AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Do you want me to?”
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll be back after I lock up and check the fire.”
“Good.”
When I returned to my bed, Shelby was asleep, and I was grateful. I’d taken my time locking up the cabin and making sure Storm’s crew were alert outside. They were, of course. The Knights were some of the best men I knew. I was just wasting time before getting into bed with my girl.
As I settled in next to Shelby, I took a slow, deep breath and closed my eyes. I’d prayed for this moment millions of times, of having her in my bed, and in my life.
She turned toward me, cuddling into me, and my heart swelled. I loved her beyond words.
24
Shelby
“No, no, no,” I cried, begging him to stop. But Jake wouldn’t stop, he never stopped. “I don’t want this!” I yelled, startling myself awake. Panting like I’d run up a mountain with a backpack full of cans and bottled water, I realized I was alone in Cade’s bed.
Relief washed over me. Cade wasn’t there to hear me having a nightmare. But I was also saddened because I yearned to wake up in his protective arms.
I had a dull headache; thanks to the tequila we had last night. Oddly, the way I felt brought me comfort, because I knew Cade would never drug or harm me like Jake had. My hangover was from my own choices, and nothing was better than having the freedom to do as I pleased.
A familiar scent piqued my interest and tempted me out of bed. Delicious bacon wafted in the air. If my nose was right, there’d be waffles and eggs, too.
With a smile on my face, I plucked the robe Cade had laid out at the foot of the bed and put it on. I found my mocs under the chair, slipped them on, and shuffled out of the room.
Be still my excited heart. There was the boy I’d loved most of my life, cooking at the stove. My, how he’d grown into a fiercely protective, sexy man. I shouldn’t be surprised. Cade had always been protective, but he had a grittiness about him that wasn’tpresent when we were together. Like he’d done some immoral and illegal things while we were apart. And I had to be honest, I was intrigued more than ever before.
He turned around as if sensing me and opened his arms. “Morning, Honeybee.”
Gah! The way he said the nickname he’d given me melted me on the spot.
“Morning, Cade.” I stepped toward him and was wrapped up in his warm embrace. “It smells wonderful in here.”
“I hope you’re hungry. I’ve been cooking for an hour. Can I get you coffee?”
“Yes, please.” We pulled apart, and he poured me a cup of java. “You know I can’t pass up bacon and waffles.”
“That’s what I was betting on.” He winked and handed me a mug filled with steaming, perfectly brewed Colombian roast. I inhaled the aroma into my soul. “You still drink the same coffee I’d gotten you started on?”
“Yep. Don’t see the point of changing something when I like it.”
“You could broaden your choices. Mix in some different roasts so you don’t get bored.” I was totally messing with him because I felt safe and relaxed. Like I was in my natural skin and not the knockoff I wore to fit in with Jake and his rich friends. I couldn’t recall when I’d stopped being me, but I could feel that country girl clawing her way back to the surface and this time I wouldn’t stop her.
He chuckled as he served our plates. “I don’t get bored darlin’ and you know it.”
“True. I was the one chasing the shiny pennies. Wish I had been more content, like you.”
He grunted and carried our plates to the coffee table, set them down, and returned to the kitchen. His non-verbal reply irkedme. Cade only did that when he agreed with something, but didn’t want to offend anyone.
Honestly, I wasn’t offended. But as they said, the truth hurts. I wished I’d kept a level head and not gotten sucked up into the glitz and glam of Southern California because the grass wasn’t greener on the other side.
I should’ve returned after college.
I should’ve married Cade like we’d planned.
I should’ve stayed true to myself and him.
