Page 213 of The Billionaire's Obsession: Florida

Moments later, he dropped onto the couch, taking her down with him. She was sprawled on top of him, but Kade figured it was better him than the couch, as he wasn’t so sure how clean it was.

He wrapped his arms around her, holding her against his body, savoring the feel of her against him. The last few months without her had been agony, a pain he never wanted to feel again. His soul had been dark again, empty of the light that Asha had illuminated inside him, and he didn’t want to ever be in that kind of hell again. He’d slept little, and functioned poorly, barely existing. Maybe he’d been like that before he met Asha, but he didn’t remember it, hadn’t really acknowledged it. Now, he knew the pain of losing her, and it wasn’t happening again.

Asha was murmuring something in Telugu against his chest, so he didn’t understand the words, but her voice was gentle and sweet.

“I didn’t understand a word of that,” he drawled quietly. “I hope it’s all good.”

She raised her head and smiled at him, making his heart hammer against the wall of his chest. “It’s good,” she agreed. “I missed you.”

Kade had missed her, too, but he was afraid it would scare the shit out of her if he told her just how much. “I missed you, too.” He kissed her forehead, and tucked her head against his chest. “Now I’ll have someone who likes to ride with me in more ways than one,” he said with a smirk on his face, but he was thrilled that Asha enjoyed being on his bike.

“Oh, yes,” she said excitedly. “I love it. Can I learn how to ride one?”

Kade flinched, not happy about the thought of Asha on a motorcycle. “We’ll see. We can start with something easy,” he answered noncommittally.Like a bicycle with training wheels!!

Sighing happily, she said, “I’d like that.”

Oh, hell. If it makes her happy, I’ll try to teach her on something safe.

Who would have thought that the solemn Asha Paritala that he had met mere months ago would get a kick out of riding on his motorcycle?

“Does the butterfly get to fly free, yet?” Kade asked in a husky voice, hoping that she’d say yes. All he wanted was for her to be happy, free, loved, and unafraid of anything. He could tell that she was slowly starting to realize that she was…more. He was doubtful she realized yet what an incredible, sexy, and talented woman she was, but she would. He’d make sure she did.

She lifted her head from his chest and beamed at him. “Not yet. But I’m working on it.”

Kade smiled back, a silly grin that went all the way to his heart.

Kade dropped Asha off at her apartment, making arrangements to bring her car to her the next day. As he walked her to her door, Asha contemplated asking him to stay. She knew the moment he left, she’d miss him. But she also knew she had some thinking to do, and plenty of growth left to accomplish before she could do much more than date Kade right now. Having sex with him was inevitable. The two of them couldn’t be in the same room together without the need to be together.

Kade being Kade, he had stopped to feed her before taking her home. She wasn’t exactly thin anymore, but judging by his reaction to some of her old habits, he was never going to stop trying to feed her. Although her body had already filled out, she’d eat. Kade had a protective instinct that wasn’t going to go away, and some of the little things weren’t worth arguing about with him.

“I’ve been thinking about opening a football camp. For kids with potential who can’t afford to go to any real training camps. I have some buddies who have retired and are willing to do some work with me. Harrison would fund the program.”

Asha looked up at Kade as they arrived at her apartment door, Kade’s arm protectively around her waist. “I think that’s wonderful,” Asha answered, not the least bit surprised that Kade would fund a project for underprivileged kids. “Do you like working with kids?”

Kade shrugged. “I’ve done a little bit of work with camps in the past, but just guest visits. Nothing of my own. It was fun. And there are a lot of kids out there who can’t afford the extras.”

“And you miss football,” Asha added, knowing Kade missed being involved in the sport. “You have a lot to give, Kade. So much you could teach them. I think it’s a fantastic idea.”

“I’m not sure how much they want to learn from a guy who can’t even really run well anymore,” Kade replied in a self-deprecating manner.

Asha turned as she reached her door, gaping at him. She grasped a handful of his t-shirt to bring him closer, and stared up into his eyes.

He actually means that. He thinks he’s less now than he was before because of his accident.

“Do you really think those kids would care? To be taught by the great Kade Harrison would have any young boy who loves football incredibly excited. And you don’t need to be able to run.” Asha sighed, loosening her grip on his shirt, but keeping eye contact. “We had five kids beg for your autograph when we went to eat. You’re recognized by every kid aspiring to play football. You can be a role model for them. Football is more than just physical ability and you know it. It’s up here, too.” She took her free hand and tapped a finger to her temple. “You could teach them that, Kade, and nobody can do it as well as you.”

Kade put both his arms snugly around her waist as his lips began to twitch. “You don’t like football. How do you know?”

“I have a small confession to make,” she told him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “I watched almost every one of your games for the last two seasons that you were playing. When you went to the office, I watched and learned from the recorded games at your house. You were incredible. I could almost see the wheels turning in your brain, your concentration and focus while you were playing. While a lot of the other guys were out there letting the testosterone fly, you were plotting, planning. I don’t think I ever saw you lose your temper.”

He grinned down at her, visibly pleased. “I couldn’t afford to lose my grip. Too much riding on me staying focused. But trust me, I have no lack of testosterone. I just couldn’t let it loose on the field. You really watched my games?”

“Believe me, I already know you have more than your fair share of male hormones, but you were in control. I was mesmerized,” Asha admitted. “And I learned a lot. There’s a lot of strategy in the game, and you’re a master at it. You still have all of that information, Kade. And I’m willing to bet you can still hit your target with your throwing arm. So please stop beating yourself up because of your leg. You have so much knowledge you could share with young players.”

“Damn right I can hit my target,” Kade told her gruffly, but he was still smiling. “I was a little hesitant because of my leg, but I want to do it.”

“Then do it. You’re still the great Kade Harrison. And I’ll bet your butt still looks amazing in those tight pants,” she told him teasingly. Really, she probably could bounce a quarter off his tight ass, and she couldn’t help but admire it every time she caught a glimpse of him from behind. Kade was still poetry in motion when he moved, even with an injured leg.

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