Page 53 of Purr For Me
“Be right there.”
Pots and pans rattled in the kitchen for a moment, and then Kade came walking through the living room. “What’s up?”
Trepidation gnawed at Lexie, but she refused to chicken out. Shooting him a flirtatious look, she said, “I was wondering if you’d like to help me out of this?”
Kade’s eyebrows shot up, but his eyes narrowed in suspicion seconds later. “Lexie, what are you doing?”
She took hold of the towels wrapped around her breasts and ripped them a bit.
Kade took two steps towards her, but his expression remained wary.
Holding his gaze, Lexie tore it further, exposing more cleavage, and Kade’s nostrils flared. His small but telling reaction made her feel powerful and beautiful, and she didn’t want the heady experience to end.
“Are you sure you’re not still drunk?”
Kade’s question made Lexie laugh. “I’m sure. I know you want me, Kade, and you know that I want you, too. I’ve just been stuck in my head, and I let the fact that you’re Jason’s brother get in the way. But not anymore.”
Coming to stand before her, Kade ran his knuckles down her cheek. “I’m glad you see that I’m nothing like him. I love my brother, but he’s a troubled soul. I’d never disrespect you or hurt you like that, Lex.”
Lexie fought back the tears that threatened and took his hand. She kissed his palm and rested it against her chest. “I know. I also know that you’re incredibly sexy, and that I want to be with you.”
Her heart started racing as she slid his hand down to the torn place in the paper towels. She smiled up at him, meeting his questioning gaze with a slight nod.
Instead of ripping the towels off her, he slid an arm around her waist and pulled her against his body. She rose on tiptoe as he brought his mouth down on hers, winding her arms around his neck and pressing closer yet.
She parted her lips and whimpered in approval when his tongue slowly invaded her mouth. He tasted of coffee and peppermint, and she was suddenly ravenous for him. Opening her mouth wider, she deepened the kiss until they were almost devouring one another. She let out a little squeal when he lifted her off her feet and started walking.
The feel of his strong arms around her and his warm, sensual mouth on hers kept Lexie from caring about where he was taking her. It didn’t matter as long as he didn’t stop. And he didn’t until he set her back down. Her chest rose and fell rapidly from her excitement, and she ached in places she hadn’t in so long.
“God, I want you, Lexie.” His eyes smoldered with dark fire as he cupped her face. “I have for so long.”
Lexie shook her head. “I can’t believe you said nothing.”
“I’m a lot of things, but a home-wrecker isn’t one of them,” Kade said. “I’d have never come between you and—”
Lexie put a hand over his mouth. “Don’t say it. I don’t want to think about anything but you and me right now. Okay?”
Kade nodded and she drew her hand away. With a wicked grin, he hooked an index finger at the bottom of the tear in her paper dress. “Same here, but there’s something else you should know before we go any further.”
She ran her hand over his forearm. “Oh, and what’s that?”
“I love you, Lexie.”
Her lips parted on a gasp and her eyes went wide. “You what?”
“You heard me. I don’t expect to hear it back, so don’t feel pressured. I understand that you don’t feel the same way, but I just thought it was time you knew how serious I am about you.”
Tears welled in Lexie’s eyes and she shook her head a little. “I don’t know what to say. I’m not ready for that.” She squeezed her eyes shut, and a tear fell from her right eye, rolling down her cheek. “I never expected… I just thought… oh, damn it! Why the fuck does this shit keep happening to me?”
Kade laughed, his eyes shining. “That’s the oddest reaction I’ve ever heard when told that someone loves them.”
Relieved that he wasn’t angry because she couldn’t return his feelings, Lexie smiled and brushed away her tears. “You just completely blew my mind. I think I’m shell-shocked or something.”
Kade pulled her into his embrace. “Sorry about that, but I just couldn’t wait any longer to tell you. I’ve wanted to for a little while, but it worried me you’d think I was moving too fast. I know you’re not on the same page as me, but that’s okay. I don’t mind.”
The intense light in his eyes made her feel like he was looking into her soul. She tried to think of something to say, but nothing came to her. Lexie wished she could be as brave as him. He’d lain himself bare to her, made himself vulnerable in one of the most meaningful ways possible.
“I love you, and if you can’t accept that, there’s the door.”
