Here With Me

by Alla Kar

  Cade drops forward, bracing his other forearm on the other side of me, and presses his forehead against me. “Holy mother of God,” he mumbles, sliding into me again. He shivers on top of me, and roughly grips the nape of my neck. “You’re so goddamn tight. Fuck.” His voice is a grave whisper in my ear, but all I can focus on is him inside of me. So big.

  “Relax your body, baby. Let me in,” he whispers. “Once I’m in, you won’t want me to leave. I swear.”

  I obey, spreading my legs wider and relaxing into the comfort of his bed. My head rests on the pillow as he pushes more of himself into me, and every part shivers for him.

  “More,” I whisper.

  When I lift my gaze, I almost gasp at the look on his face. His forehead is pinched in concentration, and those luscious lips are parted. Something animalistic—raw, rough—radiates from him. He grabs my ass and thrusts himself all the way in, his tongue muffling my cry.

  I widen for his girth, my legs automatically wrapping around his waist and pushing him farther into me. The painful pinch is being overpowered by the pleasure of him as he quickens his pace. Little sounds I never thought I’d make escape my throat with each thrust.

  “Cade,” I choke out, not sure why I’m even speaking. I can’t seem to find my breath. He growls, grabs my hips, and positions them upward, sending him harder, faster, and farther into me. I yelp out, my fingers digging into the hard muscles of his shoulders.

  Cade’s eyes flutter closed, and he pounds into my channel harder than I ever thought possible. He feels so good that I don’t care that I’m shivering and panting. I need him.

  With a growl of restraint he pulls out of me and before I know it I’m being turned around on all fours. I feel his body hovering over mine, his hot breath trailing over my back and up to my neck. His cock presses against my ass and my wetness runs down my thighs.

  “You okay?” he rasps against my neck.

  I nod, clenching the covers for support and ease. His calloused hands run up my backside, over the arch in my back, up to the nape of my neck where he grips my hair in his big hand. “Tell me.”

  Through a dizzy haze, I dig up an appropriate answer. “I’m fine.”

  He laughs, reaching around me to rub the pad of his finger against my clit. “You like the way I feel?”

  Another nod.

  “You want more, Jaden?”

  Easing backwards, I don’t stop until I’m grinding against him.

  “Say it,” he growls.

  “Yes, more. Please.”

  I’m so delirious that when he pushes into me from behind, a giggle pops out of my mouth, and I arch my back to give him a better view. He plunges deeper into me, his hands digging into my ass as he pounds me from behind, unmercifully forcing himself into me like he’ll never get another chance. I’m so wet and swollen, but he feels so good that all I care about is climbing higher and higher with this man. It feels so right that I bury my head into the pillow and scream.

  Cade’s hands slide up my back and force me into the pillow. With each thrust, I lose more control of myself, and Cade knows it. He plunders my channel until I’m shaking, begging for release. And when he leans down and bites my shoulder, his hot mouth whispering my name, I let go.

  My muscles tighten around his shaft, and he growls out incoherencies before making the hottest half-growl, half-moan that I’ve ever heard and spilling into me. His cock jerks, sending me further over the edge than my own self-pleasure has ever gotten me.

  My skin is covered with a soft film of sweat, but I don’t move just yet. I listen to the heavy sound of Cade breathing behind me. Both hands are still latched onto my hips.

  Slowly, I feel Cade pull away from me, leaving me lonely and cool against the sheets. A thought dancing along the back of my mind is trying to crawl its way upward. Is he going to leave you?

  But I force it away when I feel Cade run his fingertip under my chin and force me to look at him. A cocky smile rises from his lips. My eyes betray me and travel down his stomach.

  “You’re blushing again.”

  I roll my eyes and turn to hide myself with a pillow. “You’re not blushing.”

  He laughs. “Of course not. There’s no shame in my game, Princess. Now, are you going to come take a shower with me, or do we need to go for round two?”

  I swallow and take his hand, trying my best to keep my composure. I am completely naked in front of him. He gently bows and gestures his arm outward. “Ladies first.”

  I tilt my head upward and walk as calmly as I can out of the room. I smile when he lets out a loud wolf whistle.

  ***

  “You smell like me,” Cade whispers as I open the front door and step onto his porch.

  The fresh air hits me, and I melt into the fragrance of food coming from someone’s house nearby. The setting sun reflects off Cade’s dark-as-midnight hair and makes his green eyes glow. “Am I blushing?”

  He smirks. “What do you think?”

  “Of course.”

  The wind blows my hair around my face, and he pushes it behind my ear, running his thumb against my jaw, then lip. “Adam is right to keep you away from his friends. Because now that I’m here, I’m not leaving.”

  “Promise?”

  He nods, trailing his fingers down my arm before linking them with my own. “I haven’t had feelings for a girl in a really long time, Jade. I like you, a lot. Your smile. That innocent look. Jade, you don’t even fucking understand how bad I want to drag you back inside.”

  If I was blushing before, I can only imagine how pink my cheeks are now. “Ditto,” I say.

  Sighing, he squeezes my hand and tosses his head toward the truck. “Now, let’s go see if we can trick Adam again.”

  I snort. “I’ve been doing it for years.”

  The ride back home doesn’t take nearly long enough. Before I know it we’re pulling into the parking lot. I nervously pull at my hair and turn to look at Cade. “We’ll be fine,” he says, but it seems more like he’s trying to reassure himself rather than me.

  I frown but jump out of the truck. The walk up the stairs is torture. Were the stairs this long before? When my feet hit the WELCOME mat, I freeze and stare at the closed door, listening to Adam and Will’s voices behind it.

  I know that we should probably walk in separately but I’m scared to face Adam alone. “Just act normal,” I say, turning to look at Cade.

  He gives me an amused smile. “You don’t look any different, baby. Maybe a little more pep in your step, but he can’t tell you’ve just had sex.”

  I roll my eyes. “I know that. I’m just nervous that he’s going to catch on about us—whatever this is—and I don’t want to deal with it.”

  Cade steps forward, sweeping those sultry green eyes over my face, and sliding his fingers into the hair at the nape of my neck. “We’ll tell him eventually. One day.” He grins. “But not today. Just act normal. I’ve got this.”

  I take his word and follow him into the condo. The TV casts a glow over the dark living room, and I make out Adam on the loveseat and Will on the coffee table, playing Assassin’s Creed. As soon as they see us the game is paused and they’re both up. “Where have you been?” Adam crosses his arms. He looks more and more like Dad every day.

  My hands start to shake, and I push them down into the depths of my pockets. I look to Cade for help, and I see he’s not standing beside me. Then I feel something cold slide over my shoulder, and I reach up to catch the Coke Cade is offering me.

  I take it, pop the top, and take the biggest drink I can manage. Adam narrows his eyes and looks at Cade, who is pretending to text on his phone, which I know is dead. “Jaden had some homework to do at the library, and I picked her up afterwards and dropped her off at her dad’s house last night.” He takes a sip, then shoves his phone into his pocket. “Any more questions, Dad?”

  Will clears his throat, and I almost groan, because I thought he would have left by now. “Jaden, you sure do have a lot of homework
for a freshman. Do you need help in any of your classes?” A sleazy smile is plastered on his face, and I can tell he’s forcing it to stay there.

  “Not from you,” Cade snaps and my body stiffens.

  “Why so serious, Cade?” Will lifts a blond brow and gives Adam a look I can’t decipher. “I was just offering.”

  Cade loosens his tight grip on the Coke and gives me a look so quickly that I can’t even be sure he did it. “Goodnight, guys. See you tomorrow.”

  Both boys watch him walk off—swagger dripping off him—and then turn back to look at me. I give them both a weak smile and dart off toward my room to sit in blissful silence on my bed.

  As I pull off each article of clothing, I imagine his hands on me. His calloused touch, rough grip, and hot mouth on me. I’ll sleep fine tonight. Before I slip into bed, I reach to turn off the lamp when I see my pills sitting there.

  A silly smile and a minute later, I’m shoving my pills into the first drawer I see and sliding into bed with anticipation of a night’s sleep I’ve been dying for.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Cade

  Jaden: You’re getting a lap dance right now, aren’t you?

  I grin at the text and quickly reply underneath the table. Adam’s fist keeps hitting the bar in response to the game we’re watching. He’s already half-drunk, but I don’t tell him to knock it off because I don’t want to draw attention to myself. It’s only a matter of time before one of them asks why I’m not chasing a girl or drowning myself in booze.

  Cade: No can do. I’m only allowed to touch your ass, remember?

  I shove my phone into my pocket, and see Will staring at me when I look up. Taking my beer bottle, I guzzle it and sit it back on the table. “Why are you staring at me?”

  Will tips back his beer and shrugs, brushing his perfectly quaffed hair out of his face. All the more reason he’s a douchebag. “Just wondering why you’re not drinking much. Or trying to hook up with some poor girl.”

  “Bullshit! That was a shitty call, ref! Come on!” Adam throws his hands up and his beer comes down on his head. “Fuck,” he mumbles and rubs his scalp. “Yeah, Cade. Why aren’t you bringing the hotties to us anymore? You get the hot girls’ attention and the other hot girls follow.” He leans over, cups his hands in a failed attempt to hide his voice, and says, “I need some pussy, man. Come on and bring ‘em in for me.” He laughs, sending his funk breath in my face.

  I push him back and take another drink. “You could get them yourself if you’d brush those teeth of yours. Damn, bro. No wonder the ladies are staying away.”

  Not like I really want to attract anyone. I haven’t been able to think about anybody but Jaden. The soft curves of her little body pressed against me. I push back a groan and think of dead puppies and homeless babies.

  My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I dig it back out.

  Jaden: That’s right. If you’re good, I may sneak into your room tonight.

  “Goddammit,” I whisper.

  “I’ll say,” Adam says, pointing the tip of his bottle toward the floor behind us. As soon as I see what he’s pointing at, I turn around and cup my hand over my face.

  Dammit, Sadie is behind us by the jukebox. Adam waves at her, and I kick him underneath the table. “Don’t call her over here, Adam. Stop. Stop. Stop it.”

  But he’s far too gone to care. Will grabs a chip from the basket on the table and smiles. “And why are you denying yourself some pussy, Cade? Someone special waiting for you?” It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that Will is talking about Jaden.

  Anger settles in my lower stomach, the sneer on Will’s face is making me sick, but someone’s smooth hand running down my chest from behind me stops me from jumping across the table and shoving my fist down Will’s throat. “Cade,” she whispers, her blond hair falling over my shoulder. “Why haven’t you called me?” She giggles.

  “Like you thought I would.” I pull her hand off my shoulder and guide her toward Adam. “He’s lonely,” I say, giving her a wink. The skin between her brows furrow, and she slams her fists down on her hips and turns on her heel to leave.

  “Come back!” Adam yells. “My dick is way bigger than his. I can make you scream, girl.”

  I snort and shake my head while I take another long sip of my beer. The truth is that I don’t even want to have sex with anyone else. This feeling is new to me. I’m not normally a one girl kind of guy. But I like her. And I’m starting to realize why she’s so different.

  She’s broken, like me. Heartbroken. Beaten mentally until you break and withdraw from your real self. Until you can’t even remember who you really are.

  “Someone is seriously thinking over there.” Adam laughs and slaps my back. “What’s got you all quiet and not up trolling for some ass?”

  Will’s chuckle forces me to grip my leg to keep from knocking him across the room. I see it on his face. That forceful arrogance that is desperately trying to cover up for the fact that he wants Jaden, and she doesn’t want him.

  “I’m tired. Been working at the garage a lot lately.”

  Adam nods and gestures for the bartender to bring him another drink. Like he needs it. I quickly message Jade and hide my phone.

  Cade: I think I need to see a picture of what we’re wagering before I agree.

  When I look back up, Will’s seat is empty. The waitress drops off Adam’s drink and slides a piece of paper my way. Adam wiggles his eyebrows and opens the paper for me.

  “You’ve got a name, address, and telephone number, bro.” He dangles the slip in front of me. “You gonna lay it down tonight?”

  I snatch the paper, crumple it, and toss it on the table. “Didn’t I just tell you I was tired? Are you really that drunk?”

  “I’m not drunk,” he says as straight-faced as he can before tossing his head back in laughter. “I’ve got two-a-day’s coming up for baseball, and I’m trying to enjoy myself, but my best friend is tossing all the pussy out for other guys to grab. And I thought we were friends.”

  “Don’t you want another beer?” I ask him.

  With a serious face, he nods. “Always.”

  The bar is starting to fill up by the time Adam starts his fourth drink. Adam is already completely drunk when I leave him making out with a girl in his chair.

  When I push my way into the bathroom, I hold my nose and lock the door with my other hand. The rundown bathroom is in worse condition than last time. Puke is spewed over the floor and half of the urinal. My phone bings and I pull up Jade’s text. Despite the stench, the fabric of my jeans stretch as my dick moves. Goddamn.

  I stare at the picture of her ass in those goddamn boy-short panties. We’re definitely leaving soon, whether Adam throws a fit or not—I’ll drag his drunk ass out. Because we’re going home.

  Without touching anything around me, I relieve myself and flush it with my foot. This place is gross, cheap and dirty, which makes it a mating ground for broke, horny college kids.

  When I walk out of the bathroom, I run into a small brunette with her back to me. She’s got her hands snaked around Will’s neck and her back arched out, pressing herself against him. “Excuse you,” she snaps and twirls around to look at me.

  I flinch and tighten my hand to keep from reacting on instinct and knocking her ass out. It’s the brunette girl from the cafeteria. She gives me a sultry smile. “Hi. I think we’ve met.”

  “Unfortunately. Fuck off, Barbie.” I tilt myself to the side to get a good look at the poor bastard.

  “Get lost, Cade. We’re busy.”

  I open my mouth, then snap it shut. With a small salute, I trudge through the sloppy drunks and find my table flipped on its side.

  What. The. Hell?

  A loud crash booms and then chants of “fight, fight, fight” fill the air. I start toward the small crowd in the corner of the bar. When I get to the middle, Adam has some guy in a headlock while the girl he was making out with is hitting him on the back.

  Jesu
s Christ. Is he serious?

  “Adam! Stop!”

  “Fight. Fight. Fight.”

  “I told you not to mess with me, asshole! I’m a black belt!” Adam yells, on the verge of hysteria. And everyone in this room knows Adam is not a black belt.

  Kid can’t fight worth a damn, though he’s holding his own pretty well. Maybe because his victim is so drunk he’s drooling. Sighing, I reach down and pry the two apart. Adam starts kicking and swinging like a madman. The other guy kind of rolls to his side before puking. At least he isn’t lying on his back.

  “I had him. I had him!” Adam screams at me, pushing his sweaty hair out of his face. “Let me get ‘em, Cade. Come on.” Now he’s swaying back and forth.

  I haul his arm over my shoulder, and he immediately drops his weight against me. I pull him from the bar and the bouncer helps me get him to his truck. Will’s coat is sitting in the front seat, so I toss it in back and shove Adam in.

  ***

  After pulling Adam out of the car and basically carrying him up the stairs, I lean against the door in a pant. I’m a strong guy, but Adam is too damn big to be carried like a kid.

  I unlock the door and drag him in headfirst and don’t stop until he’s lying on the couch. Jaden’s sitting in the middle of the floor facing me when I turn around.

  A scrapbook—or something like that—is spread out in front of her, and she closes it as soon as she sees me looking.

  “He’s such an alcoholic,” she says, shaking her head and gathering her things.

  I swallow as she stands, her white tank top bunching around her small waist, and her short cheer-looking shorts stick to her smooth thighs. “Your picture was enough to get me to come home, as you see.”

  A grin I’ve never seen pulls up her face, and her gaze darts to Adam, whose arm is hanging lifeless off the couch.

  “He’s really drunk,” I say.

  She eyes the door. “Will?”