“You could have showed me that at the pool party, but instead you disappeared with Ashton and those girls.” I level him with a disapproving look.
“Come on, baby, don’t be like that.” He runs a hand up my neck and cups my face. “They’re no one to me.”
“And I am?” I lean in slightly, letting my mouth linger close to his jaw.
“You are my prosapia, Mia. Mine.” His fingers dig slightly into my waist.
“Then prove it.” I allow my lips to part as if I’m going to kiss him, but then I pull away and move around him to the car door.
I’m playing with fire, I know that, but I won’t just lie down and take all his games and bullshit. I’m stronger than that—I have to be.
Cade’s laughter follows me as I climb into the car and wait for him. When he slips inside, his eyes drill into mine. “I like this side of you.”
“And what side would that be?”
“Feisty… possessive… jealous.” His brow arches.
I press my lips together and stare straight ahead, letting him think he’s right.
Even if he couldn’t be further from the truth.
After taking me to some fancy restaurant for breakfast, Cade drives me into the woods. For a second, I panic, but then the lake appears, the crystal blue water shimmering in the distance.
“What is this place?” I ask Cade, noticing the lack of other people.
“I like to come here sometimes.” There’s a vulnerability in his voice that surprises me, but I know not to drop my guard where Cade is concerned.
“It’s beautiful,” I say, staring out at the serene sight.
“Come on.” He shoulders the door and climbs out, coming around to my side. I quickly pull out my cell and send Sasha a text.
The door opens and Cade holds his hand out for me. I take it, letting him help me.
“I think I have a blanket back here somewhere.” He pops the trunk and leads me around the back of the car. “Oh look, a basket of goodies too.”
My brows pinch. “A picnic?”
“I don’t know what the fuck Mulligan packed.” He shrugs, and I fight a smile. This is more like the Cade I’m used to.
I grab the blanket and he picks up the hamper, and we walk down to the water’s edge.
“Have you ever done this before?” I ask.
“Is that a serious question? I don’t usually need to work so hard for pussy.”
“Nice,” I hiss.
“Shit, Mia, that’s not… I’m sorry, okay? This is all new for me.”
“Why bother?” I ask, sitting down on the blanket. “You’re going to take what you want anyway.”
“True,” he smirks, “but Q suggested that maybe I need a softer approach with you.”
“So this is all for Quinctus?” Disbelief coats my words.
“It’s for you.” He gives me a sincere look. “I just needed a push in the right direction.”
“You accept everything so easily.”
“This life is all I’ve ever known. All I’ll ever know.”
“Do you miss him? Your dad?”
Cade freezes, his expression darkening. But then it melts away, replaced with sadness. “Yeah, I miss him. He was my dad, you know?”
“For what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”
“I didn’t bring you here to talk about heavy shit, Mia. I thought we could spend some time away from Q and the Electi and all that stuff. Just you and me.” He stretches out on his front and leans up, cupping my jaw in his big hand. “You are so fucking beautiful.” His mouth fixes over mine and I’m paralyzed, afraid to breathe. I don’t want to let him kiss me, but I don’t have a choice.
His tongue parts my lips, coaxing me into the kiss. I stuff down all my feelings for Bexley and detach myself. This isn’t that Mia, the Mia falling for a boy she can never have.
This is the other Mia, hardened by lies and secrets.
I open up for him, letting my tongue meet his in a slow, sensual kiss. My body stirs to life despite the repulsion coursing through me. It’s destabilizing.
Pressing my hands to his chest, I inhale a shaky breath. “Let’s see what’s in the basket.”
Cade drops his head to my shoulder and lets out a frustrated breath. “You can’t avoid me forever, Mia.”
“Not avoiding,” I say, “just hitting pause. This is a lot to digest, Cade. You’re a lot.”
“I’m trying here.”
God, he’s delusional, but I don’t want to start a fight.
I unpack the hamper. It’s full of baked goods and fruit, and there’s sparkling water. “Mulligan did good,” I say, helping myself to a cookie.
Cade watches me savor every bite before pouncing on me. He pushes me down underneath him, staring down at me with hungry eyes. “I’m growing real tired of waiting, Mia.”
Fear trickles through me. Gone is the guy who was trying, replaced by the monster who takes and takes and takes.
“The Coglio—”
“Is a formality. You gave it up to that fucker Bexley, so you’re already tainted. I think it’s time I got a taste of the pussy I’ll be tied to… forever.”
My walls crumble as I tremble beneath him. “Not here,” I say, desperate to hear the bleep of my cell. Something—anything—to distract him. “Not like this,” I add.
Cade bares his teeth like a predator about to attack his prey. He leans in, running his nose along my jaw. “Tell me one good reason why I shouldn’t just fuck you right here, right now.” He grinds into me, showing me exactly how ready he is.
“Because despite what you say, I think tradition is important to you.” I look him dead in the eye, hoping he can’t see the fear there.
“Does this feel like tradition is important to me?” He claws at my skirt, pushing his hand underneath the layers and finding my panties.
“Cade—” The words die in my throat as he pushes his fingers inside me roughly.
Tears gather in the corners of my eyes, but I swallow them down.
“You’re mine, Mia,” he whispers darkly against the corner of my mouth. “Mine to
