The Exception Page 16

  “You did what? Why would you do that, Cane? I can’t even believe this! You totally overstepped your bounds.”

  “You don’t understand! I had to make sure you were safe! And you obviously found a way around that, anyway. But part of that is my fault. I knew last night that something was different for me, something really different, when I hated myself for leaving that bar without you.”

  I spun my ring around my finger as I absorbed his words. When he left that bar without me, I felt so inconsequential. And that was the same thing Decker had always made me feel and the one thing I swore I would never feel again.

  “I realized that there are things out there worth fighting for, both literally and figuratively. Things were put into perspective for me tonight. The idea of you being hurt killed me, Jada. The thought of some other man’s hands on you had me seeing red. My reaction was worse than I even thought it would be. I could have killed him. Fuck, I still want to kill him.”

  “I may have listened to you if you would have just told me. I felt like you were trying to impose your will on me and I don’t do well in those situations. I don’t know.”

  He placed both of his hands on the sides of my face and stared intently into my eyes. “All I know for sure is that I want to be with you. Just me and you. Give me a chance. Have some patience because there’s a learning curve for me, but I promise you that I won’t hurt you. Not on purpose. I can’t believe this is even coming out of my fucking mouth, but I can’t control it. I can’t get anything done; I can’t focus on anything besides you because you are the one thing that’s hanging out there. I just … nothing feels right until the moments we are together.” He grinned nervously. “I just want to be with you.”

  No matter how badly I tried to tell myself I didn’t want him and that I couldn’t need him, no matter how hard I pushed him away or how angry he made me, I still wanted him. It didn’t make any sense why I would be drawn to him after everything I had been through until I broke it all down.

  In spite of all of his imperfections—he was real. He wasn’t perfect, but he didn’t pretend like he was. He didn’t try to feed me a line about Lesley and he didn’t lie to me, even though it would have saved my feelings a little. And he went after Simon, right or wrong, as soon as he heard what had happened. If Simon would go to the police, Cane could be in serious trouble. But his first thought was me. And that was the difference. In my relationship with Decker, it was never about me. He would lie, cheat, steal and pretend to be the perfect husband. Cane and Decker, while appearing on the outside to be the same, were actually very opposite.

  But that didn’t mean Cane was the right answer for me.

  “I’m scared,” I whispered.

  “Don’t be afraid of me, baby. Don’t be afraid of this. I’ve fought it for so damn long, but I’m tired of pretending. When Max called me tonight and told me what had happened, it was like he wiped away all the fog. It was all of a sudden crystal clear,” he said as he stroked my cheek with his thumb. I couldn’t help but lean against his hand. “Let’s just take it slow. See what happens. Just let things happen because if the past few weeks are any indication, things are going to happen anyway. We can’t seem to stay away from each other.”

  A knot of uncertainty was wound tightly in the pit of my stomach and I couldn’t work it free. The last time I allowed myself to believe another man’s promises led to the destruction of my heart.

  “It’s not that easy for me. You hurt me on purpose last night, just like Decker used to do. No matter how attracted to you I am or how much I want to be with you, there is a part of me that feels like it is really ridiculous to even consider it. Why would I?”

  “There is a difference,” he said simply.

  “What’s that?”

  “I have never given you my word. I have never made a commitment to you. Hell, I’ve never even wanted to think about making a commitment to anyone before. But I want to make one to you. I want to give you my word that I want to see where things go with us and I want you to give me yours, too.” He tilted his head, his forehead wrinkled in thought. “I don’t break my word, Jada. I’ve never said this shit to anyone else. You are the one exception to every rule I’ve ever made.”

  My heart swelled and I fought back the tears that were congregating. He flashed me one of his brilliant smiles and it warmed me from the inside out.

  “For someone that doesn’t like words, you are doing pretty good with them right now.” I bit my lip as he leaned in closer.

  “You just said a second ago that you know who I am. Jada, you know who I have been. But I can be who you need. I’ll do my best to be that man. I want to be that man.”

  I reached up and touched the side of his face. Please don’t let this be a dream.

  “Are you sure about this? What if you wake up and hate the person that you’ve become?”

  “Stop arguing with me. You know I always get my way, so just say you’ll try with me.”

  I closed my eyes, trying to listen to my head over the pleadings of my heart. My thoughts were a jumbled mess, thoughts flying in from every part of my life, every part of my body.

  “Agree to try with me. Let me make you happy.”

  I stilled. “Let me make you happy.” No one had ever said that to me before. His simple request was the most complex thing anyone had said to me. My brain started processing everything that could go wrong, while my heart nearly burst with possibilities.

  It all boiled down to trust. Do I trust Cane enough to hand over my heart?

  Cane sat quietly, his eyebrows furrowed, his bottom lip between his teeth. Outwardly, he looked relaxed, but I could see the anxiety behind his eyes. He was nervous, too. Knowing that gave me a little comfort.

  Head up, heart strong.

  “Okay,” I breathed.

  He pulled back and raised his eyebrows. “Really? You’ll try?”

  “We can’t seem to stay away from each other and you are too stubborn to argue with. So do I really have a choice?” I bit the side of my lip to keep from smiling as he absorbed what I had said.

  “I don’t care why you agreed, just as long as you do.” He lay on his side behind me and pulled me in close.

  “Thank you,” I whispered, letting the rise and fall of his chest soothe me.

  He squeezed me tighter, making sure to avoid my arm. “For what, baby?”

  “For everything, I guess.”

  “If you had asked me to do anything, you could thank me. But everything I did, I did for me.”

  “How do you figure?”

  “Because I had to know I did everything in my power to protect you. You were mine even though you didn’t know it.”

  I couldn’t stop the grin on my face. Maybe this could work out. I thought back to the parking lot and to Simon’s face as he grabbed ahold of me. “Do you think it’s over? Do you think he’ll come after me again?”

  Cane stilled behind me. “Honestly, I don’t know. I don’t think so. Did you get pictures of the bruising?”

  “Yeah, Kari took pictures after Max left to get you or whatever happened.”

  “Do you want to call the police?”

  “Can we figure it out tomorrow? I just can’t deal with this tonight. I’m so tired.”

  Cane’s chest began to rise and fall again in a steady pattern. “If that’s what you want.”

  “Don’t you need a shower?” I asked, my eyes getting droopy.

  He kissed the top of my head. “I just want to hold you while you fall asleep.”

  I snuggled into him, closing my eyes. I had fought against being in that exact position for so long on the basis that it would leave me feeling incomplete. There I was, wrapped in his arms, and I felt more comfortable there than I ever had anywhere before.

  “I could get used to this.”

  “It is pretty nice.”

  “I’m afraid to close my eyes,” he whispered against my ear as I began to drift off.

  “Why?”

  “I don�
��t know. I guess I feel like we just got our shit straight and I want to live in this moment a little while longer.”

  “I told you that you could be a nice guy.”

  Chuckling, he kissed the top of my head again. “You tell anyone and I’ll deny it.”

  “Your secret is safe with me, Cane.”

  JADA

  The Arizona sun was relentless the following morning. Despite the drawn curtains, the bright light woke me early. I groaned, turning to look at the clock. I held my arm in the air to get a better look. There were distinct purple marks, but it wasn’t too bad.

  I glanced over beside me to see an empty bed. The covers were torn back, reminding me that Cane had been there with me. It hadn’t been a dream. My eyes roamed the room, searching for any sign of him. There was nothing, besides my memory and the wrinkled comforter, to indicate he had ever been there at all.

  My stomach sank. I’m a fool. He woke up regretting everything, just like I knew he would.

  I took a deep breath and seriously contemplated staying in bed for the rest of the day. I’ve been through worse. I’ll make it through this, too. Get up. Get some coffee. One foot in front of the other.

  I forced myself up and into the en suite and looked in the mirror. I really looked no worse for the wear. I looked at my reflection and realized that the majority of the pain I was feeling was internal and had nothing to do with the bruises on my arm. It was more about waking up alone.

  I brushed my teeth and washed my face, pulling my hair into a messy bun. I smiled at myself in the mirror. Fake it ‘til you make it, remember?

  Throwing on a soft white robe from the back of my bathroom door, I pulled it tight against me, wishing it could somehow fill the little void that had made its way into my chest. I lifted my chin as I walked through my room. Life would go on, it always did. So I may as well just catch the next rotation. I need to figure out what to do about Simon, anyway.

  I heard Max’s voice in the kitchen as I made my way downstairs. The anger I had felt the night before when I realized he was going after Cane was muted a bit. I recalled the fury in Max’s eyes when he realized Simon was responsible for my arm. Max wasn’t just a friend to Cane or to Kari; he was a friend to me, too.

  I rounded the corner and paused in the doorway, holding my breath that maybe Cane would be sitting there with his friend. I glanced around the room and saw Max leaning against the island and Kari sitting at the table, holding a cup of coffee.

  And that was it.

  Any hope I had been holding on to melted away. I sighed, accepting reality and made my way dejectedly to the coffee pot. I gave him every chance. And last night was the last one.

  “How do you feel?” Kari watched me move across the room.

  “Wonderful,” I uttered sourly, pouring creamer into my mug.

  “I’m betting that Simon is feeling worse.” Max chucked, shaking his head. “Cane would’ve killed him. I’ve seen that look in his eye a time or two and it never ends well for the other guy.”

  I sipped my coffee and gave Max a look over the brim. He shook his head at my demeanor and that just irritated me farther.

  “Something wrong, Jada?” he smirked.

  “Why would anything be wrong?”

  The sound of the front door opening took me by surprise and I nearly dropped my coffee. Max’s smirk deepened at my reaction, obviously knowing what I came downstairs thinking.

  Maybe I don’t like Max after all.

  I held my breath as a rustling sound making its way towards the kitchen, trying hard not to wish too badly that it was Cane. I didn’t want to be disappointed, but it was pointless to deny the hope that had blossomed.

  I looked to the doorway and there he stood—light denim jeans, a plain black t-shirt, red baseball cap, and his sunglasses tucked through the front of his shirt. When our eyes met, I could see his smile in them and I melted a little.

  He hadn’t left me after all.

  Cane sat three bags on the countertop and made his way to me slowly, narrowing his eyes. The corner of his mouth was upturned. I started to speak but he kissed me before I could get any words out.

  Holding my head in his hands, he examined my face with his eyes, trying to read what I was thinking. “How are you today?”

  “Fine,” I whispered, embarrassed. “Better now.”

  “I just ran home to grab some clothes and then to the grocery for some stuff for lunch,” he said as I looked away, my heart bursting. “What? You didn’t think I left you, did you?”

  “No, you would never do something like that,” I laughed.

  He laughed and kissed me gently. “We are in this together. Just relax.”

  I turned into a little puddle. Together. He wants us to be in this together. I couldn’t wipe the silly grin off my face if I tried. That one word, together, held so much promise.

  “It’s none of my business, I know that,” Kari said loudly. “But you know I make everything my business, so … what’s up with you kissing my sister?”

  “Kari,” Max warned, shooting her a look.

  “It’s about damn time,” Kari said.

  “I’ll say,” Max said, taking a sip of his coffee. “Cane was getting soft on me, crying around all the time.”

  “Really? That’s interesting,” Cane replied, pulling me in front of him and wrapping his arms around me, careful to avoid my arm. “I don’t recall crying. Ever.”

  “Whatever you say,” Max smirked. “I won’t tell everything I know.”

  “That’s the biggest load of dumbfuckery I’ve ever heard.” Cane shook his head at Max and I laughed at his choice of words.

  “I think it’s cute that you guys cry in front of each other,” Kari said, egging them on. “Who would have thought?”

  “Keep it up,” Max said, raising his eyebrows towards her.

  “Or what?”

  Max sighed as he stood up, grabbed Kari, and threw her over his shoulder. Kari squealed, pounding her fists against Max’s wide back. Cane and I couldn’t contain our laughter as Max carried her outside and threw her into the pool while she screamed for mercy.

  “They seem occupied,” Cane said, leaving kisses up my neck. “We really need to see about getting you in an apartment of your own.”

  “I know. I’ve been looking.” I tilted my head to the side. He made his way back to my mouth before pulling away, his eyes turning serious.

  “On second thought, maybe you should stay here just a little while longer.” His throat bobbed as he forced a swallow. “I like knowing you aren’t alone right now.”

  “I would probably be a little nervous by myself right now anyway, considering the past twenty-four hours.”

  Cane pressed his forehead to mine. “Speaking of which, what do you want to do about that? Do you want to call the police?”

  I closed my eyes, wishing I had never answered Simon’s call. Why did I have to answer that?!

  But if I hadn’t, would Cane be here right now?

  “I just want it to go away, Cane.”

  He pulled back and kissed my forehead. “I know, baby. I wish this never happened, too. But you can’t pretend it didn’t happen.”

  “Do you think this will be the last we hear from him?”

  “I think so. I’m still going to keep an eye on him. But I think even he is smart enough to know better than to come after you again.”

  “Well, I would rather not call the police. I know I should.” I bit my fingernail. “I just don’t want to deal with the drama. And who knows if they go to arrest him, he’ll say what you did to him. And I don’t want you in any trouble because of me. And then there’s the tie to my father’s company. He doesn’t need bad publicity.”

  “It’s your call. Don’t factor me into the equation; I can handle myself. I want you to be confident that you are doing what you want to do.”

  I sagged against him. “Kari has pictures of my arm, so if I want to do something about it later, I can. I really just want to go on with my
life.”

  He kissed me gently and positioned himself between my legs. I wrapped them around his waist, locking my ankles behind his back. “I will just have to keep an eye on you then. Be warned, I can be a little overprotective. And I have no intentions on leaving you alone … in a number of ways.”

  “I think I like the sound of that.”

  He lifted me off the countertop and carried me to the staircase. He took them two at a time before reaching the top and kicking the door open with his foot. He sat me on the bed before taking a step back, his eyes becoming darker. Focused.

  “Take off your robe,” he said, his eyes hooded.

  I untied it slowly, my eyes never leaving his, and tossed it on the floor.

  “Your shirt, too.”

  I looked down to see that I was only wearing the t-shirt I had worn to bed. I pulled it over my head and tossed it to the floor. I took a deep breath, feeling nervous about being so exposed in front of him.

  He nodded towards the bed and I lay back, my chest rising and falling quickly, anxiety and sexual need coursing through me. He added his shirt to the growing pile on the floor and I just wanted to run my hands down his sculpted chest.

  “I don’t know if you are more beautiful or more sexy.” His voice was gravelly as he grabbed my ankles and dragged me across the bed until I was laying on the edge.

  He threw both of my legs over his shoulders and then laid kisses up the inside of my right leg until he reached the apex of my thighs. He blew gently on my throbbing sex, making me shiver.

  “Please,” I begged, my body desperate for a release.

  “Patience,” he whispered teasingly as he ran a finger between my legs. “You are so fucking wet. I love that.”

  “Cane,” I whined, sticking out my bottom lip.

  He pressed his thumb onto my clit, rubbing it in a small circle. “Are you ready, Jada?”

  “Please.” I whimpered as he strummed my clit methodically, inching my body closer to its peak. I was so worked up, so wound with need that it wasn’t going to take long.