Page 39 of Nova

12

Promise

''Can you take me to get my car?'' I ask Cain as I lean my hip against the railing of the porch and take a sip of my coffee.

''What for?'' he hedges, looking up from where he's crouched down on the ground next to his bike with a wrench in his hand.

''I need to go over to Brad's apartment and pack up my things. I texted him yesterday and told him I'd be by around 10:00 am today. I don't have much. Mostly clothes and a few personal items. I won't be gone long.''

Cain stands, wiping his grease-covered hands on a rag. ''I'll take you,'' he clips.

''You don't have to take me. London already said she'd help. It's seriously no big deal.''

Cain tucks the rag into his back pocket and stalks toward me. ''Not a big deal?'' One booted foot hits the step and then the other until he is standing in front of me, the smell of motor oil, laundry detergent, musk and the faint scent of his minty breath fills my senses. ''My woman wants to go to her ex-fiancé's apartment, a place where she shared the same bed with another man, yet it's not a big deal?'' he says in a dangerously low tone I have yet to hear before.

''I…yes?'' My response comes out as more of a question than an answer.

''Wrong, babe. You won't be going anywhere near that cocksucker. Not without me.''

I set my mug down on the railing and prop my hands on my hips. ''For your information, Brad won't be there. I told him I didn't want him around while I was getting my things.''

''And you believe that fuck is going to listen?''

''I can handle Brad.''

''Not without me,'' Cain counters, not backing down.

I roll my eyes. ''Fine.''

Grabbing the back of my head, Cain leans down and covers his mouth with mine, stealing my breath with a hard, toe-curling kiss. When he releases me, he grins. ''Glad you see things my way, Sugar.''

"So,how did you end up with that dickhead anyway?''

I turn in the passenger seat of Cain's truck and think about his question for a moment. He has one hand hanging out the window, and the other propped on the steering wheel with a cigarette between his fingers. ''Brad started working at my stepdad's firm a few years ago. We started seeing each other soon after. Then he proposed, and I said yes.''

''How long ago did he propose?''

''Two years.'' I shrug.

''How long have you been broke up?''

I begin to fidget in my seat at his last question. ''A little over two weeks.''

Cain chuckles. ''That explains it.''

''Explains what?'' I narrow my eyes.

He takes a drag from his cigarette and cuts his eyes at me. ''The night you and your posse came into the bar. You were celebratin' cuttin' that asshole loose. Lucky for me, I happened to be in the right place at the right time, and it was me who got a taste of that sweet pussy. Fuck of a way to celebrate, Sugar.''

''Cain!'' I swat his arm. ''Must you be so crude? It wasn't even like that.'' I feel my cheeks heat. ''You're so cocky.''

''Not cocky, babe. Just statin' facts. Tell me, Sugar. Your pussy ever get wet for that asshole like it does for me?'' My tummy flutters at the memory of how well Cain worked my body and I squirm in my seat. ''That pussy hungry for my cock now? Bet if I put my hand down your pants, I'd find you soaked.'' My breathing picks up, and I bite my bottom lip. ''Fuck,'' Cain growls. ''I should pull this truck over and have you ride my cock right here on the side of the road, but I won't.'' Cain reaches across the console, grips the back of my neck, and brings my eyes to his. ''Tonight, you're mine", he growls and my sex clenches.Something to look forward to.

Fifteen minutes later, I use my key to unlock the door to Brad's apartment. When I step inside, Cain is directly behind me. ''Let's get your shit so we can get the fuck out of here.''

''Okay. All my stuff is in the bedroom.'' I head down the hallway, and Cain follows. In the back of the closet, I pull out two large suitcases. ''All my things should fit in here.''

''Any of the furniture yours?''

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