Page 31 of Kade
But I won’t.
“You run a little hot and cold,” I tell him truthfully. “I don’t know that I can trust you to be there if something bad happens.”
He freezes, and even though he tries to hide it, I can see the hurt on his face.
“I think you’re a good guy, Kade. There’s a lot about you to like. That’s why we’re sitting here right now. And I know you had your reasons for keeping your distance. I just…you walked away.”
He laughs, but there’s no humor in the sound. “I told you a bit about my relationships,” he says, exhaling heavily. I nod, and he continues, “I’m always the guy you call. Left rehab early and keyed a cop car? Call Kade. Cheated on me with another guy who kicks you out in the middle of the night? Call Kade. This is fucking ironic.” He pauses, rubbing his eyebrow.
“I’m always the guy that’s there. No matter how much I was hurt or how shitty things were. I always showed up. So when I met you, I…I was so fucking drawn to you. Everything was so much bigger than I’d ever felt before that I panicked a bit. I did the opposite of what I normally do. I stayed away.”
I smile sadly, watching him carefully. I honestly don’t understand how a woman could treat her boyfriend that way.
And I really don’t understand why he’d allow it.
He rises, sliding me out, chair and all, from the table so he can crouch in front of me. He puts his calloused hands on my knees, gripping tightly. He looks so solid. Immovable.
“I will show up for you, Becca. You have my word.” The sincerity in his voice sinks through my doubts. It’s so tempting to believe him.
“And what if we don’t work out?” I ask softly, looking down at him.
Kade’s mouth tightens. “It doesn’t matter. As long as you need me, I’m there, Becca. I swear it.”
I see the truth of it in his eyes. He means every word. Can I let the last three weeks go? Can I move forward, giving him the trust he seems to need? I lean into him, running my fingers over the frown lines in his forehead, then down over the bridge of his nose. His eyes close, and he exhales heavily. He reaches up and takes my hand in his, pressing his lips softly to my palm. The devotion, the promise in that kiss, is like nothing I’ve ever experienced.
I jump.
I pushAdd to Emergency Contacts,then drop my phone with a clatter. I spread my thighs, reaching up to pull him into me by the back of his neck. He buries his face in my neck, his hot breath fanning against me, his arms sliding behind my back. My hand, still held tightly in his, now pressed against his cheek.
“Okay,” I whisper.
16
BECCA
My hands are shaking as I smooth down my red flowing dress. Kade doesn’t seem to care what I’m wearing, but I wanted a change from the leggings and T-shirts. I’m wearing an actual bra for this date. Not one of my familiar sports bras. Tonight, I want to feel like a sexy, attractive woman.
We’ve been spending almost every night together for the last week, but it’s always been here. We’ll make dinner, watch movies, chat, and it’s been amazing. But Kade insisted we go on a proper date, and I’m stupidly nervous. I know how to be the tomboy, the girl-friend in a group of guys.
Hell, most of the guys I’ve dated in the past I knew my whole life. There was no mystery. No surprises. Kade’s different. We’re different. He’s been more open than before. It’s clear he’s trying. But there’s so much I don’t know about him.
Every night I’m surprised by some new piece of information. But he doesn’t really volunteer anything from his past until I ask. Our conversations flow so naturally on almost every other topic, but the past? Nah, not happening.
Kade’s soft knock sets off the butterflies, and I take a few deep breaths to calm myself. I know I’ve hit the mark with my choice of outfit when I open the door and his eyes flare, mouth dropping open.
“Holy Fuck,” he mutters, unable to tear his eyes away from me. They travel along my body, snagging on the low V-neck before darting away to my bare arms, then the flirty hem flirting with the skin above my knee. He examines me like he doesn’t want to miss anything.
I feel the blush rising in my chest. I have to resist the urge to fidget or make a stupid joke. That’s what I always do when I’m uncomfortable, but tonight I’m going to sit with the discomfort. Because I like this man’s eyes on me. I like that I feel beautiful and desirable when he looks at me. So I won’t make a joke and break the tension.
I’m going to revel in it instead.
Kade’s glittering eyes finally meet mine, and he swallows deeply. “You look so fucking beautiful, Becca.”
Jesus, I feel my nipples harden and pray that my padded bra hides the reaction. I don’t really mind him knowing how he affects me, but I don’t want a whole restaurant looking at my nips. I lick my dry lips.
“Thank you. You look amazing, too.” He’s so sexy. Wearing a dark, fitted suit, his crisp white shirt makes his skin look golden in the dim light of the apartment. The collar is open, and I have to smile
“No tie?”
