“Hey baby, how are you feeling?”, Cade asked gruffly. He could see the glazed look in Kresley’s eyes evaporate a little as she took in his words.
“My head hurts like a bitch”, she mumbled quietly, as anything louder than that would have made her headache that much worse. “What’s going on? And why are you calling me baby? Where’s Mr. Asshole?”
Cade smiled devilishly at Kresley and stated, “I’m not sure what’s going on, only that I found you laying on the pavement outside your business and it scared me to death. First, I’m not an asshole. I laughed at your predicament earlier today. Get over it. Second, me calling you baby is the least of your concerns right now. I won’t apologize for saying it. I tend to say what I’m thinking and feeling, so just get used to it”, Cade’s deep voice stated clearly, but softly, as he ran his fingers over Kresley’s uninjured cheekbone and neck. Cade could hear the distant sound of the ambulance and saw out of the corner of his eye the two police officers walking around, away from where he was with Red, looking for any clues. He looked back at Kresley and found her staring up at him with wide, green eyes. But what floored him was the trust he saw there, even though they didn’t know each other and she had just called him an asshole for the second time today. He knew she was still confused and in pain. Yet she trusted him enough to stay still, and focus only him. It was an odd, but good feeling.
He didn’t think twice about what he was doing, only that he had to do it. Cade slowly lowered his head down until his lips were just an inch above Kresley’s mouth. He looked up at her eyes and saw the lids lower and a small sigh escaped her lips before his mouth covered hers. Cade muttered, “the asshole’s going to kiss you”, before slanting his mouth over Kresley’s full lips and kissed her as if his life depended on it. Her lips were so soft, so full, so wet. With just a hint of force, Cade had Red opening up and giving him access inside. His tongue rubbed over her upper and lower lip, wetting them more, before venturing inside to tangle with hers. He made a few swipes with his tongue and sucked her lower lip between his teeth when he heard a harshly cleared throat and cough coming from behind him. Officer Boomer Collins stood there, looking at Cade with definite amusement on his face.
“Don’t let me stop you, Cade. Getting ‘a feel’ for the witness is police work 101”, Boomer drawled, chuckling over how the gossip mill would be churning tomorrow morning over this new development. He glanced over to Kresley, but she had her eyes closed again and holding a hand to her forehead, a frown on her face. “I see how your kiss can effect the ladies”.
Cade scowled over at Boomer, an officer who he had admired and liked so far, up until about a minute ago. “Drop it Collins before I drop you”, he growled then ruined it with a slight grin at the man. “I can’t help but be smitten by Red’s beauty. But she thinks I’m an asshole.”
“So, you two know each other already? Sounds like she already has you figured out”, Boomer stated with a grin.
“Yeah, Red and I met earlier today when Aunt Mae introduced us”, Cade stated without looking up from Red’s still face. He gently pushed her hand away from her forehead and stroked her brow and cheek.
“Didn’t take you for being such a lady’s man, Grantham.”
“Not ladies, just one lady that matters right now Boomer, and she’s currently got a headache”, Cade quietly stated to his colleague while focusing on Kresley.
“Duly noted in case I get asked in the coming days and weeks about our town’s hot new man candy”, Boomer stated.
Cade rolled his eyes at the man candy statement. “Thanks man, way to help a brother out with a good-looking woman”, Cade said with sarcastically. “She’s probably still pissed at me, truth be told. I laughed at her this morning after she landed on her ass in a puddle outside the post office. It was funny, but her face said it kind of wasn’t. I’ll need to make up brownie points to win her over for that, so I don’t keep hearing her mumble asshole under her breath at me.” Hearing her female snort at his words, Cade looked down at Kresley. Her eyes were still closed, but her face and mouth held a rueful expression on it. He filed that away to revisit later, knowing that she had heard everything he just said.
“Maybe that kiss will do the trick”, drawled Boomer as he moved over and made room for the EMTs that had arrived and were pulling their rig into the alley.
“I’ll be with you in just a sec as soon as the EMTs check Kresley out and give me an update on her”, Cade stated.
“Will do. I’m ready to give you the 411 on our deceased victim before notifying family, when you get ready. Officer Smith is still canvasing the area for any evidence we can gather before too much traffic takes over”, Boomer stated before walking away. Cade noted that Boomer towered over the other police officials starting to fill the alleyway. He
