FOURTEEN
Oaklee
The moment his mouth meets mine, the fogginess in my brain clears and my body fires to life. Warmth spreads through me, and I’m not certain if it’s from the alcohol or the way his hand is sliding down my side. It’s a heady feeling, one I’ve never had from a kiss.
How sad is that?
All those years I spent with Lance, and we were basically just going through the motions. No, it wasn’t always bad, but it became stale at some point in time and neither of us rectified the situation properly. Six years together was too long. I know that now. But it was comfortable and familiar and everything I lacked growing up. He didn’t always treat me like crap, just a distant second to whatever it was he wanted or needed.
Okay, fine.
He treated me like crap.
But now isn’t the time to dwell on past mistakes, because there’s an incredibly gorgeous man kissing me, making me feel alive for the first time in a very long time. Something told me kissing him would be life-changing, and after only a few seconds, I’m proved correct.
I place my palm against his chest and can feel the rapid beating of his heart beneath my palm. I’m sure it mirrors my own. His body is hard, a testament to the work he does and what I assume is also a workout regimen. I know he runs, but it’s clear weights are involved too. No man I’ve ever touched has been this muscular, and while a strong physique isn’t top of my priority list when looking for a man, now that I’ve felt Cade’s chest, it appears to be inching closer to the top.
His mouth moves, his tongue slips between the seam of my lips and delves inside. He tastes faintly like beer, but it doesn’t bother me. All I want is to experience more, because if the kissing is this good, the rest has to be on a whole new level.
I’m not sure how long we lie here, kissing, but it feels like a lifetime. Yet, only a few seconds all the same. Our hands stay where they are, not moving to cop a feel in any way. It’s hard, even when I want to explore his body like Magellan, but this isn’t the right time. Not when we’re surrounded by people and inside a small tent.
Finally, he pulls back and sighs. His warm breath fans across my face, and when I open my eyes, I spot the faint smile on his lips.
“Cade?” I whisper as he presses a gentle kiss to the corner of my mouth.
“Yes?”
“I’m not kissing you because I’m a little tipsy.”
I feel his lips turn into a full-blown smile as he brushes them across my jaw. “And I’m not kissing you because you’re a little tipsy.”
I exhale and turn into his neck. I can smell the burnt wood on his skin. I never thought the scent of a bonfire could be so damn sexy, but it is. Smelling it on him might be one of my favorite scents ever.
“Sleep, beautiful,” he murmurs softly, slipping his arm beneath my neck and drawing me close.
“I had the best time today.” I know I’ve said it before, but it needs to be said again. Today was…amazing.
“Me too,” he agrees, placing a gentle kiss to my forehead.
I feel myself starting to drift, even as I replay the entire day’s worth of activities through my head. It’s the distant sound of laughter outside the tent and his slow breathing that lulls me to sleep.
“Time to wake up.”
I feel lips press against my forehead as I slowly open my eyes.
“Here,” Cade says, looking every bit as bright-eyed and bushy-tailed as I’ve ever seen. He’s definitely an early riser. Not that I’m not, but usually after a night of drinking, I prefer to sleep in and relax the day away.
Unfortunately, that’s not in the cards for me. First off, I slept in a tent last night on someone else’s property. I don’t have the luxury of sleeping in until I get hungry or need a little caffeine jolt.
But then something hits my nose…
“What’s this?” I ask, slowly sitting up and taking the drink offered.
“Just a simple good morning.” He flashes an easy, wide grin, as if he didn’t just run out and order coffee from the shop in town for me.
I take a sip, and of course, it’s something I would order. “Thank you.”
I look at him through my lashes, taking in his appearance. He’s freshly showered and changed, his teeth are brushed, and he shows no signs of drinking the night before or sleeping outside. I, on the other hand, am the exact opposite. I slept on the ground, in yesterday’s clothes, and my breath smells like something died in my mouth. I’m wearing yesterday’s makeup all over my eyes, no doubt making me a winner in a racoon impersonation contest.
