Stolen Desire (The Lust List: Kaidan Stone #3) by Nova Raines, Mira Bailee Page A

prick my eyes. “Why would I want to?”
    “It sure looks like you wanted to.”
    I'm shaking, but I force myself to stand and face him. Even though he's terrifying me. “No. No. I came up here to get my clothes. Corey pushed me down on the couch. He was acting like… I think he might have…” I trail off. My brain won't let me even consider it. Or say it: that one of Kaidan's friends might be the sort of person to rape a girl. But Corey clearly isn't one of his friends.
    “What, Hayley? He might have what ?” Kaidan's almost shouting at me. “Didn't I tell you to put some clothes on?”
    I stand taller, and now I'm pissed. “Whoa. Your rapey friend attacked me, and now you're blaming me because he can’t control himself? Fuck. You.”
    I storm off down the hall toward my room, practically running so I can cry alone. I open the door to my darkened room and slam it behind me. I flip the light on as the tears come.
    Fuck. Wrong door. I've accidentally walked into Kaidan's room instead of mine.
    I inhale the scent of his cologne and suddenly feel dizzy, the last strong drink I chugged hitting me like a truck. I slump against the wall, tears streaming down my face.
    Why does everything keep going so wrong? Why can't Kaidan be the one? Why is he so controlling…? First he was distant and indifferent, and now he's jealous and possessive. He has some good qualities, but I don't think they're enough to overcome this . What the hell is wrong with him?
    Anger blooms hot in my chest, and I dry my eyes and stride to the bathroom for a towel. I refuse to go back out there like this after the way he acted.
    I open the linen closet to grab a towel, but the line of bottles on the top shelf catches my gaze. This is what the doctor was talking to Kaidan about. Sleeping pills. Half a dozen different kinds.
    I shake my head. Kaidan is obviously fucked up, and it's time for me to admit it. I have to get out of here. I grab a towel with a heavy feeling in my chest, but as I step back into the room, the doorknob rattles. The door swings open.
    Kaidan steps into the room. His eyes are sad, his face full of remorse as he shuts the door behind him. He's got his shoes off and his shirt half-unbuttoned before he sees me. I'm still standing next to his bathroom door, frozen.
    His eyes widen. “Hayley.”
    I press the towel against my chest and swallow against the sick feeling rising there. I feel even worse when I identify it. I'm afraid of him. Afraid of what he might want to do to me if I do leave. “I came in here by mistake. I don't want to talk to you.”
    I try to edge past him to go back to my room, but he blocks my path. The anguish on his face is plainly visible, and he's not trying to hide it this time. “Please. There's no excuse for how I acted….” I can smell rum on his breath, and it reminds me of every bad time I've ever had with him.
    “No. I'm done. I'm going home now.” I feel brave for telling him this, but maybe I'm just stupid.
    “I should have been there to protect you. Did Corey—did he…”
    “No! But he almost did.”
    “Hayley, look at me.”
    I glare at him, but I'm gripping the towel so hard against my chest my hands hurt. “I want to leave.”
    “I will never treat you that way again. If I do—you can walk away.”
    “I'm walking away now.” I storm past him, but before I get very far, he grabs my arm.
    I go rigid and turn back to meet his eyes. They're glistening. Tears. In-Control, powerful, record label heir Kaidan Stone… is crying?
    He releases his grip on me. “You're right. You should go.”
    I hesitate. I want answers. I want to understand why he's been so controlling. Why he's possessive one minute and wonderful the next. I need to know before I walk out the door. Because if I leave now, I'm never coming back. I won't trust myself to.
    “Why?” I ask, my throat thick. “Why did you act like that?”
    Kaidan takes a deep breath. “Corey killed someone I cared about.”
    I hug myself