Cade turned back to Kresley and noticed her pale skin and how her freckles stood out against it. As an EMT gathered on one side to begin doing an assessment and taking vitals of Red, Cade gathered her hand in his and stroked her cheek once more. “Kresley, who do I need to call for you, who needs to meet you at the hospital?” He noticed Kresley looking around for something, but didn’t know what at first. Then he saw her cell phone a few feet away and grabbed it. He checked to see if it was working and it was. No damage that he could see on the screen or case. Several missed phone calls and text messages showed on the locked screen. The last one being from a woman named Grace who just text WTH. Cade handed the phone to her as she frowned at him still. “Let the EMTs look you over first, then call who you want to meet you at the hospital. I’ll be along as soon as I wrap things up here with the officers and will check on you.” Cade’s eyes moved over her face and made sure to keep eye contact with her as she looked up at him with both curiosity and wariness. He just smiled at her to confuse her. Bless her, she didn’t have a clue yet. The minute her lips touched his, Cade knew that everything had changed. Red may not realize it yet, but Cade knew without a doubt that Ms. Kresley “Red” Anderson was now his. Asshole remark or not.
Chapter Three
What in the blue blazes was that? Kresley was so totally confused at what was going on right now. She wakes up with a massive headache, blood on the side of her head, and Cade Grantham, hunk detective, peering down at her with a hot and totally confusing look. The last thing she remembered was walking outside the Whimsy Events warehouse. Did she fall? Get pushed? Did Grace call 911? Kresley didn’t have answers right now. The only thing she knew was that her lips would never be the same again. Cade kissing her did NOT help her blood pressure or pulse, which the EMTs were checking right now. And him calling her baby? Did Mr. Asshole seriously think he had a right to call her that? They didn’t even know each other, except for her humiliating fall earlier today. He had looked at her moments ago as if he hurt because she was hurt. Which made zero sense. Did it make her a little giddy? Maybe. Did it make her have butterflies inside? Possibly. Did it make her confused and unsure of herself? Yes, definitely. As hard as she could think, Kres couldn’t imagine what could attract a man like Cade to her. Possibly mental health issues in his family? She would be sure to ask his Aunt Mae soon. One thing she was grateful for right now is that her panties were in place. No popping elastic bands, no creeping down her butt cheeks.
The EMTs stated to Kresley that she needed to go to the ER to make sure she didn’t have a concussion, but they couldn’t find any other injuries besides the scrapes on her cheek and her head. They gently eased her on to a gurney and lifted it to stand tall, then propped her back to a reclining position while they talked for a second to Cade. He listened to what they had to say and looked over at her often, nodded, then left them to come to her side. Kresley watched him warily as he walked towards her, but decided to smile at him, just to throw him off.
Cade almost stopped mid stride at that small smile that lifted the corners of Red’s beautiful mouth. It was like pushing sunshine into a dark room. Wow at what this woman could do to him. If only she knew the power she possessed. And Cade didn’t think she had a clue. Not one clue. She seemed devilish enough to use it against him if she did. Cade laughed inside at that.
“Hey baby, the EMTs say you need to go to the ER to get checked out for a concussion. Who do you want to make sure is there to be with you? I would be glad to sit with you and hold your hand, but I need to finish up here first”, Cade gently stated as he stroked her hair, cheek and jaw. He looked on expectantly, waiting for her to answer him. He could see the wariness in her eyes, the confusion mixed with trust. He kept his eyes steady on hers, trying to relay that she could trust him.
Kresley thought for a moment and choked down a sarcastic retort. If she chose one sister over another, they would be mad. And if she chose her sister or sisters over Grace, then Gracie would be ticked as well. So, she decided to call all of them and let chaos ensue at the ER. Maybe they could help her figure things out about Cade while there. There was nothing like Anderson girl power when needed. Kresley began to open her mouth to reply when she heard screeching coming from inside the warehouse. Cade immediately stood in front of the gurney and Kres, weapon drawn and waiting for the threat coming from within. In another few moments, the screech became recognizable
