Page 20 of Kade
His eyes flare, and his body rears back. The hand holding his card drops to his side. I shift so my ass is blocking him as I fish out my wallet one-handed and drop it onto the counter. I grab five twenties and slide them over to the kid, not taking a full breath until the change is in my hand. Only then do I straighten up.
I smile my thanks to the kid then loop the bags over my fingers, satisfied with my haul. I swear I’ve spent a hundred bucks at a grocery store before and only left with one bag, so I mentally pat myself on the back, proud of my shopping prowess.
Maybe I should take up couponing. I’ve watched those shows. I could have a stockpile. Maybe I should get my own apartment first. Then stockpile.
I spend the short walk to the truck trying to figure out where I can find coupons and wondering which online couponing groups I should stalk. Kade’s arm reaches past me to open the back door for me, snapping me out of my thoughts.
“Thanks,” I mumble, sliding the bags off my fingers onto the floor. I push the door shut and turn, colliding with Kade’s chest. His hands come up to wrap around my biceps. His fingers are nearly touching. My arms are strong, muscle wrapped with a nice warm layer of fat. Seeing his fingers wrapped around me drives home his strength, his size.
“Sorry,” he says as he drops his hands.
My eyes meet his briefly before shifting away. “It’s fine.”
Kade reaches for the door handle, and I hop in with a quiet “Thanks.” My heart is racing, and the tingles are back again. I pinch my thigh, muttering to myself. This is so stupid. The man is giving me fucking whiplash, but my stupid body doesn’t seem to mind at all. She’s all in for this ride, stupid hussy.
It takes me a minute to realize we’re not moving. Kade’s in the truck, his warmth radiating toward me, the only sound in the cab the deep in and out of his breath. I exhale and tuck my hands under my thighs before glancing at him. He’s studying me, looking so serious. I don’t get it. I’m not that complicated.
“You’re giving me a complex Kade,” I mutter. He tips his head in confusion. “You go from…” I hesitate, unwilling to saysmoldering sex god,“…friendly to cold as ice.” I shrug and throw up my hands. “It’s really confusing.”
He’s still staring, and I’m a second away from turtling into my hoodie when he speaks. “Micah and I grew up together. We learned ASL together.”
I lean toward him. Dammit. Bastard hooked me again.
“We watched videos and used books from the library.” He clears his throat, and his change in subject rocks me back in my seat. “I thought you expected me to pay for your groceries.”
“Why?” I breathe.
“Because you’re fucking homeless, Becca.”
“Bullshit.” I glare at him. “You know I’m not.”
“You were sleeping in your car.”
I throw my hands up, frustrated. “For one night, Kade!”
He pulls his eyes from mine and rubs his hand over his stubbled jaw.
“What do you see when you look at me?” I want to know.
He blows out a breath, his eyes jumping around, hesitating. “A woman who needs help.”
I nod, disappointed but not terribly surprised. He looks at me and sees a problem.
Maybe I’m imagining the heat, the want.
Maybe it’s wishful thinking.
“Right.” I tuck wisps of hair around my face behind my ears. “You don’t really know me. But I think you need to know something.” I wait for his eyes to meet mine. “I’m actually a badass.”
A condescending smile inches over his face as he looks at me. “Sure you are.”
Huh.
He doesn’t believe me.
I wonder why.
The thought makes me giggle-snort. I realize I’m a fucking disaster right now. But I’ll pick myself up again. I know exactly what I’m capable of, so I don’t doubt myself, even if Kade does.
