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A growl rumbled in his chest. “I don’t want to know about the other men. Tell me what Jake did to you.”
The last seven days flashed through my mind at hyper-speed…
The wine he gave me to drug me.
Waking up disoriented and smelling his cum on me.
The doctor’s confession and apology when he examined me. He’d felt guilty for being on Jake’s payroll and knew about Jake threatening my gynecologist. Apparently, at my last appointment, I hadn’t been given my birth control shot. It only had a saline solution in it. Jake had paid off my doctor. He wanted to get me pregnant, so we’d be tied together forever through a baby.
“Shelby? Darlin’?” Cade’s soothing voice drew me out of the nightmare I’d been in. “No matter what, I will always love you and want you.”
“You’re the most patient and loving man.” I touched his hand, but then quickly pulled back. Suddenly I felt dirty. “Would it be okay if I took a shower?”
“You never have to ask Shelby. You’ve always had a run of the place. He reached for my hand, but I jerked away. “Sorry. I’m sorry.” He swallowed thickly.
“No, I’m the sorry one. Let me shower, then I’ll have another shot before I spill my guts.” I just needed a moment to myself after the insane day I had. Unfortunately, I could never scrub Jake off my body or out of my memories. I’d have to take it one day at a time, and pray it didn’t take a lifetime to forget.
“Okay. My T-shirts are in the third drawer.”
“Some things never change.”
“Nope.” He emphasized the P with a pop.
Of course, he hadn’t moved them to a different drawer in his dresser. Cade didn’t like change. Once we had set up his cabin, that was it. Not one thing would move from its original spot. My sister would drive him crazy when she’d come over because she’d put stuff out of place just to piss him off. And it always worked. I smiled at the memory. Those had been such fun times.
I felt his eagle-eyes on me as I went into his bedroom. Admittedly, I was nervous to be here with him when my heart gleefully soared in his presence. It was true, out of sight, out of mind. My life in California had kept me from thinking about Cade, but the second he came to mind, or I was near him, it was like we’d never been apart.
Cade Norris was a no-frills, steadfast, stubborn jackass. He’d told me a million times that he didn’t need much…onlyme. Except the bullheaded man had dug in his heels and wouldn’t leave the ranch to be with me in California. So much for only needing me…
I turned on the lights.Holy shit!It was like I’d opened a time capsule.
His bedroom—what used to beourbedroom—made my heart weep. Nothing had changed. I wasn’t sure why I was so shocked. The same lantern light fixture hung above the bed and wrought-iron lamps flanked the log-style bed. All the candles in various sizes and colors I’d bought were scattered about the room in the very spots I’d placed them. When lit, they had created a soft glow for our romantic nights together.
I pressed my hand against my chest, finding it difficult to breathe. What did women think when he brought them to his place? Into his bed? Anyone would suspect he might have a girlfriend or a wife just by the way the room was set up. Rugged cowboys wouldn’t have a multi-colored antique Turkish rug with an Anatolian motif on the wooden floor. God, I adored that rug.
A wistful sigh flowed out of her, recalling when he’d bought it when we went to Minneapolis to watch a Vikings game. My brother and Travis had gone with us, and their flavor-of-the-month dates. We’d been perusing an antique store before the game. The second I’d seen the colorful rug—that looked more like an art piece—I’d fallen in love with it. Cade, who had endeavored to make me happy, had bought it on the spot.
I studied it closely, noting it was in pristine condition, as if hardly walked on. My gaze went to the red duvet I’d bought that same weekend in Minneapolis, to compliment the new rug. God, I’d been so dorky, telling Cade I wanted red for our fiery-hot nights.
Hints of apple spice came from behind me on the dresser. Another candle I’d bought. How was it possible to feel utterly at peace after being gone for so long? Perhaps it was because the cabin had been a place of tenderness, playful teasing, rare arguments, and limitless love.
“Everything okay in there?”
I snapped myself out of my nostalgic haze. “Yep, all good. Was just stunned the room hadn’t been redecorated,” I told him truthfully.
“Why would I do that? I like it the way it is.”
“Because it has me all over it and another woman wouldn’t appreciate it.”
“I’ve never brought another woman into my bed.”
I went to the entrance and stared at him.
He cocked his head and shrugged. “It’s our room, Honeybee. I wouldn’t defile the love we made by bringing a chick into my cabin.”
“Seriously? You said you’ve been with other women.”
“I have. Just not here. Guess I hoped you’d return, and you have.”
