“So,” Cade settled them onto the couch, “will you tell me more about your Yayo?”
She’d mentioned him earlier, when Cade had asked what had brought her to the area. But actually sharing about how he’d become her guardian and all the ways he’d supported her growing up felt tender and a bit raw.
Cade pulled her closer as she told him about her past, including that horrible storm that had changed everything. Lucy appreciated the warmth and compassion he gave, nodding and commenting in all the right places, stroking his palm along her upper arm, and brushing little kisses along her temples while encouraging her to tell him more. They talked for hours, about their childhoods and their parents, about their work and interests. Lucy was delighted to learn she’d already met some of Cade’s friends.
“They’re really nice.”
She smiled, thinking about how kind they’d been to her.
“Nice?” Cade shook his head. “Grey maybe, but not Maddox or Tane. Did anybody make a move on you?”
Lucy giggled at Cade’s frown. “Already territorial, huh, Deputy?”
Not that she minded. There was something endearing about the way Cade had taken to her.
“You have no idea.” The heat in Cade’s blue eyes called to everything feminine in Lucy. She shifted to face him better, loving his simultaneously protective and nurturing vibe.
“No.” she said quickly, compelled to let Cade knowhewas who she wanted, not his friends. “They just helped me with the dog, and everyone was kind and gentlemanly.”
“I’d like to have seen that.” Cade chuckled. “Good thing I don’t have to hurt any of them.”
Lucy cocked her head to the side, loving Cade’s little smirk and the light in his gorgeous eyes.
“You wouldn’t hurt them, not really.”
“No. But if they’d done anything untoward with you, I absolutely would.”
Lucy blinked up at Cade, surprised by his answer. He didn’t seem like the violent type, but she guessed being in law enforcement, he’d probably seen his fair share of bad situations.
“They were—”
“I know.” He smiled. “Perfect gentlemen.” He tucked her hair behind her ear, turning the movement into a caress along her jaw, his touch and gaze so tender it stole her breath. His fingers trailed down her neck. “Let’s talk about something else now, okay?”
Lucy nodded, but she couldn’t stop staring at Cade’s lips. Those perfect, pillowy lips that would no doubt feel amazing on her skin.
“Kiss me.”
Cade leaned in, claiming her lips, his arms wrapping around her, his hands gliding along her back and into her hair. Lucy pressed closer to Cade’s powerful body, opening for him, letting him in while spearing her fingers through his soft hair.
She moaned with pleasure as they explored each other, not caring if she seemed needy or wanton. She was. Cade’s kisses invited her to give her mind a break. Her body knew what she wanted, it knew what to do.
Before long, her fingers were sliding along Cade’s shirt, releasing those buttons so she could feel his skin, only to be frustrated by the t-shirt beneath. Damn, how many layers did he have to wear? As she yanked his shirt from his slacks, Cade pulled back from their kiss, taking her hands.
“Lucy, honey, are you sure this is what you want?”
“To feel your skin? Absolutely.” She nodded. “I promise, I’m not like this with everyone, it’s just…”
God, how did she explain she felt like they were made for each other? How romance movie was that? She had a flash of sadness at the thought of Cade leaving her and quickly brushed it aside, reminding herself that he lived in the town he’d grown up in and was a Deputy Sheriff. That had longer-term written all over it.
“I want to be with you, Cade.” She told him honestly. “I know we just met, but there’s something about you I…”
God, did she sound like an obsessive woman? This was so not her. Usually she just took things in stride, but with Cade, she—
“I know.” He lifted one of her hands for a kiss. “I feel the same way. I didn’t want to freak you out with that, but my attraction to you goes beyond the physical, Lucy.” He dropped one of her hands to cup her cheek. “I want to be with you in all the ways, but I don’t want you to do anything you’ll regret. We can go at whatever pace you need, but I want to be with you. I want to know all of you. And I’m willing to take all the time in the world with that exploration if you are.”
Lucy couldn’t help grinning.
“Could you be any more perfect?”
