“I guess we can go somewhere.” My entire body lets out a sigh of relief. It’s as if the moment I left his presence I was holding my breath again, hacking my way through the woods of life just struggling to survive.
Piper offers up a tight embrace and whispers hotly into my ear, “Be nice to him. If Cade says he loves you, he means it. You already know that I love you.” She pulls back with tears in her eyes. “I love you both.” She gives a little shrug as Owen takes her by the hand, and they take off into the night.
“Well, I’m starting to feel like a third wheel.” Caila steps up to Cade with her arms folded tight across her chest. If Cade thinks his little sister is a pistol, he’s about to be bested by my personal AK-47. “Nice to finally meet you, too, Mr. Cade James.” Caila may sound sweet enough, but that hard-as-galvanized-steel gaze of hers lets you know exactly what she’s thinking, or at least the not-so subtle hint of it. “Rumor has it, you like your women in pairs.”
Cade closes his eyes a moment and bounces a soft nod. “No, I like my women singular. I don’t have anyone else.” He reaches over and brushes my cheek with his thumb. “This girl, right here, is all I need.”
“Good answer.” Caila is not impressed. That little smirk she’s giving him is a telltale sign. “You do realize Cassidy is special.” Her entire demeanor softens, and I freeze just looking at her in horror as she readies to sell me out.
“I’m not special,” I hiss the words as if they were dirty. “I just needed some space.”
“You are special—to me.” Cade draws my fingers to his with apprehension. “I’m not going to hurt your sister, Caila. I promise you that.” He doesn’t break his gaze from mine.
“I’ll leave you two alone. Cass, if you need me, you know where to find me. Don’t take crap from anyone. If that little Tennessee tart gives you a hard time, you know what to do.” Caila struts off with her shoulders back, head held high as if she’s just conquered the world, and here I am with my tail between my legs, the man of my dreams declaring his love for me, and I don’t know what to do with it. Romantic love has always been a far-off concept reserved for other people—and here I am, the square peg trying to fit into a round hole. It won’t work. It can’t. Right?
“I guess this is the part where I apologize.” It comes out breathy as I glance to the ground. “Cade, I—”
He shakes his head. His brows dip into that sexy hard V I adore, and his lips bleed a sad smile my way.
“You don’t have anything to apologize for. You were honest and upfront with me the day we met. You said you wanted to keep things low-key. I’m the one who tried changing the rules, so I apologize.” The moon kisses his dark hair, giving it the illusion of blue icicles slicked back in smooth shards. He lays his hand over his heart, his eyes never leaving mine. “Cassidy, if all you want from me is what we had going, then that’s what it will be. I’ll take anything you’re willing to give me.” His Adam’s apple rises and falls with so much drama my stomach sinks at what he might say next. “But—”
“I knew it!” I break free from his hold on me. “I knew you were just fishing for some excuse to wrangle out of this. Well, I’ll spare you of it! Go ahead and take off and don’t ever come back!” My words ricochet down the alleyway. “I get it.” My voice breaks as I struggle to keep it together. “I have had a lifetime of rejection. You’re perfect, Cade.” It comes out less than a whisper. “You don’t need this mess in your life.” My finger darts to my face. “I’m just the girl to keep on the side for kicks—a six-pack they called me in high school. Well, I understood it then, and I get it now. I’m still a six-pack, and you know why?” I give him a hard shove to the chest. “Because that’s how stupid and shallow this world is. It’s not concerned with how smart or intelligent you are, or if you’ve got a heart of fucking gold!” I’m back to shouting. “All people care about is how young and beautiful you are. You have one scar eating up the side of your face, and suddenly, opportunities disappear, people feel sorry for you, hate you, make fun of you—be you for Halloween! Well, I’m sick of it!”
“Cassidy.” Cade tries to wrap his arms around me, but I’m hysterical, delirious with mind-numbing pain. I’ve waited fifteen long years to vent my fury, and I’m not letting up anytime soon. “I see you!” he riots into my face, his panting matching my own. “I see you—the real you.” His voice softens a bit as he presses me close by the small of my back. Our hips connect, and I would swear on my momma’s soul that sparks just lit up the night sky. There has always been something electric about Cade’s touch. He touches his finger to my chin and sears his gaze over mine. “When I said I love you, I meant it. I love the inside, the outside, and I especially love your heart of fucking gold.”