Mr. Kaiden, What Are You Doing?

Tara Blakewood POV

The space between us shrank even though neither of us moved. Even the pillow I was holding for protection slipped and landed on his knees.

I shut my eyes fast, lowered my head, and felt my heart pounding with sharp tension.

“Tara.”

He said my name softly, but I didn’t focus on the voice. I focused on how my name sounded on his lips. It felt different. Warmer.

“Tara?”

I slowly lifted my head and saw that he had already taken off his shirt.

“Relax. I didn’t even take off my pants yet for you to be this shy.” He laughed.

I stared at him, my eyes tracing him in nervous silence. His upper body was toned and carved with muscles, covered in tattoos that made him look even more dangerous and hypnotic.

“Where did you go?” he asked when he noticed how long I had been staring.

“Here.”

He held out his shirt toward me.

The embarrassment hit me all at once when I realized he was giving it to me because I was still in my underwear.

“Can you look away?” I whispered.

“And what if I don’t want to?” he teased.

“Please. I don’t like being seen when I’m…”

He almost laughed. “Uncle?”

“Little girl, do I look that old to you for you to call me uncle?” he asked with an annoyed smile.

My head spun with embarrassment.

“Isn’t it polite to say that?”

“I’ll look away, but stop calling me that.” His tone softened.

I took a deep breath, gathered my courage, and said, “Mr. Kaiden?”

He smiled like he won something. “Good. Now you can put it on.”

I stood up and quickly pulled the shirt over my head, pushing my hair back. It was huge on me, sliding easily over my small frame. I started buttoning it from the bottom, the way I always do.

I froze when I heard my father’s voice. Kaiden noticed the tension and understood instantly.

“I’ll distract him. Hide over there.” He pointed behind the couch.

I nodded and hurried to where he told me to hide.

A moment later, my father opened the door and stepped inside.

“Hope I didn’t keep you waiting, Kaiden.”

Kaiden answered with light sarcasm. “No, Eduardo. You didn’t. But I do have a small problem.”

“What is it?”

“I spilled soju on myself. My clothes are soaked. I’ll need to borrow something to wear.”

“Ah, I understand. Come on, I’ll give you something.”

My father walked toward his room. Kaiden didn’t move until Dad was gone.

Then he turned back toward me.

“Aren’t you going?”

I stopped in front of him, looked into his eyes, and said, “Thank you, Mr. Kaiden.”

**************

I changed my clothes and, after a while, went to check on the guest with the handsome face.

My father and Kaiden were sitting in the living room, boxes of takeout and open bottles in front of them. The atmosphere was casual and lazy.

They were watching an action movie, completely focused.

But everything changed the moment I stepped in. Both of them looked up.

My father’s face shifted with surprise.

I walked in slowly, my eyes landing on Kaiden. He was staring at me too.

“Tara? Since when are you here? Didn’t you say you’d spend the night with Ethan?”

My father’s voice pulled me back. Confusion and mild worry crossed his face.

I turned to him and smiled nervously.

I had canceled my plans with my fiancé, Ethan.

Kaiden’s expression changed the moment he heard that.

“I canceled… I didn’t want to go,” I said quietly.

My father sighed, a warm smile covering the worry in his eyes. “That’s fine, sweetheart. As long as you don’t want to go.”

I gave him a small smile, but Kaiden interrupted us, sounding bored of listening.

“Tara, are you going to stand there forever? Sit.”

My father grabbed a closed pizza box and placed it in front of me.

“Oh! I forgot to introduce you two. Tara, this is Kaiden Draven. My friend.”

I lifted a slice of pizza, but froze when I heard his name. We had already met moments ago.

“Nice to meet you, Tara.”

He held out his hand as if this were our first meeting.

“Nice to meet you too… uncle.”

I said it innocently.

Dad barely held back his annoying laugh. Kaiden didn’t even blink. He kept staring at me until I looked away.

I raised the pizza slice again, but Kaiden picked up a pillow next to him and placed it on his lap for no reason… until he noticed something and spoke.

“Eduardo. Are you planning on having a baby or something?”

I choked on my breath. He was holding my stuffed toy.

I came to the room to grab it earlier, but I backed out when I saw him there.

And now… he was holding it.

“No, I’m not. Why?”

Kaiden didn’t look at him. “Then what’s with the childish toys in your house?”

I answered in a small voice. “It’s mine.”

Dad turned in surprise. He didn’t laugh this time because he knew I’d die of embarrassment.

I stood up, picked up the pizza box with one hand, and held out my other hand to take my stuffed toy from Kaiden.

“Good night.”

I said it politely and left as quietly as I came. Kaiden didn’t take his eyes off me until I was gone.

He finally turned to my father. “Your daughter doesn’t look like you.”

Dad laughed loudly. “Trust me. She doesn’t look like anyone.”

**************

9:00 AM

I put my earphones in while making breakfast. Not just for Dad.

Honestly… for Kaiden too.

I set the small table in the dining area, lining up the glasses and spoons. I danced softly as I filled the cups with the hangover drink I prepared earlier.

I knew Dad would wake up with his head exploding.

And Kaiden too.

I felt movement behind me. I turned.

He was sitting on the bar stool, watching me quietly.

“Good morning, Mr. Kaiden.”

It took him a few seconds to recognize me through his exhaustion. “Morning, Tara.”

I placed the cup in front of him. He frowned.

“It’s for hangovers, Mr. Kaiden. It will help with the headache.”

The moment he understood, he grabbed it fast and drank deeply. Exactly what he needed.

He looked dangerously attractive like this.

His messy raven hair.

His broad chest.

His tattooed arms.

His throat moving with every sip.

Is this cheating?

My long stare.

My sudden desire to touch that sharp throat with my fingertips.

Is this betrayal to my fiancé?

He finished the drink. He noticed my stare and turned to me with a soft smile.

“I know I’m attractive.”

My face burned. He always noticed my stares. Always. With painful accuracy.

He moved closer.

Too close.

Until he stood behind me and blocked the view in case anyone came in.

I froze.

I tilted my head slightly. Yes. It was him. Kaiden.

“Mr. Kaiden, what are you doing?” My voice shook.

“Please step back… Dad could come in any moment.”

I tried to sound serious, but my trembling hands ruined it.

He held my hands gently and traced the back of my hand with his thumb, exactly like he did last night.

“Scared?” His voice was low.

“Yes…” I whispered, avoiding his eyes.

“Don’t be scared of me, Tara.” His voice was soft. He lifted my hand and pressed a light kiss on it.

A wave of shivers ran through me.

Not just because of the kiss.

But because of the way he said my name.

I looked up at him. That small mole under his lower lip caught my eye.

But the moment broke when we heard Dad’s groan as he approached, complaining about his headache.

I pushed Kaiden lightly away and rushed to my father.

Later, when I came back downstairs, the sound of my heels on the stairs made Dad call me. I stood in front of him. He studied me. I kissed his cheek.

Kaiden looked at me.

Like he could see through my skin.

He walked closer. Slowly. He didn’t say a word.

Then, with surprising gentleness, he leaned in and pressed a quick kiss on my cheek.

My eyes shut for a brief moment.

Heat spread across my face.

My heart fluttered wildly.

I couldn’t believe what just happened.