Page 109 of Gorgeous

Uh oh.

I’m trying to keep the rhythm, but when he reaches between us and unlatches his seatbelt, I falter. The victorious grin I’ve tried to keep under wraps emerges triumphantly.

“Apparently, you need something to settle down.” Cade pulls me up, my lips making a popping sound as I release him.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Countering him when I lick my lips may have been the final straw because before I know it, he shoves me to my back, pops the button on my shorts, and pulls them down, leaving them dangling on one leg. Too tall to lie on top of me, Cade settles on one knee and then with a jerk that steals my breath, he lines up with my entrance.

“I’m going to fuck you hard and fast,” he warns, giving himself a few strokes.

“Good,” I taunt him further, locking gazes with those emerald eyes. “I like it when you’re rough.”

His nostrils flare, and I’m ready when he pushes forward, never warning me again.

True to his word, he fucks me fast and hard on some back road in the middle of nowhere. Sweat drips down his forehead, running along the hard lines of his neck until they reach his t-shirt and stop. His dog tags jingle with every thrust, almost like they’re part of the music still playing on the radio. Sitting up, I wrap my legs around him and pull him closer, encouraging him to go harder. The strain in his face is evident. He’s close. So am I, for that matter, but I want to hear it before I take him with me.

Between pants, I whisper, “Ask me.”

His eyes close and his breathing turns shallow until he opens his eyes again. Green eyes that have witnessed death and destruction look at me with reverence as he says, “Can I offer you a ride home?”

For all the women who think the only declaration of love is in the form of three words, let me tell you that knowing someone loves you comes in many forms. I may not be normal. Cade may not be normal. But what we have is real, and him asking me if he can give me a ride home says everything it needs to say. He loves me.

“I am home,” I return before everything clenches inside me, and we both tip over the edge of sanity, clutched in each other’s arms.

We’re cleaned up and back on the road in no time. Cade seems a little more relaxed than he was so I’ll take that as a win. As for me, I’m secured in a seatbelt, far enough away from Cade that I won’t be too much a distraction for the duration of the trip.

“Are we there yet?” I tease.

“Hush. Listen to your boy bands.”

Scowling, I rifle through my purse and find my phone for something to do. My hand grazes the bottle of meds Anniston gave me for an emergency. I have to admit I’m nervous about being alone with Cade during the fourth of July. I know fireworks bother him even though he says he will be fine. Anniston gave me a rundown on what to do if he has an episode, along with some sedatives. I tried to argue that we should take this trip at another time so he’s in a place he’s comfortable, but he wouldn’t hear it.

I place my thumb on the phone and bring up the home screen—a picture of Cade and me. I’m covering his eyes as I lead him into the house which was insanely decorated for his birthday we did several weeks after the fact. But what’s so memorable about that moment was his smile. It was the brightest I had ever seen it. That day, surrounded by his friends and family, he was genuinely happy.

Two texts messages flash on the screen, one from Anniston and one from Theo.

Ans: Have fun! I can’t wait to hear all about it.

Gah, I love her. I know I was hellbent on hating her, but after getting to know her, I fell for her just like the guys. Once I got past her layers, she’s become a really great friend to me.

Theo’s text makes me laugh. Obviously, it was intended more for Cade so I read it aloud.

“Theo texted.” Cade rolls his eyes but is already grinning. “He says, and I quote, ‘Tell Jameson I noticed he didn’t pack enough condoms so I put an extra box in his bag. I’ll be disappointed if he doesn’t use them all. I didn’t raise a quitter! You know I always got your back, B. You’re welcome.’”

We both laugh out loud into the cab of the truck, now that Cade rolled the windows up, claiming we needed to cool off before we ended up just going back home and fucking all weekend. Honestly, that doesn’t sound like a bad idea at all.

Laying my head back, the cool air blowing through my hair—it probably looks a mess but I don’t care—along this winding road, feels like heaven with Cade by my side.

Apparently heaven also felt like sleep because when I wake up, Cade is poking me in the side. “Now she’s quiet,” he says, all cute and taunting. “Come on. I want to show you something.”

I check for drool and climb out when he opens the door. “What year is it?” I tease.

“Ha ha. You’re hilarious.” He tugs me to his side and wraps one of those beefy arms around my shoulders. “Have you ever went panning for gold?”

I hope the look on my face does not reflect what I’m thinking, because what the fuck? What does he take me for—a coal miner’s daughter? “No, I can’t say that I have.”

He chuckles, clearly reading into my meaning. “Well, you can’t come to Dahlonega without trying it.”

Where the hell is Dahlonega?

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