<b>Chapter </b><b>41 </b>


    03.74%


    Kade looked shocked by the question but he quickly recovered, sitting up and facing me. I sat still, my heart pounding against my chest. I didn’t know what prompted me to ask that question, but wherever that boldness came from, it was gone, and I could do nothing but just watch him with my lips parted.


    He cupped my cheek gently like I was made of ss, stroking my cheekbone, his eyes searching mine. “Still want to kiss me?” he asked softly, his breath warm on my lips.


    “Yes,” I breathed.


    He leaned in, looking like he was giving me time to change my mind, but there was nothing to change. His lips met mine but he didn’t kiss me, just kissed the corner of my mouth, his breathing picking up. He kissed the corner of my mouth again, then finally…


    He kissed me, his lips molding perfectly with mine, moving softly. His tongue slowly parted my lips, entering my mouth, sweeping over my mouth like he was tasting, putting it into memory.


    His hand waved into my hair, turning my head and deepening the kiss, making me hot with just a kiss. He broke the kiss, biting my bottom lip as he pulled away. He cupped my face with both hands, resting his forehead on mine with his eyes closed.


    “Kade?” I called softly. “Are you okay?” He was shaking.


    “If things had been normal,” he whispered, his eyes still closed, “if I had been normal, I would never


    depart from you. You wouldn’t be in a school ocean apart.”


    I reached out and cupped his cheek, my throat too tight to form words.


    A soft knock and before any of us could even do anything, the door opened.


    “Rosette, I-”


    Axel’s words were left hanging as he saw the position we were in. His eyes moved from Kade to me, his jaw clenched. Then his eyes dropped to my lips, and his face just went… nk. He turned and left, mming the door harder than necessary.


    What was his deal?


    Kade sighed, looking back at me with a tight smile as he pulled away. “Good night, Rosette.”


    I watched as he left, staring at the door even when he was gone. Then I turned to my cold dinner, staring at it while it stared at me. I turned off the light, getting under my nket.


    Sept


    GN 74%D


    Morning came and it was like nothing happenedst night.


    “Morning,” Kross said as he handed me a mug, and I muttered my thanks.


    “I made eggs for breakfast,” Kade informed as he ced a te in front of me.


    “And here is a smoothie for good luck on your first day,” Axel said, giving me a cup.


    I raised an eyebrow at him. “Smoothie for good luck?”


    “Less questions and more food going into your mouth.”


    I rolled my eyes but did as he said, drinking my coffee first before my breakfast, and the smoothiest.


    “We’ll drop you off at school and then go straight to the airport,” Kross said, and I froze, smoothie midway to my mouth.


    But I quickly shook it off, nodding, my throat tight, my head low.


    I heard Axel scoff but I didn’t raise


    my head.


    “What’s that look for, my gorgeous darling?” he asked softly, cing his finger on my chin and raising my head to look at him. “Are you going to miss us?”


    “You know I will.”


    He smiled. “Have we spoiled you so much that you can’t imagine life without us? No one will be


    around to spoil you and take care of your princess‘ needs.”


    I scoffed. “Shut up.”


    His expression turned serious and he leaned in, pecking me softly on the lips. “It will be hard, Rosette. For all of us, not just you. But know that my thoughts will never be far from you. You’ve crawled your way under my skin and there’s no shaking you off.”


    His thumb stroked my bottom lip before he pulled away, walking into one of the rooms. Kross stepped in, his hands in his pockets, a small smile on his face. It was rare, seeing Kross smiling.


    He reached out and stroked my hair softly, his eyes soft. Then he leaned down<b>, </b>kissing my forehead before he turned. “I’ll be in the car. Come out when you’re done.”


    I swallowed hard, trying to push the rock in my throat down but it was there to stay. Kade just watched me, leaning against the counter with his arms folded.


    “I think you’ve crawled into all our skin,” he said. “No, not think. I know <i>you </i>have. You’re buried deep,


    and you’re now a part of us. In ways you can’t imagine.” He walked to me, kissing the corner of my and you’re now a part of us. In ways you mouth. “Remember to live, my love.”


    I was left alone in the kitchen, my heart feeling <i>way </i><i>too </i>heavy for my


    chest. That sounded like goodbye. Shit, why did that sound like goodbye? They said it wasn’t goodbye, that they weren’t getting rid of me, but their words and actions were saying two totally different things.


    Remember to live, my love.


    I could do that, right? Yeah, I could.


    ***


    The drive to the campus passed in a blur, and no matter how the men tried to lighten the air, the tension was still there.


    Kross parked in front of the school, but I didn’t immediately get out. I stayed with my face glued to the window as I watched the students move, some in groups, some alone, someughing and chatting, some with serious expressions.


    “Come on, sweetheart.” Axel got out of the car, going round to open my door. “School awaits.” As soon as he stepped out, some of the students stopped walking and stared, whispering behind their hands as they gawked at him.


    “You’re drawing attention,” I muttered as I stepped out.


    He shrugged. “I can’t help it. It’s not my fault I look so handsome.”


    Kade stepped out next,ing to stand beside me, and the whispers increased. “I’ve always hated school,” he grumbled, looking around with a frown, unaware of the attention he was drawing.


    “Come on you two, you’re drawing attention,” Kross said, and even though he was still in the car, he still drew attention.


    <b>The students–girls–didn’t bother to whisper anymore. </b>