Kade (8 page)

******

The rest of the week goes by quickly and drama free. I’m so thankful it’s the weekend. I can relax, maybe read a book. The house is quiet for the most part. I’m surprised there haven’t been anymore parties. Hell, after everything Layla said, I’m shocked I haven’t seen James come home with any women.

I’m running on the treadmill in the gym when Ashley walks in. This girl has been the bane of my existence for a while now, and she comes over a fair bit. She also acts like she owns the house, and it really pisses me off. She has absolutely no shame whatsoever, and I know she wants Kade. The way she acts around him is completely different to the side she shows me. Chase told her to get the fuck out but she is still always here. The girl is an A grade bitch. I’m not going to lie, I am jealous of how close Kade and her are. Why? He doesn’t have any other female friends. The whole thing confuses me. What makes me frustrated is Kade thinks she walks on fucking sunshine.

“You should probably run for an extra hour, you need it,” she grates.

We all know that's a lie. I’m petite and nicely shaped, still curvy. The reason I work out is for fitness and strength. Ignoring her, I jump off the treadmill and grab my iPod off the table. Looks like I’m going to need it to drown out little miss bitch over there. ‘Don’t You be Scared’ by Trey Song comes on.

I'ma keep it real

a lot of women in my phone

But I'ma be for real

you're the only one I want

I ain't telling lies, like I'm tryin' to settle down

You probably heard I get around

I scoff, boy does he get around. Seriously, why do I relate everything back to Kade? I skip songs and next it lands on Samantha Jade ‘What You’ve Done to Me.’ Ah yes, nothing like some Aussie music.

I used to be so in control

No one could ever touch me

I'd tell myself I'd never fallA

nd nobody would catch me

Yeah, I can’t catch a break. I pull my earphones out.

******

I finish up my workout, and head into the kitchen.

“Kade, you told me you'd take me shopping!” Ashley whines. Her voice just pisses me off. She still has some faint bruising on her face from when I punched her out, which she’s tried to cover up.

“I’ve got some work to do, Ashley, but we can go after, okay?” Kade placates her.

Why? He doesn’t even baby Layla that much, and he freaking adores Layla.

Ashley pouts, “Fine. I’m going to sunbathe on the deck. She rips her already mini dress over her head right in front of Kade, basically shoving her small breasts in his face. She poses for a few moments before she walks outside in her pink bikini, giving me an evil look on the way out. Kade, oblivious as usual, gives me a smile in greeting. He opens the fridge and gives me a water bottle before I get the chance to get it myself.

“Thanks,” I mumble, taking a huge gulp of water.

“Wanna come shopping later?” Kade asks once I’ve finished drinking.

“Fuck, no,” I scoff. Kade’s eyes narrow.

“Why?” he asks, confused. He really has no idea.

“I just have a few things to do,” I say vaguely, then mumble under my breath, “Like I would go anywhere with her.” He searches my eyes for a minute before nodding, obviously not hearing my mumbled words. He knows we don’t like each other; I’m not sure why he insists on us getting along. It would never work.

“Okay, I’m gonna try get some work done,” he sighs. Kade is graduating soon. He has a heap of work he needs to get done. He playfully grabs my ass as he passes me, taking his hand back just in time to avoid my playful slap.

“Hands off the merchandise, buddy,” I say playfully.

He shakes his head and chuckles, retreating to his room, which is now the master bedroom.

As soon as he is out of view I see Ashley standing at the door staring daggers at me.

“He'll never be yours,” she spits out, her nails curled into her palms.

“Fuck you, Ashley,” I say in a saccharine tone before I head into the bathroom for a shower.

******

After Kade and Ashley depart, I hang out with James. He's been gone a lot more lately, and he's being very tight-lipped about it. I’m playing the new Tomb Raider game on PS3, and James is sitting beside me and laughing his ass off every time I scream and throw the controller. It’s not my fault that people and animals jump out of nowhere! He also finds my frequent cursing amusing, and laughs harder with each creative swear word. About an hour later Kade and Ashley walk in just as James and I had changed the game to Call of Duty. With one glance, I can tell she’s drunk. She’s clinging onto Kade and using him for support.

“Just gonna get her into bed,” Kade mumbles as he walks by us. Seriously? Which bed would that be? I’m having an Aubrey and Chase flashback.

Kade comes back a few minutes later. “Where did you put her?” I ask curiously.

“In my bed. Listen, Nikki, don’t get mad, but can I sleep with you tonight? I’ll keep my hands to myself, I swear.”

Shit, do I possess that much self-control? Him that close... All night long... Hmm. Shit. But the other option is him sleeping with Ashley.

“Yeah, that’s fine, as long as you don’t sleep naked,” I huff.

Kade chuckles, walking out of the room.

“So, James. You never did tell me the story between you and Sasha,” I say.

“I know,” James says with a grin.

“Care to elaborate?” I ask hopefully.

“Nope,” he answers, popping the P.

“You suck,” I grumble, making James laugh.

“Fine, I’ll just ask Sasha,” I pout.

“Just leave it alone, Nikki,” James mumbles, shaking his head.

“Don’t worry, she wouldn’t tell me anyway. We get along, barely, and only because of Layla.” I smile at him.

James frowns. “I am sensing a story here.”

I smile. “Oh, you know, we may have got into it once or twice, back in the day.”

“Care to explain it in detail?” James says, looking almost interested all of a sudden.

“No way. You give a little, you get a little. And you haven’t given me anything!” I grumble.

James just chuckles. Infuriating man.

We finish up the game and I head into my room, noticing Kade is already in my bed. He's sitting, propped up by my pillows, his hands crossed behind his head. His chest is bare. He's fucking gorgeous. He looks a little ridiculous against my pink bed sheets though. I grab my stuff to go into the bathroom to change. “You can change here, you know, I’ve seen it all before anyway,” Kade says, smirking.

I roll my eyes and head into the bathroom. When I come out dressed in my pajamas, I set the ground rules. “Okay, no cuddling, no copping any feels, stay on your own side, and keep the underwear on!”

“Can’t promise what I’ll do in my sleep,” he says with a cheeky grin.

I can’t either.

I crawl into bed and turn out the light. I can hear his breathing, smell his delicious scent. That alone gets my heart racing. How am I supposed to sleep with him right next to me?

“Night, Nikki,” he says quietly.

“Night,” I mumble back.

A few moments later I hear his breathing even out, and know he's asleep.

An hour or so later, I do the same.

Chapter Fifteen

I wake up in the middle of the night to find Kade cuddling me. God, this feels nice. My body fits snuggly into his. I should probably move over a bit, but I can’t help but savor the moment. I drift back to sleep moments later.

I wake up a few hours later, and the first thing I notice is that Kade isn’t in the room. I’m disappointed, but shake it off. I can hear raised voices out in the kitchen. Ashley and Kade, guess the bitch is still here.

“She’s just going to hurt you, Kade. Why couldn’t you have slept with me? You always did before
she
came into the picture. Do you really want to be with someone so insecure you have to cut out your friends? The real people who care about you?” Ashley says snidely.

“Ashley, knock it off. You don’t need to worry about me, okay, I’m a fucking man and I can take care of myself!” Kade counters in a steady tone. "She also never told me I couldn't sleep with you, that was my decision. Given the choice, Ashley, I'd choose to sleep with her. I love you like a sister, you know that. You also know I'd do anything to get close to Nikki,” Kade says patiently. His words stir something inside me.

“What would Damon say? Think he would like Nikki?” Ashley spits out.

Who
is Damon?

“Don’t bring Damon into this, Ashley. But yes, I know he would. Hell, he would probably want her too,” Kade says.

“Right, I don’t see what’s so special about her. Big deal, she puts out. If that’s all you’re looking for, you could just come to me!”

“What the hell, Ashley?” Kade says in a shocked tone.

“Joking, Kade, joking.” She was so not joking.

I stop eavesdropping and jump into the shower. Kade is a great guy and all, but when it comes to Ashley, he’s fucking stupid.

Blinded.

******

I reluctantly get out of the shower, and get ready for work. I dress in a grey high-waisted skirt, a black blouse, and a red pair of pumps. I check myself out in the full length mirror, pulling my hair up into a bun. I’m about to leave when there is a knock at my door. I open it, and am surprised to come face to face with Ashley.

"What do you want?” I demand.

"Leave Kade alone. If you don’t, I'll make your life a living hell, and I'll make sure that in the end Kade hates you. He'll never choose you over me." With that she flaunts away and I hear the front door slam.

God, I hate her, I wish I could slam her face into the wall. I play me doing just that in my head, and it makes me feel slightly better.

******

Kade, James, and I decide to have a games night. All three of us are around the pool table, in various states of undress. Kade had the bright idea to make it strip pool, and each time you lose a game you need to take off two items of clothing. I’m down to my bra and panties, and I’m not missing the glances both men are giving me. Totally checking me out. Kade shoots James a glare every so often when he catches him staring at me, which makes me laugh each time. I end up winning my game against Kade although I'm pretty sure he let me win so I wouldn’t have to strip down to my birthday suit in front of James. James shakes his head, which makes me think he knew Kade threw the game, too. I stifle a giggle. I watch as Kade removes two items of clothing, his shorts and his shoes. He's down to just a pair of boxer shorts, and he looks delicious. I really hope Kade loses the next game because I wouldn’t mind a sneak peak at that huge dick, and his ass is to die for, too. James and Kade play off, and I watch the game intently. James has a pair of basketball shorts on and nothing else. I have to say- his body is pretty damn fine. Kade growls and I pretend I’m looking at something else. Busted! They're both on the black ball and I’m rubbing my hands together gleefully. I’m totally seeing a fine naked man in about thirty seconds. When James sinks the black ball, I laugh.

“Woot! Let’s see that ass, Kade!” I yell.

James laughs and scoffs, “I really don’t want to see my brother’s ass, later.”

He takes off just as Kade is dropping his boxer shorts. I stare, a lot longer than I should.

“See something you like, beautiful?” he says in an amused tone.

“Hell yeah! The most perfect ass in history!” I exclaim.

He laughs. “I’m sure that’s not all.”

“Of course not. You also have the biggest dick I’ve ever seen.” I say cheekily. “Hits the right spot every damn time.” I grin and then walk out. I hear Kade groan.

Game night was fun!

Chapter Sixteen

Layla and I are meeting up for lunch. She's starting to realize that what I told her about Kade and me was extremely vague, and I think it’s time I finally told her everything. I’m dreading it because I know her. She’ll try and push us together even more and I don’t know if I’m ready yet.

I pull up to a small café that we decided to meet at. I’m dressed casually in a pair of worn jeans and a tank top. My hair is piled on top of my head in a messy bun.

I don’t see Layla outside, but I do see her car, so I know she's inside waiting for me. I walk in and spot her instantly, sitting in a booth in the back, her eyes glued to her Kindle. The woman is a book nerd.

“Hey.” I smile at her, taking the opposite seat.

“Hey, you! I already ordered for us. I got you your favorite burger and fries,” she says with a grin.

“Awesome, thanks!” I also notice she got me a smoothie. I take a sip and moan. My favorite- strawberry banana. “You even got my favorite drink.” I beam.

She smiles up at me. “Of course I did.”

Our food comes minutes later, and she gets straight to the point. “So, I know there is more to this whole Kade thing. Spill it now, or I’m taking the smoothie.”

I grip my smoothie and sigh. I start from the beginning, and tell her everything. When I’m done she just grins. “This is perfect! Kade is perfect for you, and you are perfect for him.” She giggles and claps her hand. She acts like she’s five sometimes. I shake my head.

“It’s not that, I just don’t want to get hurt again,” I tell her, staring down at my food.

“Nikki, I’ve seen the way Kade looks at you. That man has it bad! And he's not Ben,” Layla says, tapping her hand on mine comfortingly.

“I know, but it’s hard, trusting him and all,” I mumble in reply.

“Kade would never hurt you or do what Ben did. And trust me, if he did, it wouldn’t be just Ryder punching him out. James loves you like a sister, as does Chase. Plus it would hurt me if he hurt you. All three men would whip his ass.”

I groan. “He has a nice ass.”

She chuckles. “I know.” With that we both burst out laughing.

After we eat, we decide to call up the boys and see if they wanted to come shopping with us. James and Kade both agree. I am so surprised. We thought they would say no. Oh well, they can carry all our bags.