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She smiled. “Okay.”
He drew in a breath. “Come back in an hour? Need you to stay here ’cause he’ll wander if someone’s not watching. Maybe cook dinner if you can, or take him out, I’ll leave you cash. Can ya handle that?”
She grinned and nodded.
“Thanks.”
Her face brightened. “You’re welcome.” She turned and walked back to her place. Caden tried to look away, but her ass had him mesmerized. She was as close to perfect as he’d ever gotten with a woman. Not just her outer beauty. The idea she would delay leaving to help an asshole like him proved her inner beauty as well. Take a good look, dick, that’s what good looks like.
“Fuck!” He slammed his hand across the wood frame of the screen door, shooting it open, and rushed down the stairs. She was just past the gates when he caught up to her, blocking her path.
“Why are you helping me?”
She clamped her lips shut. Her chest rose and dropped, the pace quickening. He widened his eyes and spread his hands out from his legs. “Why, Riss?”
He watched her swallow a breath, and her eyes darted to the ground. “Maybe I should just go.” She turned, but Caden reached out, grasping her wrist and pulling her into his chest. Just the feel of her body next to him was easing his tension. She had that effect on him. Her presence was calming, and he sucked in a deep breath, inhaling her scent. He closed his eyes as her hair tickled against his chin. What the hell is she doing to me?
“Cade,” she whispered. His name on her lips was pissing him off, knowing she was seconds away from leaving him. He gripped her wrist tightly.
He pried his eyes open and growled. “Tell me why.”
She licked her lips, and her nostrils flared. She peered up at him through her lashes. “I don’t want to leave just yet.”
“Again, why?”
She shrugged. “I don’t have an answer.”
“Bullshit.” He needed to know why and if there was still a chance for him. I need it.
She craned her neck, looking up at him. “I wanna stay, Cade.”
Her body was pressed against his in an awkward side hold, but her lips were so close, all it would take on his part was to lean forward. Fuck, don’t do it.
“Even after being an asshole, ya still willing to stay and help me out?”
She shrugged, clamping her lips into a flat line. His heart raced, waiting on her answer. Pretty pathetic for a thirty-five-year old man, but it was the effect she had on him. She peeked up through her lashes and gave a short nod.
“You weren’t an asshole, not really.” She glanced up and gave him a small smile. “I just wanna help.”
Just from her gaze, he softened his face, his body, even his steel heart. He leaned closer and watched her eyes widen. He whispered, “I don’t deserve you.”
It was the truth. He didn’t.
She blinked, scanning his face, and then she gulped.
“I was pissed off yesterday. Saw a man’s name on my woman’s phone. I didn’t like it. I get why ya wanted to bail.” Caden pulled her closer. “Haven’t been connected to a woman in years, haven’t wanted it, then you show up, change everything, then tell me you’re just passing through? Gotta glimpse of something I wanted, something I was losing.”
“You don’t even know me, Cade,” she whispered.
“Enough to know I don’t want ya to leave.” His hand tightened on her wrist, and she leaned in closer. “Can’t promise I won’t hurt ya again ’cause I can be a real dick sometimes, but I can promise I’ll try not to.” He breathed her in, scent and everything that was her. “Don’t leave.”
She tilted her head, her eyes softening. “Cade…”
“Hey, kids, am I interrupting?” Trevor chuckled, and Caden closed his eyes. This kid’s timing was shit. He took a breath and opened his eyes, glancing down at her. She was doing her best to conceal her laugh. At least she was amused. Caden was not.
“Hey, Riss.”
Marissa leaned over, looking past Caden’s shoulder, smiling. “Hi.”
