“Uh, no—I got it.” His face still had a mask of uncertainty. He opened his mouth as if to say something, then snapped it shut again.
I went back inside and leashed up Maple. I leaned down and whispered in her ear as I did. “Time to hit the road, Maple Girl. Back to reality.”
17
CADE
I’d been trying to make the right call by slowing things down with Brooke. But now I was the one suffering emotional whiplash. Eight hours ago this woman had been straddling me, panting out my name in breathy moans. I had wanted to grip her sexy thighs and pull her onto me fully. Slide beneath those yoga pants and feel her skin.
It took everything in me not to lose control and spill into my pants like some hormonal teenager. I had stopped us before I was afraid I couldn’t. But at the time, she had seemed kind of... disappointed? Like she wanted more? Now, she was climbing into the car, seemingly unaffected, ready to return to Boston? It was all so confusing.
I questioned my course of action. Should I have let things progress further last night? The last thing I wanted was to be Brooke’s rebound. She was obviously incredibly broken up about her relationship with Brock ending, a situation I was still basically in the dark about. I knew they were engaged, but—I was still shocked at the depth of her despair over their breakup. I couldn’t quite figure it out. It was like trying to finish a puzzle while missing a piece.
And, my practical brain reminded me, we both had jobs and lives, in cities thousands of miles apart. It wasn’t exactly the recipe for the start of a solid relationship. I could be her friend. That was what she needed right now, not a fling that would mess up her emotional state even more. I tried to stay confident in my plan of action. I knew—was pretty certain, anyway—that I’d done the right thing.
Still, the ride back was almost painfully quiet.
As I drove, I caught myself daydreaming about touching Brooke on my parents’ couch. How many times had I imagined us in just that scenario? It had been like fulfilling a teenage fantasy.
She’d caught me staring at her lips in the faint blue light of the TV screen. They were full and kissable, a deep shade of rosy pink. They reminded me of the innermost part of a peach, the dark bit by the pit—though maybe my brain was still clouded by the scent of that damn peach shampoo. That scent did questionable things to my sanity.
When she’d leaned in, I’d had a moment of panic, almost stopping us before we could start.
Just one taste, I’d told myself.
I should’ve known one taste would never be enough of Brooke.
I kept expecting her to pull back, to say it had been a mistake. But instead her hands found the muscles under my shirt, touching me like she craved me, andfuckthat was such a turn on. I don’t think any of my random hookups had given my skin such adoration, and even if they had, this wasBrooke. This was the girl I’d be dreaming about for more years than I’d admit. Having her touching me was an entirely different sensation.
Every little touch sent fire coursing through my veins.
I’d almost lost my grip on reality completely when she’d panted out my name, breathy and desperate. There had to besome kind of self-control award I had qualified for for not taking her right then and there on the couch.
When she’d leaned back and given me access to her neck, I’d wished the lights had been on so I could watch as I traced my tongue across the birthmark I knew was in that particular hidden spot behind her ear.
Is it weird to be obsessed with the slope of someone’s neck?
Suddenly, in the car, I realized I needed to adjust myself—subtly, I hoped—beneath the steering wheel.
I did my best to focus on the drive, forcing my thoughts away from yoga pants-clad thighs and soft, peach scented hair.
We finally madeit back to Boston and I handed her and Maple off at her front step to Whit, who eyed me curiously, her hand roaming absentmindedly across her slight belly.
“I’ve got a flight to catch—” I began, moving back towards the car.
“Wait.” Brooke held out her hand. “Give me your phone.” She added what I hoped was her cell phone number—significantly more personal than trying to call a landline and hoping in vain she would answer.
She met my eyes. “Text me when you get home safe?”
My insides flared with new hope. She wanted to stay in touch. This was good.
“I will.” I stepped in and kissed her forehead. “Take care, B. Call me if you need anything.”
I got in the rental car and drove to the airport, feeling like I was leaving my life behind me in Boston.
The hours of the flight ticked by slowly. When I got back to my complex, I picked up Echo from Val. I ruffled his fur, excitedto see him after being away for so long. He sniffed my clothes diligently, no doubt smelling another dog’s scent on me.
“I know bud, I kinda cheated on you,” I said, leaning down to him. “I promise it was for a good cause.”
