Country Kisses (3:AM Kisses Book #8)(30)
Happiest Valentine—happiest day I’ve ever had in my life. Is this level of erotic bliss sustainable? I think so.
I make sure we have a repeat performance the next night just to be sure.
By the time Monday rolls around, I happily hobble my way to my first class, offering a giddy wave to my fellow Volunteer, Miss Sammy herself. She’s as sour as I am happy, so I decide to sit next to her in an effort to cheer her up.
“How was your weekend?” I make an attempt to tone down my glee as I pull out a pen and a notebook.
“Meh,” she moans as if she were seasick. “I know this is going to sound pathetic, but I was essentially dumped on Friday night.”
“What?” Ten students turn my way. It’s a godsend the professor hasn’t stepped foot in class yet because I don’t think there’s any way to stop this conversation. “Explain. Is that SOB at WB? Tell me who this boy is so I can kick some serious arse.”
She gives a little chuckle. “God, you sound like heaven. I can listen to your voice all day.” She sniffs back tears amidst a smile. “But for the safety of his said arse, I’d better withhold his identity. You know, just to keep his tushy in tact.” She gives a sly wink. “And my dignity.” Her whole affect deflates. “We dated a while back, and I sort of made a grave error. Anyhow, I thought if I somehow showed up on his doorstep, he’d take one look at me and all of the romantic pieces would fall right into place. It didn’t exactly pan out that way.”
“Oh, hon, you’re sweet and obviously smart. Of course, he wants you. He’s most likely still nursing a broken heart. You said you made a mistake, and you know boys—they are all about their egos. You just need to give him some time. Is he still available?”
“As free as the day I inadvertently let him go.” Her voice grows heavy with regret. Sammy truly is sweet and beautiful. This boy has got to be crazy to want to lose her forever.
“Were the two of you in love?”
“Oh, we were head over heels, planning marriage, kids, the whole nine yards. His parents love me to pieces. We were high school sweethearts, our first loves, our first everything. We spent forever professing our feelings for one another. You know, talking on the phone all hours of the night—the whole heart-shaped nine yards. I don’t know how I could have been so stupid. Nobody has loved me more than that boy, nor will they again.”
“Hey, hey.” I give her shoulder a little shake. “Don’t go giving up just yet. We country girls aren’t built for quitting. If this boy is single and ready to mingle, he’s bound to be with someone. Why not you, the first love of his life? Couples get over huge indiscretions all the time. There’s no reason on God’s green earth why the two of you can’t be one of them.”
Her pert little cheeks fill with color as she blinks back to life. “You really think so?”
“I know so. Just get out there and spend as much time as you can with him—as friends, of course, in the beginning, and soon enough that flame will come right back.” I snap my fingers, loud and crisp, just as the professor walks in. I lean into her and whisper, “When you find a good man, you and I both know, you dig your pretty little claws in and do not let go.”
“I’m going to do it,” she whispers with a smile playing on her lips for the first time this morning—most likely for the first time all weekend. Poor thing. I can’t imagine having that crap-fest to deal with on Valentine’s weekend no less. Just what kind of monster is this guy? “In fact, if we get back together in a big way, I’m making you a bridesmaid one day.”
We share a quiet cackle.
“I look great in both lace and pastels,” I whisper. “Let the seduction begin!”
“Oh, it will.” She gives a side-eye to the door as if she’s ready and willing to dash on out and start right now. “I’m so glad to have you as a friend, Cassidy. You really did just change everything.”
And on that note, we struggle to stay awake while listening to a dull roar of a lecture that drones on for an hour straight.
Once that nap-fest is over, I head up to my Basic Principles of Marketing class to find Cade with that wicked smile spreading a mile wide once he sees me. That naughty grin says I know your secrets, all naughty sixty-nine of them.
I take my seat to the left of him just as the professor starts in on the lecture.
Cade taps his hand over my knee as if offering up a private hello, so I reach under and do the same. His fingers interlace with mine, and he offers a heartfelt squeeze that pulsates its erotic waves all the way down to my over-sexed soul.
Dear God, this man makes me melt like candy on a hot summer sidewalk.
I glance over to him and take in his godlike features. He looks my way and offers the slightest wink, the hint of the sweetest smile before facing the front again.
Holy heck, I think I’ve just found me a good one, and I don’t know how I’ll ever let go.
My fingers grip over his warm, strong hand.
Nope. Letting go of Cade is not something I ever want to do.
Cade
There is nothing as pure, as sacred as filling your lungs with fresh spring air in the middle of the afternoon. I thought I’d take Buddy and head up past the switchbacks for a quick run now that the stars have aligned, and I don’t have a single thing on my plate—well, not the stars, more like the sun has melted all the snow off the main inroads just enough to make this pursuit possible. Now that winter is about to take a hike, I’m hoping this is the first of many sprints through the switchbacks. A few months ago, Cole told me about the Witch’s Cauldron, a natural hot spring just above Hollow Brook, and I’ve been gravitating to the area ever since. I watch as the snow melts off the side of the mountains, creating a glacial runoff so pure and blue I want nothing more than to share this with Cassidy. For a second, I think of taking a picture and sharing it with her, but that’s not what my gut says. I want to bring her here. I want to enjoy the real-time beauty and wonder right alongside her. Instead, I take Buddy and head on home.