“Any chance you can still pursue that career?” he asks.
I’ve asked myself that question many times. The answer is always the same. “No. I’m needed at the church.”
“It’s a shame things haven’t turned out the way you may have wanted them to.”
I drop my head and stare at the floor. “Like I said, it doesn’t compare to what you’ve been through.”
He places a finger under my chin and tilts my head up. His steel gray eyes bore into me, like they can see inside my soul.
“And like you also said, it still sucked.” A small smile tugs at his lips.
What would it be like to see a full-blown smile on his face? One that reached his eyes.
His finger ghosts along my jaw, and his thumb brushes my lips. As our eyes lock, I step closer; it’s like his gaze is a magnet pulling me in.
“You’re so beautiful,” he says, no louder than a rough whisper.
When his gaze drops to my mouth, I’m sure he’s about to kiss me. My body tingles with anticipation. This attraction makes no sense. He’s nothing like the men I date. Is he right? Do I want to be more adventurous and try something a little dangerous before I settle down?
Kade pulls away, his arm falling to his side.
Disappointment washes over me.
“We can’t do this.” He steps around the counter like he’s using it as a barrier.
“Why not?”
“Because you belong to Evan.”
I frown. “You think I belong to Evan?”
He nods.
I drop my hands to my hips. “Belonging to someone makes me feel like someone’s pet. I don’tbelongto anyone.”
“You never mentioned the two of you are dating.” His jaw tightens.
“We’re…” Are we dating? “We’ve hung out a few times.”
“He likes you. If there is something going on, this…” he waves a hand between us, “can never happen.”
“This…” I wave a hand, mimicking him, “is something you’ve started. You keep coming onto me.”
He rests his forearms on the counter. “You’re the one who followed me to my room to watch me fuck.”
I gasp. “I didnotfollow you to watch you. I didn’t know what you were about to do.”
“But you didn’t leave after you saw us,” he points out. “You enjoyed yourself too.” He grins.
My knees shake a little at the memory. I still can’t believe I did that. “You knew I was there, and you kept going while watching me! Why would you do that?” If that doesn’t tell me this is not the man for me and I should run far away, I don’t know what will. Yet, here I am, drawn to him and still extremely attracted.
“I was imagining it was you I was fucking while you were imagining it was me fucking you.”
Burning heat flashes through my body, so hot it practically turns me to ash. “It’s okay, you don’t have to admit it. I know the truth,” he says like he knows what I’m thinking.
“It was rude of me to invade your privacy like that. I’m sorry.”
“I’m not. The only thing I’m sorry about is not inviting you in.”
