311: Home

Home

No matter what Lina did to get away, she could never run far enough. Storming along the sidewalk, Lina waved down another taxi. The streets were crowded with people. Once the commotion had quietened down, people naturally proceeded with their lives. Their shoes shuffled on the pavement. A mixture of noises, cars honking, and people walking, but she could still hear it—his approaching presence.  1

Lina jutted her chin in the air. She didn't want to look back. She never would. When the car stopped in front of her, she climbed in and closed the door to her left. Suddenly, the right door opened.

"Get out!" Lina cried in disbelief.

Kaden shamelessly closed the car door behind him. He ignored her aggravated expression. His jaw ticked with her earlier words. Was she sleeping around? He had watched her for over five years. He doubted it. But when the words left her mouth, he saw red. Only he got to touch her. She only belonged to him. 

"To The Belmont Estates," Kaden instructed the taxi driver. "Step on it."

Warily, the driver glanced at the rearview mirror.  At the sight of their clothes; clean, expensive fabric and well-cut, he knew they were loaded. Usually the rich tipped poorly. He received one glower from the man and gulped. Seeing the bickering couple, he shoved in his headphones and started the meter. Then, he sped down the streets.

"You're crazy, what are you doing?" Lina hissed at him.

"Ensuring you get back safely. It's my duty." 

"When I meant chase, I didn't mean literally," Lina snapped.

"What other chase is there? A cat and mouse one?"

Lina glared at her seat. She hated the way he maneuvered his voice. Smooth and deep, she felt herself being sucked into his heat. He spoke to her like she was the most fragile thing in the world. But his eyes undressed her, piece by piece, his gaze like a hot caress on her skin. 

Lina pressed her legs together. He kept his cool around her, despite rubbing his thumb across his bottom lip.

"You may have pissed me off, but your safety is my priority, dove. It always will be." 

Lina tried to find a way to rebuttal him. She tried to find a single moment when he had placed her in harm's way. Never. He had never done it intentionally. Kaden always kept her safe. Was it intentional? Was it a force of habit? 

"Why are you unnecessarily kind to me? To win brownie points?" Lina stubbornly questioned.

"You have never felt comfortable in your life, not even once. I want to be your safe haven, dove, a place you can always let your guard down. I want you to be at ease around me, a sense of serendipity unlike any other."

Lina wished he had literally stabbed her in the heart, instead of figuratively hurting her like this. Her lips trembled at his intentions, tears filling her eyes. In the end, he knew her best. He always had. Hugging her stomach, she glanced out the window. 

Lina's eyes felt hot. Her throat was tight. She dared to not utter a single word the entire car ride home. His words cut deep. For a girl like her, who grew up being afraid, she had never felt more relief by his comfort. She was independent all throughout her childhood. Not once did someone stop to ask her if she needed help. Everyone always assumed she could handle herself.

No child should be forced to be strong.

Lina was no exception.

- - - - -

When Lina exited the car, she shivered. The temperature drastically dropped. She let out a breath and saw a flicker in the air. Autumn was ending soon, Winter at its heels. She tried to take the bill, but Kaden footed it, handing his black card out of reflex. She swore he carried it in his suit pocket somewhere. How was he that quick?

Suddenly, warmth filled Lina. A soft Merino wool coat was draped over her shoulders. Black as night, a tint of spice and tangerines, she knew who it belonged to.

"Where would you like to go, dove?" Kaden asked her.

Even though they were standing in front of her apartment complex, Kaden wanted to give her the option to choose something else. Anywhere she wanted to go, he was willing to follow.

"Home."

"Then let's go," Kaden said, grabbing her by the wrist and tugging her back to the streets.

"Where are we going?" Lina asked, but allowed him to tug her.

Kaden hailed another taxi. At this rate, the city's taxi drivers' salaries were funded by them alone. When he shoved her into the car, she let out a cry of disbelief. Lina tried to clamor out of the seat, but he sat down next to her, forcing her to obey.

"You said you were taking me home," Lina demanded. "I was just right there!"

"You're mistaken. I am taking you home," Kaden said, passing the address to the driver. 

Instantly, the taxi driver's eyes bulged. His jaw dropped in disbelief at the address. That was the residence of a multimillionaire! With shaky hands, he hurriedly started the meter and began to drive.

"You passed my home just now," Lina demanded, reaching for the car door.

Kaden grabbed her wrist. He yanked her forward, his coat and all, and lowered his 

face. She froze, her breath caught in her throat. Her eyes were wide, hiding the depth of the universe from within. Her unshed tears twinkled like shooting stars. He fell in love all over again.

"Our house," Kaden murmured. "That is the only place you call home. Not your penthouse suite. Not the Yang Mansion. Our house, the one we bought together. It's home."

"It's not."

"It is," Kaden insisted.

Kaden loosened his grip on her wrist. He slid an arm around her lower back, pressing their bodies together. She shoved her hands at his sturdy chest. He barely felt the force. Instead, he revealed a soft and gentle smile.

"Let's go home, dove." 

Four words. And it was enough for Lina to shed a single tear.

Kaden brushed it away, his thumb gently stroking her moistened face. He leaned his forehead against hers. Amidst her stubbornness, he saw right through her. The arrogance, the fight, all of it, he was willing to accept.

"I don't want to go home," Lina suddenly said to him.

Because he was wrong. Home was not a penthouse. Home was not a mansion. It was his hands that caressed her so gently. It was his arms that embraced her so tenderly. It was him.

Kaden DeHaven was her home. 

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