“I do,” I grin. “You likey?”
“Yeah, real sweet,” he says, placing his hands on the counter. “Question is, how fast can you run?”
I throw my head back, laughing. “Your mom always said that, too?”
“I think they’re programmed to say that stuff,” he laughs.
“Mom DNA.” I nod. “Well, I can probably out-run you now, Speedy Gonzales,” I add, glancing at his worn Vans.
A terrifying smile stretches across his face. “What did you just say?”
“I said—”
“You think you can out-run me? With your six feet nothing?”
“I’m six feet one.”
He shakes his head, huffing a laugh. “No, you’re not.”
Fine, I’m not. Asshole.
“Fine, I may be smaller than you, but that means I’m faster. You big dick!”
“Are you challenging me?” He tilts his head.
“I’m daring you.”
“That’s the same thing,” he nods.
“You wanna go?” I say, squaring up.
“Oh, do I,” he says, slowly walking towards me.
I feign right and then I rush left. I don’t get very far, before he grabs my arm. I wriggle free and take a turn around the couch, going for my bedroom. But he’s faster—damnit!—and he grabs my arm again, swirling me around as he hooks his arms under my thighs and lifts me. I squeak and freeze for a second, but he just laughs a little breathlessly, darting his eyes between mine.
“Told you I could lift you,” he grins.
And something inside me clicks, because he did say that. And he does. He’s carrying me.
He’s strong enough to carry me.
And then maybe I can let go, because he’s strong enough. Maybe I can let go, because even if my walls crack just a little bit, he’s solid enough. And this is Kaden.
Kaden.
So, I do. I let go.
And that is strike two.
“Fuck me,” I whisper.
His smile falters and he blinks at me. “What?”
My pulse is sky-high and my throat dry. I lick my lips. “I want you to fuck me.”
He slowly puts me down, his eyes searching mine. “Are you serious?”
I nod.
