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But now wasn’t the time for hesitation and second-guessing. It was her time to finally take what she deserved.
“Cade, will you stay with me tonight?” She held his gaze, unwilling to look away even though fear of rejection threatened to take her out at the knees.
“Are you sure that’s what you want?”
“More than anything.”
He traced his thumb from her jawline to her mouth before dropping his hand to rest at her waist. Taking her mouth with his, he wrapped his arms around her then laid her down on the soft bed. She wasn’t sure where the night would lead them, but there was no doubt it’d be one she’d remember forever.
Cade movedhis hands along Laura’s sides as his lips devoured her. His fingers itched to touch her silky skin. To lift the tank top and feel every inch of her body.
But he’d promised himself to take things slow. A couple of kisses were one thing. Crossing the line of intimacy while she was so vulnerable was another.
Breaking the kiss, he propped up his elbow and rested his head on his fist. He stared down at her, studying her swollen lips and the light blush on her cheeks. Her blond hair was fanned out against the white pillowcase. His heart climbed into his throat. She was so damn beautiful.
“Is something wrong?” she asked.
He shook his head and skimmed her cheek with his knuckles. “In this moment, everything is perfect.”
He meant it to his bones. Nothing else mattered. All his troubles floated away. All he wanted was Laura, with him always.
She frowned, and he hated the uncertainty dancing in her eyes. “Then why did you pull away? Is it because…” as her voice trailed off, she cradled her belly.
“Never. I just…I want to do this right. We’ve started this off in a pretty unconventional way.”
She let out a small laugh. “Ya think?”
He grinned, glad to see some of her humor back. “I can’t say I’m mad about that, because I’m not sure what else would have pushed me into finally confronting my feelings for you.”
A sexy smirk lifted the corner of her mouth. “I’m not sure if I should be offended or flattered. It only took multiple attacks and a threat on my life for you to make a move.”
“Flattered. Definitely.” Chuckling, he kissed the smirk off her face. “I prefer to think of it as painfully keeping a respectful distance while trying not to kill your ex-boyfriend. Then there was your brother to think about. Hitting on his baby sister who is ten years younger might land me a punch in the gut and cost me a best friend.”
Her face sobered. “It still might cost you those things. Matthew wasn’t happy when he saw us together.”
“True, but I can’t live my life to make other people happy. Not anymore. Besides, something else is going on with him. I don’t know if it has to do with the screwy things we’ve uncovered or not, but I don’t like it.”
“Me neither. He’s always been so solid. The one person I can count on. Right now, it’s like he’s another person entirely. I don’t understand why he won’t confide in me or you or even Jude. But if he does take issue with us, will it bother you?”
“Your brother is my best friend in the world. He’s helped me through some of the darkest moments in my life, and if he’ll letme, I’ll help him with whatever mess he’s in. But regardless of how he feels about us, I want to be with you.”
A slow, lazy smile took over her face. She glanced at him from under long, dark lashes. “Never in a million years did I think I’d hear those words from you. I always had the biggest crush on you. Once I got older, that crush threatened to grow but I stomped it down. Told myself it was a silly fantasy that needed to die with all my other dreams. Now I know I have a lifetime of dreams ahead of me.”
He swept a strand of hair off her face then rested his forehead to hers. He breathed her in. Her scent was intoxicating. “You can have the damn world on a platter, and I’ll help give it to you. But I want to do it right. Take it slow and get to know you on this different level. I don’t want to rush in and ruin anything.”
“I understand,” she said, pulling away to sit. “If you don’t want to stay in here with me, I get it. I really do. I just don’t like the idea of being away from you. Even when I’m sleeping.”
He gently guided her back down beside him and snuggled her close. She fit against him like a missing part of himself he never realized he needed. “Don’t you dare move.”
She rested a palm on his chest, swirling her fingers against his shirt. The slow, rhythmic motion sent pikes of lust shooting through his veins.
He gritted his teeth. How could such an innocent touch drive him so crazy? Trapping her hand against his chest with his own, he pressed his lips to her temple. “Can we stay like this tonight? Just be together?”
“I’d love that.”
So he gathered her in his arms and held her close, listening to the gentle beat of her heart until he finally fell asleep.
19
