And then…
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Thaddeus froze…
Thaddeus's eyes widened, his blood running cold. He whipped his head toward the door, his heart pounding so loud it drowned out everything else.
Kayden, still breathless, looked half–dazed and half–panicked, quickly yanking his trousers back up with shaky hands.
"Don't… don't say a word," Thaddeus hissed under his breath, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand as though he could erase what just happened.
Another knock, firmer this time. "Sir? Are you awake?" It was a maid's voice.
Thaddeus shot Kayden a deadly look. Stay quiet. He forced himself to steady his breathing, to mask the heat still radiating through his body.
"Yes, I'm awake," Thaddeus said as he opened the door slightly. He looked at the maid. "What is it?"
"You forgot your wallet downstairs," the maid replied politely.
"Oh. Thank you," Thaddeus said, reaching out through the narrow opening to take it from her hand.
The maid bowed respectfully before leaving.
