Taken (Breaking the Darkness) by Felicia Starr Read Free Book Online

rolled off his tongue.
    I could tell by the twist of his luscious lips that he knew the effect he had on me. My body heated up and although it felt like it was coming from within, I knew he was the cause.
    He edged in closer, slightly leaning into my space. “Do you like the sea? I just love the danger of being consumed by her darkness.”
    “Danger and darkness aren’t the first things that come to mind when I think about the ocean. I prefer to think about the rhythm of the waves crashing against the hard earth’s surface.” My eyes broke free from his spell to catch a glimpse of the painted sea. “I’ve always loved walking along the surf, hoping to find treasure.” I thought back to all my unsuccessful searches for tumbled sea glass when we lived in Massachusetts.
    Kaden’s eyes moved over my body and with a quick lick of his lips, he murmured, “Treasure indeed.”
    Oh my… I can’t take it. I have to walk this off before I let him dive into my ocean. I jumped up. “I’m going to go for a walk…”
    Before I could finish, he was beside me. “Great, I was just thinking about a hard run. But a walk with a gem like you—how can I resist?”
    We walked a mile in an instant and when I stopped, he turned toward me. Our eyes locked on one another. The sky flooded with darkness. Kaden’s hand wrapped around the nape of my neck. He stepped in closer and laced his fingers into my hair. The inferno building inside was about to rage out of control. The color of his eyes flickered for a second. My legs turned to gelatin with anticipation.
    “I will know your treasure. I will claim it as my own.”
    I closed my eyes, waiting for his pillows of perfection to part my lips.
     

 

     
     
    MY EYES FLUTTERED open, smacked with only darkness. I quickly pressed my lids back together, hoping I could force my return to Kaden. To my disappointment, that dream was over. Why did I always have to wake up during the good parts? My body still felt hot from the blaze he caused in my pants.
    Speaking of fires, my body burned with swollen bruises. That she-devil bitch gave me quite a beating. I don’t know how long I was out. I felt like a crumpled heap of dirty laundry, probably smelled like it too.
    Even though it was only a dream, it was nice to bask in the sun. And it had been so long since I’d seen Mom. I wondered if she looked the same. She was truly a beautiful young woman. She never wore makeup; she didn’t need it. I remembered the way her skin would glow. Sometimes I thought her eyes twinkled.
    It made sense that I wouldn’t have reached them in my dream. What would I have even said to her? “Hey, where ya been, Mom? How’s death, Gram?” Whatever.
    That Kaden—he was something to sink my teeth into. Mmm, just the thought of him sent shivers up my body. Even in the midst of all the pain, he consumed my mind. The dream felt so real. The seductive surges that coursed through me in my dream were more intense than the time I saw him at the café.
    It was always fun to have a romantic fling in my dreams. There were no insecurities or judgments to worry about. I guess I got to express my sexuality in a way much different than in any real-life situation I had yet to experience.
    What an unusual name for my subconscious to come up with. Kaden. I couldn’t complain. My mind did an excellent job filling in the missing pieces. I would be looking forward to drifting back to sleep, though hopefully not from getting knocked out next time.
    As I flopped back on the bed, my face stretched in a twisted smile. It was a mixture of all the naughty images about Kaden flooding my mind and me grimacing from the pain of my beating.
    Lost in thought, I almost didn’t notice the sound at the door. This time, I would be ready to defend myself if need be. Perhaps I could force my way out of there. I managed to get to a strong standing position before the door opened. It pained me to even stand, but I would try not to let it show. I was