Page 30 of Nova

"I'll pick you up around seven," Cain confirms before I hear the sound of water running.

Thinking that I'll be spending the day with London, I tell him, "I can just meet you there." I hear him sigh heavily on the other end of the line. For a minute, I think he's going to go all caveman on me again.

"Alright, Sugar." I smile. I have a feeling that giving in was not easy for him. "I'll see you later, babe."

"Bye, Cain." The call ends, and my hand falls slowly to the couch, amazed at myself for stepping outside my comfort zone.

"Feels good, doesn't it?" London looks at me over the rim of her mug.

"What's that?" I pick at the remaining portion of my pastry.

"Having fun," London proclaims. My best friend sets her coffee down, then stands. "Come on. We've got some shopping to do."

I haveone hour before meeting Cain, for a drink or two down at the bar his club owns, and I'm nowhere close to being ready. Do I dress for comfort or wear something sexy? Ugh. Why am I so nervous? Hell, I've slept with the man already. Closing my eyes, I think about our night together. "Stop it," I scold myself. I do not need to show up ready to hump his leg for Christ's sake.

Walking to the foot of the bed, I stare down at the outfit options laid out and opt for a pair of curve-hugging jeans, and a cropped band tee, paired with black mid-calf boots with a three-inch heel. Finally dressed, I take one last look in the mirror.

"Damn, girl. If you weren't practically my sister, and I didn't like dick so much, I'd fuck you." London says from the doorway of my room. Grabbing my bag from the bed, I dig out my car keys, then slide it onto my shoulder.

"Does it send the wrong message?"

"You're kidding, right? Honey, you could wear a potato sack and still look just as good," London boasts, giving me an extra boost of confidence.

"What would I do without you, Lon?" I hug her, then head for the front door.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do," she calls to me after I step into the hallway, and I smile.

Thirty minutes later, I'm pulling up to the bar, and spot Cain, leaning against the wall outside, smoking a cigarette. Lifting his head, he spots me walking in his direction. His eyes lock on mine, and my body heats and my skin prickles from the intensity of his stare. His arm snakes around my middle when I come within reach, and he pulls me close. "Hey, babe."

God, he smells good. "Hey."

"You look good," he compliments as his fingertips graze my exposed skin. He drops his hand, taking mine in his. "Come on." He leads me inside.

The bar isn't busy yet. Only a dozen people are sitting around enjoying the music playing from the speakers mounted in the corners of the room. Cain seats us in the same spot at the end of the bar we sat the night we first met. "Old Fashion?" he asks, and I smile because he remembered. Suddenly any lingering nerves I had before disappear. We sit and talk for an hour or two, keeping the conversation light and not too personal. Small talk about each other. Cain made it a point to make me feel at ease. He dialed his intensity back to make me more comfortable. He was giving me what I wanted. Cain proved to me I was more to him than another notch in his bedpost.

Before I know it, time passes by, and Cain has to start his shift for the night, which means I need to go.

"Sure, I can't convince you to stay?" Cain's hand slides up and down my arm. As much as my body is telling me to stay, I shake my head no. "I'll walk you to your car." Cain's fingers link with mine as he leads me out the door to my car.

Letting go of his hand, I cast my eyes down as I dig in my bag for my keys.

"Promise," Cain says, my name as I continue to dig.

"Yeah?"Where the hell are my keys?

Placing his finger beneath my chin, Cain brings my eyes to his. He brushes the hair from my face. My heart starts thumping against my chest, and my breath hitches. I find myself hoping he will kiss me, and my eyes close without thought. Then, I feel his lips against my forehead. "I had a good time."

My eyes open. "Me too."

It's dark by the time I leave Twisted Throttle, and I can't stop myself from smiling as I sing along to the radio. My cell rings. Turning the music down, I reach over to the passenger seat and dig it out of my purse. I smile when I see it's Jackson calling. ''Hello.''

''Hey.'' His voice sounds hesitant.

''What's up?''

''I uh…I wanted to check on you. See how you were holding up after what happened.''

This is why I love my stepbrother. He never fails to look out for me. ''I'm good, Jackson. Really good in-fact.''

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