Page 68 of Perfect Alpha

When he returns, I help him take the tent down. He sneaks in kisses and slaps my ass at every opportunity, as though he’s grateful he can touch me whenever he wants again.

I hope that it’s going to stick this time. It will be a challenge with me living in New York City – at least for now – but I’m willing to take it one step at a time if he is.

Cade spins me around to face him, his big hands looped around my hips. “Regrets?” There’s a mixture of love and fear in his eyes.

The morning light brought anxiety and uncertainty about the future, but I don’t regret what happened between us. It’s what I’ve always wanted.

He is what I’ve always wanted.

“None,” I promise, rising to my tiptoes to kiss him.

He crushes me to his chest and growls into my neck. “Good. When are you coming back?”

The holidays are suddenly way too far away. “We’ll find another weekend before Christmas,” I say, kissing his temple.

“One more weekend isn’t enough. I’ll fly to New York twice before then, too.”

“How will you manage to get away?”

“I don’t fucking know, but I will.”

There’s determination in his eyes that I haven’t seen from him in years.

I want to interrogate him and find out exactly why he ruined us in the first place. But there isn’t enough time before I have to catch a plane, and I don’t want to start a heart-wrenching conversation when I’m leaving the state.

Instead, I kiss him and then wiggle to put enough distance between our bodies to check the time on my phone. I also need to reschedule my flight as soon as possible.

“Shit,” I say. “It’s dead.”

“I have a charger you can use when we’re on our way to the airport,” Cade says. “But I can’t say that I’m sorry you missed your flight anymore.”

I giggle. “Yeah, me neither. Don’t you have to go to work?”

“This is a pretty epic excuse, so Steve will forgive me. Use my phone and give Hannah a call to find out if she’s close,” Cade suggests, while he continues packing the rest of the stuff.

His password is the same one he’s been using since high school, so I have no trouble getting into his phone. After dealing with flight logistics, I call Hannah and we happily chat for ten minutes.

“You’re in a way better mood than I expected, given you missed your flight and were stuck with my brother in very close quarters,” Hannah accuses suspiciously.

“I’ll explain when you get here.” I can’t keep the stupid grin off my face.

“I’ll be there in less than five minutes,” Hannah promises. “I left Aidan and my dad with your mom, so you can spill all the details.” She pauses. “Well, notallthe details. He is my brother. And… ew.”

I laugh. “I’ll sanitize it.”

“Are you two back together?” Hannah squeals. “Oh, my God, you’re going to be my real sister!”

Laughing, my heart swells because I haven’t been this happy in… Well, since before Cade broke up with me. It’s damp and tender between my legs, a reminder of what I let him do last night, and I can’t help but think wemightbe back together.

“I don’t know,” I whisper. “Maybe. But we aren’t getting married, so hold your horses.”

She screams, and I have to pull the phone away from my ear. “I’ll see you soon,” I say with another laugh.

After disconnecting the call, a text message comes through as soon as the home screen loads. I order myself to look away. But I can’t. It’s a picture message from Britt, so I’m immediately curious.

And okay, fine,jealous.

Boldly opening the chat window like it’s my business results in being greeted with a picture of a topless Britt biting her lip.

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