One and Only

Charlotte

Iawoke, afraid he would be gone.

But he wasn’t.

The hard press of his body stretched out behind me while his strong arm draped across my waist, holding me close.

Content, I sighed as tears filled my eyes.

One more night.

It was already morning, the dim glow of the sun peeked through the slats of my blinds, and I wished I could go back to sleep so he couldn’t leave me. I didn’t want our night to end.

I had always considered myself a tough girl. I mean, I had five older brothers and I rarely cried, but I was at full emotional capacity right now.

I was about to lose my shit and cry all over Cade. And he was sweet, a good guy, the best of the best. So, he’d hold me for sure, give me all the comfort I required and more, but then he’d leave, and I’d be alone again.

I was sick and tired of being alone.

How much more was I supposed to take?

My stalker from hell?

The deadline of doom?

And now the dawning realization that I was head-over-heels, crazy in love with my ex-husband?

Andhe was lying behind me, poking my behind with his huge epic boner and we’d just spent our so-called, mother freaking last night together and it was pure magical heaven?

I could not handle any more of this stupid fricking nonsense life kept handing me. Not one bit.

My entire body ached from holding back the words I didn’t dare say to him. Not yet, anyway. Not until I maybe finished writing my book and got my head clear of the dumbass ideas I had believed about my life over all these years away from him.

I should have come back to Sweetbriar a long time ago. I should have fought for him.

“Baby?” His arm tightened around my waist while the deep throaty groan of his sleepy morning voice shot straight to the good spot between my legs.

I couldn’t help but wiggle my booty against him in response before I sat up. I turned to say good morning but ended up staring at him like a weirdo instead.

It was as though he had come straight from the pages of one of the dirty parts in my books. The sun through my window highlighted the ripple of his abs, his big arm was bent behind his head with the muscles bunched just so, and the sheet had come to rest low around his hips and pulled tight enough to outline his gorgeous, hard cock that had been poking me in the bottom only moments before.

Why in the hell did I sit up?

Damn, he was fine. He’d always been fine, but I’d forgotten how irresistibly sexy early morning Cade was. Tousled-up hair, half-mast eyes, and don’t even get me started on that broad, muscled chest with the perfect amount of dark hair dusted across. I bit my lip and he smiled at me.

“Morning, Charli,” he drawled, his voice like a caress on my bare skin. I shivered.

“Hi, Cade,” I squeaked.

He beckoned me with one hand, crooking a finger with a naughty grin. “Get back here.”

I went. I was only human. And the whole “one more night” thing was not even my idea.

He kissed me.

It lingered.

Hands on my skin.

Bodies pressed close.

My heart like a bass drum pounding in my chest beating hope throughout my veins.

Our lips pressed harder together, opening, this kiss pushing us into a future we hadn’t defined. One that existed beyond the time limit we had set the night before.

Then he stopped. “I promised you French toast, but you don’t have what I need so I’ll owe you.”

I don’t have what he needs.Did I ever?

I bit the inside of my lip. Hard. “Don’t worry about it. Do you work today? Maybe we could get breakfast together?”

“I do. Yeah, I’m on duty. What time is it?”

I found my watch on the night table. “It’s six.”

“I overslept. I should get a move on. Can I call you later?”

“Yes. I feel like maybe we need to talk about this?”

“I agree.” He smiled at me before he sat up, shifted his legs to the floor, then bent to gather his clothes and get dressed. I tugged the sheet up to cover myself and watched, dejected.

I was blue.

Beyond sad.

I wanted to bury myself under my covers and cry until I passed out and couldn’t think anymore. I didn’t know what to do or what I should say to him.

Fear held me back from everything I knew my heart wanted tell him. I stared at the floor. I couldn’t stand to watch him leave.

He circled around the bed stopping at my side. “Hey.” Lifting my chin with a fingertip he bent and kissed my forehead. “Last night was special. We’ll talk about it tonight, okay? I’ll call you when I get off. I promise.”

“All right. Until tonight then.”