Page 65 of Mariposa
“Sorry.” I apologize weakly. I relax my leg and look around for Kirk. I spot him outside on the phone, walking in circles.
Kade takes off my Santa-themed sock, and my heart beats harder. His heated gaze flicks up to mine. When he tilts my foot to the side, I cringe from the sore sting. A massive piece of glass pokes out of the bottom of my foot; it managed to penetrate through my sock.
He winces as he plucks the glass out of my foot and stands. He throws it in the trash, and I shift, preparing to put my sock back on.
“Don’t move. I’m getting a bandage for you,” he tells me over his shoulder as he walks to the pantry, opens the door, and sure enough, there’s a medical kit. He didn’t have to spare a glance to know that I was already trying to make a run for it.
He’s back on his knees, cleaning up my wound, and grabs white gauze. I try not to look at him…I can’t. It hurts to look at him.
“So, you’re back with Adam?” He breaks the silence.
“Um…no. I’m not.”
He stops wrapping my foot for about three seconds before he continues.
“But I thought he said?—”
“He’s lying. I’m only here for Penny.”
“Explain.”
“She doesn’t know we broke up. She’s always been kind to me, so I pretended everything was fine. It’s easier that way.”
He grabs my sock and moves it over my bandaged foot.
“And your family? Where are they? Surely, they’ve missed you. Why weren’t they there to see you at the ceremony?”
I shake my head. I don’t want to talk about it. Why can’t he just stop? He needs to stop acting like he cares. I’m not someone he has to feel sorry for.
“You’re not my cadre anymore. You don’t have to make sure I’m solid. I’m fine,” I quip as a rock in my throat forms. I meet his entrapping eyes, and a shiver rolls down my spine.I’m bewitched every time I look into them, and it’s over for me. Every. Single. Time.
He clenches his jaw like he’s holding back limitless, cruel ideas that spark stardust in my blood.
He reaches for my face like he wants to hold me. It’s the same look he had when I walked away from him at the beach.
“Mariposa,” his tone darkens.
“Don’t call me that,” I warn. I’m being spiteful, I know, but I can’t help it. “We’re not in the field. You don’t get to call me that.”
Damn it. That voice of his. His scent. His body, his skin, his soul. Everything has me in trouble. I can’t be attracted to him, but it may be too late. I need to get out of here because all I want to do is experience how blissful he made me feel when he held me.
Kissed me.
Talked to me.
I crave it more since he’s given me a taste of what it’s like when he claims.
“I’ve gotta go.”
I hop onto my feet and practically rush out of the kitchen. I head toward the front door, grabbing my bag and keys off the accent table. I stuff my feet back in my shoes, ignoring my wound. My fingertips graze the doorknob when I’m pulled into his chest. A panicked gasp leaves my lips, and he palms my mouth to hush me. He keeps walking us forward until my back hits the wall. We’re pressed against each other as I grip the ends of his black sweater like I want to bring him closer, but I don’t. His abdomen meets my chest, and he groans.
“Kade,” my voice is muffled. He looks around us suspiciously. If Kirk or Adam sees us, our careers—everything—can be kissed goodbye.
He turns off the hallway lights with a fast flick and returns his gaze to me. His hand falls to my hip tentatively.
“Let me go,” I plead.
“No. Where is your family?” He rubs his thumb against my cheek in circles.
