“Okay, I understand not doing it behind my dad’s back. I get it, that’s why I said I’ll never ask for this again. But how could you possibly ruin me, Cane?”
He shook his head, jaw tensing. “Trust me, it’s possible.” He dragged a hand over his face. His shoulders became tense, his jaw ticking. “Can’t believe I’m really agreeing to this shit.”
“Cane.” I grabbed his hand. I understood his turmoil, and I felt bad for it. He loved Dad. He loved Mom, too. They were like family to him, and the more he wanted me, the more he was risking his bond with them and the loss of their trust. “I know it’s messed up. I already told you I wish things were different but…there’s no one else I want to take this from me. I want it to be special, and for it to be with someone who knows what they’re doing. Someone I trust.” I chewed on my bottom lip. “After this, I won’t ask for anything else, I swear it. I won’t lead you on. I won’t tempt you or come onto you. We can stop and really try to be friends. I don’t want my family to lose you. I don’t want to lose you.” But that didn’t mean I wasn’t being selfish. I was being extremely selfish by doing this. I knew it, but I couldn’t stop myself.
“All right.” He glanced at his computer. “I have some work to finish right now. You can stick around if you want to, but it might take me a while.”
I shrugged. “No, it’s okay. I’m going to grab something to eat and then head home to watch movies.”
“You sure you’re okay being there alone?” he asked, squeezing my waist before I could push to a stand.
“I’m okay. I promise. I actually enjoy the quiet of the house. Helps me think.”
“Think about what? Ways to get me to fuck you?”
I giggled, and my belly fluttered from the growl in his voice. “Maybe.”
When I stood, he let out a throaty laugh. “Drive safe, Kandy.”
I grabbed my bag and headed for the door, but when I looked up, the man who was fixing the chandelier was standing there. His eyes were wide, his jaw slack, and what he said next made me stifle a laugh..
“I thought she was just your friend’s daughter?”
“She is!” Cane snapped. “Go fix my damn light before I hire someone else, Larry!”
I laughed and walked past Larry, whom I felt watching me go.
“If you don’t get your eyes off of her, I’ll poke them out,” Cane grumbled.
“Shit…I can’t help it. Look at her! I’m your cousin, Q. You’re supposed to tell me everything, right?”
Cane said something, but I couldn’t hear. It was a good thing Larry was his cousin. And by the way he and Larry spoke, I assumed Cane trusted him enough not to say anything, or maybe he just didn’t care if Larry had something to say. Either way, it was nice to know his family actually existed.
31
KANDY
Today was the day. Friday.
I had my bags packed with my favorite dresses, skirts, and even some lingerie. I was ready.
I checked my phone for the time. He told me he would pick me up at 11:00 a.m. It was 10:50 a.m. I stood by the door and waited way too anxiously. I couldn’t find it in me to do anything else to occupy my time. I hadn’t seen him since Tuesday, when we made the agreement.
At 10:58 a.m, I heard a car door close. I pushed the curtain aside and spotted Cane walking toward the house. He knocked, and I waited a few seconds before answering, as to not seem too desperate.
“Hey,” I breathed when I caught his eyes.
“Morning,” he murmured. He dropped his eyes to my bags. “You ready?”
“Yep. All set.” I started to pick up my suitcase, but he beat me to it with a smile. He turned, and I followed him out the door, locking it behind me, and then meeting up to his car. He shut the trunk and rounded the car to get to the driver’s side. We both got in at the same time, and when the doors shut, my heart galloped in my chest.
“I thought you were going to be a no-show,” I said, clearing the thick silence.
“When have I ever stood you up?” He push-started the car.
I thought on it for a moment, and realized Quinton Cane had never stood me up. Wow. As busy as he was, he always showed. For my graduation, my softball games, dinners—everything. “Exactly,” he said with a smug grin, and then he pulled out of the driveway. “It takes about four hours to get there, by the way, so get comfortable.”
“Okay.”
He drove away from my house, and for some reason I looked back. I don’t know why, but a sudden realization hit me. I would return to that house without my virginity. I would come back a new woman. An experienced woman. All because of Cane.