First Kiss Last by Sara Miller (read e book .TXT) 📗

said, testing her voice while stating the obvious. It sure felt and sounded real, yet she knew it couldn’t be.

“And I’m hella glad too.”

Cade pushed off from the wall and stalked toward the bed. His look was so intense it should have frightened her. Instead, she felt a shiver of excitement and pulled the sheet closer. He rounded the bed and stopped just inches from where she sat. Leah had watched him the entire way but now that he stood over her, she broke eye contact and looked down. Cade used two fingers under her chin to guide her gaze back to his.

Lowering himself to the bed, he sat on the edge facing her. His beautiful blue eyes were asking a million questions and Leah had no answers.

“So . . .”

Leah opened her mouth to respond. No words came out. Cade’s gaze shifted to her lips and when she tried again to speak, he covered her mouth with his own.

She did not care if it was real or not. She didn’t care about anything other than the wet warmth of Cade’s kiss. The smokey coffee flavor had been replaced by minty toothpaste. Leah loved mint. She used her tongue to deepen the kiss. Their mouths and tongues fought for dominance. Soon their hands joined the battle. Leah slipped an arm around his neck, her hand moving into his hair. Finding it just long enough, she pulled it tightly into her fist, holding him to her. Cade retaliated with both arms, pulling her close. The touch of his hands on the bare skin of her back made her gasp, breaking the kiss.

“Well now, a guy could get used to this . . .”

Leah flushed as he pulled back and appeared to study her. She had released his hair, sliding her hand down his arm. It felt firm and strong beneath her fingers. She lightly traced the tattoo on his forearm. She wanted to keep touching him but lowered her arm until it rested beside her on the bed. Her other hand still clutched the sheet to her chest.

She was not sure if she felt scared or embarrassed or just plain old horny. Probably all three. She forced herself to breathe as she watched and waited.

Cade took one hand off her back and raised it to her face. He tucked her hair behind her ear and slid his hand down her neck in one fluid motion, moving her hair back. He ran his hand over her now-exposed shoulder. Using the backs of his fingers, he brushed his hand along her left collarbone, then straight up her neck, over her chin before touching her lips. Then his fingers made the return trek, coming to rest in the center of her chest, blocked by her own hand holding the sheet covering her breasts.

His hand moved over hers and lightly stroked. Leah’s body screamed for her hand to release its hold. Her fingers began to relax their grasp.

“Dad?” A young muffled voice called from behind a door Leah had not noticed.

Cade jumped up and made it to the door right as it began to open. He stuck his head into the hall, using the door to shield both himself and the room from view. From what Leah saw when he got up, she knew a naked woman was not all Cade was hiding behind the door. She smirked, pleased he was as affected by her as she was by him.

“Dad, I can’t sleep. Can I stay with you?”

“Hey bud, tonight’s not so good . . .”

“But you PROMISED, remember?! You said when Sky’s not here we could have a dude’s night. Just us guys! And Sky is at her stupid—”

“Liam,” Cade’s voice softly scolded.

“I mean, she’s over at her friend’s house and it’s just us. Finally!”

“Well, actually, it’s not.”

“Really? Who’s here? Are they in your room? Can I see?” The questions came out louder and faster in obvious excitement. “Hello?” the little voice called out. “I’m Liam!”

Leah could not help but laugh at the precocious tyke. Cade shook his head.

“Sounds like a girl. Hello?” He tried again and Leah couldn’t resist.

“Hi.”

“She said ‘hi’ Dad, can I meet her now?”

Cade turned to her and shrugged as if leaving it up to her. Of course she wanted to meet Cade’s son! She started to nod, but just as quickly shook her head. She used her free hand to gesture down her body. Cade nodded and turned back to the door.

“It’s late, bud.”

“Da-ad! It’s not too late though, right? Sometimes you let me stay up. Like on a movie night. Can we watch a movie?” There was a pause and then he called out to her. “Do you like movies?”

“Sure.” Leah realized her answer wasn’t helping Cade send Liam back to bed. But she had the feeling the little charmer was already well on his way to hijacking her night with Cade anyway.

Leah shook her head, grinning. She could easily imagine this was just what Cade would have been like at that age. She hadn’t even met Liam yet and she already liked him.

“Please Dad, plee-ee-ase?!” The second please drawn out in true childhood agony.

Cade closed his eyes and rested his forehead on the door for a few seconds. He turned and looked at Leah. She just smiled sweetly, leaving it all up to him.

“Okay, bud, go pick a movie. Something appropriate and not too long. We’ll be out in five.” As he shut the door, there was a childish whoop of delight from the other side. The pure joy of it made Leah laugh. She felt light and happy.

“So yeah, I need some clothes. Quick!”

“And if I like you how you are?” She could tell by his expression he was enjoying teasing her.

“Cade Emerson. You get me clothes right now or else!” She tried to sound threatening but she was still amused. It came out with a laugh.

Thankfully Cade was already digging through his dresser. With his back to her, he tossed a white tank top