Page 16 of Hard Hearts

“Seriously, Kaden?”

“Then why didn’t you tell her it’s fake?” Kaden stares down at me. I dropped everything and practically ran over here when he told me my mom was here. I’m in jeans and sneakers. I have no heels on, making Kaden tower over me more than usual. Itshould irk me, but it oddly lights a fire deep inside me, warming places I don’t want it to.

“I don’t know, okay!” I finally blurt out, frustrated. Why does it feel like there is a pressure pushing in every direction? I can't come up with answers for my actions or nonactions at this point.

"Hey." Kaden's hand comes up to cup my cheeks. “I got you, Kitten.” A rush of emotions fills me. He’s got me. I stare into his eyes, and I can see how serious he is.

“Why?” I whisper the question.

“I don’t think you’re ready for all that yet.”

“I’m ready for anything,” I counter, making him smirk. Why does that smile have to be not only charming but also playful? Kaden has a way of making light of things. It’s lessened the pressure that seems to always be pushing in around me.

“I know you are, but maybe I enjoy making things easier for you.” My eyes drop to his mouth. “You want a kiss?”

“Why do you think that?” I pull my eyes away from his lips, knowing I was busted.

“You want me to just take it? I’ll do that for you, Kitten.”Yes,my mind screams. His thumb strokes my bottom lip.

“I’m done with all these questions,” I huff, making that smirk of his turn into a full-blown smile. “You always do what you want anyway.”

“Baiting me?” He lifts a brow playfully.

“No, I’m—” His mouth comes down onto mine in a hard, claiming kiss, letting me know he’s not playing at all.

Chapter Twelve

KADEN

Frankie looks adorably pink when she slips out of the pantry. Her mama’s sharp eyes don’t miss a thing, but she pretends like her daughter and her daughter’s fake fiancé weren’t making out before the main course was served.

Dinner goes by quick, and soon Mama Lodato is saying goodbye. This time when she goes in for a cheek kiss, I don’t flinch.

She pinches her da-ughter’s cheek and says, “Don’t do anything I would do,” and then disappears, leaving behind a cloud of perfume.

“Sorry again for Mom popping up unannounced.”

“It’s all good.” I pick up the plates and stick them in the dishwasher.

“She liked you.” Frankie follows behind with the glasses.

“I was nervous as hell.” I wipe down the table.

“That was partly why she liked you. Kaden Gunner, famous quarterback, was intimidated by little old Maria Lodato.”

“Intimidated seems like an overreach.” I toss the paper towel into the trash and then grab a bottle of wine. “Want some?”

“I should go.” She looks toward the door.

“Now who’s intimidated?” I step toward her. The kiss in the pantry wasn’t enough for me. It was barely an appetizer. I need something more to feed the hunger growing inside me.

“It’s recognizing and playing to your strengths, and in this case, it’s not being around two hundred pounds of pure American beef.” She reaches for her purse, but I’m quicker than her, and I grab it first, tossing it into the living room, where it lands on the sofa. She pivots toward it, and that’s when I grab her and haul her into my arms.

“I’m glad you think I’m hunky.”

She wriggles in my grip, but I’m way stronger, and I easily carry her down the hall to my bedroom.

“I never said you were hunky. I said you were?—”

---