Kres went through all that happened tonight, leaving out no detail except the identity of the person who was dead. Kres loved her sister, but she also knew she was part of the fire storm gossip network in town. It would be horrible for a loved one or friend of Drake to find out about his death through gossip or social media.
“Okay, so you’re here and police are at the office finishing up a crime scene where someone was killed outside our building. Oh my gosh. And Big Sexy is the detective who showed up?”, Francie stated with a mix of emotions on her face.
“Yes. But who named him Big Sexy? I know I didn’t”, Kres asked. The nickname is definitely accurate, but she knew almost nothing about Cade right now. Well except for how soft his lips felt. How his tongue moved in her mouth so firmly and aggressively. Or what his eyes looked like so close to hers. Like the blue of a summer sky. Focus girl. He’s just a guy.
“Oh, that was Birdie. It’s a separate text convo the rest of us are having without you. They want all details without you being bothered with the dinging of your phone since you have a head injury”, stated Grace with a sly smile. She said this as her thumbs flew across her phone screen, obviously texting to Kresley’s other sisters.
Kresley opened her mouth to fire back a reply at her nosey sisters and best friend, but Cade, aka Big Sexy, chose that moment to pull back the privacy curtain. Both Francie and Grace let out a gasp at the sudden movement. Kres could only stare and blush. Cade stood there in all of his 6’3” glory, looking down on Kres intently. Biceps as thick as her thighs, forearm muscles rippling and a heavier beard scruff on his face than before, Cade silently demanded attention without even trying or asking for it. His gaze was so intense and focused that Kresley forgot her train of thought. Wow. Just. Wow.
“Woah.”
“Holy shit.”
Deep voice scratchy from the late-night hour, Cade took one of Kresley’s hands in his and stroked back her red hair from her forehead. “Hi baby. The nurses directed me here when I asked where the sexy red head was”, Cade said with a wicked grin. He looked around and saw Francie and Grace sitting on the opposite side of Kres’ bed. “Well, make that two sexy red heads and one blonde bombshell.”
“Yep, he gets my vote for Big Sexy”, Francie stated bluntly. “Grace, what’s your vote?”
“Same. He was a lot to view in the dark earlier, but under these harsh hospital lights, it’s almost too much to see at once, you know. He really needs a warning label, but where to put it?” Grace stated this as she made a photo frame box with her fingers, as if she were framing Cade in her memory for later.
“Kill me now”, Kresley mumbled as she leaned her head back against the pillow and closed her eyes. Mortified. That’s what she was. Confused as well. Why was he here?
“So, I’m guessing calling you an asshole wasn’t a deterrent?”, Kresley quietly asked, finally looking up into his gorgeous eyes. She thought she would see irritation there. Maybe resignation. Maybe amusement. But what she saw in his blue eyes was pure concern and a little simmering heat.
“Kresley James Anderson, how dare you call this man an asshole! He’s law enforcement dumbass”, Francie exclaimed from across the room. “Wait, why was he being an asshole. Sorry, no offense Big Sexy, but if my sister called you an asshole, I’m pretty sure you were being one. Do I need to get some shovels for digging your grave?”
Cade ignored Francie for the moment and bent down, caging in Kresley with his arms on either side of her head. “I told you I’d be here, asshole comment or not. I never say something I don’t mean or can’t back up. Wait. Big sexy? Why am I being called Big Sexy? I need introductions Red. I already know Grace over there”, Cade stated to Kres, standing back up, then resting his hip on the edge of her bed and taking her hand in his, looking around at the other women in the room. “Continue, Red’s sister.”
“I’m Francie Anderson, short for Francine. I’m Kresley’s oldest sister. There are two more of us down the line after Kres. And I’m assuming you’re the guy who kissed the mess out of my sister at an active crime scene earlier.” Francie held her hand out to Cade as a greeting. He shook it immediately, winking at her, then Kresley. “Three sisters to keep up with and win over. Got it. And I’m not an asshole, by the way.”
“As Kres told you before, I’m Grace Puckett, Kresley’s assistant and best friend of three years. The youngest sister, Birdie, nicknamed you Big Sexy. I agreed wholeheartedly. One, we didn’t know your name yet. Two, why not? You are big and sexy. Duh. I hold judgement on the asshole comment for now.”
Cade laughed out loud at both women’s introductions, telling them to just call him Cade. He then immediately apologized to Kresley, saying he didn’t think about her head hurting when he laughed. Kres smiled sweetly at him and said it was fine, then proceeded to try pushing him off the bed onto his butt. It wasn’t a lie. Her headache was tolerable. Kresley could see that Cade didn’t give much visual attention to the other women in the room, including the big chested nurse that came in to check Kresley’s vitals. Ms. Nurse, with the too tight scrub top and glossy cherry red lipstick, was trying every trick in the book to get Cade’s attention. He didn’t seem to
