Page 38 of Off-Limits Bad Boy

“Kade,” I whisper, reaching out to loop my arms around his neck. I pull him down to me, my lips finding his. He meets me, gentle and sweet, letting me lead.

When I finally let go, my heart hammers against my ribs like a caged bird, and he presses his forehead to mine.

I should tell him goodnight. I should tell him to go. But I don’t want to do either of those things.

The night is quiet, but inside me, everything is loud. My thoughts race, tumbling over one another in a chaotic whirlwind of what-ifs and maybes.

Maybe it's time. Time to stop hiding behind the safety of my inexperience and fear of what might happen if my brother finds out. I mean, he clearly knows something, because he asked me if I like Kade. Maybe it’s time to take a leap into the unknown with Kade.

I open the door, my fingers lacing with his as I pull him over the threshold, my heart slamming and my body trembling. The floorboards creak under our weight and excitement floods me.

And there, in my kitchen, I pull him into a hug and kiss him again as my door closes out the rest of the world.

If Alex finds out? Well, he loves me. Loves us both, even if he'd throw a fit at first. He wants me to be happy.

The kiss deepens, even as I begin to guide him back toward my bedroom. “What are you doing?” he whispers, rooting in place and refusing to let me tug him along as he looks me in the eyes.

I’m not sure how to answer that, because I think it’s pretty obvious.

And clearly, he gets it, because his eyebrows raise, and he plants both hands on my shoulders. “You’ve had a long day-”

“I know what I want.” I’m not going to let him talk me out of this decision. Not now, not ever.

He doesn't budge. “We have time. There’s no need to rush.”

Well, maybe I want to rush. But I understand he’s trying to be helpful and kind, and I appreciate him.

“Are you turning me down?” I ask, a playful smile on my lips.

He lets out a groan. “Yes and no. I want you. But I want to make sure things are right, first.”

I reach out and touch his lower lip, and he kisses my fingertip. “Aww, you’re one of those romantic types. I never would have guessed that.”

He shakes his head. “I wouldn't say that. I just know adrenaline is a helluva drug, and you’ve been through the ringer tonight.”

He’s making sure I don’t make a decision I’ll regret.

So why am I disappointed?

Chapter Sixteen

Kade

I know better than to touch her, but I want to help ground her in the moment and tell her I’m not turning her down for lack of interest - I’m interested, for sure - but out of some deep-seated need to protect her.

My hands hover over her skin, the urge to touch her growing stronger with every breath she takes. I can see her heart beating and feel the heat of her body, she’s so close to me.

It's clear in the way she looks at me with those sky-blue eyes burning with need, that Emma Riley is tempting beyond reason.

“Kade.” Her voice is soft, yet there's a steely edge of determination to it. “I know what I want.”

Her words are all the permission my frayed self-control needs. But still, I hesitate. She's Alex's little sister; off-limits. And there's this unshakeable feeling that she hasn't done this before. I need her to be certain, need her to understand the gravity of crossing this line. If we do this, there’s no undoing it.

Yet, when she squares her shoulders and rises up on tiptoe to press her lips to mine in a way that leaves no room for doubt, I feel myself losing the battle waging inside me.

“Emma,” I whisper against her lips.

“Shut up, Kade.” Her fingers comb through my hair and I groan at the sensations.

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