Page 53 of Off-Limits Bad Boy
Kade’s eyes dance. “Bring it on,” he says with a grin. We settle onto the floor like we had when we were younger, ready for whatever the night might throw at us.
I look at the black card, then put my answering white card face down on the floor before him. Kade raises an eyebrow, a smirk on his lips. “You know this game is meant for more people, right?”
I wave off his comment with a chuckle. “Are you saying you can't handle a little one-on-one?” My words are light, teasing, but there's a thrumming excitement underlining every syllable.
He reaches for my card, picking it up as his gaze never leaves mine. “Oh, I can handle it. Just don't want you to get too confident. Remember who used to win at Mario Kart.”
“Used to being the key term,” I say, sticking my tongue out at him playfully. The warmth in his gaze tells me he's enjoying this as much as I am.
“That sounded like a challenge,” he says, and I shrug. Then his gaze ticks back to the white card, and he busts out laughing. I join him and we laugh until my sides hurt. With tears in my eyes, I lay back on the floor, staring up at the ceiling. He takes the spot next to me, glancing at me, then at the ceiling, then at me again.
“What are we looking at?” he whispers.
“I used to think the club was my future, but lately...” I nibble my lip. “Lately, it feels more like shackles.” It’s a truth I haven’t shared with anyone, not even Lila.
“I used to think I’d start my own business.” He sounds wistful, and it’s a new side of him I don’t remember seeing before.
“Why don’t you?” I ask, glancing at him. He’s still young enough to change directions in life. But I understand how someone can feel trapped by the day-to-day details.
“I might. I like my coffee black, but with a little bit of sugar and a splash of chocolate,” he shares.
“I thought you were going to say a splash of whiskey,” I say playfully, and he shrugs.
“That, too,” he says, his lips curving into a smile.
“I love cheesy romantic comedies,” I whisper, loving that I can just share myself with him - even the bits I'd be too embarrassed to tell anyone else.
It's strange, realizing how this man—a constant presence in my life through Alex—is now carving out his own space in my heart. He's not just Alex's best friend anymore. He's Kade. And he's here with me.
Our laughter fades, leaving a comfortable silence. We're surrounded by absurd card combinations, staring up at my ceiling like it’s the night sky, but none of that matters. What matters is us, here, right now, and how we feel.
The rumble of thunder sparks something deep within me, and the sudden patter of fat raindrops against my window have me lifting my head and glancing toward the balcony.
“Come on.” I'm on my feet, pulling him up. Curiosity flickers across his face, but he follows nonetheless.
We step onto the balcony and the city unravels before us, streets slicked with water, lights reflecting in the moisture gathering on the pavement. The lights of the city are reflected on the ground and my heart swells. “It's beautiful,” I whisper, leaning on the wet railing without a care.
Kade moves closer, his shoulder just brushing mine. Heat radiates from him, despite the chill in the air. “Not as beautiful as you,” he murmurs, his voice so low it's almost swallowed by the sound of the downpour.
A flush creeps up my cheeks, warm and unexpected. His compliment feels intimate, even amidst the clamor of the city and the chaos of the storm. He reaches for me, his fingers finding my chin as he tips my head back. His lips meet mine and the rain intensifies, but for a moment longer, we stand together, locked in a kiss as the rain leaves me feeling so very alive.
As water drops off me, I grab Kade's hand and tug him back into the warmth of my apartment, out of the downpour. We're both a little breathless, as I slide the glass door shut behind us.
“Wow, that escalated quickly,” he says, as the torrential downpour beats at the window with the fierceness of an impending storm, and lightning flashes across the sky.
“Right?” My heart is still racing, not just from the dash indoors but from the closeness of him. “Nature's got her own drama, I guess.”
With that, I strip down out of my wet clothing and make my way to the washer, depositing them.
“I’m sorry I don’t have something else for you to wear,” I say. But he gestures toward the front door with a sheepish smile.
“I brought an overnight bag.”
I arch an eyebrow at him, well aware I’m naked. “Well, that’s presumptuous of you,” I say in a teasing tone. He leans in close, his eyes sparkling wickedly.
“The presumptuous part is that I packed condoms.”
I laugh. With light steps, I make my way to my bedroom to pull on some dry pjs, and he goes to get his bag. Moments later, we’re both dry and on the living room couch, a soft, chunky blanket draped over us.