"We'll take a king." Cade's voice cutin between them. Turning, they both looked at him as he flashed a handsomegrin, his dark eyes settling on hers in an unmistakable challenge. Withouttaking his eyes off of her he continued. "She's an intense snuggler in hersleep. The more room the better."
Irritation ticked at her brow and Maritziacrossed her arms over her chest, shifting her hips while giving Cade a sharpsmile. "Is that so?"
Cade's eyes lightened in delight at the challengehe provoked. Unapologetically he made a deep sound of agreement in his throat.
"Well then," she said, turning fromCade and feigning to look at another bedroom sets nearby, "maybe I shouldrectify that somehow and-“
The warm grip at the base of her neck stole therest of her words. Holding her gently, the grip at her neck guided her to turnslowly back to face him. Seeing that he wasn't needed the flushed salesattendant quickly murmured something about getting the order started and ranoff.
Maritzia wanted to say something smart like “nowlook what you've done”, but no words came to her. Staring up at Cade shewatched as the playfulness in his gaze wavered to something intense—somethinghungry.
"Don't even consider it Sunshine," hewhispered deeply, his chest only inches from hers while his hand at the base ofher neck massaged gently, reminding her of its presence. "I'll use my realdom voice on you right here in this store and I promise it’s nothing you'veever heard before."
Fucking hell, what was going on?! She wanted tomelt and let out a squeal all at once. Was this really happening? Were theyflirting with each other in the middle of a furniture store?! Or was he justplaying with her?
For a brief second uncertainty flashed in hereyes as she looked at him and she wondered if he could see her hopefulnessburied deep within.
Cade's searching eyes watched hers and she couldfeel the grip on her neck tighten before pulling her forward until she waspressed flush against him. Taking a deep breath, Maritzia allowed her eyes to closefor the briefest second as she enjoyed the bliss of his hold before steppingback and giving him a smug look.
"I think I could handle it."
The hungry look in his eyes returned and hestared at her in awe for a moment before letting out a deep laugh. Sliding hisarm until it draped over her shoulder, he tucked her in close to him. "Oh,I'm counting on it."
After purchasing the furniture and securing adate of delivery, they finally made it back to the car.
"It's a shame you didn’t get that beaverpainting. I think it really would've added that extra special something to theroom."
Sliding on her seatbelt, Maritzia snorted."Oh yeah, I'm sure it would. But really though, who in the hell wants afour-foot canvas painting of a beaver in their house?"
They continued to laugh about it, throwing outideas until they finally agreed that only Leatherface from The Texas ChainsawMassacre could actually want the tasteful beaver painting.
"Hey, let's stop by that one pizza place offMartin street on the way home," Cade suggested as he took a left-hand turnat the light.
Maritzia thought of the warm cheesy pizza toppedwith spinach, mushrooms, and other goodies and nodded. "Yeah, that wouldbe great."
They could eat pizza and watch a movie or foldthe mountain of clean clothes he washed yesterday.
Maritzia's phone began ringing in her pocket.
Reaching for the phone she saw it was her parentsand put it on speaker.
"Hi, momma," she called out. "You'reon speakerphone. Cade is driving."
"Hi, momma!" Cade chimed.
"Hey, you two. I just called your brothersand a few more of your cousins and invited them over. We are cooking in theback tonight. You two should come over."
Maritzia gave Cade a disappointed look. Shewanted pizza and a movie with just the two of them, but she also didn't want tomiss out on a family gathering. Giving her an understanding smile he reachedacross the divider and put a hand on her thigh and squeezed it gently as heanswered her mom. "Sure, we'll be there soon."
"Okay, great. Be careful," her motheranswered, and Maritzia could hear her happiness.
As the line disconnected, Cade made a quick rightturn and headed in the direction of their old apartment building.
Placing his hand back on her thigh, Cade glancedfrom the road to her giving her a meaningful smile before looking back ahead."Don't worry, we'll have plenty of opportunities for our pizza nightin."
His words felt like warm honey against her andshe looked down at his hand with hope overflowing in her heart. Every second itfelt that things were changing between them. Tracing the long strong lines ofhis hand with her eyes she realized that for years this hand seemed so out ofreach. It was hard to believe that her heart used to hurt when she looked athim. From the day he moved back to New York with Bethany in tow, it would painher to see his face. Her heart burned at the sight of his smile and Maritziahad convinced herself she was never supposed to have Cade, not the way shewanted him. She once thought maybe she was supposed to feel this never-endingregret and want for the rest of her life, this terrible lingering question ofwhatif. Everything she felt for him was just one-sided. Maybe all she was evermeant to be was the friend that stood by his side smiling as she died on theinside. Or at least that was what she had thought. Now as she looked down athis hand gripping her thigh she prayed. She prayed this growing feeling betweenthem wasn't some illusion in her head. Hesitantly, she reached out with a heldbreath and placed her hand on top of his, and looked up at him.
Slowing down at a light, Cade looked over at herand she felt the tightness of her heart give way at the intensity in his eyesthat told her this was real.
