The next afternoon, Kayden arrived at the hotel they had agreed upon.
This hotel was located on the outskirts of the city, in the vast and sparsely populated Western Frontier. Hotels in such remote areas were rare, making this one a notable exception.
As soon as Kayden entered, two women came forward to greet him.
“Mr. Scott, this way, please. Mrs. Rocco has been waiting for you,” one of them said.
The suite was luxurious, with every detail exuding opulence. The moment Kayden stepped inside, a distinct fragrance filled the air-one that unmistakably belonged to a mature woman. It was an unmistakable scent, one that he knew instantly came from Mrs. Rocco.
At that moment, Mrs. Rocco was seated on a heart-shaped bed, draped in a long black dress. The dress cascaded over the bed, covering it completely, as if it had been deliberately arranged for the occasion.
She had clearly put effort into her appearance today. Her already flawless features were even more refined, radiating an allure that was hard to ignore.
“You’ve arrived, Mr. Scott,” she said, rising from the bed.
With deliberate slowness, she slid her delicate feet into a pair of high heels. The light caught her skin, making her feet seem like sculpted alabaster, almost unreal.
“Oh dear, this dress makes it hard for me to bend over and put on my shoes. Could you help me?” she asked, lifting one of her feet slightly, her gaze a mix of mischief and seduction.
Kayden hesitated for a few seconds. He was, after all, the Seclela Defender-a figure revered by countless people.
Helping someone put on shoes? What seemed like a playful request carried a hint of humiliation for him. A man of his stature, known for commanding respect, reduced to this?
“Come on, help me out, won’t you?” Mrs. Rocco teased, wiggling her dainty foot ever so slightly.
After taking a deep breath, Kayden clenched his jaw and stepped forward. Without any hesitation, he took her foot in his hand and slipped it into the shoe.
As his fingers brushed against her skin, Mrs. Rocco let out a faint, almost imperceptible sigh. Though soft, the sound carried a magnetic allure, turning the simple act into something far more charged.
When the task was done, Mrs. Rocco examined her shoes with satisfaction and murmured, “You’re the first man to ever put shoes on me. Not even my husband has done that.”
Kayden responded evenly, “And you’re the first woman to ever ask me to do so. No one has dared, not even my wife.”
“Oh?” Mrs. Rocco’s eyes sparkled with intrigue. “I didn’t expect to be your first. Well, that’s quite special, isn’t it?”
Her words were blunt, almost too direct, and left Kayden feeling slightly uncomfortable. Had this been before he and Georgia had crossed a certain line, the implications of “first” might have carried an entirely different weight.
Mrs. Rocco stepped off the bed, the long gown flowing elegantly behind her. It was the kind of dress reminiscent of a princess-one that only a select few could pull off. Yet on her, it exuded a regal and commanding air.
She walked a slow circle around Kayden, her movements deliberate and graceful. “What do you think of my outfit, Mr. Scott? Do you like it?” she asked, her tone playful.
Kayden gave her a brief once-over and nodded. “It’s nice.”
“Really?” she replied teasingly. “I thought if you didn’t like it, I could switch to stockings or jeans instead.” Her openness was disarming, and her intentions were anything but subtle.
Clearing his throat lightly, Kayden changed the subject. “Mrs. Rocco, you mentioned you had something important to share with me. I’d like to know what it is.”
Mrs. Rocco frowned, feigning disappointment. “Didn’t we agree you wouldn’t call me Mrs. Rocco anymore? Why are you still addressing me so formally? Every time you do, it feels like there’s this huge wall between us.”
Kayden hesitated, sensing her irritation. “Savannah,” he said finally, “can you tell me now?”
But Savannah wasn’t ready to be serious just yet. She pouted and sighed dramatically. “Why are you in such a rush? Am I not enough of a distraction for you? Mr. Scott, I’m starting to wonder if you’re even a man!”
She crossed her arms and gave him a pointed look. “They say when a man and a woman are alone in a room, sparks are bound to fly. But you? You’re so straight-laced that I’m beginning to question if you even like women!”
Her expression shifted, disappointment flickering across her face.
Kayden paced the room before stopping to face her. “I like women,” he said firmly. “But I also know how to control myself. Savannah, you must understand that your beauty is undeniable, and yes, I’m not immune to it. But I believe in respecting you. After all, you are Mrs. Rocco.”
“Mrs. Rocco,” Savannah repeated with a wry smile.
She stepped closer to him, her hands brushing against his chest. “What does that even mean? To others, I might seem untouchable, but all I want is love. If you’re willing to take me away, I’ll leave everything behind and go with you right now.”
Leaning in, she whispered softly in his ear, “Do you understand what I mean?”
Before Kayden could respond, she wrapped her arms around his neck, her eyes locking onto his.
Their gazes met, and an unspoken tension filled the air. It felt as though sparks were igniting around them, setting the room ablaze with uncontainable energy.
“Hold me,” Savannah whispered, her voice carrying a tantalizing charm that was impossible to ignore.
Kayden froze for a moment, caught between instinct and reason.
Sensing his hesitation, Savannah added, “I know many things about Asher Voss. I know a lot about the Hellblazer organization. And I know more than you think about the connections between all of you.”
Her words hit Kayden like a dagger. It was clear that Savannah wasn’t just a pretty face-she had valuable information, and she knew exactly how to leverage it.
Without thinking, Kayden reached out and wrapped his arm around her waist. She let out another delicate sigh, her breath warm against his neck.
“If you want to know more about Hellblazer and Asher Voss,” she murmured, “then take me. Make me yours. I’ll tell you everything you want to know, and I’ll give you all the help you need. You’re fighting alone now, but with me by your side, you’ll have the support to solve all your problems.”
Her proposal was as bold as it was unconventional. Any other man might have laughed at the absurdity of the situation, but for Kayden, it was a moral dilemma.
To earn her trust, she was asking for more than just words.
“If you don’t like the dress,” she teased, “I can change into something else right now. Whatever you desire.”