Silence.
The room was thrown into an eerie silence, before the reality of what just happened dawned on us, and all three of us broke down simultaneously. Mom threw the phone at the wall, and Ash and I watched numbly as it crashed into a million plastic pieces. Then she broke down again, slumping on the floor, and clutching her chest tightly.
As her grieving wails filled the room, my father’s last words rang through my mind with perfect clarity over and over.
Make me proud, son.
Make me proud.
My eyes focused once again on the greenery surrounding the bench, and I remained silent as I came back to the present. I was suddenly aware that the wind was blowing across my face, drying the tears that hadn’t been shed since that night. I swiped them away quickly, and sniffed, folding my arms over my chest, unwilling to look in Suranne’s direction. I braced myself for the two words which had became the worst part of telling someone your father died. Those two words had tainted my shitty life, and if she said them I knew I would just explode. People always felt the need to say “I’m sorry,” when I said I didn’t have a father, and every time I had to rein in my anger.
“Thank you,” she whispered into the air and my head snapped in her direction, my eyes immediately locking onto her face. I let out a heavy breath which I hadn’t realized I had been holding when I noticed that her expression wasn’t one of apology, sympathy, or pity.
It was one of gratitude.
She slid up next to me, and pressed her hands firmly to my face, forcing me to look at her as she spoke in a determined voice, her eyes confident. “After what you did just now, Kane . . . I’d say your father would most definitely be proud of his son,” she murmured. I wanted to cry again, and hold onto her for the rest of my life. No one had ever said anything more healing to me. I felt my whole body warm towards her, and I smiled weakly as her words hung in the air, repairing the huge mess that was left in my body from the pain of telling her that story.
I had never felt such relief and took her hand, pulling her up against me so her body was flush against mine. I wrapped my arms tightly around her and pressed my lips to hers once before I pulled away and sighed in contentment.
“Thank you,” I murmured into her hair as I tightened my hold on her and inhaled her irresistible scent.
19. THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM
Suranne
“I disagree, I think that Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” also refers to women’s beauty, and their luminosity, not to mention their ever-changing temperaments. I think it portrays hope, love, loss, and sadness all in one,” I argued.
For a couple of hours we had been sitting there, or rather lying there lazily sipping from our bottles; I was casually sprawled across his chest as we talked about some of the greatest compositions.
After Kane told me what happened to his father, I knew that there was nothing that would stop me from loving him. I had felt such a wave of immense pride and gratitude that he had trusted me, let go, and opened himself up. Trusted me so deeply that he even let me see him cry, see how vulnerable he actually was.
He had held me for a few minutes before he mentioned that he was hungry and we went to get some Chinese and some fizzy drinks before returning back to our spot. We opted for the ground instead of the bench and Kane retrieved a blanket from the boot of his car, spreading it across the grass before we dug in to our food.
“Yeah, right!” Kane scoffed, “Why does everything have to lead back to women? Why can’t it just portray the beauty of the moonlight?”
“Because it has too much of a romantic edge to it to just be about the moon, Kane,” I sighed. “Have some perspective, man.”
“I agree that there is . . . something romantic about it. But then sometimes anything to do with the moon can connote signs of some . . . romanticism shit,” he replied nonchalantly.
“Yes, I’m sure that when Beethoven composed his piece he, too, agreed that there were indeed some signs of romanticism shit,” I snickered, only to be playfully swatted on the arse by Kane.
“I think that last remark was uncalled for, Miss Williams,” he stated in a low husky voice, before removing my bottle of drink and setting it on the ground next to him, only to roll us both over so that he was hovering over me slightly, holding himself up on his elbows. “You’re beautiful,” he whispered, his breath lightly fanning across my face. Then he ducked his head and brushed his lips gently against mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck and deepened the kiss, eliciting a low moan from him, and parted my lips, granting his tongue entrance as it explored my mouth.
“Damn it . . . Suranne . . .” he rasped in between kisses, “You’re so hot, I can’t deal with this shit.” He moaned against my neck, licking towards my collar bone. The feel of his lips on my skin drove me wild with lust. Kane grunted roughly just as I felt a familiar buzzing in my jean pocket. I groaned in frustration and Kane rolled off of me, his breathing heavy, and his eyes considerably darker as he watched me take out my phone.
I flipped it open and was greeted with my aunt’s voice. “Where in the world are you?! One minute you’re home and then the next you’re just gone!”
I rolled my eyes and mouthed “My aunt” at Kane, to which he sighed and nodded before I spoke into the receiver.
“I did actually tell you I was going out, but you were too engrossed in your cooking show,” I replied nonchalantly. My eyes flickered to Kane instinctively and I bit my lip as I took in his ruffled hair, his swollen lips, and his creased black shirt.
“. . . and I just don’t know what to do with you these days.”
I remembered that I was in fact in a conversation with my aunt, but Kane had distracted me from what she had been saying.
“Sorry, what?” I asked, blinking and trying to concentrate. But every time she spoke, my eyes ended up unabashedly creeping back to him. After the fourth time, Kane smiled crookedly at me and chuckled as he ran a hand through his hair before he snatched the phone and pressed it to his ear.
“I’m sorry to bother you, Miss Williams; it is my fault that Suranne has been distracted lately. I will be driving her home shortly.” The words slid off his tongue like melted butter and his velvet voice once again hugged my ears as he spoke to my aunt reassuringly. I couldn’t concentrate on their conversation. My eyes were still surveying every inch of his body, from his creased and rumpled black shirt, to his jeans, which were falling low on his hips. A sliver of his stomach was peeking out and I could just make out the soft brown hairs of his happy trail as it disappeared underneath his jeans.
My breathing had become heavy and my eyes were transfixed.
Out of nowhere I was pushed down onto my back and Kane was on top of me, looking deeply into my eyes.
“How the hell can I think clearly when you’re looking at me like that?” he questioned huskily into my ear. I was too breathless to form a response. He chuckled and lifted his head, pressing his lips down onto mine, kissing me hungrily as he fisted his hands in my hair. I moaned quietly as his lips moved against mine before he broke the kiss and rolled off of me again.
“Come on, time to go,” he said, his voice still rough, and his eyes still dark as he started cleaning up the empty Chinese containers.
“Oh, but why?” I whined, pouting up at him with a reluctant look on my face. He turned his head to look at me and his lips parted to speak. But as he took in my expression his face softened, and he smiled down at me before leaning down and kissing me sweetly. He held out a hand to help me up. “Because I promised your aunt that I would get you home safely, and before seven, and it’s now . . .” He dug into his pockets for his phone and glanced at it briefly “Six forty-five.” I gave him my best sad pleading look, pushing my brows up and together and pouting my lips, and I saw his deep brown eyes flash as he let out a shaky breath.
“Come on, Suranne, don’t give me that look; it’s seriously killing me,” he muttered, running his hand through my hair softly.
“That’s th
e idea,” I sang teasingly as he released my hair and picked up the blanket from the ground. We walked over to his car; my hand in his and I glanced down, wondering how many girls he ever held hands with. I frowned at the thought of my being the only girl he’d ever opened himself up to. He couldn’t have always been known as a womaniser.
“Have you ever actually been in a relationship?” I asked softly, looking back up at his face to gauge his reaction, expecting to see some clue as to what his answer would be.
He didn’t disappoint.
Kane’s face became clenched and dark. His whole body looked stiff and his movements seemed forced as we approached the passenger side of his car. He let go of my hand and kept it still by his side. Staying silent and avoiding eye contact, he opened the door, waiting for me to get in.
“Kane, wh—”
“Just get in the car, Suranne.” He spoke slowly, his voice tight and distant. I cringed at the sudden coldness in his voice, slowly nodding my head as I got in. He shut the door softly and I clicked my belt, watching as he walked round to his side of the car. He seemed to be muttering to himself, his brows furrowed before he opened his door and got in, started the car, and peeled out of the car park.
As he drove, his fingers clenched the steering wheel and a tense silence hung between us. He kept his attention solely on the road and I kept my eyes glued to my lap, twirling my thumbs nervously and wondering what was so bad about his last relationship. Just before we pulled up to my aunt’s he sighed and loosened his hold on the steering wheel. He parked in the drive and turned off the engine, the car becoming deathly quiet apart from our breathing. I kept my eyes on my lap but I could feel his stare on me even though he stayed quiet, watching me.
“Suranne,” he murmured, and I flinched at the sudden sound of his voice after the silence that had occupied the car. I kept my eyes on my lap, not quite ready to look at his face.
“Suranne,” he murmured again. “Look at me.”
I slowly lifted my head to look at him, and saw that his face had completely softened and no longer had its hard edge. His chocolate-brown eyes were shining with deep emotion and he gave a small smile in apology.
“I’m sorry, OK?” he said softly, reaching out to caress my cheek and I sighed and leaned into him, smiling absently at how touching him always made me feel at ease. He smiled back warmly, and leaned over to press his lips gently to mine. I wrapped an arm around his neck to keep him closer, causing him to groan and pull away.
“You should go, before I take you right here, right now,” he said in his seductive low voice, his eyes shining dangerously as they raked over my body. I smiled sweetly at him.
“What if that’s what I want, Kane?” I asked innocently, biting my lip and looking up at him, smirking as his eyes darkened and his fists clenched on his lap.
“I’ll pick you up tomorrow.” He jerked his head towards my door, a silent signal for me to get out of the car and I grinned at him, giving him a small chaste kiss on the lips and lingering there for a while. “See you tomorrow,” I whispered against his mouth and he inhaled sharply.
I leaned back and smirked once more. Then I got out of the car, gave a small wave over my shoulder, opened my front door, and closed it behind me. I leaned against it and sighed, closing my eyes with a happy, dreamy grin on my face.
I wished that tomorrow would just come already.
20. RETURNING THE FAVOUR
Suranne
My alarm clock buzzed that it was 7 a.m. I groaned and rolled over. As yesterday’s events caught up with me I shot up, smiling sleepily to myself before pulling back the covers and padding to the bathroom to get ready.
Throughout the shower, teeth brushing, and hair fixing, my face retained its lazy, sleepy smile. My thoughts constantly revolved around Kane, and as I glanced quickly in the mirror, I did a double take.
I hardly recognised myself.
My eyes were bright and dancing wildly, my face was warm and flushed with a stupid grin still plastered on my face.
I was one hundred percent happy.
I applied a small amount of mascara and lip gloss, taking a final glance at my reflection before leaving the bathroom, grabbing my book bag, and heading downstairs. I walked into the kitchen and spotted a folded note on the kitchen table, my name written clearly on the front. Dropping my bag by the door and walking over to the table I grabbed the note and unfolded it. It was from my aunt.
Had to leave early. Office is hectic this month. Probably won’t be home till after 9:00. You’re on your own for dinner.
Xxx
Aunt C
My smile grew as I read the letter. I loved being home alone, and my aunt trusted me so much more than my mother had. I had more freedom. Freedom to watch, eat, and listen to whatever I wanted without anyone objecting. I had a feeling today was going to be a good day.
All of a sudden I heard a rap at the door, and jumped, startled by the noise. Then my excitement grew, knowing who would be on the other side. My mind ran through the possible alternatives on how he would look this morning.
Would his hair be neatly spiked up, or had he run his hand through it so many times it had become slightly messy, yet still held its attractiveness? Would he be wearing his light blue jeans, hung low and looking all seductive, or his dark navy-bordering-on-black ones, which he seemed to be favoring lately?
Either way, I knew he would look amazing and sexy. I practically ran to the door, picking up my bag on the way, and heaving it open, letting out a heavy breath as his sweet cologne assaulted my senses.
He certainly didn’t disappoint.
His hair was indeed spiked neatly up at the front, begging my hands to run through it and make it that sexy dishevelled mess that I preferred. He was wearing his diamond stud in his ear, which I was doubly tempted to just nibble on. His warm brown eyes were bright, shining excitedly at me; his soft, full lips were turned up into a wide smile. His tanned skin was a blinding contrast to his crisp white button-down shirt, the first two buttons undone, revealing the top of his perfectly toned chest. His cuffs were rolled up his forearms and, as I had predicted, the dark navy jeans, fitting him perfectly and giving a tasty view of his arse when he walked.
He looked delicious.
“Hey,” I breathed, my face beaming at him, and my wide grin still in place as he smiled back down at me.
“Hey,” he murmured and I sighed in contentment, my ears becoming happily reacquainted with his smooth melodic tone. He leaned down and captured my lips with his own, kissing me softly. His sweet cologne put my mind in a dreamy haze and I ran my tongue along his juicy lower lip, biting it softly. He sighed into my mouth and cupped my face with his hand, wrapping his other arm tightly around me and pulling me closer to his body. Slipping his tongue between my lips he swirled it with mine tentatively, causing me to moan at the taste of him. I could taste the faint mint of his toothpaste mixed with a husky, salty but sweet taste, driving me insane.
He really was delicious.
I broke the kiss, panting for air, my chest heaving against his as his eyes burned into my own. His face slipped into an adorable pout and his brows were furrowed, confused as to why I’d stopped kissing him. I laughed at the hurt expression on his face, shaking my head at how cute he looked.
“As much as I would love to do nothing more than stand outside my front door and kiss you, we really do have to get going.” I smiled at him, pecking him once more on the lips before breaking out of his grasp to walk to the car, but instead of releasing my arm, he pulled me tighter against him, ducking his head to whisper in my ear.
“I fucking missed you.”
He dragged his nose along the base of my neck, inhaling slightly, and placed a wet open-mouthed kiss just below my ear. I let out a shaky breath, shuddering against him.
“I missed you, too,” I murmured, turning my face to look him in the eye, not understanding the raw emotion I saw swirling in his chocolate eyes. He smiled warmly at me, before standing up straight, dro
pping his arm, and running his other hand through his hair quickly.
Yes . . . now he looked perfect.
He inclined his head towards the car and I nodded and shut the front door, locking it then following him, veering off to get in the passenger seat as he got in the driver’s side. I clicked my belt and he started the engine and backed out, throwing his arm over the back of my seat and looking behind him instead of using his mirrors. Once he had successfully reversed from the drive, he smiled at me, realising I had been watching his face the entire time. He gave a quick, sexy wink then turned his attention back to the road.
I sighed and closed my eyes as we made our way to school, thinking back to how he’d kissed me at the door this morning. My lips involuntarily pulled up into a smile at the memory, and I felt warm fingers brushing against my cheek softly. I opened my eyes and locked them with Kane’s.
“What are you smiling about?” he asked, flicking his eyes to the road and back to me.
I couldn’t keep from blushing, knowing full well that he knew what I was thinking about. Then a thought suddenly came to me, and my face abruptly changed into one of worry, eyes wide, and my heart skipped a beat.
Kane noticed my change of mood and frowned at me, diverting his concentration from me to the road and back, repeatedly.
“What is it?” he asked seriously, his face contorted with concern.
“You’re taking me to school,” I breathed, my palms becoming sweaty as I glanced quickly out of the windshield. We would be there any moment and I turned back to him, my eyes even wider with worry.
Kane didn’t seem to grasp what I was so worried about, and raised an eyebrow. “Yeah . . . So?”
“People will see!” I exclaimed, my breath quickening with nerves. I didn’t know whether Kane wanted people to know about us, but it was pretty certain that when they saw me getting out of Kane’s car, word would spread.
“I don’t give a shit, Suranne. They can see or say whatever they goddamn want,” he replied in a firm tone, his eyes flashing in anger before warming slightly. I took a deep breath and nodded slowly as he took my hand in his and squeezed it reassuringly.
Kane Richards Must Die Page 8