One and Only

Cade

Iused to take it for granted that I’d always wake up to see her next to me. Then I lost her and learned that there were no guarantees in this life, not even if you’d made vows and had a ring on your finger.

Her pretty face in the early morning sunlight took my breath away. I hadn’t felt like this in years. She was in my bed, naked in my arms, just like hundreds of times in the past and I never wanted her to leave.

Dark eyelashes fluttered against her cheeks, and I took a deep breath as she stirred in her sleep. She was the most beautiful woman I would ever see in my life, and I would keep her in it no matter what I had to sacrifice. No more taking her for granted.

“Good morning,” I whispered.

“Cade.” She smiled and reached up, winding her arms around my neck. “I love waking up with you.”

“I wish I didn’t have to go into the station.” I dipped down to kiss her forehead.

“I know, me too. Too bad we can’t freeze time. I should call my publisher and work out a new deadline. I need to take control of my life again.” Her eyes darted away from mine and the sense that she wasn’t telling me something reignited.

“What do you mean, take control? What are you hiding, Charlotte? You know I’ll do anything in my power to help you, right? Is it about the crash—”

“I just have a lot going on, is all. Kiss me.”

It didn’t escape my attention that she hadn’t given me a real answer. But I didn’t want to push, and I really wanted to kiss her, so I did.

“If you’re hiding something, I’ll find out eventually.” I’d just keep her townhouse on the rotation. I’d had officers discretely cruising down her street a few times a day since the accident. So far, nothing out of the ordinary had been observed.

“Hmmm.” She peppered kisses to my neck and upper chest. “You’re not kissing me enough. I need more,” she murmured, smiling as she pressed a kiss against my lips.

I flipped her to her back and gave her my full attention. “Is this what you had in mind?” I slid my fingers between her legs, and yeah, this was absolutely what she had in mind. She was ready for me. I buried myself inside her with a groan.

She wrapped her legs around my waist, and I focused on making her come rather than answering any more questions. So much for “one more night,” but this was much better. I rocked into her body, again and again, determined to bring her over the edge with me.

After we finished, we laid there for a moment, tangled up together with our breath slowing and our bodies relaxing against each other. She scratched my back and kissed my cheek, her hands drifting into my hair as my body thrummed with pleasure. “Am I too heavy?” I sighed into her neck.

She held me tighter. “No, I love how you feel. I don’t want to move. Why can’t we just stay here in this bed? Sleeping and making love into perpetuity. We can have food delivered, and your bathroom is right there. We could shower together again! I remember the mornings we used to have. God, Cade, please tell me this will work.”

“I will make it work. No matter what it takes. Don’t worry.”

“Okay, I won’t worry. I’ll trust you.” She slid out of my arms, out of my bed and headed for the bathroom with a lingering look over her shoulder. I took the hint and joined her in the shower.

I made her coffee and breakfast and we talked about everything except what I really wanted to address. I kept things light, so I could keep her comfortable. I didn’t want to scare her off now that I was closer to having her back in my life. And now I was dressed and standing in the doorway as she stepped off the front porch to get into her Jeep and leave.

A bolt of lightning hit me at the base of my spine, anchoring me where I stood as I watched her drive away, wishing to the depth of my soul that I had never let her slip through my fingers all those years ago. I should have gone with her, or waited for her. I should have fucking listened to her plans on how we could have worked it out back then instead of behaving like a stubborn ass.

Time waited for no one, so I headed back inside to gather my things and head into the station. On the way, I stopped at Violet’s for more coffee, pleased to find Charlotte’s Jeep parked right in front.

A look in the window found her in the far corner table sitting with my mother and grandmother. An involuntary smile crossed my face at the possibility that I could eventually convince her to stay here forever, that maybe we could have more someday.

“Well, hello there, Detective Caden Barrett of the Sweetbriar Police Department. How are you on this fine morning?” I turned to find the photographer with the rental car from the Holloway’s a few weeks ago standing there.

“Morning,” I responded. I found people were more talkative the less I said, so I kept quiet.

“I found some interesting places to photograph around here, just like you said. The Ponderosa pines in particular are grand.” Who the hell was this guy? He was up to something.

My eyebrows raised. “They sure are. You should try Frog Lake. You’d like it up there.”

“Maybe I will.” He turned to leave.

“But first, as they say, coffee.” I gestured to the door. “You should go in, let me buy you a cup. Everyone should have a proper welcome to Sweetbriar, and this is the best coffee around.” I was hoping I could lift his prints off a cup.

His smarmy smile faded as his eyes narrowed on mine. “I wish I could. But I’m in a rush. Maybe next time.”

“What’s your name?” I held out a hand and he shook it.

“Winthrop. Howard Winthrop. I’m an attorney out of Philadelphia, just here for the rest of the month, soaking up all the fresh mountain air before I go back to the city.”

“Nice to meet you, Howard Winthrop. I’m glad you’re enjoying our little town. Have a great rest of your day.”

“I intend to.” He flicked two fingers out in a wave. “See you around.”

As Winthrop left, Trevor pulled up. “That was him, wasn’t it?” He stared out his window.

“Yup. I do not like him, and I don’t know why yet. He raises all my hackles.”

“Your instincts are always dead on. I’ll tail him and try to find out where he’s staying. He knows your face, so stay clear.”

“Will do. I’m going inside. I’ll catch up with you later.” He drove off and I entered the shop.

“Hey, Vi.” It was busy, well into the morning rush.

“Cade, hi! The usual?” I nodded and she waved me off. I stuffed some money in the tip jar and headed to Mom’s table.

Gram waved me in. “Come here, sweetheart. We’re just visiting with Charlotte. Aren’t you glad she’s back in town?”

“Of course.” Charlotte and I exchanged an amused glance.

“Hello, Caden.” Mom stood up to kiss my cheek. “How are you today, my darling boy? I’m here, writing and not meddling. I think I deserve a grandchild for this. Don’t you, Charli, honey?”

Charlotte opened her mouth to speak, but Gram beat her to it. “I don’t know, Dahlia. Nine months of pregnancy followed by childbirth doesn’t quite sound like a fair exchange for not meddling.”

“Meddling is my life, as we all know. So, obviously, staying out of this situation between the two of you is very taxing for me. And babies are fun little blessings, don’t you think? It might be worth your while. I throw an awesome baby shower and I’m willing to babysit at a moment’s notice.”