Page 126 of Counting On You

“Why not? We’re friends, right?”

“Yeah.”

Friends with benefits.

That’s what we are. Maybe throw in the odd date, but nothing more.

“Why are you so nice to me, Kade?”

There is little distance between us and yet it feels like there’s an invisible barrier.

He frowns, watching me with a puzzled expression. “Why shouldn’t I be? You’re great.”

I shake my head. “No. I mean why are you like…this? Talking as if we’re really going to see each other again in the future. We both know that’s not going to happen. It’s all pretense.”

“Is it?” His gaze burns me. It’s that deep. “I like you, Vicky. I like being around you. Is that so hard to understand?”

“Yes, it is,” I whisper. “Nobody has ever looked at me the way you do.”

“When I’m with you I don’t feel like I have to pretend to be anyone or anything. I feel like I have known you all my life. I like being around you because you make me want to be a better person. And, let’s face it, nobody has made me laugh harder than you have, so yeah, I like you, Vicky.” He shrugs. “But that’s not what you want to hear, is it? The question you actually want to ask is if I have feelings for you.”

I swallow past the sudden lump in my throat.

“No.” My answer comes out too shrill. We both know I’m lying.

“Tell me what you want to know and I’ll answer your question.”

I want to tell him that I want him. I want to ask whether he feels the same way, whether he wants me as much as I want him, body and soul. I want to tell him that I’ve fallen in love with him, that I want everything he can give, and more.

But how can I ask whether he feels the same way when I know the truth already?

“What time is it?” I get up from his lap and begin to gather my scattered clothes.

“Ten. By the way, you suck at changing the topic.”

“Crap.” I ignore his remark and squeeze into my clothes. “I’m so late.”

I’m almost out the door when his arms wrap around my waist, forcing me to stop.

“You forgot something.”

Pulling me back against him, his lips press against the nape of my neck. His kiss feels intimate, loving. A surge of emotion instantly chokes me, and I realize Kade is like quicksand, drawing me in, killing me softly.

I turn and offer my mouth to him, stealing a few more moments together. He kisses me as if he wants to drown me in the depths of his passion.

He kisses me as if he won’t ever let me go.

I melt into him. If all kisses are like this one, then I want him to kiss me forever and never let me go.

Eventually, he lets go.

Taking a couple of deep breaths, I try to remember what it was that was so important.

“You’re late, Vicky,” Kade reminds me, reading my thoughts. “Don’t make any plans for tonight. We need to talk.”

“About what?”

He winks, but his expression is dead serious. “You’ll see.”

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