Page 49 of Blindsided By the Enforcer

“Were you ever just allowed to be a kid?”

“My dad had me on skates since I could walk,” I explain.

“I’m guessing the answer is no.”

I shrug. That answer is spot-on.

She gets to work making the s’mores by lathering the melted chocolate onto a graham cracker. She adds the marshmallow and passes it to me. I take a bite.

“Shit, this is good,” I tell her.

She’s working on making one for herself. This area of the property is a patio. The floor is stone but covered in a light layer of snow. The chairs are stacked, probably for the winter, but the bonfire gives off a good amount of heat. She takes a bite of her s’more and dips her finger into the chocolate. She rubs it across my cheek and begins to laugh.

“Oh, hell no, you’re going to pay for that,” I warn. She takes off running and I charge after her, but the ground is slippery and she’s fast. She makes it around the pile of chairs and every time I run to her, she goes in the opposite direction. “I’m going to get you eventually. It’s only a matter of time.”

“Oh, come on, you said you didn’t do kid things, so you know I pranked you.” She shrugs.

“Annie, I’m a professional athlete. I’m super competitive,” I state as I dip my finger into the chocolate. I lunge toward her and catch her.

She shrieks and tries to get out of my grip. I get her cheek and smother it in chocolate, just as she gets my other cheek. Her body is pressed to mine, and her breasts push into my chest. I lean forward and claim her lips as heat unfurls inside me. She tastes sweet and pure like the chocolate staining her face. My arms wrap around her hips and a little moan escapes her as our tongues tangle, and that same heat from our first kiss unleashes like a fire-breathing dragon. I never want to stop kissing Annie Caufield. Her eyes open wide like two blue orbs filled with alarm, and then she is pushing away from me and turning around to give me her back.

“We shouldn’t have done that, Cade.”

“Why the hell not?” I ask because nothing has ever felt so right.

“Because you’re hurting after a breakup and seeing Ford reminded me why relationships are a bad idea,” she reminds. “Well, I mean, I know you don’t want a relationship, but I’m not built for hooking up,” she mutters, a pink flush crawling over her cheeks.

“I know you aren’t the type of girl for a one-night stand,” I assure.

“You’re still broken up over Scarlett,” she reminds.

“I am, but not. . .”

I don’t finish the sentence as Annie charges away from me.

“Put out the fire, will ya?” she mutters as she walks away. She isn’t even giving me the chance to go after her. I feel like a cement truck just dumped a load inside my stomach. How did that go south so quickly?

I take a shovel and begin to shovel snow into the firepit. The fire slowly goes out. I gather the food we brought out here and take it back into the house, leaving it in the kitchen. Annie is nowhere to be seen. I head to my room because I have chocolate all over my face. I use a washcloth with warm water to clean myface. My mind is whirring, trying to figure out what I’m feeling. This isn’t just an attraction. Annie and I were laughing and joking around, and I’ve never had this much fun with a girl or bonded with a girl on this level before.

My phone buzzes with a text from Mom.

Decided to come home. Can’t wait to meet your new friend.

I blow out a breath.

I can’t think of Mom right now when that kiss is fresh in my mind. She wanted that kiss as much as I did. I saw how her eyes kept drifting to my lips when we were dancing. I pack my bag and head to the living room.

“Sir?” I question when I see Mr. Caufield dancing in the middle of the room.

“Oh shit,” he says when he sees me.

“You didn’t hurt your back,” I state.

He gives me a sheepish smile. I’ve been had.

“No,” he has the gall to say the word apologetically. “I wanted to give you and Annie some time together.”

“Well, it didn’t work,” I tell him. “I’m leaving. I just wanted to say thank you.”

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