Page 9 of Exception

“Absolutely not. You need to rest.”

“Cade, it’s just a bump. It doesn’t even hurt.”Unless I touch it, but he doesn't need to know that.“Besides, if I don’t do the dance class it will get back to my mom and she’ll hover over me to make sure I’m okay. I got my own place specifically so I could have some privacy, don’t ruin it for me.”

“Yeah,” he chuckles, “I could see her freaking out about a head injury. She might still hear about it though, since the kids will probably ask about the bump.”

“True.” I gnaw at my lip, eyes drifting around the room until they come to rest on my closet. Tossing the covers off I cross the floor and slide the doors open.

Perched on the top shelf is the box I want. In one swift motion I yank it down as I pull out the hat inside, resting it gently on my head as I spin to face Cade. “Crisis averted.” I tap the corner of the beret, which at the right angle covers the purple bruise completely.

“Yeah,” he snorts. “That goofy hat won’t draw any attention at all.”

“It’s actually the perfect accessory for a tap dancing class, so no, it won’t draw any attention,” I fire back as I prop my hands on my hips. “Can I please go on with my life now,Mom?”

He lets out a heavy sigh as he lifts his frame off the bed. “Alright, I get it. Just don’t overdo it, please? That really is a nasty looking bruise, and I don’t want you to push yourself too hard.”

“I promise.” I step into the hug he’s offering—he really is the best hugger even if he’s an overbearing pest at times—then make my way to the bathroom to clean up.

Just as Cade said, the dark purple tint makes an otherwise mild bump look ghastly, and my tangled blonde waves only enhance the zombified look.This is the face that propositioned the hottest man in town? No wonder he rejected me. That morning wood thing must be no joke, because my ugly mug would make a cock shrivel up in three seconds flat.

“Oh, God.” I clutch my stomach and drop to the floor as more memories flood my brain. “What was I thinking?”

There’s no answer of course, except for the echo of words in my own voice.

You’re old enough to teach me a thing or two.

You can’t corrupt me if I’m the one asking.

Yes Daddy.

I’ll never be able to face the man again.

Living here was challenging enough when all I could do was admire him from afar. Now that he knows the direction of my thoughts… Now that I’ve thrown myself at his feet like some desperate hussy… I won’t be able to look him in the eye let alone speak to him.

Why did I ever think a stupid little bump could be a convenient excuse to push the boundaries? Yeah, the tequila might’ve played a role, but a minor one. The thoughts were there all along, the booze just made my lips a little loose. And since I bulldozed ahead this morning, I’m pretty sure I ruined any chance to claim innocence or ignorance for my actions. Nope—I’m just a pathetic, single girl. And I have no desire to see him looking at me that way.

Of all the times I’ve flirted with the idea of moving away from this town, it’s not until today, right now, that I feel the need to truly explore it.

Chapter 5

Deacon

Ipullthetruckdoor shut and close my eyes as I lean against the headrest, grateful for the solitude. The silence.

I’ve never been so anxious to get out of a meeting. Under normal circumstances I’d be pumped to talk about upgrading the playground and surrounding landscape at the town rec center. But since the guy in charge is Tiff’s dad, and not twenty-four hours earlier she was asking me to give pointers on her blow job skills, he’s last on the list of people I want to look in the eye.

Scrubbing a hand over my face I take a shaky breath.Fuck! How did I end up here?

I remember coming to visit Cade when I was younger. Tiff was this scrawny, annoying little thing who I resented each time she’d try to tag along when her parents would get together with Cade’s. That’s what I expected to find when I moved here. A taller version maybe, but a kid just the same.

Imagine my surprise when I realized the kid was now a petite blonde with hourglass curves and bottomless brown eyes… Eyes that seem to absorb everything without ever giving away what they really thought. After what she said last night, I have no idea how I’m going to keep fighting the urge to look at her.

She basically gave me a blank check, and I’m a greedy motherfucker. The only trait I possess that might keep me out of trouble is the desire to survive, because there's no way in hell I'll live to see tomorrow if I tarnish the town princess. But those eyes dammit—I see the longing in them when she thinks no one’s looking, and now that I have an inkling of what it is she really wants…God help me.

Reaching for the key to turn over the engine, I spot her coming out of the building, hands flying to her head to keep some tiny scrap of fabric from flying away.What the hell is she wearing?She veers toward the sidewalk instead of the parking lot, and before I consciously decide to move, I’m chasing after her.

“What are you doing out here? Shouldn’t you be resting?” She flinches when my voice comes out harsher than intended, her gaze darting to the ground.Shit.

“I feel fine,” she mumbles. “Besides, if I didn’t teach class, it’d get back to my mom and she’d freak out about a stupid little bump. It was easier this way.”

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