Lucky Break (12 page)

Kade reached around her and opened her door. Then, before he lost all his sense and followed her inside, he walked away. She didn’t think he wanted her? He’d be damn sure to show her how untrue that was.

“I want you, too,” she said, the barest of whispers slipping out of her mouth.

Kade froze in his tracks. This wasn’t how he was supposed to do this—how he dreamed of her admitting something like this: drunk and after their fight—but there was no way he could walk away from her after she’d said that.

“I shouldn’t… I know I shouldn’t, since I’m leaving soon, but I do. I missed you so much, Kade, and being around you has made me realize how much I care about you. I just…I don’t know…” Her voice shook. Sidney tried to turn and run away, but he walked back to her and grabbed her hand.

He couldn’t stop himself from saving her. “Do you know how it makes me feel to hear you say that, Peaches?” He probably should say more, but he couldn’t.

It wasn’t promises. It wasn’t even big declarations, but it was the truth. That’s all he wanted—to know where things stood. She’d still leave soon, but this need he felt wasn’t one-sided. She cared about him, and that counted for something.

Kade turned back, pulled her to him, and held her while she cried.

Chapter Seven

Her brain rattled around in her skull. Sidney rolled over with the hope that in a different position, her head wouldn’t pound so hard.

It didn’t work. She got a few seconds’ reprieve, but then it started banging again.

“Arg!” She groaned. Her mouth was dry and she desperately needed water. What was wrong with her? Had she caught a cold?

Sidney grabbed the pillow and pulled it over her head. Flashes of the night before started to make a bigger picture in her head. She’d gotten drunk. She wasn’t the type to let herself drink too much, not since high school. There had been alcohol, laughing, dancing. And Kade.

All the gruesome details came back to her. “Oh God…”

Bang, bang, bang!
Her brain rocked around again.

That wasn’t her brain, though—it was the front door. She rolled over to look at the clock. Who would be pounding on her door at seven thirty in the morning? They’d finished working on Lucky’s yesterday.

When the annoying banging continued, she realized her caller didn’t plan to go away. Sidney pushed herself out of bed. First she intended to kill whoever was at her door. Then she’d drown herself in coffee and Tylenol.

She only wore a pair of panties and a cami, so she grabbed a robe out of her closet and stomped to the front door. Stupid, obsessive, early birds who knocked on her door too early.

Sidney unlocked the door and ripped it open. “What the hell—” When her eyes found Kade, she lowered her voice. “Do…you…want…” She didn’t know why, but he was the last person she expected.

“Hung-over?”

“Maybe.”

“Good.” He had a half-grin on his face as he handed her a water bottle, which she opened and downed. Sometimes Kade’s need to take care of people came in handy.

“Thanks. Listen, about last—”

“Are you still drunk?”

O-
kay
? Obviously he didn’t want to hear what she had to say. Maybe things were worse than she thought. Had she done—
wait.
She’d given Kade a hard time about
wanting her
. Why would she do that? It wasn’t like she wanted him.

“No?” she creaked out. Part of her wanted to lie and say yes in the hopes he would take pity on her and walk away.

“Good. It’s time we talked for real.” Kade stepped around her and into the house. Nerves went wild inside her, but Sidney ignored them and closed the door.

She was curious to know what he wanted to talk about, but the thought scared her, too. Talking made it real, and it was much easier for her to pretend or completely ignore things altogether.

Obviously Drunk Sidney hadn’t agreed, because she’s pretty sure that’s what got this whole ball rolling.

Or maybe it was inevitable, and she just didn’t want to admit it.

Kade started toward the living room, but stopped when she said, “Kitchen. If we’re doing this, I need my coffee first. Can I fix you a cup?”

He declined wordlessly with the corners of his mouth slightly turned down and a lazy lift of his hand. For some reason, Sidney found this casual gesture irresistibly sexy. Shrugging, she turned and headed straight for the coffee pot. The chair squeaked as Kade pulled it out. Neither of them spoke as she fixed her drink—she’d been too drunk last night to remember to prepare it ahead of time.

Cracked coffee mug in hand, she joined Kade at the table. He looked fresh and awake, bright-eyed. He wore a dark T-shirt that hugged his muscles and a pair of faded blue jeans.

Sidney blew in her coffee before taking a sip. “I’m sorry for fighting with you last night. I don’t know what came over me.”

“It was a long time in coming, Peaches. We’ve been tip-toeing around too much, ever since you got here. History isn’t what we have to deal with anymore. That kiss we shared proves the present deserves just as much attention.”

She shivered. They’d kissed. She remembered it now—little flashes of memories played through her brain. Their fight, she’d brought up his child—who wasn’t really his child. The relief she felt that Kade didn’t share that with someone else. It was a selfish thought and she knew it, but thinking Kade had a son or daughter had caused a pang to shoot through her chest.

And the kiss. How could she have forgotten about that kiss? He’d felt so wonderful. They’d fit together so right. It was different than it had been on graduation, more eager, but with added finesse. With each stroke of his tongue she’d craved more of him.

God, how it had made her heart beat faster, how it scared her and excited her at the same time. Kissing Kade Mitchell felt like more than just kissing. Maybe it was their friendship or their history, but it was almost like a little piece of her clicked into place. One she didn’t know she’d been missing.

Sidney had been fooling herself all along. Every time she tried to convince herself she wasn’t really attracted to him, it had been a lie.

“There’s something between us, and I think you know it just as well as I do.” Kade leaned forward, his dark eyes penetrating her defenses.

“We’re attracted to each other,” she replied. That much she could tell, but she didn’t know how far it went. If it was more than that, or strictly physical. Everything was all muddled in her head.

Was the physical attraction just part of that or did it stem from something more?

“That’s putting it mildly.” Kade reached for her, twisting her hair around his fingers. A shiver raced down her spine. “I care about you. I always have. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you.”

She knew that. There wasn’t much of anything Kade wouldn’t do for anyone. “I care about you, too. You know that.” Of course she cared about him. This was
Kade
. “But I still have to go back. My life is in Los Angeles. I have job obligations and a career to work on.”

I have to prove I can do it. Prove I’m as good as Mom.

“You’ve always thought you needed to conquer the world.”

“And you just wanted Shamrock Falls.” That was the difference between them. Would always be their difference.

“But you’re here now, Peaches. I know you’re leaving and I’m okay with it. Your life is there and mine is here.”

Her heart hammered. Hope bloomed inside her while she simultaneously tried to douse it. “So what does that mean?”

Kade stood up. For a brief second she feared he was going to walk out. Instead he grabbed her hand and pulled her up with it. “It means we concentrate on now. We focus on the time we have. And I’m not just talking about being friends this time.”

Sidney’s lips stretched into a smile she felt all the way from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. Lips Kade leaned forward and kissed, much more slowly than he had last night. He kissed the side of her mouth, licked at her bottom lip, and her toes actually curled. It was as if he wanted to savor her, with the way their mouths touched gently. Pleasure rolled through her before all too soon, his passionate assault was gone and he pulled away.

“Can you do that, Peaches? Do you want to focus on the next few weeks with me?” His voice was husky, sexy.

“Yes…” It wasn’t as if there was any other answer she could give. Just looking at him sent her into a tailspin. The thought of him kissing and touching her…of talking and spending hours with him? Absolutely.

This time, she stood on her toes and kissed him. She meant it to be a quick kiss, but Kade took over by slipping his tongue into her mouth. She immediately went weak in the knees as his tongue played tag with hers. When they pulled apart, she thought about how to say what she needed to. Honestly, she wasn’t sure she wanted to speak the words at all, but she knew she had to. “I can’t have sex with you,” she blurted out.
Real smooth, Sidney.

“Damn it. And here I thought the kitchen table would be the perfect place.”

Sidney rolled her eyes at him. “You know what I mean.” This was important to her. No matter what they might think, making love would attach all kinds of strings between them, strings neither of them could afford.

He sighed and wrapped his arms around her. Kade’s chin rested on top of her head. “Talk to me.”

If she could figure out what to say, she would. But how could she explain that her real fear was that making love to Kade would allow her to really fall for him, for good? Sidney couldn’t have that. Regardless of how much fun she was having in Shamrock Falls, she did have things to go back to in LA. E-mails from Lydia filled with reasons.

“We have too much at stake, and sex makes things too complicated. I just think it might be…too much. With my leaving so soon, and all.” She leaned into his neck, hoping it would stop her rambling. She hoped he got it. She didn’t even know if she did, or if she should take the words back. A piece of her already regretted it. She couldn’t imagine how wonderful it would feel to really be with Kade, to feel him in that way. “It’s not that we can’t do other things…”

“So what you’re saying is, you don’t want me,” he teased, making Sidney crack a smile.

“Hard to believe, right?”

“As fun as it would be,” he said, “I know you’re right. And I understand. All I want is to spend time with you. I won’t screw things up between us, so if that means taking it slowly or never completely going there, that’s what we’ll do.”

Sidney let out a relieved sigh.

“Of course, I guess that really means I’m just going to have to try and change your mind, Peaches.” He pulled away, laughter showing on his face.

Sidney loved hearing her nickname so often on his lips. Loved how sweet and understanding he was. “Thanks for getting it.”

“You have nothing to thank me for. Just hang out with me. Let’s make the most of this time together.”

Sidney couldn’t hold back her smile. “There’s nothing I want more.” After one more quick kiss, she asked, “Hungry?”

“You offering to cook for me?”

“Are you sure you want me to?”

Kade laughed. The sound wrapped around her like fine silk. “Good question, but I’m brave. Go for it.”

“Don’t get used to it.” Sidney playfully smacked him on the arm. As she did, she felt the corded muscles there. Before she embarrassed herself by grabbing on, she moved to the stove. “Bacon and eggs sound good?”

“Perfect, but are you sure you can handle it?”

She rolled her eyes at him. “I can handle
bacon
. Plus, you’ll be there to put out the fire if I start to burn the house down.”

Sidney put the bacon in the pan while Kade pulled the eggs out of the fridge. After beating them with milk, he pulled out another skillet and side by side, they finished making breakfast.

A few minutes later they were back at the table with eggs, bacon, toast, and orange juice.

“Remember that time we tried to make Aunt Mae lasagna for her birthday?” Sidney asked him after taking a bite of bacon.

“No.” Kade shook his head. “I remember the time
you
tried to make lasagna for Mae’s birthday and called me over after you burned the first batch.”

“Hey! Don’t make it sound like I’m the only one who couldn’t handle it!
You
spilled all the sauce and then had to call Rowan to bring more and help us.”

Kade grinned. “I hate to break it to you, but that wasn’t an accident. It tasted terrible. There’s no way we could have fed that to Mae. That sauce hit the floor on purpose.”

“What?” Sidney’s mouth stretched into an
O
. She honestly didn’t realize he’d sabotaged the food. “It ruined your new shoes.”

“It worked, though, didn’t it?” He shrugged like it was no big deal. But it was. It was a very big deal.

“Kade…” Only what should she say to that? It was over ten years ago. It was only spilled tomato sauce, but somehow it was so much more. “Thank you.”

“You’ll owe me one,” he winked at her and Sidney couldn’t help but smile.

“Oh! I have an idea.” Sidney pushed out of the chair, suddenly giddy. “Come on!” She headed straight for her sewing room, Kade right on her heels. She opened the door and stepped inside.

“Holy shit. All your supplies are still here?”

“Yep.” Sidney sat down in the chair. “I was thinking I could make you something. Maybe a bow you can cut for Lucky’s opening. I mean—if you want. If you don’t already have anything planned…”

“You can make me whatever you want. I’d be honored.” Kade leaned in the doorway, his arms crossed, and Sidney’s heart skipped a few beats. “I want you to go, Peaches. Not just for the soft opening, but for the real one. Will you still be in town? It wouldn’t be the same without you.”

More rapid beats of her heart. “I’d love to be there, Kade.” She couldn’t imagine missing it.

…

Kade brushed his hand over Sidney’s shoulder by the strap of her tank top. She shivered, but still didn’t wake up.

After breakfast she’d been tired, so they’d lain down for a nap. Even though he hadn’t slept well the night before, he’d only been able to doze on and off with Sidney sleeping in his arms—her back tucked against his chest.

No, there wasn’t much sleep to be had for him. And as much as it physically killed him, he understood her no-sex rule. It would take them to the next level, one that they both knew couldn’t last.

That didn’t mean he wouldn’t enjoy teasing her about having a change of heart.

Leaning forward, he pressed his lips to hers. “Wake up, sleeping beauty.” He traced her lips with his tongue and finally she started to stir.

“Mmm,” she said as she rolled over. Her eyes fluttered a couple times before they finally opened, looking at him.

“Good morning for the second time,” she whispered.

“Morning. You taste good. I think I’m going to enjoy these next few weeks.” He wagged his eyebrows at her. “Are you sure you don’t want to change your rule?”

She shook her head and rolled her eyes, but she was smiling.