Page 123 of Counting On You

I shake my head. “You don’t have to do this.”

“I want to. I want a date with you.”

I frown. “You want adate?”

“Something like that.” He grimaces, as though the very notion pains him.

“But I thought you don’t date?”

“There is an exception to every rule.”

“I don’t understand.” I take a step back to regard him. “What changed your mind?”

“You,” he says softly. “And the fact that we only have a few days left. It seems like there’s never enough time for the good things in life.”

My heart starts to pump a little harder, stupid fool that it is.

He wants to be something like friends with benefits, but exclusive, and also take me out on a date.

Only Kade could be so complicated.

“I can’t wait to see what you have in store for me.” I smile at him, suppressing the sadness that hovers on the bridge of my soul.

“Let me see what I can do, given the circumstances.”

As I watch him get out of the shower and gather his clothes off the floor, I realize the only reason he’s offered to take me out on a date is that he doesn’t want to hurt me. People say one thing, and maybe they mean it in that one moment, but as soon as they step into the real world, all plans turn to dust.

“Where are you going?” I ask, also realizing that this is the first time we’re both naked and he’s not taking advantage of the situation.

“Workout.” He pecks my lips absentmindedly and heads out, calling over his shoulder. “I’ll pick you up after the group session tomorrow. Don’t be late.”

As soon as the door closes, I turn the shower back on, shaking my head at my own stupidity.

Kade Wright doesn’t date; he only fucks. And right now I’m not even getting that.

---