His hand cupped my face. “You have. You have no idea. For the first time in a long time—I have hope.”
“I’m supposed to help you legally.” My mind had turned to mush as his thumb caressed the sensitive skin on my throat.
“Legally?” His lips touched the spot his fingers were a second ago, spreading soft kisses down my neck.
“Uh huh.” I nodded, not sure what I agreed to.
“Maybe I need a different sort of help.” He’d lifted his head and cupped my face with both hands.
Goosebumps popped up on my arms from his touch and the intensity in his eyes. “You do?”
He kissed me, surrounding me with his scent and his touch. The reverent way he touched me with his lips and his fingers—I knew he’d be an attentive lover. I’d give anything to find out.
“You’re fired.” He breathed the words across my lips.
A tingle shot through my body. Then his mouth was on mine again, his hands drifted down my back to my ass, as he lifted me into his lap to straddle him. Our lips never moved from each other’s. I wanted to slide into him—I wanted to get so lost in him I’d never find myself again.
Cade
I let all of the feelings crash through me, filling me up with anger, need, and want. Feelings I hadn’t felt since Caroline died. They were somehow more than before. I was numb for so many years, but now every inch of my skin was alive with want. I wanted to be as close as I could get to the person who’d brought me every emotion to the surface—Hadley.
She rocked her core over my cock, her lips on mine, her needy moans filled the air.
I pulled my lips from hers to breathe. “I need you.”
“Yes.” Her acquiescence filled me with relief. This woman wanted me—not the shell of a man I’d been but who I was now and who I could be if I let her in. Everything hummed through my body, my heart beating like a drum, telling me to let this woman be the one.
I should have asked her if she was sure. I wanted to remind her I was no good for her. I was using her body, her goodness, and her warmth, but I couldn’t. I wanted her more than my next breath. She was my key to healing. I knew it with every breath in my body and the truth rocked me to my soul. I wanted her slick heat around my cock. I wanted to feel her bare skin on mine, but at the same time, I had to slow this down.
I cupped her face, gentling my kisses until it was more exploration than passion. I needed her to know that anything between us was more than one night. I wanted to do this right. I pulled back slightly, brushing her hair out of her face, and tucking a strand behind her ear. Her face was flush, her lips swollen. She’d never looked more beautiful.
“So, what now?” Uncertainty filled her eyes.
“I guess I need to find a new attorney.” I wanted to lighten the moment.
“Avery could represent you at the same fees I quoted you.” Worry and fear settled in her eyes.
She thought I’d hire a new firm. “That’s perfect. I don’t want you to worry about it.”
She moved to sit next to me on the couch, close enough we were still touching from shoulder to thighs.
“I want to take my time with you.” Shifting to stroke the soft skin of her arm, my lips brushed her temple. I breathed in the scent of her shampoo.
Her body melting into mine. “You still can. We have all weekend.”
“We do, don’t we?” For the first time, since Caroline died, I was content. “Let’s go out to dinner.”
“I’d love to.” Looking up at me, her eyes softened as the uncertainty dissipated.
I didn’t want her to think we’d keep this to her apartment—that she was a secret or something I was ashamed of. She was the best decision I’d made in years.
Chapter Sixteen
Hadley
We walked hand-in-hand through the streets of Annapolis. Cade had a small smile on his face and his shoulders were back and relaxed. He’d let go of everything holding him back and he was with me. This morning, I never thought we’d be here. He was just as attentive, focused, and intense as I suspected he’d be, but so much more.
He was so different from anyone I’d dated. He anticipated my wants and needs. He was attentive, focusing on me as if I was important.
Pursuing something with him would be difficult. He’d probably never get over his late wife. I didn’t delude myself into thinking things would be perfect because he’d kissed me. He hadn’t shown any signs of regret. I was going to enjoy every moment I had with him.
“Where do you want to eat?” Cade asked.
“I haven’t been to many places yet, just the bar we ran into you the other night. Do you have a favorite place?” I tensed, wondering if eating out at his favorite place would bring up memories of his late wife.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been there and I’m not sure even sure it’s still open but—”
“I’d love to try it.”
“It’s a place the tourists miss because it’s not on the main drag.” He gestured up Main Street, where most of the tourist-driven shops and restaurants were.
“Sounds perfect.”
He gripped my hand tighter in his.
We passed by the restaurants, shops which faced the water, the small marketplace buzzing with people, and up a narrow side street where the sidewalks were rough with uneven brick. Each house was unique, a different color siding and style of porch, but almost everyone had window boxes or pots of flowers.
It was noticeably quieter here with fewer pedestrians. I peeked down the alleyways to get a glimpse as to what lay behind the houses, finding wrought iron gates, ornate gardens, brick sidewalks, and water fountains. The small historic homes held
