One and Only

“When we were young, I loved you the best I knew how. I thought it would be enough, but it wasn’t. I just realized it couldn’t have been enough back then because this finally is. I love all of you now, Charlotte, and I wouldn’t change a thing. I love your ambition, I love your goals, and your drive to be more. I even love that you left me to take what you needed out of life, because now you’re back and you’re amazing.”

“I love you too, Cade. More than I ever knew was possible.”

“We’re going to get it right this time, I know it.” I pulled her tight against me, the soft curves of her body molded to mine, and I sighed. We were both all in this time. Nothing could come between us ever again.

She turned in my arms to look up at me. “My heart is in the palm of your hand again, Cade,” she whispered. “Please keep it safe.”

“Always,” I vowed, lifting her face to mine for a kiss.

After she left for New York, I’d played it safe. I shut down and never reopened my heart for someone else to hurt me. Hell, I’d even shut Charlotte out when we started up again with all the conditions I had set and my refusal to listen to her. I realized I’d been playing it scared, not safe. I vowed to never close myself off again. Charlotte deserved all of me, and I deserved to have love in my life again.

“Let’s go back to bed,” she murmured against my lips. “But sadly, I might be too tired to be on top. We can do that tomorrow.”

I tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “You can be on top whenever you want. We have nothing but time.”

“Oh wait, you were up all night. I can rally. Let’s have more coffee first. Or we can both go to sleep for a while?”

“How about you take a nap and I’ll sit with you while you sleep. We’re not leaving this house until—”

“Until they catch him,” she finished.

I nodded. “Exactly. I haven’t heard from Trevor in about an hour. I’m starting to think—” I was interrupted by the sound of both our cell phones ringing.

The number on mine was unknown. “Cade Barrett here,” I answered.

“I’m going to grab my phone real quick, it’s on the deck,” she mouthed, pointing to the door.

I nodded as she crossed the living room and slid the door open.

Whoever was on the line was mumbling so bad I couldn’t make it out. “Who is this? I can’t hear you. No, my name is not Jaden.”

Jaden.

Dread ran through my body as my eyes shot toward Charlotte outside. She blew me kiss and waved. I let out a relieved sigh as I waved back. “You have the wrong number—”

“Cade!”

Her piercing scream sent my heart plummeting as I dropped my phone and raced to the deck.