"Fucking shit, Tag. She's—"
"I'm going over there now. I'm not going in or letting her see me, but I'll make sure she shows up. Once she does, I'll leave. I don't think either of you needs to speak to each other tonight."
"Give me your keys," I growl, holding my hand out.
"No. Go back—"
I start running, not hearing another word he says. The cabin is a few miles from here. It'll take me a little while, but I can take shortcuts. I'm not letting her leave, and she'll do it if I don't hurry. She already has a head start.
I don't even feel the cold, considering my blood is pumping and I'm in a race against time. Minutes seem like hours as I run harder than ever before, thankful the roads are clear of snow. That would have been a bitch.
I leap over the curb and start running up the hill that will lead me to the house, but my heart sinks when I don't see any lights on. Not even the one to her room.
She'd better still be here.
I reach the door, jerk it open, and slam it as I take long, determined strides toward her room, preparing to drive to the bus station next. My breaths grow louder inside the enclosure as I try to recover from my unplanned exercise.
As soon as I push her door open, I hear her small voice breaking through the darkness, leading me to her as the moonlight illuminates her through the window. Her back is to me, meaning she doesn't want to see me.
"Please go away," she says, her voice sounding exhausted and strained. "I get it. You don't want me fucking with your business and all—"
"Did you go out with him tonight because you like him?" I ask, unable to keep the anger out of my tone. I grimace because I didn't mean to sound so harsh.
And what is she talking about my business and Lyle? The Hughes have no bearings on my business. Hell, I haven't even told her what my business is.
"Kade, please... leave me alone," she stammers, sounding so damn defeated.
"Answer the damn question, Raya. Do. You. Like. Him?"
Anger is still there, dammit. Take a deep breath before she bolts.
"Yes. I liked him. He was nice, and sweet, and he didn't judge me for being less than the rest of you," she says bitterly, hiccupping out a whimper afterwards, and making my heart sink to my toes.
She likes him? After all I've gone through to get close to her, Lyle walks in and spends one night with her and... she likes him?
"So, you want to, what? Date Lyle? Fuck Lyle? What were you planning to accomplish with a guy you knew five fucking seconds before you ran off with him?"
She spins around, and with the moonlight giving me a decent view, I see her tears. I also see an angry scowl that promises me I should have kept my cool instead of being a dick.
"It wasn't a date, and I wasn't planning to fuck him, you asshole! He didn't want me sitting around like the outsider I felt like when you ran off to be with your ex-girlfriend. I didn't want to be here when the two of you came back reunited and happily in lust. I get it. I really do. I'm not good enough for you. I figured that out pretty quickly, but I was stupid enough to dare to dream. I couldn't see it though. I couldn't watch my hopes be crushed. So I went with Lyle to avoid the sting. Is that what you want to hear?"
I could spank her ass for saying she's not good enough. But she wants me. That's the part I'm focusing on. Finally! I've had to go to hell and back for this moment.
She turns her back on me, and I make quick strides to get to her.
"Close enough," I say before grabbing her and turning her to face me, crushing my lips to hers the second I get an angle.
I almost get dizzy when it all becomes surreal. I've been waiting for this moment, needing it, and it's finally here.
Her hands tangle in my hair, pulling me closer as she moans into my mouth. We need to get out of here in case someone comes to check on her. This is so not getting interrupted. I want her in my room and on my bed.
I pick her up, trying not to get too excited when she goes willingly, wrapping her legs around my waist and clamping me to her. When she starts exploring my mouth with her tongue, paying special attention to the bar in it, I start worrying I'm not going to make it past foreplay without embarrassing myself.
I kick the door shut to my room, ready to have my way with her. She moans again, but this time it's hungrier, and my hold tightens as I jerk her closer by her ass. When we drop to the bed, I stay between her legs, refusing to be separated for even a second.
I start exploring her body with my hands, feeling her skin so close through the thin fabric of the leggings, and I'm worried my dick is going to explode.
"Damn," I whisper, feeling each perfectly placed curve, each soft, yet firm piece of skin, as I silently worship her.