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I pulled my feet up onto the sofa and leaned forward as he dragged the coffee table closer. We’d found ourselves in a routine over the last week, one we’d easily slipped into, and one I never wanted to change. I wondered what it would be like once school was finished? Would we still have nights like this in his house? Or would he take me out and not care who saw us in public?
Even though I wanted the latter, I loved the former. I loved having him all to myself.
Cade opened up all of the boxes and passed me some chopsticks, and I grinned at him. “What?” he asked, his own lips pulling up into a grin. I shook my head and snapped the paper off the chopsticks to separate them.
“No.” His hand landed on my wrist to stop me, his long fingers wrapping around the soft skin, and my breath hitched. “What are you grinning at?”
I shrugged. “Just you.” I bit down on my bottom lip, my gaze connecting with his. “You ever going to put a T-shirt on, or are you just going to sit there half-naked all night to torture me.”
His nostrils flared as he glanced down at my lips and then back to my eyes. “Do you want me to put a shirt on?”
I swallowed, trying to cool my body down, but it was damn near impossible when he was sitting so close and touching me. “Yes. No.” His laughter had goose bumps spreading over my skin, and I wanted nothing more than to crawl over to him and press myself against his chest.
“Don’t seem very sure there,” he said, his voice deeper now. “Maybe we should make it equal.” His hand whispered up my arm and to my shoulder, pulling on the strap of my pajama top. “Maybe you should be half-naked too.”
My breath caught in my throat at the way he was staring at me. He never failed to make me forget about everything around me, and that was part of what had led us down the twisted path we’d been on. We were out on the other side now, and in the safety of his home, so I decided to throw caution to the wind.
I placed my chopsticks on the arm of the sofa and slowly leaned forward, making sure not one part of me was touching him as I whispered, “Maybe I should.” My hands flowed down to the edge of my pajama top, and I slowly lifted it. A week ago, I never would have been so bold, knowing he’d see the scars marring the skin on my stomach, but I felt safe with Cade. I always felt safe with him.
“The food will go cold,” he murmured, his dark-blue eyes hooding the longer he stared at me. He may have voiced his concern over the food, but his hand reaching for my waist told me his body wanted this more than the takeout.
“We can warm it up,” I said, lifting my top over my head and baring my chest to him. His gaze flicked down to my breasts, the sound of his sharp breath making it known how much he wanted me. I leaned over him and placed my legs on either side of his thighs. Since the hotel at the meet, this was my favorite position, and I had a feeling it was his too.
His large hands gripped my back and drifted down to my ass where he squeezed and yanked me forward. “How do you never fail to make me lose my mind?” he asked, but I wasn’t sure he wanted an answer.
I leaned closer to him, my lips now only a hairsbreadth away from his. “I have no idea, but you have the same effect.” I pressed my lips down onto his, groaning at how soft they were, and pushed even closer to him. He encompassed his arms around me, banding me to him, and threatening to never let me go.
He pulled back a fraction of an inch, his gaze connecting with mine. “I think we should take this upstairs.”
I placed my hand on the side of his face and smiled at him. “Why wait?” I asked, and slammed my lips back onto his. The smell of the food drifted around us, but I didn’t care. The food could be warmed up, but the fire sizzling between us could never be put out.
* * *
ARIA
Mom stood in front of the mirror in the honeymoon suite, her gaze trailing over her off-the-shoulder ivory dress. Tears sprung to my eyes. She looked beautiful in every way possible. Her hair was in an elaborate twisted bun at the base of her neck, and her makeup was minimal but just enough to accentuate her features.
“I can’t believe in an hour I’ll be married.” Her voice was low and soft as she met my gaze in the mirror.
I smiled wide at her and stood. We’d both slept in the honeymoon suite last night, and because Mom and Sal were leaving for their actual honeymoon later this evening, I’d have the room all to myself tonight. Although, part of me hoped Cade would turn up.
“You look stunning, Mom.” I took three steps toward her and stood beside her as I glanced at the mirror. My dress was a golden color, the straps thin and leading down to a beaded bodice. At least with this dress, I didn’t have to fight Mom over the length because she wanted it to hit the floor when I wasn’t wearing the heels she’d chosen for me.
“So do you.” She turned to face me. Her hands gripped my shoulders as she blew out a big breath. “How long do we have until we have to go down?”
I flicked my gaze to the clock on the wall, my stomach dipping at how fast time was flinging by. “Five minutes. Do you want me to come down with you, or go down now and make sure Belle is ready?”
Mom’s hands gripped me harder for a fraction of a second, and then she let go. “Head down now. I need a minute to gather myself.”
“Okay,” I whispered. I turned to walk away, but stopped at the last second and placed a kiss on her cheek. It had been years since I’d shown Mom any affection without her pulling it out of me, but things were changing now.
I was happier than I’d ever been. Cade and I were in an amazing place, especially after last weekend. My meds were starting to balance me out, most importantly, I hadn’t cut for nearly three weeks. My therapy with Dr. Bay was hard, but I always felt better when I walked out of her office and to Cade in the waiting room.
Things were going good, which made me realize just how broken Mom’s and my relationship was. We needed to work on it, but the only way we could do that was if I were honest with her—something I hadn’t been in years. It was on the tip of my tongue to tell her everything but now wasn’t the time or place. I had to wait.
“I’ll see you down there,” I murmured, and walked away from her. The suite was huge, and by the time I got to the door, I was feeling a little more steady in my heels.
My heart was hammering in my chest as I took the elevator down to the ground level. The room they ren
