Page 136 of Stay Scared

I stop moving.

Cade feels it instantly. His hand leaves my back, and his eyes snap to the belt above us.

“Fuck.”

He reaches up, and the buckle opens before I say anything. Leather slides loose, and my hands drop between us.

Cade stands so quickly I have to catch the edge of the bench. He backs away with the belt hanging from one fist.

“Do not start punishing yourself because one sentence came out wrong.”

His laugh has no humor. “You were tied to a fucking pipe, and I asked if you missed me.”

“You opened the belt.”

“After I heard myself.”

“You still heard yourself.”

His hand closes around the belt.

I rub one wrist. The leather left a pale red line.

Cade stares at it. “I wanted an answer while you were physically stuck there.”

“I wanted the answer before you were tied up too.”

“Then wanting it wasn’t the stupid part.”

He finally looks at me. “You make that sound easy.”

“It isn’t easy. That is why you keep screwing it up.”

A breath leaves him.

I walk toward him, and Cade stays where he is.

“Look at me.”

His eyes meet mine.

“I am standing here with both hands free.”

My fingers close around his wrist. I take his palm and put it back against my waist.

His hand stays open.

I pull him closer.

Cade swallows.

“Now you can hold me.”

His fingers close hard around my waist, and heat returns all at once.

I kiss him.

Cade’s mouth opens beneath mine as I fist one hand in his shirt. His grip tightens until my body is flush against his.