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

Pretty isn’t it? They did a lot of work this spring.” There was just enough light for her to point out a few of the yard’s finer features. “Those bushes and the porch swing and—” she realized she was babbling and stopped.

“So, why are you sitting there?” Cade tilted his head to the side. “It looks uncomfortable. Why not sit on the porch swing?”

Leah laughed. “Because I can still get my fat butt up off this bench. The swing,” she grimaced, “not so much. And yes, before you ask, I learned the hard way.”

“Don’t we all?” he smiled sheepishly.

She nodded. Cade had always done things the hard way. His life had not been easy. But she liked that about him. She guessed maybe she was the same way, with the way she had mucked things up between them.

“And you aren’t fat,” he added.

“Ha!” she scoffed.

He put out a hand and she took it. Cade ended up having to use both hands to help her to her feet. When she was steady, he released her and then took his fill of her shapely body. Leah was glad it was mostly dark, she hoped he wouldn’t notice her blush.

“Damn, woman,” from the growl in his voice, Leah knew it was a compliment. She felt warm all over. How could he be attracted to her like this? She shook her head.

“Seriously, being pregnant is gross. No one tells you that. Everything is either swollen or leaking or both. And I’ve been reading . . . it’s going to get worse before it gets better.”

“Well, yes, but you are also strong and beautiful. Let’s focus on that instead,” he continued to gaze at her.

“Oh my goodness, Cade. Stop looking at me like that, I can’t take it!” She batted at him both loving and hating the attention.

Cade chuckled. He took her hand and led her to the swing.

“Come sit with me. I’ll help you back up, promise.”

They sat side-by-side. Closer than Leah expected but she was not going to complain. Cade put one arm around her, his other hand rested lightly on the side of her belly. He rocked them gently.

They were silent for the longest time. Leah was not going to complain. Being here with Cade, like this . . . was near perfection. There was still a lot left unsaid, but he seemed in a much better head space than when they last spoke. She did not want to break the mood. Leah felt Cade inhale deeply and knew he was about to speak.

“I miss you something awful, Leah.”

“I miss you too.”

“Liam misses you a lot too. Even Sky, but don’t tell her I said so,” he laughed. “We talked, as a family, in real life. I explained best I could.”

“It’s hard enough for me and I’ve lived with it my whole life.”

Cade paused the swing.

“I guess I never realized,” he sounded apologetic.

“It wasn’t something I talked about.”

“Because of your mom?”

Leah nodded and set her head on Cade’s shoulder. He set the swing in motion again and rubbed her belly.

“Mmm,” she could not help the noise of pleasure that slipped out. Cade stopped and she immediately apologized.

“Damnit, Leah . . . seeing you like this, being with you like this . . .” he shook his head.

Cade sounded so frustrated. Leah lifted her head and turned her face to his. It was on her lips to apologize again when he kissed her. Full on the mouth. Cade kissed her like a man who had not kissed his girl in months. She kissed him back just as desperately.

He’d turned in the seat so he half faced her. His hand continued to explore her belly. When it inadvertently brushed her breasts, she gasped. Damn, her body had missed this man too.

Cade leaned back a few inches and searched her face. He tucked one of her new shorter locks of hair behind her ear and ran a finger down her cheek.

“God, you are beautiful. And I like your haircut too.”

Leah shrugged, self-conscious.

Cade kissed her lips again.

“Cade?” she was not sure what she was asking.

“I don’t even know,” he answered. “But I love you, Leah and I miss you and—”

“Oh.” Leah cut him off unintentionally. “Oh!” she said again.

She put her hand next to Cade’s which was still on her belly. Her stomach felt tight and hard. She put her other hand awkwardly to her back.

“Are you having a contraction?”

“I don’t know, I’ve never had one before,” she tried to joke.

“That’s my girl,” he beamed as if he was proud of her. Leah wished this was real life. She wished Cade was with her, that he loved her, that he’d take her to the hospital so they could have their baby. She started to cry.

“Hey now,” Cade kissed her tears away. “I just need to know one thing.”

Leah waited to hear what the thing was. She was not sure how much more she could handle.

“Where is the ring?”

Whatever she thought he might say or ask, this was not it.

“Ring?”

“The engagement ring, love. Where is it?”

“I haven’t seen it since you threw it,” she answered truthfully.

“You didn’t take it?” he shook his head.

“Cade, no. I wouldn’t. I didn’t. I cried on the floor where you left me until the dream ended.”

“Then where is it? I can’t find it in my dreams or real life.”

They stared at each other, both deep in thought.

“I think . . .” Leah wasn’t sure she wanted to say but she proceeded anyway, “I think Sky was in the kitchen. I think she heard us.”

“Skyler,” Cade sighed. “Yeah, she did seem to know more than I expected. I thought it was because you had talked.”

“She’d been sneaking Christmas cookies,” Leah smiled, remembering.

“Now that I believe,” he laughed.

“She—oh, ow!” Leah closed her eyes and tried to breathe.

“Another one?”

Leah nodded.

“Okay, let’s get you up.” He got her to her feet as soon as it had passed.

Cade kept one arm protectively around her. He helped her walk the length of the porch and back. They didn’t