I’ll take all the embarrassment of last night if it led me to Cade.
“Grab your stuff, babe. If we don’t leave now, I’ll never take you home.” He pulls away from me and walks toward the stairs that lead down to the garage. I grab my purse and meet him down there. He holds the passenger side door open for me to get in.
I stop on my way to his truck when I see Axe sitting under the covered awning. I pat his head and tell him, “Bye Axe, see you soon.” He follows up with a slobbery kiss to my hand. I laugh and head towards Cade.
Once I’m in and buckled, he walks to the driver’s side and slides in. We head towards my apartment, with a feeling of loneliness already settling in. It’s been a full twenty-four hours of knowing Cade and I already have so many feelings for him.
Chapter 13
Cade
I was just going to walk her to the front door and kiss her goodnight, but I couldn’t leave her.
She left her door open, and I followed her. Something I knew I would do willingly. Shit, I’d do anything for Aubrey. I hate that she’s in this small ass apartment, but I understand it, too. It’s just her here and I know that old coot veterinarian doesn’t pay his employees as much as he should.
“Cade?” Aubrey questions. I’m sure the look on my face isn’t pleasant.
“Sorry, I was thinking about something,” I mumble.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, just thinking about this upcoming week and how much it will take me away from you,” I reply.
“We can call and text,” she offers.
“Not gonna be enough. Might have to swing something in the middle of the week. Either me here, or you at my place,” I counter.
“I can come to you, that way Axe isn’t by himself all night. Plus, I get off by five every day this week,” she says.
“That would work better,” I tell her as I lean in towards her, wanting her lips on mine.
When we break apart from our kiss, she asks, “Let me know what you want for dinner, I can cook it here and bring it out to your place.”
“I’ll leave you a key or drop it off by the office on my way out in the morning. You can cook at my place. Pack a bag, babe. You can stay at my place,” I tell her. I’m not sure she’ll agree. I know she’s a virgin, it’s one of the things we talked about. I told her we’d take it at her pace, but I still want her with me. I don’t care if it’s just sleeping and having her wrapped in my arms all night long. I need her that much.
“Oh, okay. Are you sure?” she questions.
“More than sure. I’ll call you tomorrow. See you soon, babe.” I give her another quick kiss and head towards the door.
“Don’t forget to lock the door.”
“I won’t,” she mutters.
I head to my truck and don’t back out of the parking space until I see her front door is shut. Once it is, I make my way back home and get ready for another busy week.
Chapter 14
Aubrey
Monday flew by, the office was packed with animals in and out all day long. I barely got a lunch break. When I finally got to look at my phone after closing time, Cade texted me and asked how my day was. I texted him back letting him know I was on my way home and would call as soon as I got there.
I was ready to hop in the shower and rinse off my day, cook a frozen dinner, and chat with Cade. He ended up talking to me the whole way back to his house Sunday and we didn’t get off the phone until it was time for us to go to sleep.
Now, it’s Tuesday. Cade mentioned last night that he’d be stopping by the clinic to drop off a key to his house and I know that will stir up quite the fuss around town. I can’t say that I care, but I know Trisha and Brittany will be the ring leaders.
I’ve learned my lesson, and while they have somewhat good intentions, I know they aren’t the friends that I need in life.
I take Mrs. Johnson back with her poodle, Mo, who hasn’t been feeling like himself lately and ask the questions that are needed for Dr. Smith. “He’ll be right with you. I hope Mo feels better, Mrs. Johnson.”
“Oh, thank you, dear. I heard you and Cade are quite the couple these days,” she has a smile on her face as she says this.
I can’t help but smile back, “That we are.” I wink as I go to leave. That didn’t take long. Seventy-two hours and everyone is gossiping. At least they aren’t talking about the way he carried me out of the bar. I chuckle to myself as I head back to the front receptionist desk to see who else we have for the day before Dr. Smith needs me to help assist with Mo.