soon as we were alone once again.

“Thanks, but you didn't have to,” she said as she fiddled with the hem of her shirt. My shirt. Seeing her small frame swallowed up by my clothes caused a deep, primal feeling to rise within me, though I suppressed it before it could grow any further.

“Please, it's the least I could do after wearing you out last night,” I said, picking up a plate, “so what would you like?”

She made her choice and I fixed a plate for her, pouring a cup of coffee for myself afterwards. I sat back in the chair and watched her eat, content to let her regain her energy.

After all, she was going to need it for the conversation we were about to have.

She finished the food and stood up to leave after muttering a soft “thank you, it was nice,” but I effectively stopped her in her tracks with my next words.

“Hold on, Lexi Arthur. I have a proposition for you.”

She froze at the sound of her full name, before turning slowly to face me. Her delicate features were set into a hard frown, a stark contrast to the sexiness I knew she was capable of exuding.

“How do you know my name?” she asked without a trace of warmth in her voice.

“If you won't mind sitting down,” I gestured to the chair adjacent to mine, “I'll explain everything to you.”

“I'm not sitting down until I know what's going on here! Who the hell are you, Kade? If that's even your real name!” she exclaimed.

I stood up from my chair, raising my palms up in the universal sign of surrender.

“Hey, calm down. I can explain everything. Yes, Kade is my real name, it's just that I may have hidden a few things from you last night, and I'm sorry.”

“I know what we had was just a one night stand, but built on lies? Who does that, Kade? What's the matter with you?”

“I'm really sorry, Lexi, but hear me out. I noticed you a day after you got on the cruise, so I told my men to look into you. That was was invasion of your privacy, and I shouldn't have done that, but I couldn't help myself. I was drawn to you, I still am. I didn't plan on acting out on my desires, but then you showed up in that dress last night, and I couldn't control myself,” I bit back a groan at the memory of her last night in her dress, forcing myself to continue as I said,

“No one could take their eyes off you, Lexi, and you didn't even notice. I couldn't stand the thought of you leaving with anyone other than me. So I came onto you. I should've come clean, and I'm sorry about that.”

We stood there in silence as I finished, the weight of my outburst hanging heavy between us. She didn't say a thing, seemingly digesting my words in her mind.

“Is that all?” She asked me a few moments later in a bland tone. When I didn't answer immediately, she continued, “Because I really don't have the time for any mind games currently, Mr. Kade. I have a lot going on in my life now, and if you don't mind, I'd like to be on my way. I had a nice time with you, and thanks for breakfast, but I'll appreciate it if we never see each other again.”

Without waiting for my reply, she turned on her heel and started towards the door. I moved without thinking, gripping her elbow lightly to stop her before she left.

“Wait, please,” I said, “you didn't even hear my proposition.”

“Not interested,” she said and tried to wrestle out of my grip.

I pulled out my last resort. “I know that you just went through a messy breakup. I don't know the details, but I'm offering you an out.”

She stilled in my hold, and I took that as an invitation to continue, “I want you to be my faje fiancée for a year. Pretend we're engaged, just for that period, and I'll settle you handsomely at the end of it. And we don't have to do anything you don't want to do during that period.”

I loosened my grip on her hand just enough for her to turn and face me, mesmerised once more by the deep blues of her irises.

So lost was I, that I didn't notice the palm flying towards my face until it landed against my right cheek in a loud slap.