My throat tightened right along with my chest. I gazed into his eyes, the blues swirling fast and hard. “I just feel like you never want to see me, that it burdens you to have to make time for me.”
Tears began to prick at my eyes. I had just thrown my worst thoughts out there and now I awaited his response.
It was quick and hard.
He grabbed my waist and laid me on top of him, crushing me against his body. “Jada, no.”
My tears fell softly onto the heated skin of his torso before running off the side.
“I know things have gone to shit. I have had a lot going on, baby. I’m hoping it will all be worked through soon. I miss … this. I miss you. I miss holding you, talking to you, teasing you. Baking with you.” He wiggled his eyebrows, making me smile. “When I say I want to be with you, it’s because I do. More than I’ve ever wanted anything.”
I rose to look at his gorgeous face. He was chewing his bottom lip furiously, his eyes searching mine.
“Okay,” I finally said. “But I want a rain check. Every hour I have to sacrifice will be paid back with interest. Capiche?”
Cane’s chest bounced as a chuckle escaped his throat, his eyes now alight with humor. “Fuck, I love you.”
As soon as the words were out of his mouth, his eyes went wide.
My heartbeat raced, goose bumps breaking out across my skin. My throat swelled, my breath hitching in my throat.
Breathe. That was probably a mistake.
“Jada,” he said, his voice rough. “I—”
“It’s fine.” I plastered on a smile to cover my disappointment. “It’s fine, Cane. I know how you meant it.”
His eyes began to blaze as his breath picked up. I turned to roll off of him but he grabbed my waist with both hands, holding me in place. “Fuck this,” he whispered, his eyes wild.
Forcing a swallow, he continued, “This isn’t how I thought this would happen. Hell, I wasn’t sure if I would ever feel this way at all. But I do, so it’s stupid not to just say it, right?”
His forehead was wrinkled and a small sheen of sweat broke out across it.
“Cane—” I began before his fingertips touched me lightly on the lips, effectively hushing me.
“Jada,” he said, taking a deep breath. “I love you.”
Each word was clear, crisp, as if he wanted to make sure I didn’t misunderstand that he was saying it, not just the words, but the meaning behind it.
I smiled through my nerves, my heart bursting with joy. My chest shook as I suppressed a giggle that was awfully timed. “You don’t have to say that.”
He shook his head, his eyes wary. “Damn it, woman. If you don’t say it back in about two seconds, I am going to lose my shit.”
I let the laugh escape. I loved him. It was really that simple. “I love you, too.”
His face broke out, mirroring mine, before he grabbed the back of my head and crashed his mouth to mine.
CANE
Who would have fucking thought I’d be so happy after telling someone I loved them?
I shook my head.
Who would have thought I would ever even consider that I loved someone at all?
I worked my way through the streets of Tempe on my way to my office, a dopey smile on my face.
I need to figure out how to look like a normal person before I see Max. I need to get pissed off about something.
I laughed at my thoughts, at the insanity of the morning … at how fucking happy I was.
Who knew?
I hooked a right onto the freeway as my phone went off. BLOCKED was flashing across the screen.
What the fuck?
“Hello?” I said into the line, curiosity getting the best of me.
“Hey, Cane.” The tone was crisp, cool, and full of complete bullshit.
My blood ran cold.
“Simon Powers.” I scanned for a spot on the freeway to pull over. I couldn’t drive with any sense and deal with this motherfucker. “How’s that leg treating you?”
“Better now with this wad of cash I got from some copper I came across. Money makes everything feel better. But I know you know all about that.”
I pulled over to the side of the road. I needed to concentrate.
“You really are the scum of the earth.”
Simon laughed maniacally over the phone. “Just getting a little back from what you took from me.”
“I didn’t take jack shit from you.”
“I’m about to take everything that fucking matters from you.”
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
“How’s that girlfriend of yours? What’s her name? June? Jenna? Hot little piece, I’ll say that for ya.”
“You motherfucker!” I seethed. “Don’t you fucking say her name! I will find you, fuck the law. Fuck everything. Do you fucking hear me?”
“Cane, Cane, Cane,” Simon laughed. “You are like taking candy from a baby. Just tell that baby of yours not to wear that tie-dyed shirt when she goes for a walk. Makes it too easy to spot her. At least make me work for it.”
The line went dead.
I replayed his words again as I fumbled with the screen and dialed Jada. I felt like I had walked into a freezer, my entire body chilled.
“Hey, baby!” her melodic voice rang out.
“Jada,” I said hurriedly, “do you have a tie-dyed shirt?”