bChapter /bb106/bb: /bbCade /bbPOV /b

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    The front door creaks open behind me just as I finish rinsing out my coffee mug. Late afternoon sunlight nts through the kitchen window, silently reminding me that the day ising to an end.

    b80 /b

    The house is quiet with the other guys in the library, where they’re working on a group project with some of their ssmates. And it’s way too quiet for how much she’s been on my mind today.

    I don’t even have to turn around to know it’s her. I can hear it in the soft pad of her sneakers on the floor and feel it in the shift in the air, like something warm and electric just slipped through the door.

    My chest tightens instinctively, and I ce the mug on the drying rack, intentionally not turning around yet in an attempt not to jump her the moment Iy eyes on her.

    “Hey,” I call over my shoulder, trying to sound casual and neutral, but failing dismally.

    “Hey,” she says back, sounding a little breathless and out of sorts, causing my rm bells to go off. Did something happen in ss today?

    I turn then, intent on getting to the bottom of what’s causing this reaction in her.

    —

    And yeah she’s flushed. But not from the sun, or even the walk up the driveway and into the house. No. This is something else entirely. This is something that’s buzzing beneath her skin like a live wire and is just as dangerous.

    Her band tee is somewhat askew, her backpack’s hanging off one shoulder, and her lips are parted like she’s still catching her breath.

    And her eyes? They’re darting around like she doesn’t know where to look. Anywhere but me, it seems.

    That’s how I know. Because my Sunshine’s never had a problem making eye contact with ollime. /li/ol

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    Chapter 106: Cade POV

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    I cross my arms and lean against the counter behind me, letting the silence stretch just long enough to make her fidget with the hem of her t–shirt. “You alright there, Sunshine?” I ask, my voice low and smooth, and dipped in heat I don’t even bother to

    hide.

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    She startles at the cadence in my voice, just slightly, as her eyes snap up to mine, and that gorgeous blush of hers creeps higher up her neck towards the apples of her cheeks.

    “Fine,” she says, but it’s too fast, way too bright, and ridiculously rehearsed.

    I hum under my breath,pletely unconvinced. “Yeah?” I tip my head, slowly and deliberately, and say nonchntly, “You look like you’ve been thinking ireal /ihard about something.”

    She narrows her eyes, defensive and squirmy all at once, as she sasses, “I ihave /ibeen in ss all day, you know.”

    “Mmm,” I push off the counter, letting my steps slowly carry me closer one at a time, “And did ss make you walk funny when you came in just now, or should I be thanking Hunter for the new strut?”

    Yeah, I know about her and Hunter’s little tryst this morning. He mentioned it in passing to me earlier. Not to brag, but more as a warning that she might be antsy when she got home if she didn’t have a chance to take care of herself somewhere during the day.

    Her lips part, but no soundes out. She just takes one sharp inhale as I step into her

    space.

    “Cade…” she starts, in warning, or maybe as a plea–I haven’t decided which yet.

    But it makes me smile. And it’s equal parts slow,zy, andscivious. It’s the kind of smile that says, i‘/iiI /iialready /iiknow /iieverything /iiyou’re /inot isaying /iout iloud/ii./i‘

    She shifts backward slowly, and I follow like a predator zoning in on its prey, only stopping when her ass brushes the armrest of the couch. And now there’s nowhere for her to go.

    My right handes up, and my fingertips brush a strand of hair behind her ear, but I

    O

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    Chapter 106: Cade POV

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    don’t pull away as I let my pointer finger drag down her jawline towards her chin. “You want something, La?” I ask, and her namees out rough, thicker than I meant it to, but it has the desired effect nheless.

    She swallows

    —

    hard

    —

    and I watch, mesmerized, as her throat moves and how the

    b80 /b

    indecision flickers in her eyes.

    “I…” she starts, but then falters.

    God, she’s fucking killing me right now. She’s literally wrecking me, and she doesn’t even

    realize it.

    I drop my voice even lower, just for her and this moment. “You thinking about how you felt this morning?” I intentionally pause and then take another beat before continuing, “Are you still aching a little?”

    At that, she shivers. And that’s iall /iI need.

    I move closer, my hands bracketing her hips, but not yet pulling her closer to me–just ithere/ii, /iand just waiting.

    “You can tell me, Sunshine,” I murmur, as I dip my head and my mouth brushes the shell of her ear. “You want some help with that ache?”

    Her breath stutters again. But this time, she nods. It’s tiny and barely there. But it’s a

    resounding yes.

    And something in me uncoils at that.

    I nudge the hem of her t–shirt up with my right hand, my fingertips dragging along the skin at her waist, leisurely and torturously, before saying, “Then say it.”

    She whimpers at that. And it might be quietly, but it’s oh so fucking beautiful.

    “Cade…” she starts, but I cut her off.

    “Uh–uh.” My thumb brushes the edge of her hipbone, as I peer into her eyes, words, Sunshine.”

    “Use your

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    Chapter 106: Cade POV

    b80 /b

    She’s trembling now, and her hands are fisting the front of my own tee. I’m just not sure if it’s for stability or to find strength to do what I’m asking of her.

    And then bravely, she starts in a whisper, “I want…“, then stops for a second, and then adds, “I need…”

    Her voice breaks off at the end, but I already know exactly what she’s struggling to put

    into words.

    I guide her back to the couch cushions and ease her down, slow and steady, until she’s lying against the pillows at the back. Then, I sink to my knees in front of her.

    Without a word, and without breaking eye contact, I push her legs apart, unbutton her jeans, drag her pants and panties down with one firm pull, and pause just long enough to tell her, “You’re gonna let me take care of you. You’re not gonna rush it. And you’re gonna ifeel /ieverything I do to you.”

    And then, I do iexactly /ithat.

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