Read Online Kade's Game by C. M. Owens - Free Book Online

eat?"
    I'm ready to get away from this topic, because talking about him hurts.  The fact that he has cancer haunts me daily.  I don't need the reminders.
    "One more question," she says, following me as I make my way into the living room.
    She's relentless.  Haven't we talked enough?  I don't want to discuss money, family, or futures for right now.
    When she doesn't continue, I realize she's waiting on my permission to proceed.  So I put my food on the coffee table and sit down.
    "Yes?"
    "Why are you being so nice to me all of the sudden?"
    It sucks that I was ever a dick to her.  Had I known... It was all stupid.  I should have invited her to stay here without having to be hauled into court and told what to do.
    My eyes fall to her shoulder where the bruises have almost faded into nothing, no longer telling a story of how close she came to dying.  Instead of lying, I decide to be honest.
    "Because believe it or not, I don't like knowing you got hurt.  I feel like an ass.  Seeing the proof of the damage that could have been done... Let's just say it scared me.  Now, can we eat?"
    She finally settles in next to me and eats her burger like she's been starving for years.  That makes me smile.
    Once we're done, she sets her plate down, and the small gap between us on the couch becomes nothing.  Our sides are touching, and it's not at all a comfortable thing when you've got arms like mine.  It makes it awkward.
    At the risk of her telling me off, I toss my arm over the back of the couch, making room for her to get even closer.  Initially she doesn't, but as the boring movie progresses, she slowly gets closer, finally resting her body against mine.
    I smile—since she can't see me—when her head nestles into my chest.  Then she damn near gets in my lap.  What's going on?
    I sit completely still, scared I might spook her, and then I hear a soft little snore coming from her.  I've never thought a snore was cute, until now.  She's really getting under my skin.  I'm getting pathetic.
    When her small hand comes up to rest on my chest, I use my free hand to hold it there, reveling in the feel of her.
    Then, in her sleep, she murmurs, "I'm sorry, Kade."
    I have no idea what she's sorry for, but I can only assume she's subconsciously feeling guilty for what she said earlier.  Since this movie is terrible, I decide to end the night by carrying her to bed.
    Her arms wrap around my neck instinctively, and she sweetly presses her cheek against me as she gets comfortable.  I wish her lips didn't look so inviting.
    When I make it to her room, I gently put her on the bed, staring at her long after the task of tucking her in is done.  My eyes hit her nightstand and see her phone.  I grab it up and call mine, then program my number into her phone.  I should have her number and she should have mine.  I didn't even know what she likes on her hamburger, and I couldn't call to ask.  Fortunately, I guessed right.
    She looks too sweet to just leave, and I lose a bit of self control, kissing the top of her head.  Something inside me almost snaps, and a thudding in my chest worries me.  Raya Capperton is going to be a problem for me because she's one distraction I'm starting to want.
     

Chapter Six
     
    The music is pumping, people are pouring in, and Raya is still in her room.  I've been busy most of the day, considering everyone wants to text me all day on party days.  I almost regret this, because I'd rather just have a quiet night with Raya again.  It was... nice.  Most people don't make me feel so at ease, but after she quit interrogating me, it felt so... peaceful.
    I wasn't thinking about everything I needed to do, or anything at all, really.  It was refreshing and needed.
    "Kade, where's your girl?" Marcus asks, seeming to be already a little drunk, and he just got here.  Damn.  They'd better act right around her.
    "She's still getting ready.  Upstairs."
    I shrug, but in all honesty, I'm desperate to see what