I stare at the door, debating whether to knock or just walk in.
Would he expect me to wait, like I’m some polite guest? As if I didn’t ride his face and soak his beard just a few days ago? Or do I walk in like I alreadybelong to him?
I shift my bag on my shoulder—this time packed with clothes, toiletries, and my backup meds. Because I’m starting to learn that when it comes to Kade Archer, I should always expect the unexpected. And right now? Standing on this porch, skin prickling with nerves and hope and something dangerously close to falling…
Nothing about this feels predictable.
My shaky hand lifts to the door but it flies open before I can knock.
Kade stands there—shirtless, barefoot, wearing a pair of ratty gym shorts and looking like he hasn’t slept in days. His hair’s a greasy mess, falling in strands around his face, and there are dark circles etched deep beneath his bloodshot eyes. He looks horrible.
And somehow,he looks beautiful.
My breath catches.
He stares back at me like he can’t believe I’m real, then drags in a shaky breath, his hand tightening on the doorframe like it’s the only thing keeping him upright.
“You’re here,” he says, voice hoarse and low. His shoulders drop, chin falling to his chest.
Before I can speak, before I can ask what the hell happened, a cry pierces the air—loud, devastating, and raw.
Kade’s whole body tenses. His spine goes rigid. And when he lifts his face, the look in his eyes guts me.
A choked, broken sound slips from his throat.
“I can’t do this.”
The cry cuts off abruptly, leaving behind a quiet so heavy it nearly topples me. My heart slams against my ribs, eyes flying to Kade’s. His breath is shaky, lips parted, shoulders drawn up like he’s bracing for impact.
Awareness dawns on me like a gut punch.
Aurora’s here.
A smile breaks across my face, wide and unfiltered, and before I can think better of it, I step forward, closing the space between us and wrapping my arms around his bare, exhausted frame.
“She’s here,” I breathe, the words catching in my throat as I squeeze my eyes shut.
He melts into me, his weight forcing my knees to bend as his arms lock around me. The relief of his touch nearly destroys me.
“Aurora is yours, Kade,” I whisper, eyes blurring. “Fuck, I’m so happy for you.”
He nods against my neck, fingers digging into the back of my sweater like he needs me just as much as I need him. Like he’s terrified I’ll slip away.
It’s scary and exhilarating and desperate.
“And she fuckin’ hates me,” he chokes out, voice cracking as his body shudders.
My brows pinch together, and I try to lean back to look at him, but he won’t let me go. One of my hands strokes gently down his back, my nose wrinkling as I breathe in fatigue, sweat, and something stale and sour.
“What are you talking about?” I murmur. “That little girl adores you.”
“No,” he mutters, burying his nose in my hair and inhaling like I’m the first full breath he’s taken in days. A full-body shiver ripples through me at the feel of it, but I shut it down, overtly aware of his breakdown right now and how inappropriate getting turned on is.
But, God, it’s like a knee-jerk reaction to being in this man's presence. Especially after the way he…
Nope.
No, Georgia. Not now.
