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He gave her a few minutes before he righted himself. She immediately felt the loss. He stood and pulled up his jeans in silence. Marissa scooted up the couch, watching him. He seemed to focus on anywhere but her. She bit her lip, leaning over to the floor to retrieve her shirt. Maybe this was Caden’s way. Maybe all he was capable of giving was sex without emotion. She fought back against her beating heart. It was raging in disappointment. She put on her shirt and sat into the couch, watching and waiting for his inevitable departure.
Caden stood at the edge of the room. When he finally turned to face her, he seemed conflicted. She twisted her hands and remained silent.
The deep lines in his forehead creased, and his gaze wandered the room before landing on the couch. His gaze flickered between her and the open seat next to her. She waited, half wondering if he’d ask if he could sit next to her. She patted the cushion next to her and offered a smile.
He slowly made his way over and sat next to her on the couch, his thigh planted next to hers. He refused to make eye contact with her. What just happened? He remained still with his gaze locked on his clasped hands resting on his legs. Something was definitely off with him. Even the air in the room changed.
“You’re under my skin, Riss,” he whispered. She wasn’t sure if he was talking to her or himself. “Don’t know what it is about you, but you’re in, and it pisses me off.”
She furrowed her brows in mass confusion. Had she missed something?
“You don’t want to like me?”
He snorted and shook his head, keeping his stare forward. “Liking you? I wish to God that was all I was feeling about ya. Countless fucking women in and outta my life, barely remember any of their faces. You show up, can’t get yours outta my head.”
She smiled. It may not be poetic, but it was oddly beautiful. Maybe not his choice of words but the meaning behind them. She scooted closer and lifted her hand, placing it on his thigh.
“I like you, Cade.” It was simple and almost sounded childish, as if they were kids in a schoolyard.
He glanced over, searching her face. The fine lines on the corner of his eyes crinkled slightly but not from smiling. His lips were turned down. She reached out slowly and grazed her finger between his brows, feeling the dent on the pad of her fingertip.
“Still like this face?” His voice was low.
She leaned in closer and whispered, “Yes.”
Her hand slid across his leg to his inner thigh. His stare stayed trained on her.
She lifted her mouth to his ear. “Stay with me.”
He turned quickly, cupping her jaw, sending her back flat against the couch as he hovered over her. He was so close, if she rose up just a fraction of an inch, their lips would be sealed. But she didn’t. His stare was holding her in place.
His lips lingered over her mouth, gliding across her lips. Just the feel of his fingertips stroking her jaw was making her edge closer to him. His lips trailed down from the corner of her mouth, across her cheek.
She shivered, releasing a soft moan when his tongue caressed under her lobe. “I want you to stay.” Her breathy voice was almost unrecognizable. She wanted him to stay, she needed it. She was so completely lost with the feel of his mouth on her neck she didn’t bother to open her eyes when her body was covered by his and lifted against his chest.
Caden carried her the five short steps to the small bedroom and dropped her against the mattress, his body following giving her no warning when his lips came down hard against hers. She tugged at his shirt with animalistic intent. Once wasn’t enough. Her nails dug into the cotton material, raking her fingers up his back.
“Gotta be up in a few hours,” he whispered against her lips.
He pulled away slightly and stepped back. He pulled off his shirt and dropped his pants, left only in his underwear. He motioned for her to scoot up the bed, and she did. He pulled back the covers and slid in, pulling her into his chest. He gripped her jaw, angling her mouth, and he kissed her again. It was slow and sweet and ended far too soon. His hand caressed over her hip as he dropped his head to the pillow and closed his eyes.
“I really do like your face,” she whispered.
He shook his head but didn’t say anything. He was amused by her. She could read it in the twitch of his lips.
****
Caden had woken up just before six. Marissa didn’t even stir when he got out of bed and dressed. He watched her for a few minutes. Fast asleep and peaceful. Waking her just for a kiss would make him an asshole. He stepped forward, planting his palms on the mattress on either side of her, essentially caging her in. Even with the small shake to the bed from his weight, she remained out cold. He dipped his head into the curve of her neck and kissed her.
“Riss,” he whispered.
She turned slightly, knocking her head into his jaw, and moaned. “Mmmm…”
“I’m going.”
Her brows furrowed, and her eyes pried open. Great fucking eyes. It took her a minute to comprehend what he was saying. That was fine by him. Watching her slightly disoriented and confused had him cocking his lips into a smirk.
“I thought you were staying?” She yawned before getting the last word out.
