Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Oaklee
The moment his mouth meets mine, the fogginess in my brain clears and my body fires to life. Warmth spreads through me, and I’m not certain if it’s from the alcohol or the way his hand is sliding down my side. It’s a heady feeling, one I’ve never had from a kiss.
How sad is that?
All those years I spent with Lance, and we were basically just going through the motions.
No, it wasn’t always bad, but it became stale at some point in time and neither of us rectified the situation properly.
Six years together was too long. I know that now.
But it was comfortable and familiar and everything I lacked growing up.
He didn’t always treat me like crap, just a distant second to whatever it was he wanted or needed.
Okay, fine.
He treated me like crap.
But now isn’t the time to dwell on past mistakes, because there’s an incredibly gorgeous man kissing me, making me feel alive for the first time in a very long time. Something told me kissing him would be life-changing, and after only a few seconds, I’m proved correct.
I place my palm against his chest and can feel the rapid beating of his heart beneath my palm.
I’m sure it mirrors my own. His body is hard, a testament to the work he does and what I assume is also a workout regimen.
I know he runs, but it’s clear weights are involved too.
No man I’ve ever touched has been this muscular, and while a strong physique isn’t top of my priority list when looking for a man, now that I’ve felt Cade’s chest, it appears to be inching closer to the top.
His mouth moves, his tongue slips between the seam of my lips and delves inside. He tastes faintly like beer, but it doesn’t bother me. All I want is to experience more, because if the kissing is this good, the rest has to be on a whole new level.
I’m not sure how long we lie here, kissing, but it feels like a lifetime.
Yet, only a few seconds all the same. Our hands stay where they are, not moving to cop a feel in any way.
It’s hard, even when I want to explore his body like Magellan, but this isn’t the right time.
Not when we’re surrounded by people and inside a small tent.
Finally, he pulls back and sighs. His warm breath fans across my face, and when I open my eyes, I spot the faint smile on his lips.
“Cade?” I whisper as he presses a gentle kiss to the corner of my mouth.
“Yes?”
“I’m not kissing you because I’m a little tipsy.”
I feel his lips turn into a full-blown smile as he brushes them across my jaw. “And I’m not kissing you because you’re a little tipsy.”
I exhale and turn into his neck. I can smell the burnt wood on his skin. I never thought the scent of a bonfire could be so damn sexy, but it is. Smelling it on him might be one of my favorite scents ever.
“Sleep, beautiful,” he murmurs softly, slipping his arm beneath my neck and drawing me close.
“I had the best time today.” I know I’ve said it before, but it needs to be said again. Today was…amazing.
“Me too,” he agrees, placing a gentle kiss to my forehead.
I feel myself starting to drift, even as I replay the entire day’s worth of activities through my head. It’s the distant sound of laughter outside the tent and his slow breathing that lulls me to sleep.
* * *
“Time to wake up.”
I feel lips press against my forehead as I slowly open my eyes.
“Here,” Cade says, looking every bit as bright-eyed and bushy-tailed as I’ve ever seen. He’s definitely an early riser. Not that I’m not, but usually after a night of drinking, I prefer to sleep in and relax the day away.
Unfortunately, that’s not in the cards for me. First off, I slept in a tent last night on someone else’s property. I don’t have the luxury of sleeping in until I get hungry or need a little caffeine jolt.
But then something hits my nose…
“What’s this?” I ask, slowly sitting up and taking the drink offered.
“Just a simple good morning.” He flashes an easy, wide grin, as if he didn’t just run out and order coffee from the shop in town for me.
I take a sip, and of course, it’s something I would order. “Thank you.”
I look at him through my lashes, taking in his appearance.
He’s freshly showered and changed, his teeth are brushed, and he shows no signs of drinking the night before or sleeping outside.
I, on the other hand, am the exact opposite.
I slept on the ground, in yesterday’s clothes, and my breath smells like something died in my mouth.
I’m wearing yesterday’s makeup all over my eyes, no doubt making me a winner in a racoon impersonation contest.
I sip my sweet coffee, wishing more than anything I had a toothbrush right now, but thankful I do have something to help rinse away some of the grossness. “You ran out and got this for me?” I ask, running my hand across my forehead and pushing my hair back.
He shrugs. “I know how much you like them.”
“I do. Thank you,” I repeat, grateful for the caffeine. Glancing around, I ask, “What time is it?”
“About eight. Everyone else is still sleeping, I think,” he says. “It’s been quiet since I woke up at five.”
My eyes widen a little. “You’ve been up since five?”
He just casually lifts a shoulder. “Five is sleeping in.”
“You’re nuts,” I tell him with a chuckle.
“A little, yeah,” he replies with a laugh. “So, big plans today?”
I shake my head before taking another sip of the soothing cup of Joe. “I need to mow,” I tell him.
“Want some help?”
An eyebrow shoots toward my hairline. “You want to help me mow? Like walk beside me and help me push?”
He flashes me one of his charming little grins. “If that’s what you want to do.”
“That’s silly,” I confirm, shaking my head at the ridiculous picture.
“Probably, but I’d still do it if you wanted.”
I shake my head. “What about lunch instead?”
“Deal. Ever shoot pool?”
I nod. “A little. I’m not any good though.”
“Well, I’m practically a professional, and I’d be happy to show you a few tricks I’ve picked up over the years,” he suggests.
“You want to show me how to use your stick?” I watch him over the top of my coffee and almost laugh out loud when my words hit him.
He barks out a laugh and shakes his head.
“My stick is your stick, beautiful. Anytime you want to use it, it’s yours.
” He winks before turning his attention to the tent.
“I know it’s early, but Wyatt’s already out there, stoking the fire.
We usually make breakfast for everyone before we start tearing down the tents. ”
“What’s for breakfast?”
“A little bit of everything. We use a big cast iron pan and make a mixture of eggs, bacon, sausage, and cheese. And Wyatt also makes campfire French toast.”
My stomach growls at the mention of such delicious food, making me blush. “Sounds good. Can I help?”
“Nope, but you can sit in the chair beside me and watch the magic happen,” he replies, reaching down and grabbing a bag. “It’ll probably swim on you, but I grabbed some clothes so you didn’t feel like you were stuck in yesterday’s stuff. After we eat, you can head home and get ready.”
“I’ll help tear down the tent,” I insist, wanting to be part of it for some reason. Despite needing a shower and a toothbrush, I can’t help but feel like one of the group when I’m with them.
He watches me for a few seconds before nodding. “All right. Go ahead and throw on the clothes and then come out to the fire. I’ll have your chair ready to go.”
I watch as he slips out of the tent, zipping it closed behind him and leaving me alone.
I can hear movement outside and the murmur of voices, letting me know Cade isn’t the only one up.
I’m sure Wyatt is out there too, and they’re preparing to make breakfast for those who are still here this morning.
Retrieving the small duffel bag he set beside me, I open the zipper and glance inside.
There’s a gray crewneck sweatshirt on top, and as I pull it from the bag, I can’t help but bring it to my face and inhale.
It smells like him, despite the scent of detergent on the material.
There’s a faint scent of Cade clinging to the fabric, and it brings a smile to my face.
I replace yesterday’s shirt with the sweatshirt Cade brought me and also find a pair of joggers in the bag.
They’re black and will no doubt swim on me, but the thought of getting out of my jeans is very enticing.
So, I go ahead and shimmy out of them and slip on Cade’s.
As expected, they’re huge, but since they have a drawstring in the waist, I’m able to cinch them closed as best I can.
The last thing in the bag is a ball cap.
It’s black with a black leather emblem on the front of the Marines emblem.
It looks worn, but in good shape. It also smells of Cade.
Wishing I had a brush or comb to work through the tangles in my hair, I end up pulling it back, adjust the strap on the hat, and slip the hat on my head.
Once it’s in place, I push the hair through the hole in the back and let it hang down.
I’m sure I look completely ridiculous in his oversized clothes, but I’ve never felt so comfortable.
I shove the clothes I took off into his duffel.
I find my cell phone and turn on the camera, horrified at what I see.
I don’t wear a lot of makeup, but what I do wear is exactly as I expected.
It’s smudged beneath my eyes, and without a make-up wipe or water, there’s no way for me to remove it.
I try, however, retrieving the sleeve of my shirt and gently rubbing beneath my eyes to eliminate as much as I can.
It’s not perfect, but it’s better than it was before, which’ll have to do for now.
Then, I grab my coffee and exit the tent.