Page 44 of Cade

CHAPTER 24

Cade

I didn’t know what had possessed me. It was like I was truly someone else. Like some alien had invaded my body like Invasion of the Body Snatchers. And I knew the alcohol wasn’t to blame, because I’d literally had only one beer.

No, the intoxication came from Weston Rhodes, who was sitting in my car, staring out my window at the blur of Jasper Springs while I was having an existential crisis.

I wasn’t the guy who came on to other guys. I was the guy who liked to be chased. I was not the guy who did the catching, whatsoever.

But somehow I’d managed to lure Weston into my web, and I didn’t want to let him go.

Ever.

His sophisticated cologne filled the tiny space of the car, and the way his sleeves were rolled up to expose his toned arms made my stomach flip again.

But I was starting to see past Weston’s gem-like surface. I was starting to see the mineral compounds that made the beautiful man I didn’t want to stop looking at.

I wanted to dive further in, unveil all of his secrets and thoughts. I wanted to know everything there was to know about Weston Rhodes.

Because as I ventured into his dark, murky waters, I realized he wasn’t who I thought he was.

He was more than some rich asshole looking to add a notch on his bedpost in town whatever on his list of voyages.

When we’d pulled up to the Palisades, I didn’t turn the car off.

Weston turned to me, his green eyes imploring me. “Stay,” he said.

One word that held so much meaning it was as heavy as a steel beam.

His eyes pleaded with me, full of wishful desire and dreams. Of promises that others had undoubtedly broken.

I wanted to stay. I wanted to stay forever.

“I want to, but—” I admitted, feeling my throat tighten with anxiety.

But the fundraiser is tomorrow, and I should probably get some rest.

But I don’t have a change of clothes.

But I don’t want to be a dick.

But I want to stay.

“But what?” Weston asked, turning in his seat.

“I don’t even have a change of clothes or—”

“Is that all? Cade, I can get you anything you need or want. You just say the word,” Weston said, cocking his head to the side. He seemed utterly confused.

I sighed, turning off the car. I didn’t want to waste gas after all, and I could tell this conversation was far from over.

“I don’t need you to buy me a new wardrobe, Weston. I don’t need all of this,” I said as I pointed to the grandiose hotel that looked like something out of a historical drama.

The Palisades was Jasper Springs’s most exquisite building. Everyone and their brother had rented the place for their wedding, or had their baby showers there, and once or twice they even filmed a movie there.

Weston nodded, pursing his lips.

“I’m sorry, Cade, I didn’t mean... I just... I don’t know how to do this.”

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