Page 56 of The Obvious Check
And then, before I can fully process what’s happening, she kisses me.
It’s not deep or desperate. There’s no urgency, no rush. Just the softest brush of her lips against mine. It’s light as a whisper, yet somehow detonating right in the center of my chest.
It lasts only a second, too brief for me to react, but long enough to ruin me.
Because it’s deliberate.
Shemeantit.
And fuck, so did I.
She lingers, close enough that I can still feel the warmth of her breath, like she’s caught between staying and stepping away. Then her arms drop and her body eases back, leaving nothing but the hollow space between us.
“Good night, Cade,” she murmurs, her voice low, breathless and I can only hope that maybe that kiss wrecked her a little too.
I stand there, frozen, stunned by the taste of her still on my lips, knowing with full certainty I’ll be thinking about that kiss for the rest of my life.
“Good night, Savannah.”
And just like that, she disappears down the hall, slipping into the guest bedroom without saying another word.
I stand there, staring at the empty space she left behind, feeling like the ground just tilted beneath me.
With a quiet laugh, I drag a hand down my face, shaking my head.
Damn.
I’ve been around plenty of girls before, but none of them could make me feel like this with just a peck. Still grinning like an idiot, I turn and head to my room, shutting the door behind me. Pressing my forehead against the wood, I let out a slow breath, a smirk tugging at my lips.
“Yeah. I’m fucking done for.”
Chapter 14
As the sunlight streams across my face, I stretch, feeling every part of my body relax. Every part except my lips. Those are still tingling from last night and as I open my eyes, a slow smile spreads across my face.
Cade and I kissed.
Correction.Ikissed him. For the first time in my life, I took a risk that was worth taking. I closed the distance. I made the move, and I kissed Cade. Sweet, kind-hearted Cade, who kissed me back like I was something worth breaking every rule for.
I burrow deeper into the sheets, warmth wrapping around me as I inhale the lingering scent of him.A tiny squeal escapes my lips as I wriggle with happiness in the bed. Ugh. As if kissing him wasn’t enough to make me float on cloud nine, this bed is the icing on the cake. I can’t believe I ever thought going back to my car would be possible after the first night here.
My fully charged phone buzzes on the bedside table and I reach for it, unlocking the screen.
Adley:I miss you, Sav. Are you able to talk before noon today? The foster rents are out with Naomi for her horse-riding lessons. I’d love to talk.
As if my day couldn’t get any better.
Savannah:Yes. I’ll call you in an hour. I can’t wait.
The scent of something warm and buttery drifts through the air, luring me out of bed. I pull on my sweatshirt and leggings and walk out into the kitchen, only to stop in my tracks when I see him.
Cade stands at the stove, his back to me with his white T-shirt pulled tight over his broad and muscular shoulders. My heart skips a little as I take in his dark, messy hair as he sings softly to himself, completely at ease that I’m here.
“Morning,” I say, his singing slowing so he can look over his shoulder.
“Morning, Sleeping Beauty.” His voice has this teasing warmth in it as he nods to the kitchen island, where a plate of pancakes awaits. “Breakfast is ready.”
“Breakfast?” I say as I head to the kitchen and sink onto a stool, rubbing my eyes. “This is starting to feel like Groundhog’s Day.”
