Page 71 of Gorgeous

I take a step forward in Cade’s space, and he tosses his keys onto the dresser. “No, Major Jameson, I don’t need a minute.”

I knew calling him Major Jameson would do it.

Before I can even digest what’s happening, Cade tosses me onto his bed, his enormous body following suit. I laugh once we’ve stopped bouncing and slowly move his hands between my legs. The heat there is obvious through my shorts, and Cade needs nofurther direction. His deft fingers pop open the button, and I unzip them as he lifts himself up, balancing on one muscled arm, and tells me to, “Take them off.”

And for shits and giggles, I add fuel to his fire and respond with, “Yes, sir.”

I don’t have to worry about my shirt—or his for that matter—because he removes them with speed the Flash could only dream of. Cade is in beast mode as he growls low in his chest, pushing me into the mattress. His heavy body grinds down on my bra-clad nipples, and I’ve never hated it as much as I do now.

Cade’s hands roam over my arms, my shoulders, never stopping in one spot for long. His tongue leaves a trail of goosebumps as he works from my shoulder, stopping to suck my poor neglected nipple through my bra.

“Take it off,” I whine. The girls want to be free. But I stop my crying when he pulls the cup down, massaging the entirety of my breast in one hand. The first twinge shoots straight to my core, my body so alight with warmth that my scalp tingles. “Keep going,” I tell him, but he doesn’t listen. His mouth moves down my chest, to my stomach, placing soft kisses there.

I want his mouth somewhere else but I don’t want to be too greedy. That would not be ladylike at all. But the whore on my shoulder says a little nudge in the right direction wouldn’t hurt. I’ve never been easy, but Cade’s mouth, the weight of his body on mine, is like fat-free cake. I want it all. So I push his head a little lower, and wouldn’t you know, he goes down without a fight.

He starts with just breathing against me, and then his nose buries into my wetness and I nearly come from the action alone.

“Oh, God. Please take off my panties.”

Cade grunts, his hold on my open thighs, his grip tightening almost uncomfortably. I shift, trying to find a better position without being a whiny bitch but Cade holds me still, his mouth leaving my center.

“Cade?”

I lean up on an elbow and rub down his back. His muscles are rigid and tense underneath my fingertips. I move to his face and lift his chin with my finger, noticing that his eyes are dilated, his stare bordering on vacant. “Cade? Are you okay?” He doesn’t answer me. The only response is squeezing my thigh harder in a punishing hold. Vaguely, I think of his PTSD but since I’ve never seen it happen, I’m not sure if he’s just being aggressive in bed or what.

I try again, my tone calm, hoping he’ll speak to me. “Cade. You’re hurting me. Look at me.” He doesn’t. All he does is squeeze the nonexistent muscles in my leg, and I nearly cry out from the pain. “Cade, please,” I beg, as tears prick at my eyes. I don’t want it to be this way. I’ve never been hurt or had rough sex, but this—this vacant stare—as he pins me down with the weight of his body, silent like the soldier he is, has me fucking scared.

“Cade, please let me up. I don’t want to do this anymore.” A sob builds in my throat, and I try pushing at his bare chest. “Cade!” I scream as the first tear falls. “Get off of me!” The first tear is followed by about fifty more beforeinstinct kicks in and I scream for help. Someone will see me in my underwear, but I can’t deal with whatever is going on in Cade’s head. Obviously he is somewhere far away from here, and to be honest, the look in his eyes and the power of his body bearing down on me has me fearful for my safety.

“Help me!” I scream to anyone who can hear me. Surely someone will hear unless they’re all outside.

Oh, God.

What if they left?

Panicked, I kick and scratch at Cade, pleading for him to let me go, but he holds me steady, only grunting in response to my hits.

“Please.” Tears drop onto my chest. “Please stop, Cade.”

But he doesn’t. His gaze remains far away before he starts to rock, squeezing me so hard that I scream out from more than fear. “Help me! Someone, please!”

The door flies open seconds later, and I have never been happier to see Theo’s scowling face.

“Something is wrong,” I cry out to him, sucking back the tears and God knows what else on my face. “Something is wrong with Cade.”

Theo’s brows lower, and then it seems to dawn on him what’s happening. He hollers for Anniston and then rushes to us, trying to pry Cade’s hands from my legs.

“Jameson,” he whispers softly, his voice smooth and confident like he’s done this a million times before. “Listen to my voice, Jameson.” Theo tugs on his hand again, but it doesn’t loosen. I try not to cry anymore, pushing through the pain. Cade is suffering from something I will never understand, and I … a hiccup escapes me. I caused this. I pushed him when he wasn’t ready. I never thought the reason he hasn’t slept with anyone in years is because it’s a trigger for him.

My chest feels like I’ve swallowed fire. It hurts. This beautiful and kind man, who was doing great here with Anniston … all his progress … I’ve set him back. Shame overrides my embarrassment as Anniston and Hayes run into Cade’s bedroom, Anniston with a syringe in her hand.

“What happened?” she asks, rushing to Cade’s side. Immediately, she starts talking to him like Theo is, low and calm. She doesn’t even bother waiting for an explanation from me. She knows what’s going on and what needs to be done.

“Gorgeous,” she soothes, stroking her hand along his cheek, “I need you to look at me.” She turns his chin, and he lets her. “Good job,” she praises, handing Theo the syringe and placing both hands on his cheeks, forcing him to see only her. “Where are you, Cade?”

Cade breathes harshly into her face but she holds him still as Hayes comes over and joins me on the bed, reaching for my hand, interlacing our fingers and putting his index finger of his other hand to his lips, telling me to stay quiet.

I want to scream. I want to break down in front of all these people because Cade still has me pinned and my leg is throbbing. I’m just fucking ashamed and embarrassed at the whole situation.

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