movements of his palm over my skin are hypnotic. “Sounds about right.”
And then I let oblivion take me.
19
Caden
When I wake the next morning, Cat is gone, the sheets she’d burned up cool. Eyes gritty with lack of sleep, I roll over on my back and blink at the ceiling.
It’s done now.
Of course it was going to happen. I’d given in to the inevitability of it. But now that irrevocable step has been taken, and there’s no going back.
I don’t regret the night with her, because it was everything I thought it’d be and more. But I have a pit in my stomach I can’t quite ignore—a sense that I need to look over my shoulder and see what’s chasing me.
I pinch the bridge of my nose and shake my head.
I’m being paranoid.
Everything is going to be okay.
I grit my teeth, ignoring the self-destructive tick-tock in my chest. I sit up, plant my feet on the floor, and scrub a hand over my hair.
I just need to see Cat.
Once I lay eyes on her, this sense of panic will dissipate, like it always does.
I glance at the clock as I stand and head to the shower.
As soon as I see her, with that hair tied back in a messy bun and those silver eyes, she always feels like a good idea.
Thirty minutes later, I find her in her office, head bent over a stack of papers, pen in hand.
I watch her for a minute.
She’s intent on her work, immersed in whatever she’s doing and doesn’t seem to notice me. The window behind her bathes her in light, the strands of gold in her hair glowing in the sunshine. Head bent, the curve of her neck is exposed. I kissed that spot last night, sunk my teeth into her soft flesh, but it appears I didn’t leave a mark. Which seems like a real shame in the light of day.
I’ll have to rectify that.
I think of her straining under me last night, all the dirty things I did to her that she loved. The way she came, the sound of my name falling mindlessly from her lips. It had been beautiful watching her lose control, surrendering to me as we blasted through the walls we’d built as protection, until they crumpled in a heap of sweat and pleasure.
I let my gaze sweep over her again, soaking her in, before I say, “You were gone when I got up.”
My breath catches in my chest, and my stomach squeezes. Inexplicably, my heart starts a rapid, thumping beat. The panic I’ve been holding at bay seizes me, and in the time it takes for her to raise her head, I question every decision I’ve ever made.
But then her eyes meet mine, and a wide, gorgeous smile beams across her face.
“Well, good morning.” Her voice is rich and warm and inviting.
Everything inside me relaxes, and that dread melts away.
I smile back at her. “Good to see you’re not regretting coming for me last night.”
She cocks a brow. “Should I be?”
“Nope.” I take her in. “Not even a little bit.”
“Good, ’cause I’m not.” She shifts in her chair before propping her feet on the desk. She’s wearing a powder blue tank top, jean shorts, and a pair of cowboy boots. Her hair is in the messy bun I’ve been envisioning, and it makes me smile. Her face, free from all traces of makeup, practically glows. “In fact, I feel pretty kick ass this morning.”
I’ve never wanted her more.
All my unease is gone, replaced by a happiness I only seem to experience when she’s around. I straighten, step into her office, and close the door behind me, flicking the lock. “Is that so?”
“Uh-huh.”
Everything about her has loosened, and satisfaction settles deep in my sternum because I’m the cause of it. I finally fucked all the tension out of her, and I’m not going to lie, it fills me with a kind of arrogant pride.
I walk over to her.
She swivels in her chair, her eyes more mischievous than I’ve ever seen them. I was right to wait for her to come to me. I knew I was, but I like confirmation.
I lean down and put my hands on the arms of her chair. “You know how you want me to be overcome with passion and take you like you’re my own personal toy to use at my disposal?”
A smile flickers across her features. “I don’t think I remember saying that.”