Page 10 of Stars and Swipes

He stares at me, wide-eyed and I groan. “I’m sorry but I needed to get the fabric off of your….” I blush and point at his lap and he groans.

The waiter comes racing back. “I’ve called the ambulance and they’re on their way.”

He groans and falls back to the ground, his face pale and sweaty, his eyes closed.

I flush and nod at him. “Thank you. Appreciate it.”

After he walks away, I lean towards where Kade is lying on the ground and whisper in his ear. “I’m so sorry. I’m so clumsy. I shouldn’t have done this. I don’t like to date. Mainly because I’m really bad at it.”

He nods his head and grits his teeth. “It’s alright, Promise. I’m okay.”

But based on the way he clenches his jaw, I think he’s lying. Either to me or himself. I’m not really sure which.

But as the paramedics roll in the door and poor Kade is taken off, I groan and stagger to my feet.

Heading home to have a quiet night and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and then hunt down Petra and kill her where she sits.

CHAPTER 6

Kade

It’s two days before I’m able to leave the hospital and see Promise again and my stomach churns when I think that she’s had time to get all her defenses back up and she’ll be fighting me again.

I like the fight. Don’t get me wrong. But there’s only so much a man can do before he starts to wonder if it’s all worth it.

I mean. I know she is. I’m just not sure how to prove it to her.

My parents used to talk about her endlessly. I was really starting to wonder what was going on.

Now I know. They knew that she was perfect for me. They knew that I would fall in love with her as soon as I saw her.

My parents were never bothered by age. There was twenty years difference between them. But it’s a sticking point for a lot of people and I heard some talk while I was in the hospital and it all kinda seemed to be the same.

She was so old. How could she have been on a date with such a young guy?

Well, I’m past the age of consent and I can be with who I want to be with and I want my kitten.

I just have to get her on board.

Considering what I heard in the hospital, I’m sure she’s heard way worse.

I dial her number and I’m not surprised when she doesn’t pick up. I grab my keys and walk over to her little cottage, knocking lightly. I hear footsteps and then the door swings open and I’m face to face with her again.

I was starting to wonder if she was as beautiful as I was making her out in my mind but she’s actually more stunning than I remember.

“Kitten,” I growl, pacing forward and pushing her back. She squeaks at me but other than that and the wide eyes she’s staring at me with, she makes no response.

I stalk towards her, watching her with hungry eyes. “I’ve missed you, kitten. You didn’t even come see me in the hospital.”

Not that I really expected that. She’s so skittish, I figured that was a lost cause.

But I missed her and it’s made me a little crabby.

“I wasn’t sure if you’d want to see me since I damaged your…”. She flushes and her hands wave at my crotch like she’s a game show hostess showing off the prize package.

I grin at her. “I’m fine. Why don’t you come over here and say hi?”

She cocks her head and her amber eyes glow brightly. “I can say hi just fine from over here.”