CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Blair
The sun’s peeking through the break in my curtains the next time I wake, and I smile as I stretch, my body aching for all the right reasons.
I don’t think I’ve come that hard since I was last with Zane.
Just my hand on his pierced cock did things to my body that I’ve never experienced before.
I may have had Zane’s fingers working me into a frenzy, but I could imagine the way his cock would tear me apart, and if I’d been allowed to scream, the whole building would have heard me.
“It turns out piercings do increase the pleasure.” I roll over to find Zane’s side of the bed empty and cold. But instead of the hurt I’d expect to feel, I can’t help but laugh.
Cade is going to blow a gasket over this, and I can’t wait.
After stretching my body again, I rest my hand between my legs, smiling at the memory of Zane’s fingers inside me.
Just like when we were younger, that man has the ability to blow my mind and make me swoon all in one go, but I didn’t expect the emotion to come flowing back so quickly, like we never even parted ways.
Movement around the apartment pulls me from my Zane bubble, and I drag myself out of bed, biting my lip as a burning sensation lights up my core.
Nathan and I had sex. At least we used to when we were back in Florida, but he never pushed me to my limits like Zane.
And he only used his fingers.
I once again imagine his cock buried deep inside me, and the burn turns to longing as my legs clench.
There’s no doubt that my body wants him; I just have to let my heart run wild.
I have to stop thinking about what’s done, or what could have been, and focus on how I feel.
Because if I do, I bet I’ll come to realize I never stopped loving him.
“Leave her alone, Cade,” Jenna calls out, drawing my attention while I frown. Is she talking about me?
Wrapping my robe around my shoulders, I open my door and find Cade staring back at me, his arms folded over his chest, a glare marring his features.
“What’s that look for?” I roll my eyes, crossing my arms to match his stance.
“You know what it’s for.”
“I really don’t.”
“Where’s Zane?”
A laugh escapes me but I stifle it when he groans. “Oh, stop. I’m an adult now, Cade. You can drop the overbearing big brother act.”
“It’s not an act.”
“Sadly, I know that.”
“Well then, you must also know that I’m not going to stop caring about you. I know Zane was here when we got home. Did he spend the night in your room?”
I consider his question for a beat. My answer could go either way, and I want to make sure I give the response that’s going to piss him off the most. “He did, but he’s not here now.”
“What do you mean he’s not here? What time did he leave?”
“I don’t know. I was sleeping.”
“You were sleeping? Did that fucker sneak out?”
“I wouldn’t put it that way.”
“Why couldn’t he wait until you woke up?”
For someone that constantly complained about missing his best friend and told me I should have talked to him when he was in Jacksonville after the hospital, he’s sure quick to change his mind. And now I’m the one that’s pissed off.
“It’s a Monday, Cade. Don’t football teams practice or work out on Mondays?”
“Most do, yes. But most also expect their players to travel home with the team after the Sunday game, and that didn’t seem to bother him. He could have stayed.”
“Aww. Do you miss him?” Jenna teases and he redirects his glare. “Is that what this is about?”
I burst out laughing while Cade huffs in annoyance. “No. This is about Blair.”
“And I’m fine. I don’t know why you’re getting so worked up about this. I thought you wanted Zane and me to talk. I thought you wanted him back in our lives?”
“I did. I do. But that was before he slept in your room and snuck out ahead of sunrise.”
“You’re being ridiculous.” I walk back into my room and Jenna follows, slamming the door in Cade’s face when he tries to come in.
“I’m calling Dad,” he yells out from the other side of the threshold, but I ignore him. We both know he’d never talk to Dad about this stuff. Mom maybe, but Dad, no. I have way more on him than he has on me.
“So.” Jenna lifts herself onto the desk in my borrowed room and crosses her ankles, swinging her legs in what appears to be giddy anticipation. “Did you two work things out?”
“We had a good talk, yes.” I school my features, trying hard not to give anything away.
“Talk?”
“Yep.”
“Was he talking while his dick was inside you?”
“Jenna!” My cheeks heat, giving the impression that I’m guilty even though that delicious appendage was nowhere near my pussy. Okay, it was close, but it wasn’t inside me and that difference is important.
“Sorry.” Jenna bites back her smile. “I just want the best for my girl.”
“And having sex with Zane shortly after breaking up with Nathan is what’s best for me?”
“Hell, yes! Did that not happen? I could have sworn I heard groaning.” She purses her lips and turns away, lost in thought. “Maybe it was Cade?”
“Ew, don’t make me picture that.”
“It must have been him if it wasn’t Zane.”
“It was Zane, dammit.” I cover my face with my hands and groan as she celebrates.
“I knew it. Was it good?”
Peering through my fingers, I cringe, preempting her reaction. “We didn’t have sex.”
“What?” She does a double take, her jaw dropping to the floor.
“God, you’re dramatic sometimes.” I laugh before sucking in a breath to tell her the truth. “He… ahhh…”
“Ate your pussy?”
“Jesus, no.”
“Jesus, no? Please tell me he at least fucked you with his fingers and the groaning wasn’t just a reaction to a hot make-out session.”
“Ugh. If you must know, there were hands and fingers involved. With both of us getting a happy ending.”
“Yes! I want details.”
“No.”
“Why?” Her face scrunches. She’s so confused it makes me giggle. “I give you details.”
“Do I ask for them?”
“No.” She frowns. “Not usually. Why is that?” Her head tilts, and she stares at me with intrigue.
“Because not everyone likes to talk about that stuff.”
“That stuff being life? Talking about sex shouldn’t be any different than talking about the weather.”
“Maybe not, but it is.”
“I don’t want to hear about your sex life, Little B,” Cade calls out before a loud thump echoes through the room, and I imagine him banging his head against the wall.
“Go away, Cade.”
“This apartment isn’t that big; please remember that.”
Cade’s complaint grows distant as he walks away, and when the front door slams, Jenna and I burst out laughing.
“In all seriousness, was he good to you?” she asks, her expression turning almost motherly.
“He was. That’s always been consistent with Zane. I’ve never had to question that.”
“But he left without telling you? Did he leave you a note?”
“No, but honestly, I don’t mind. He shouldn’t have even been here. He was supposed to fly home with his team last night. I’m sure I’ll hear from him later.”
“Good, because as much as I like him, I need you to remember why you broke up with Nathan. Communication is key.”
I internally cringe. What am I doing? “Zane and I aren’t a couple, Jenna.”
“Not yet.” She bounces her eyebrows and I roll my eyes.
We can’t be a couple. I just split up from my long-term boyfriend. That would be crazy…
Right?
I’m halfway through breakfast when Cade comes back, his face red, sweat pooling on his forehead.
“Jesus, where did you go? The sauna?”
“I went for a run.”
“In jeans?” My eyes widen at the thought and he scoffs.
“It’s what I was wearing. I needed to clear my head, and I couldn’t risk seeing you again before I did.”
“Do we need to talk about the birds and bees? When a woman hits maturity, she needs certain things and—”
“Fuck. Stop.” He covers his ears. “I’m not in denial about you having sex, Blair. Although I wish you’d have waited until you were thirty like I asked you to all those years ago. I’m worried because you just broke up with your boyfriend, and I’m not sure you’re thinking clearly.”
“Are you referring to the boyfriend you hated? Because I would have thought you’d be over the moon about me ending things and quickly moving on.”
“I didn’t hate him.”
With my arms folded over my chest, I lean back in my chair and stare at him unmoving. There’s no way I can dignify that bullshit with a response. Not unless my response is my knee in his balls.
“Okay. Okay.” He holds his arms up in surrender. “I hated him. But I tried really hard to be civil.”
“When?”
“At Christmas and birthdays.”
“You refused to speak to him. You avoided him like the plague.”
“That was me being civil, Blair. If I had my way, we would have spent all of those events with my fist pounding his face. There are some things you don’t—”
I groan, jamming my palms into my eye sockets, hoping he’ll stop. We’ve had this argument so many times, I honestly don’t know why I brought it up again.
“That part of my life is over, so it’s time to move on. But—”
“Good. You de—”
“But,” I interrupt Cade when he interrupts me.
“He was your pass. Your only pass. If you ever treat another one of my boyfriends the way you treated him, I will cut you off completely. You said you hated the distance between us when I started dating Nathan. Well, that will be nothing compared to the distance you feel when I refuse to speak to you again.”
Cade blinks a few times before he frowns. “Boyfriends? Multiple?”
“Are you serious right now?” I huff out an incredulous laugh as Jenna joins us in the kitchen.
“You’re digging a pretty big hole there, Stevens,” she says, patting Cade on the back. “I think you should just agree and zip those pretty lips of yours.”
“My lips aren’t pretty.”
“Not the point.”
I groan again and quickly shove a spoonful of oatmeal in my mouth so I don’t say anything I’ll regret. Cade’s always been protective, but he’s never usually this obnoxious.
“Just be careful with Zane. Please. He’s not the same guy he was before he left. Before the accident. I do want the two of you to sort your shit out, but jumping into bed with him is something else entirely.”
“I didn’t—”
“He left without saying goodbye, Blair. He’s—”
My phone buzzes on the counter, drawing our eyes, and when it’s Zane’s name lighting up my screen, Jenna snorts while a giddy warmth takes over me.
“What were you saying, Cade?” I arch a brow, biting back my grin.
“You make it sound like I wanted him to be an asshole. I’m glad he texted. The Zane I once knew never would have ghosted any of us. But we don’t know him anymore. I just want you to be careful.”
“Awww.” Jenna fawns while I smile in appreciation.
“I will. I promise. There’s no me and Zane. Like you said, I just ended a relationship.”
“Get back on a horse, I say.” Jenna bounces her eyebrows as Cade rushes to give his opinion.
“Take your time.” He shoots Jenna another glare. “You’re young. There’s nothing wrong with being single for a while.”
“I know. Thanks for looking out for me, Cade. But next time, remember I’m capable of making my own decisions. And if I fuck up, it’s on me.”
“Okay.” His face contorts uncomfortably. “Okay.”
“Good. I’m glad we got that sorted.” Jenna heads over to the fridge, grabbing the orange juice and pouring herself a glass. “Cade, can I get your help in my bedroom? There’s a spider that needs removing.”
Cade rolls his eyes but jumps up from his chair. “Lead the way.” He motions toward the hallway.
I frown as Jenna walks past. She’s not scared of spiders; we had that conversation when we found a nasty looking thing on her balcony last week.
Seeing my confusion, she squeezes my arm and winks before pointing to my phone. “You’re now free to enjoy your oatmeal in peace.” She mimes texting with her hand as her wide eyes bore into mine.
“Thanks, Jenna. I will.”
The second they’re gone, I reach for my phone, opening Zane’s message as fast as I can.
ZANE: Morning beautiful. You looked too peaceful to wake but now I’m regretting it. Why the fuck do you live so far away?
A laugh bursts out of me and I cover my mouth to stifle the noise.
I shouldn’t want him, but God, he makes it impossibly hard not to.
He always has.