ARTEMIS POV“I-I don't get,” I managed to choke out, half expecting he wouldn't repeat what I thought he meant by that statement. And he didn't. Thank goodness. “Come on,” He caught one of my hands and pulled me towards the door. “Go change and let's go grab something to eat. I'm really hungry.”Not bothering to make an argument or insist on knowing what he meant, I robotically allowed myself to get pushed until I was indoors and in front of the staircase.“If you keep standing there, I'll have no other choice than to take you to my room, undress you personally and then wash you clean…”I didn't wait for him to finish before I ran off, shouting behind a response behind me. “Give me 10 minutes to get ready. I'll be quick.”“I'll wait for 10 minutes,” came his reply. The image of him grinning appeared in my head and it took me a great deal to wipe it off. I shouldn't be doing all these. I was still supposed to be Aidan's wife… scratch that. I was supposed to be his contracted soon to
ARTEMIS POVAidan was a tiny bit scary in the beginning but he never gave me this discomforting stalking feeling… ever.My heart raced as he took another step closer."This isn't right," I whispered, backing away even though there was barely any space to go to.Kane's gaze left my face, drifting to the towel pressed against my body and he let out a small sound. "You're beautiful, Artemis," he whispered, just loud enough that I could hear it even in the quietness of the room. I felt exposed, vulnerable and it was a feeling I detested. It had been so long since I had felt like this. Since my mom and dad…I blinked repeatedly to stop the tears that I knew would come and also erase the thought from my head. ‘Right now wasn't the ideal time.’"Kane, stop," I warned, fury plaguing my expression.But he took another step notwithstanding, his eyes locked on mine as if challenging me to dare him. "Stop what?" he asked, flashing me a bemused expression, his eyebrows were raised in feigned i
ARTEMIS POV“You don't know me?” she asked, her voice dropping seductively.Scrunching up my face impatiently, I snapped at her in response. “Was I meant to know you, maybe by reason of psychic abilities or something?”"Ha! You're feisty, I like that," the lady on the other end of the call said with a chuckle. "Let's just say... I know someone who knows you very well."Walking away from the door to the bed, I picked up the red gown I was going to wear and pressed it to my chest before sitting on the bed. I tried to place her voice, but it was unfamiliar."Who is this?" I demanded, frustration creeping into my tone."Someone who's been watching you," she replied, her voice taking an interesting edge.My skin crawled at this point. ‘Just who the F are you?’"From Aidan?" I spat, my anger rising.But instead, the lady burst out in laughter, at the same time sending shivers down my spine."Oh, Artemis, you're so quick to assume. But I'll give you a hint: Aidan and I... we have something
ARTEMIS POV“What the F...” I trailed off when it seemed like she was coming towards us.“What's the problem?” Kane asked, staring at me for a while then tracing my line of sight to the lady in particular. “Who is she?” He fired again in rapid succession, furrowing his brows a bit. "Who is she?" Kae asked once more when I didn't reply to him the first time, staring at the redhead.‘What do you want me to say, young man?’ I screamed in my head, throwing towards himRather than my initial tendency to be sarcastic, I shook my head slowly, my eyes fixed on her while I replied to Kane. "No idea."We both watched as the redhead sauntered up to us, a sly smile spreading across her face."Well, well, well," she said, her voice dripping with a distinct level of sass and amusement. "Look who's together now."Kane's expression remained neutral while I fought to school mine to mirror his expression but it was incredibly hard. ‘Despite my will to forget him and move on, seeing as he never love
ARTEMIS POVThe ride home seemed rather short, or maybe it was because I couldn't concentrate. Kane's hand remained on my thigh, sending waves of electricity through my whole body. I shut my eyes tightly when his hand inched higher, drawing in a sharp breath at the same time. ‘Is this the effect of drinking?’ I wondered, trying to distract myself by counting the number of signature cocktails and champagne I had drank. It felt like it was working at first but Kane just had to move his hand again. “Kane,” I gasped, holding his hand to stop him from moving it over my exposed thighs.‘Never ever ever wear such a short dress around Kane ever again,’ I concluded, making a mental note in my head. But Kane didn't stop despite my hold on his wrist. His touch was akin to a magnet, drawing my attention back to the present. His fingers were tracing gentle patterns on my skin and it made my heart skip a beat."Kane," I whispered again, my voice barely audible while I swallowed with extreme di
ARTEMIS POV“Calm down, I have no intention to hurt you,” Kane assured me, just when we were at the door to my room. ‘I don't know that,’ I screamed in my head.“I know that,” I replied to him, a frozen smile plastered on my face. “I'm actually sorry about what happened today.”That wasn't my fault but I needed to find a way to dismiss him because after what happened earlier that day, there was no way no way I was letting him into my room. “It's nothing but do tell me, who's she?” He asked, leaning against the wall just beside me. “I don't really know anything about her. That was the lady Aidan had been kissing you know when,” I replied, cocking my head a bit to the side.Kane didn't say anything, he seemed to be in thought and I took it as a cue to slip away. “Uhm, it's been a hell of a night, you know? I'm pretty tired now, why don't we continue this discussion in the morning?”“Okay then, have a great night's rest,” he replied mechanically. I didn't wait for him to leave before
Artemis’s POVI jostled him away, my head filled with conflicting feelings of confusion and sexual attraction."Please stop, Kane. Please.” I said in a low manner but I knew he hardly listened to me. Kane’s gaze shifted and locked in the direction of mine and it felt unbelievably intense. It seemed like he was looking for something, but I could not make out what it was. He advanced and shook his head softly, stepping back. "Artemis, I..." he said slowly as I cut him off. "Kane, enough, I'm asking for some distance. Thank you. I didn’t look back as I left him there, still in the kitchen." Why was this happening? I felt angry for my siblings because I couldn’t choose between them. The next morning I woke up pretty beat and spent. I decided to slack for a bit, forever if it were possible. Realities would catch up one day, I was aware, and that day scared the hell out of me. As I took my steps down the steps I noticed Aiden and Kane in the sitting room with the intent focus on me.
Artemi’s pov"Artemis, I need to talk to you," Kane said, his voice low and husky.I nodded, feeling a sense of trepidation. Aiden stood up and walked over to Kane, his eyes locked onto his brother's face."Kane, can't this wait?" Aiden asked, his voice firm but calm."No, it can't," Kane replied, his eyes never leaving mine. "Artemis, I need to tell you something. Something important."I nodded, my heart racing with anticipation."Okay," I said softly. "What is it?"Kane took a deep breath before speaking."Artemis, I know I said I would fight for you, but I realize now that's not what you need. You need someone who will love you for who you are, without trying to change you. And I realize now that's not me."My heart skipped a beat as I looked at Kane in shock."Kane, what are you saying?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper."I'm saying I withdraw my claim on you, Artemis. I want you to be happy, and I know that's not with me."I felt like I had been punched in the gut. I coul