I huff out as I turn over to face him, unsure if I'm even mad or not. I'm hurt.
"I didn't ask for the wine. In fact, I damn near begged him to keep it. He was insistent. I don't know why you're pissed at me. I told you to keep the frigging bottle. I don't want it."
I turn back over, and his arms tighten around me as his leg comes over to wrap me up.
"I know, Raya. That's why I'm apologizing. I was a jerk. It... it just caught me off guard. You should definitely keep it. It's obvious Granddad noticed how special you are, too. He has... cancer, and when he gave that to you, I wasn't mad at you... It just made me realize he knows he doesn't have a lot of time left. It just... it really struck a nerve, because I'm not ready to lose him."
The emotion in his voice is raw and heartbreaking. I've never heard him like this. That's all it takes to make me roll back over and throw my arms around him. I can feel the tears in his eyes, which makes it hard for me not to cry.
He tightens his hold on me, and his cheek rubs against mine affectionately. I want so badly to stupidly tell him I love him again, but I bite it back and just hold him. His grandfather seemed fine. He didn't look to be hurting or dying. He seemed fresh and happy.
"Come to bed with me. I hate sleeping upstairs," he murmurs while kissing my cheek.
"Okay."
I go willingly this time as he pulls me up. His fingers thread through mine as he guides me down the stairs. As soon as we reach his room, he turns me face him and starts backing me up as his lips come down on mine.
I don't know what he needs right now, but I'm willing to give him anything he wants. Slowly, I slide my arms up his chest and clasp them around his neck just as the backs of my knees reach the bed.
Perfect trails of kisses are forged around my neck as we both drop to the soft mattress. He's been gentle, he's been rough, but this... this is so much more. It's as though I'm the only person in the world right now, and he's worshipping me with every touch, every kiss, and every breath.
My breathing hitches when he pulls my shirt over my head and presses tender kisses down the curve of my neck. With very soft, unhurried motions, we undress each other until we're bare and comfortably entwined.
He pulls me to be on top of him, and I lower my mouth to his. It doesn't matter if he doesn't tell me he loves me; right now I can feel it.
His hands gently tangle in my hair as he kisses me harder, letting me feel a need he's not usually vulnerable enough to show. I don't bother digging for a foil packet and ruining this real moment with superficial barriers.
I've been on birth-control since my first boyfriend, and I know Kade doesn't sleep around. It's probably not smart, but I love him. I want to have all of him, and I want him to have all of me.
I slide down on him, letting him feel the skin on skin, and he moans in a way that sets me on fire as he fills me. He doesn't stop me or question what I've just done, because he trusts me as much as I trust him.
Then I start moving my hips, rocking against him as he runs his hands up and down my hips, pulling me to him with each falling motion so that our bases rub against each other.
He sits up as I control the motions, and he kisses me as we slowly and deeply claim each other with our connected bodies. I'm on another level right now. It's so... honest, so real.
"I love you," I whisper, not meaning to, but not able to hold back.
He pulls me closer, making it hard to rise and fall against him, as his tongue slips into my mouth. Sweat forms on both of us, my hair dampens, and his body melds more to mine as everything intensifies.
When his breaths grow rasp, I feel the build trying to unfurl deep within me. I push down harder, move a little quicker, and use his shoulders to offer me leverage as I work hard to carry us both over that edge.
It's not me
rely mind-blowing when I finally find my release, it's earth-shattering. His name flows through my lips like a worshipping prayer, and my name falls out of him just the same. And we just sit there, holding each other, lips entwined, tongues in play... hearts in love.
I've had butterflies in my stomach all day long. After Kade woke me up last night and made love to me like I never thought possible, I haven't been able to stop smiling. Now he wants to take me somewhere special. This could be it. This could be the night he tells me he loves me.
He's been different ever since he woke me up at three. He barely let me get to class this morning, and he has sent me at least a dozen texts telling me he misses me.
My goofy grin only grows. I start to text him when my phone buzzes in my hand. I look down to see Brody's name on the screen, but I put it back. I don't want to talk to him right now. I want to go fall into Kade's arms and enjoy the night I pray changes everything.
My stomach flip flops as I grow closer, but then it crashes to the ground when I see the black Audi car in the driveway of Kade's house. License plate: HUPRIDE. My phone buzzes again, and I scramble to answer it.
"Brody, that car is-"
"It's Uncle Joey, Kiddo. I was calling to tell you I have a name for the tag you gave me. Courtney Hughes. You know her? 'Cause she's been asking a lot of questions about you back in Springton."
I swallow hard as I lower the phone from my ear, and my world tries to disintegrate in front of my eyes. No. I was supposed to get to tell him. Not her.