Kade

by Dawn Martens

  “Interesting night?” James asks with a grin. “Whoa, Kade, what happened to your face?” Kade huffs and gestures to me. James bursts out laughing.

  “Excuse me,” I mumble, walking past him and straight to my room.

  I fall face first into my bed with a huge sigh. This is a mess. There is a knock on my door.

  “Nik, open up. We need to talk,” Kade rumbles.

  “Can we talk in the morning?” I call out. I need time to process things.

  He sighs and reluctantly agrees. “Okay, but tomorrow. Night, Nikki.”

  I exhale in relief.

  Chapter Twelve

  The next morning I dread getting out of bed. I know Kade is going to be waiting for me to wake up, and have that damn talk. I groan, thinking of ways to get out of it. Other than using sex as distraction, nothing comes to mind. I step out into the hallway, noticing the bedroom doors are all closed. I sneak down the hall, praying no one hears me. I open the door as softly as I can, stepping out onto the deck. I take a quick look around, making sure I’m alone and then I pull out a cigarette and light it up, taking a deep calming inhale. Oh, did I mention I smoke? Probably not. But yeah, I do. Usually when I’m stressed out or having a bad day. I jump in the shower before anyone can smell the smoke on me. No one knows I smoke. Layla would probably kill me.

  After my shower I wrap my fluffy pink towel around me, and head out to make some breakfast, which is just some toast and eggs. I can cook, not as good as Layla, but enough to get by.

  “Ready for our talk now?” Kade says from behind me.

  “Do we have to?” I whine.

  “Yes. No more avoiding,” Kade says sternly.

  “Kade, let’s just hang out. Be friends. Get to know each other. Alright?” I plead.

  He looks at me thoughtfully before sighing. I know that means he’s giving in. “Fine, but I meant what I said last night. No more dates, and no more men. Same goes for me. Well, women. No women for me,” he clarifies, chuckling.

  “Okay.” I smile. “But if you want to continue hooking up with men, that’s fine with me,” I tease.

  Kade musses my hair. “Cheeky girl.”

  “Oh and by the way, smoking is bad for you,” Kade says as he winks at me before heading to his room. Well, shit, so much for me being stealthy about it.

  ******

  Living at Chase’s house is literally too good to be fucking true. They have a maid? A maid! Seriously, I got the shock of my life when I first found a lovely older woman named Jillian cleaning the kitchen. We started talking, and now we are practically BFFLs. Every Monday morning when she comes in, we sit down and have some coffee before I head out to work. The woman is hilarious. She’s trying to set me up with her grandson, which I laugh off every time. Kade has stopped hitting on me so blatantly. I’m not sure what his game is, but it’s working. We hang out, watch movies, and spend a lot of time together. But no sex. No kissing, nothing. We're getting to know each other and I find myself liking him more and more every day. He's so damn funny, I can see why Layla adores him so much.

  Speaking of Layla, she is currently over, and we're watching ‘The Swan Princess’ movie, singing along to all the songs. Chase has to work, so he usually drops Layla off so she’s not alone in their apartment.

  “I want candy,” Layla grumbles. She's pregnant and craving different things every day. It’s funny as hell watching Chase run all over the place, indulging Layla’s every desire. Kade walks in, his eyebrows hitting his hairline when he sees our choice of movie. Expecting him to groan or ask us what the fuck, I’m shocked when he takes a seat and says, “I love this fucking movie!”

  Kade. You never know what to expect with him.

  “Is beauty all that matters?” Princess Odette asks Prince Derek.

  “What else is there?” Derek responds.

  “Fucking dumb ass,” Kade mutters, and I can’t agree more. Come on, Prince Derek! Think of something better than that.

  “Move over, Nikki, you’re such a couch hog,” he says, grinning.

  “Am not!” I retort immaturely.

  “Are too!” he replies, even more immaturely.

  “I WANT CANDY!” Layla yells uncharacteristically, getting both of our attention.

  “Well, fuck me.” Kade mumbles, pulling out his phone. “Chase, please get your hormonal woman some damn candy!” he says into the phone, chuckling. “Okay, yeah, yeah, I’m looking after her. Okay, bye.” He hangs up.

  “Shit load of candy on the way, princess,” he tells Layla, chuckling when he hears her hum of approval. Kade and I stare at each other, and then burst out laughing. I can hear Layla huff. No lie, not even twenty minutes later Chase is there with the hugest bag of assorted candy, chocolates, and Twix bars, which are probably for him, not her. The woman is spoiled. Kade and I watch her stuff her face with wide eyes. When Layla goes home, I'm exhausted. Babysitting a pregnant woman is hard work.

  Chapter Thirteen

  I come home from work the next day, and notice a construction crew at the house. I walk inside, and see James and Chase sitting at the breakfast bar.

  "What's going on?" I ask, looking around.

  "We're turning the other two spare rooms into one big room. Going to make it a game area." Chase says, and then barks orders at some of his men.

  That sounds awesome. I do a little dance.

  “Why are you so happy?” Kade smirks.

  “We can put an air hockey table in, too! I love air hockey!” I beam. Kade just chuckles at me and shakes his head.

  ******

  A few days later, I'm in the game room, racking up the balls on the new pool table, when Kade walks in, looking edible in nothing but a pair of basketball shorts, riding dangerously low on his hips. Kade clears his throat loudly, but I still don’t raise my eyes.

  “Nikki!” he says, I’m pretty sure not for the first time.

  “What?” I snap, angry he’s pulling me away from the most perfectly sculptured body ever created.

  “I’m trying to behave myself, and you looking at me like that seriously isn’t helping,” he says, his voice low.

  I finally raise my eyes, and am shocked at the heat lurking in Kade’s pale baby blue ones. This is the first time in a while he's let me see just how much he wants me, and I’m not sure how I want to proceed. He walks over, slowly, almost prowling. He puts his hands on my hips, tightening them roughly, leaning his body down so his face is right in front of mine. His gaze rakes over my face, until it stops on my lips.

  “I love your lips. They are fucking luscious. Especially since I know just how they look wrapped around my cock.” My eyes widen at that last comment, causing his lips to turn upwards slightly. “You’re gonna act shy about that? The same girl who walked up to me at the club and asked me if I wanted to fuck?”

  “What are you doing, Kade?” I ask, evading his question.

  “I’m contemplating whether this is the right time to take what I want, or if I should wait a little longer,” he mumbles, his eyes still on my lips. Slow as ever, he leans forward and presses three gentle, sweet, innocent kisses on my lips. “I think you need a little more time, Nikki, but soon,” he promises. I get a tender kiss on the forehead before he walks out of the room, leaving me wide eyed and speechless. I’m still standing there moments later, looking at the spot where he left. I’d bet my life right now, that if he stayed here and tried something, I would have given in. I want him, and I want him bad, I just don’t know if I can.

  ******

  The next day, Kade, James, and I walk into Chase’s apartment. After arguing for half an hour on whose car to take, we finally agreed on Kade’s Hummer. Layla is in the kitchen, cooking a feast by the looks of things.

  “Smells good, Layla,” I tell her, and it does. It so does.

  “Layla!” Kade yells, walking towards her and giving her a tight hug. “Come home, please. I haven’t eaten since you left! Nikki only cooks for herself,” h
e complains, putting his hand on his heart dramatically, giving me a dirty look at the same time.

  “I dropped you off food last week, Kade!” Layla says in a mock angry voice. She looks stunning, apparently the pregnancy glow is true.

  “Whose favorite are we having today?” Kade asks, snooping through the pots and pans. Every week at Layla’s for dinner, we all take turns in getting our favorite meal. Last week was James; he had his steaks, potatoes, and salad. I know from the smell of the food that tonight is my favorite meal, fried chicken rice.

  “It’s my turn, Kade!” I brag. Kade frowns at me.

  “Princess! It hasn’t been my turn in ages! I’m gonna show everyone the video of you dancing to One Direction again!” he threatens.

  Layla gapes. Kade pulls out his phone and starts playing it. I’ve seen it about ten times, but it never gets old. Kade and I burst out laughing. After Layla kicks both of us out of the kitchen, threatening to sic Chase on us, we both sit outside on their balcony, drinking a beer.

  “I’ll never get sick of this view,” I say, wistfully.

  Kade chuckles, “You want a place like this? Consider it done,” he says simply.

  I choke on my beer. He says random stuff like that all the time and it puts me completely off balance. We all sit at the dinner table and eat together, like a family. Dessert is chocolate cheesecake and ice cream sundaes. Chase is feeding Layla the ice cream and they're both in their own world. Kade is watching me silently with a thoughtful look on his face. Layla gets up to go to the bathroom. She says she has to pee every five minutes.

  “Isn’t she perfect?” Chase muses aloud.

  “She sure is, and I’ve seen her half naked,” Kade says casually, shoveling ice cream into his mouth.

  “I’m sorry, what?” Chase says in a deadly tone. I bite my lip. Kade is such a shit stirrer. I kick him under the table.

  “Ouch! What was that for?” James growls. Oops. I try again.

  “Nikki, what the fuck?” Chase complains.

  Oh, come on. Third time’s the charm right? I kick harder, knowing it hits my target when Kade grunts. Layla walks back in and I see the evil grin Kade gives her. Layla narrows her eyes on him suspiciously. Those two! Layla never had a brother, and Kade never had a sister. These two are making up for all their lost years. Chase is silently fuming, staring daggers at Kade.

  “Okay, time to go!” I say, standing up. I help Layla clean up quickly.

  “What did Kade tell Chase?” Layla whispers.

  “He saw you half naked,” I whisper back. She sighs in relief. “Is that all?”

  “What else is there?” I gape. Layla blushes. “Come on, Layla!” I beg.

  “Nikki, let’s go!” Kade calls out.

  Layla grins, knowing she got lucky. Layla and Chase walk us to our car, and Layla hands Kade a container filled with baked goods.

  “Happy eating, Kade,” she says in an overly friendly voice. Kade narrows his eyes on her in suspicion.

  “What did you do to them?” Layla shrugs nonchalantly, giving him an evil grin. I hug Layla and jump in the car.

  Just before we pull out Kade yells out the window, “Did you know the first penis Layla ever saw was mine? And she was impressed!” With that parting comment, he drives off, leaving a murderous looking Chase standing in the driveway.

  Sometimes I’m happy I’m an only child.

  ******

  Kade is sitting at the breakfast bar staring intently at something on the table. I walk over to see what all the fuss is over. I giggle when I see Layla’s cupcakes.

  “She wouldn’t actually do something to them, would she?” he asks me, raising an eyebrow.

  I shrug, trying to hide my grin, and failing.

  “Come on, Nikki, she’s your best friend. You know how her mind works,” he complains.

  I know Layla wouldn’t have done anything to them; she just wanted to mess with Kade’s mind. Which is obviously working.

  “I don’t think she would, Kade. I mean they were already made before we came over. Unless she sprinkled salt or something on them,” I say through bouts of giggles.

  Kade hesitantly picks up a vanilla frosted cupcake and examines it. I see his pink tongue flick out as he licks the top. He instantly groans. “I don’t even care if she did anything because they taste like heaven,” he moans, taking a huge bite. The frosting on his lips looks particularly delicious. I clear my throat and step back.

  “Want a bite?” he asks, licking frosting from his fingers.

  “What?” I say, distracted. Too busy watching him lick and moan.

  “Do you want a bite, Nik?” he asks, amused.

  “Oh, I want a bite,” I mumble under my breath. I hear the front door open and a few seconds later, Ashley walks in. Oh, yippee.

  “Hey, Kade,” she purrs, shooting me a slight glare.

  “Hey, Ashley, how was class?” he asks her, grabbing another cupcake.

  “It was good. You want to go to the bar and play some pool?” she asks Kade, a hand on her hip and her breasts pushed out obviously.

  “Yep, give me a minute. Wanna come, Nikki?” he asks, a little hesitantly.

  “No thanks, I’m good,” I reply instantly.

  I swipe a cupcake, and head straight for my room.

  Chapter Fourteen

  I walk into the house after the worst day ever at work. Being an intern is really all work and no play. And I don’t even get paid. I do everything, from tagging along with clients to making coffee. It sucks but I know it’s a necessary step to get my career on track. I peel my black pumps off, groaning in relief. I head into the living area where I can hear Kade and James laughing. I walk in and do a double take when I see Chase sitting there too. All wearing nothing but their underwear. I blink.

  “What. The. Fuck. Is. this?” I ask, saying each word slowly.

  “Hey, Nikki!” all three call out simultaneously.

  “Seriously. Why is no one wearing pants? And am I the only one who works anymore?” I huff. This house has gone mad.

  “Well,” Kade starts. “Layla was over here before, and she mentioned something that her and her sister Tenielle do, a tradition, if you will, so we decided to try it. And it’s pretty awesome,” Kade says, grinning. I put my hand on my forehead and close my eyes. The sad thing is, I know exactly what Kade is referring to.

  “No pants Thursdays,” Kade and I say aloud at the same time.

  “Oh, you’ve heard of it!” he says cheerfully. Oh, I’ve heard of it. Layla and her sister are fucking nuts.

  “Feel free to join us!” James calls out. Perve.

  “Okay, you two,” I say, gesturing to Kade and James, “I might expect this from. But you, Chase, come on!” I complain. Chase laughs, his body shaking.

  “Sometimes you gotta go with the flow, Nikki,” Chase says, taking a swig of his drink.

  “I’m gonna kill Layla!” I growl. “Where is she anyway?”

  “At her parents' for the night,” Chase tells me.

  “Oh, so that’s why the three stooges are here, half naked, drinking beer, and watching TV,” I say to myself.

  I glance at the TV to see what they are watching. ‘Top Gear.’ I groan.

  And head to the bathroom for a long hot shower.

  Afterwards, I feel a lot more relaxed, and a lot less grumpy. I decide to go with the flow. Putting on one of Kade’s worn tees and a pair of superman underwear, I casually walk into the lounge room, and sit between James and Kade. I can see Kade’s eyes on my bare thighs, but he doesn’t say anything.

  “Does this count as underwear, or should I take off the t-shirt?” I joke.

  Chase says it’s good, James says to take the shirt off, Kade just growls and begs me to leave it on. I chuckle, guess the shirt stays.

  If you can’t beat them, join them. Right?

  ******

  The rest of the week goes by quickly and drama free. I’m so thankful it’s the we
ekend. I can relax, maybe read a book. The house is quiet for the most part. I’m surprised there haven’t been anymore parties. Hell, after everything Layla said, I’m shocked I haven’t seen James come home with any women.

  I’m running on the treadmill in the gym when Ashley walks in. This girl has been the bane of my existence for a while now, and she comes over a fair bit. She also acts like she owns the house, and it really pisses me off. She has absolutely no shame whatsoever, and I know she wants Kade. The way she acts around him is completely different to the side she shows me. Chase told her to get the fuck out but she is still always here. The girl is an A grade bitch. I’m not going to lie, I am jealous of how close Kade and her are. Why? He doesn’t have any other female friends. The whole thing confuses me. What makes me frustrated is Kade thinks she walks on fucking sunshine.

  “You should probably run for an extra hour, you need it,” she grates.

  We all know that's a lie. I’m petite and nicely shaped, still curvy. The reason I work out is for fitness and strength. Ignoring her, I jump off the treadmill and grab my iPod off the table. Looks like I’m going to need it to drown out little miss bitch over there. ‘Don’t You be Scared’ by Trey Song comes on.

  I'ma keep it real

  a lot of women in my phone

  But I'ma be for real

  you're the only one I want

  I ain't telling lies, like I'm tryin' to settle down

  You probably heard I get around

  I scoff, boy does he get around. Seriously, why do I relate everything back to Kade? I skip songs and next it lands on Samantha Jade ‘What You’ve Done to Me.’ Ah yes, nothing like some Aussie music.