Francesca’s expression was a cross between shock and delight. She was always safe, the quiet one that didn’t try anything, didn’t rebel. I knew I was a bad influence. My head screamed for me to take her home and stay far away, but my heart…it ached for her. Seeing her smile at me, because of me, was the most amazing feeling in the world, and I didn’t want to lose it. I wouldn’t let that go.
So here I was, having her assist me in a robbery, albeit the thing was getting destroyed anyways, but that was beside the point. She was my lawyer, I was already in trouble, and she’d been arrested days ago. Francesca Taymon was arrested because of you Cade. She would never have gotten in a fight with the queen bitch if it wasn’t because of me. It gave me hope she still held feelings for me, despite all we’d been through. All the bad I did to her, the hurt I caused her. She continued to stare at me her hair windblown from the ride back, her face flushed a sexy pink, her eyes wide and dancing with the adrenaline rush she was about to experience.
“Cade,” she hissed, taking long strides to me. “I can’t believe this. Ok, I can’t lift it. Do you have any tools?” she questioned, her head turned in all directions, searching for any sort of witnesses.
This woman continued to amaze me. One second she’s terrified, the next she’s barking orders. And through it all, she had no idea how incredibly sexy and appealing she was. “I have a crow bar. It’s just nailed down at the legs. Keep watch,” I commanded.
She stood straighter, her back curving so quickly that my mind quickly forgot the task at hand. Before I could get my mind any deeper into my thoughts, she saluted me. “Yes, sir,” she spat at me like I was her sergeant.
“Really?” I whispered, looking her over.
She nodded quickly, a small smile playing at her lips. She really tried to not laugh, I had to give her credit there. I chuckled, shaking my head at her. I lifted the crowbar out of the truck bed, briskly jogging up and down the sidewalk to look for any signs of life. Satisfied we were alone I worked quickly and smoothly, removing the heavy nails from the base of the bench. It wasn’t heavy, and the years had worn on the wood. I knew why the city was set to destroy it…I just couldn’t bear the thought. In mere minutes it was loose and I had it situated in Jay’s truck. Francesca paced under the streetlamp, chewing at her nails. It was obvious she was a nervous wreck, convinced we would get caught and that would be it. I couldn’t stop myself from staring. Her hair looked darker in the moonlight, her eyes peered at me from under her thick, long lashes. She was mesmerizing.
“We’re ready,” I said, ushering her forward. I opened the door, helping her in.
“Thanks,” she said, her eyes still darting all over the area. “Where are we taking it?”
“My place,” I said, starting the engine with shaky hands.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, nodding to where they were.
“I dunno, I have a headache. I just need some Tylenol or something,” I said, shrugging her worry off.
“Cade, are you sure?” She reached a cold hand out and caressed my forearm.
“Yes,” I snapped, “I’m sure.” Why did I snap at her, I thought. A beautiful girl is worried about me and here I am being mean. “I’m just gonna get home. I’ll be ok,” I explained, my voice slightly less harsh. I didn’t know what was wrong with me, but I needed to pull it together before I lost her again.
She fidgeted with the hem of her shirt all the way back to my apartment. Things were different, they’d changed…probably because I was a total asshole to her moments ago. I rushed around to her door, being gentlemanly and opening it. She smiled and said a small thanks as I inwardly kicked and cursed myself. I led her to the door, pushing it enough for her to step in.
“Make yourself at home, I’m gonna go grab that Tylenol real quick,” I told her, heading towards the bathroom. I closed the door behind me, reached under the sink, and pulled out a small bottle of vodka. Opening the cabinet, I took out four Tylenols and downed them with a big swig. It burned going down. It’d been hours since I had a drink. I’d promised her I would be sober, but I had to take the pills with something.
“Ok, much better,” I said, coming in to see her seated on my old, black couch. “Do you want something to drink?” I asked, suddenly feeling very nervous.
“Water please?” she asked, her voice showing obvious uneasiness.
“Sure,” I said, going to the kitchen. I poured her a water, adding a few pieces of ice, and fixed myself a coke, adding some of the vodka I’d stuffed in my pocket. Walking back in, I saw her twisting and pulling at her hair. “You ok, doll face?”
She peered up, looking scared and unsure. “Cade…I’m sorry I blamed you,” she sniffled, a tear rolling down her face.
I swiped it away, cupping her cheeks and making her face me. “It’s ok. It’s just as much my fault,” I whispered, my eyes fixated on hers, then moving to her lips. I asked her with my intense stare if it was ok. She whimpered as my thumb traced her bottom lip and I knew. This wasn’t going to be last time. Nothing would stop us.
6 years prior-June
Francesca’s head lay on my shoulder, her hair cascading around me coating me with a lavender blanket. Her body was snuggled close to mine, giving off more heat than I’d like, but I didn’t care. She was here, laying in the backseat with me as we watched the glow of the stars around us. I ached for her, longed for her, wanted her to be mine, but it hadn’t happened. I was technically still with Jade, though I hadn’t seen her in days. I kept telling her it was over, but every time she would show up with my favorite drink and we’d end up in bed together. It was a bad habit. I needed to break it.
“Cade,” her soft voice said.
“Yes?” I replied. My hand reached up and smoothed her hair.
She wiggled closer, peering up at me. “Kiss me.”
It was so unexpected, so sexy, that I couldn’t say no. My lips found hers, my tongue exploring every inch of her mouth. She moaned into me, moving her body so her leg draped over mine. I needed her closer. My hand found her waist, my fingers digging deep into her hips. She pulled back, her eyes wide and full of desire. I knew she couldn’t be experienced. She bit her lip while she stared at me, then straddled me. One move and she undid my whole being. I gripped her tighter, feeling her skin hot under her shirt. I moved my hands underneath, her silky body shivering at my touch. I leaned her back, throwing our stuff in the floor, and guided her body to the seat. Hovering over her, I stared down into her beautiful face. She reached her tender hand up, caressing my cheek, then arched her body against mine.
Groaning, I bent down to bite at her neck, “You’re trying to kill me,” I growled in her ear before taking the lobe between my teeth.
“Cade,” she gasped, her nails sinking into my upper arms.
I kissed her deeper, my hands sliding higher. Her fingers gripped my back, pulling my shirt to my head. I watched, wide eyed, as her trembling hands pulled it off. Her delicate fingers explored my chest and back. My heart fluttered under her touch, my breathing becoming difficult. Her innocence shone in her eyes, but the desire was stronger. Ever so slowly, she pulled up, resting on one elbow, and lightly left a fiery trail from my jaw to my chest. Her lips scorched my skin. Growling, I leaned down, taking her lips with more aggression. She moaned into me, releasing herself from the shirt that covered the body I so desperately needed. I ravaged her skin, my lips touching every inch of her body. My teeth nibbling her most sensitive areas. Eager fingers tugged and buried into my hair, guiding my face back to hers. Our tongues danced, sending tingles all through my body. When her breath hitched and she made a path to my jeans with her fingers, I knew I couldn’t this now.
My thoughts cleared, and I looked around. I couldn’t take her virginity here in this car, in the middle of nowhere. I bent, kissing her one last time, then sat up. She looked hurt, rejected, and it tore my heart in two.
“Not here, Francesca. You deserve the best. Not th
is,” I told her, pulling her closer. I didn’t know if she believed me, but we spent the rest of that night talking and enjoying our time together. It was the last time we were alone before the accident.
Present Day
Her pink, full lips parted, ready for mine. I took my time, slowly inching closer to her, my eyes never leaving hers. Her breathing intensified, as did mine, and the anticipation was enough to make us crazy. I kissed her, gentle at first, then letting the passion I felt take over. Her hands found my hair, using it to guide me closer. Francesca Taymon was finally going to be mine.
Mangled Hearts Page 20
