Page 67 of Cade

I was more exposed in that moment than I’d ever been before, and I watched Cade’s entire body relax, felt as he melted into me like butter on a hot griddle.

“Oh, Wes,” he breathed, before kissing me again, that explorative tongue of his eliciting a thousand emotions and thoughts from me.

I broke away, nodding toward the entrance.

“Lead the way, Jedi,” I said teasingly.

Cade grinned wildly, grabbing my hand and pulling me toward the raucous, music-filled space, and I was happy to follow him.

CHAPTER 39

Weston

After winning the trivia competition, we were both on cloud nine.

I parked my car outside Cade’s house, exiting to open his door and walk him up the sidewalk like a total gentlemen.

He blushed at the notion, taking my arm while using his free one to carry the Han Solo in carbonite statue he’d won as a symbol of power amidst the nerds and fans who’d shown up at the event.

Some I recognized, like the photographer who seemed to be practically everywhere in this town. I’m sure he got a picture of Cade and I with the statue, smiling ear to ear.

I stopped just in front of his door, the air suddenly thickening between us.

“I had an amazing time tonight, Wes,” Cade said, setting down his statue on the little metal table beside the door, turning to me as he reached in his pocket for his house keys with his now free hand.

Something about that moment felt different. I watched as he fumbled with his keys, licking his lips.

His breathing increased slightly, as if he was... nervous.

A part of me felt vindicated, validated on a whole other level when Cade got the least bit flustered around me. It was endearing, cute, and made me feel on top of the word.

I loved the effect I had on him, but more so I loved the effect he had on me.

How just being around him made me feel at ease, like I could just... be.

Content, happy.

“Every day I spend with you is amazing,” I said honestly, feeling the weight of the unspoken words hiding behind the ones I breathed into life.

Cade sighed as he turned to set his key in the door. He paused after I heard the click.

I’d meant to lean forward and quickly kiss him, tell him goodnight, and thank him for everything. It was late, nearing eleven thirty, and I had intended to be back at the office bright and early when it opened, if only to make sure everything was good to go for the fundraiser, and of course, make sure everything else was operating okay in my father’s absence.

But something else happened.

I leaned down and pulled him into my arms, and I whispered, “The fundraiser isn’t cancelled anymore.”

Cade sank into my hold, a sigh of content leaving his chest.

“It’s not?” he asked breathlessly, but the words felt heavy. Like he wanted to say something else, but thought better of it.

I shook my head. “I made sure everything went through. I took care of it myself,” I said, feeling the heat between us.

Cade’s fingertips grazed over my jaw as he kissed me, and suddenly it was like we had both become someone else entirely. Cade’s lips moved slowly against my own, his probing tongue soft and smooth as he slid his fingers in my hair.

Our lips danced together, waltzing down a dark corridor as he spoke.

“I don’t want you to go,” he whispered against my lips.

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