Page 50 of Hideaway

“Unlike the car accident that took your parents, I wasn’t blameless in her death, Kara. It wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for my actions, and I will always carry the guilt with me. I have learnt to accept it, much as I hope you can accept me in spite of it.”

Kara thought a moment before answering.“For now, I can accept the man that I know, however mysterious and fragmented the pieces of your composition may be.”

“For that, I am very grateful,”he answered, his eyes tender and thoughtful as he gave her hand a light squeeze.“Now, Miss Caine, we’ve spent a fair amount of time delving into my dark past this evening. It seems hardly fair for you to escape unscathed.”

“Trust me, I am quite the open book,”Kara said with a laugh.

“We shall see. Tell me, what is the most devious deed an upstanding academic such as yourself has ever committed?”

“You eat, and I’ll think. Deal?”Kara said as she took a bite of dinner herself.

“Deal. The shepherd’s pie really is quite delicious,”he said as he started eating as well.“Mrs. Hughes might have some competition if you intend to stay.”

“Very funny,”Kara answered with a laugh, confusing Cade as to whether she was laughing about the cooking or the staying.

“Time is ticking, Kara,”Cade reminded as he finished what was on his plate.

“Give me a minute!”Kara responded shortly, never liking to be rushed when she had an assignment.

Cade went for a second portion of dinner, watching in amusement as Kara scrunched up her eyebrows in concentration. She was considering all her misdeeds from birth, no doubt. He was sure it was a compilation of late book returns, missed stop signs, jaywalking, and maybe even a drink or two underage. The idea of Kara being capable of anything truly deviant was unfathomable.

“Time is up, Miss Caine.”

“It’s doctor, for fuck’s sake! If you’re going to be weirdly formal so frequently, you might as well use the appropriate title,”Kara declared with a huff.

“But where is the fun in that, Miss Caine, when I know it irritates you so much?”Cade answered with a bastardly smirk.“Let’s hear it. Worst thing you’ve ever done. Astonish me.”

“Okay, no judgment?”

“After my own admissions, I hardly have any standing to judge.”

“Okay,”she started, taking a moment to brace herself for the confession.“I had sex in the library, during open hours, in the Children’s Literature section.”Kara looked away in embarrassment.

Cade laughed so loudly and so hard that his eyes watered. Insulted by his amusement, Kara punched him as hard as she could in the arm, though the assault had no effect on his laughter, which continued. With a huff of irritation, Kara gathered the dishes, silverware, and remnants of their dinner into a single stack, appreciating the loud sound each item made as they clashed together, an obvious signal to Cade that she was pissed. Grabbing the two wine glasses in a single hand and the tower of dishes in another, Kara stormed out of the room and into the kitchen.

Cade listened to the ruckus ensuing from the kitchen without a single twinge of guilt. At times, Kara was so delicately sensitive he feared she’d fall apart in his hands. Other times, Kara was so fiercely strong and defiant that a man less brave than himself would hesitate to cross her. At that moment, she was a conflicting concoction of the two. There was something endearing about her storming about like some imperious force as though those four inch heels made her the biggest, most imposing person in the room. They did not, but he wouldn’t be the one to deprive her of the delusion.

Kara entered the dining room once again, drying her wet hands on the apron around her waist before settling into her chair. Having a moment to herself in the kitchen seemed to have slightly improved her mood, which now hovered a touch above sulking. She leveled a gaze at Cade, daring him to approach their previous conversation at his own risk. If he had a modicum of decency, Cade would have heeded the silent warning. He did not.

“So,”Cade began, pausing for dramatic effect,“that’s the worst thing you’ve ever done? You humped next to‘Humpty Dumpty?’”

“Hilarious,”Kara responded with an eye roll.

“You got dick on‘Hickory Dickory Dock?’”Cade continued, self-impressed with his wit.

“Are you finished?”

“You,”Cade stopped to think for a moment,“diddled by‘Hey Diddle Diddle?’”

“Stop it!”Kara berated in irritation. Clearly he wasn’t taking her seriously.

“Have you seen the titles of nursery rhymes? They’re overtly suggestive. Truly, that is the most disreputable thing you’ve done in your entire life—you’ve banged in the kiddie corner at the library? Wait, did the children watch? Thatwouldbe fucked up.”

“Of course not! We did it in the Children’s Lit section because it’s always empty at the university. And, in case you weren’t aware, having sex in a public place is illegal. I think taking the risk of being seen and arrested to enjoy a quick fuck is a level of impropriety not to be taken lightly,”Kara argued with as much dignity as she could.

“Yes, you do lead a very provocative life, Miss Caine. I worry my honor as a gentleman might be impugned by our mere association,”Cade responded with an admirable attempt at keeping a straight face.

“You’re such a bastard, Caden,” Kara berated with a scowl.

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