twenty-six
I stared at the outside of the cabin, wondering if it was really as nice as Cade claimed it was. It seemed so tiny—and I was now questioning whether or not he lied about the whole plumbing thing.
Cade looked at me over his shoulder with a small smile as he slid the key into the lock. As the door swung open he used his large body to block what lay beyond from my view.
Finally, he took a step to the side to let me pass.
I stepped into the cabin and my jaw dropped. “Cade! This is amazing!” I gasped in awe. I hadn’t expected this, not at all.
While small, it was stunning.
A fire already roared in the stone fireplace, where two leather chairs were angled to face it.
The bed was in the corner and covered in fluffy white bedding.
There was a closed off area that I assumed was the bathroom and there was even a small kitchenette area.
“You like it?” He asked, sitting our bags down.
“I love it,” I spun around, taking in the wood clad walls and rustic chandelier. “I can’t believe you thought to bring me here.”
He shrugged. “I knew it was close and I felt like we both needed to get away. Breathe fresh air, that kind of thing.” There was a sadness to his voice that had me worried.
“Cade?” I probed. “What’s going on? Is something wrong?” I asked worriedly. I loved this man and I didn’t like seeing him so heart broken. I wrapped my arms around his neck, forcing him to look at me. “Talk to me.”
“I feel bad…”
“For what?” No way was I letting him off that easy.
“For not going home, for not going pro and disappointing my dad, for lots of things,” he frowned. “But despite that,” a slow smile curved his lips as his hands wound around my waist, “I don’t regret being here with you right now.”
I closed my eyes, leaning my head against his chest where his heart beat. “You don’t?”
“No,” he kissed the top of my head. “This where I belong, but that doesn’t stop me from feeling guilty.”
I looked up at him, staring into his eyes. “Don’t ever feel bad for making the choices that are best for you. When you start living your life for someone else, it’s not your life at all.”
“You’re right,” he agreed with a sigh.
“You’re a good man, Cade,” I moved my hand to cup his stubbled cheek, “too good, sometimes.”
He chuckled. “You flatter me.”
“No,” I shook my head, “I’m honest.”
He grinned, giving me a quick kiss on my lips. “You know, a few months ago I never thought we’d be standing where we are.”
“Really?” I laughed, lightly poking his ribs in jest. “You sure were relentless in your pursuit to make me like you.”
He threw his head back and laughed. “Yeah, I guess I was,” he agreed. Lowering his voice and running his fingers lightly over my cheek, he said, “But that’s only because I knew there was something between us—something that was once in a lifetime. I wasn’t going to let you get away so easily.”
Before I could respond he crashed his lips to mine.
There was nothing sweet about this kiss. This was pure passion and I loved it. I wanted more, so much more, with him.
“Cade, please,” I begged, hoping he knew what I wanted and needed. I was too scared to come right out and say it.
He tilted my head back, his tongue flicking against mine. “Tell me what you want, Rae,” he nipped at my bottom lip. “Whatever you want I’ll give it to you.”