Page 70 of Love in Overdrive

Oh yeah. When the time was right, they would have a nice little reunion. Ray got excited just thinking about it. He shifted in his seat as he stared at the house.

Not tonight. He needed to get her alone. He put his car in drive and headed to a dive bar outside of town for a little libation. Now that he knew where she lived, he could come and visit.

And he would. Soon.

“How about a movie?” Laney asked as she unlocked the door.

“Sure.” Cade would be a liar if he said he thought Laney had watching a movie in mind when she invited him over. His gaze worked its way down her body to land on her curvy ass as she slipped the coat from her shoulders.

Movie? It wasn’t baseball, but… if he was lucky, the evening would end with her in his arms. He grinned. That night was seared into his brain and not because of the Twins.

She dropped her coat on the chair and turned back to Cade. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to change into something more comfortable. You can help yourself to anything in the fridge.”

Before he could reply, she headed down the hall, leaving him standing in the living room staring after her.

Something comfortable? Like a robe with nothing underneath but miles of her smooth, soft… He squeezed his eyes closed to savor the memory of touching all that glorious skin.

“Hey, I’m not sure I have any beer, but I might have some whiskey if you want?” Laney rounded the corner.

Cade just about swallowed his tongue. How could an oversized sweatshirt and black yoga pants make his dick stir? It shouldn’t. It must have been the inch of skin peeking out between the hem and her waistband as she fastened her hair into one of those messy knots on the top of her head.

“Wow! You, uh…” Look sexy as hell. He ran a hand over his mouth.

“What?” She held out the front of her shirt, as if checking for stains.

“You look nice.” Smooth. Really smooth. She was a fucking goddess in a sweatshirt that was at least two sizes too big. Aphrodite. It’s the only excuse he could have for sporting wood over a messy bun and enough fabric covering her body to clothe a family of four.

He stared, his gaze transfixed on her.

She blinked in answer.

He hadn’t stared at anyone this hard since the staring contests he had with his sister in middle school. What the hell? He’d been naked with this woman, so why were his nerves cranked up like the night before a mission.

A shy smile tugged at her lips. “Why don’t I go get the snacks while you pick the movie? There are movies on the shelf or we can stream something.”

“Sounds good.” He cleared his throat, hoping to disguise the froggy sound that just croaked out.

Laney disappeared into the kitchen, and Cade took a second to refocus. Movies. She asked him to pick a movie. He scanned the titles and smiled. There were as many action movies as chick flicks. He picked one of his favorites.

He started the movie.

“Oh, I love this movie. You like superhero movies, too?” Laney set a couple of sodas and a bag of chips on the coffee table.

“Yes, I grew up reading the comics.”

“Me too.”

Settling into the couch, Laney snuggled into his side. With each inch closer, his pulse rate lowered. It was as if she held a remote control that governed his body’s reactions.

He toyed with her hair while the opening credits rolled. Through the first half of the movie, Cade’s mind kept wandering to the woman at his side. She’d leaned her head on his shoulder. Covertly, he inhaled the scent of her shampoo. Damn, she smelled good and not just her hair. Everything about her calmed his nerves and evened out his breathing.

This woman was good for him. And… she was asleep.

Cade sighed. He should be frustrated, but he wasn’t.

He brushed her hair from her face. God, she was beautiful. She slept peacefully on him for the rest of the movie, and surprisingly, Cade really enjoyed this—a casual night, relaxing in front of the TV. Yup, he could see them sitting here night after night. And that scared him more than the thought of bad intel on an op. He’d just gotten out of prison. Hell, he was still trying to convince his father that his future was at Busted Knuckle. The last thing he should want was this.

He stared down at the woman in his arms. She’d made it clear tonight that she didn’t want serious.

Gently, he laid her on the sofa and covered her up before turning off the TV and all but one light.

He shoved his hands in his pockets and watched the rise and fall of her chest. Get out of here, man. Before you do something stupid like kiss her awake and make love to her all night.

He ran a hand through his hair. She’d obviously had a long week, and she worked tomorrow. He exhaled, kissed her forehead, and locked the door as he left.

On the way home, the evening replayed in his mind… Drinks with friends, and a relaxing night at home with Laney curled up to him. He couldn’t lie to himself. The only thing that would’ve made it better was if he could have carried her to bed and crawled in.

Their timing couldn’t be worse, but he wanted more of these nights with Laney. A lot more, like years.

They had only known each other for a little over a week’s time, but it felt like she was the missing piece of his life. A short time ago, Cade had sworn off women, and here he was, falling face-first into what he knew would be the most important relationship of his life.

Now, he just needed Laney to realize it was her most important relationship, too.