Country Kisses (3:AM Kisses Book #8)(36)
“It’s true then!” She pulls me back by the shoulder. “That nasty Ina Eugene was spreading rumors about you in the commons, and I swatted them down like a fly with a swatter dipped in bullshit.” Piper’s entire body enlivens with rage. “She said you were in the bathroom screaming your head off while some dude bounced you around like a rubber doll!”
An entire series of howls and gagging sounds emit from my throat. “So that was the little bitch who kept trying to weasel her way into my good time.”
“Oh my God! Who are you?” Piper jumps back as if I’ve just sprouted a new face. “The Cassidy Clayton I know wouldn’t go running around sleeping with some guy and hiding him from her friends like he’s yesterday’s regurgitated lunch—and, now, you’re hauling him into the ladies’ room at the Black Bear of all places? You’re lucky that little shit stall shuffle of yours hasn’t gone viral on the Internet by now!”
My face bleeds of all color at the thought of anyone taking a camera to that intimate moment between Cade and me. I’d die if Piper found out—especially that way.
There’s a knock at the door, and Piper is quick to whisk over, opening it to a smiling Owen Vincent ready to get a massive sugar fix from his princess.
“Mark my words”—Piper points a long purple fingernail in my direction—“I am going to find out who this bathroom rodeo, old-timer Romeo is, and I’m going to nail him to a wall with my shoe if he’s married or taken in any way. Something is not right. I can’t put my finger on it, but I know, I know something is not right in the town of Hollow Brook!”
Owen pulls her out and gives me that look as if to ask what’s up, but these lips are sealed.
Piper wags her purse at me. “For the love of God, stay safe tonight. No more sexual bathroom brawls for you, missy! You’re better than that.”
They say goodnight, and Owen hauls her off to who knows where. She’s fit to be tied, and that’s about it.
I do a quick change into my little blue dress, the color of Cade James’s bedroom eyes, and matching four-inch heels—swipe my lips with a touch of color and speed out the door.
I’m fit to be tied, too. In fact, I vote that’s exactly how Cade and I keep ourselves occupied tonight.
Cade’s home is lit up like Cinderella’s pumpkin by the time I get there and give a little knock. That four-legged spook of his lets out a few gruff barks, and I can see Cade through the window trying to wrangle that stubborn beast off to his dungeon, but he’s planted his furry tush to the floor, refusing to budge.
“I’ll be right there!” Cade calls, trying to drag the giant stuffed animal toward the hall, but he’s digging in his heels. Cade is such a gentleman to go through so much trouble for little old me. It makes me feel like a princess myself to know a man would treat me with such respect by putting my needs above that of his own and his beast.
The door opens just enough as Cade blocks it with his body, and down by his knee, the fur man sticks his head out, his long pink tongue dangling to the side, dripping with saliva, while he pants up at me with those curious chocolate eyes. But it’s those damn teeth, sharp as steak knives, packing a promise that with each bite a little bit of my life will forever change, and I freeze.
Can’t breathe. Oh dear God, please let me pass out so I can go home and avoid this mess altogether.
“He’s being stubborn.” Cade tilts his head as if begging me to understand. “Would you mind meeting him? I promise, I’ll carry him to his room and sequester him for the night, but he’s been dying to meet you. He’s asking one question after another, and it’s become impossible to shut him up.”
A nervous laugh titters from me. Dear God, what have I gotten myself into now?
“Hello, you.” My fingers move in lieu of a wave. In truth, I’m simply trembling. “You’re awfully handsome. I bet all the pretty little pooches come sniffing around, just hoping to get a look at that face.” My entire body remains solid as a sheet of ice. I’m not sure what Cade wants from me, but I’m pretty sure I’ve just given it everything I’ve got.
The poor thing lets out a whimper, struggling to get out here and eat me alive while Cade yanks him back into the house. He widens the door and smiles with those glorious white picket fence teeth of this.
“Come on in.” He nods me over while restraining his best furry bud by the leash.
Everything in me wants to “come on in,” but it’s like moving through a pile of hot tar. It just isn’t happening.
“I swear he won’t bite.”
“Well, if you swear.” My voice shakes as I make a mad dash to the sofa and jump on it with my feet tucked underneath me as if there were a mouse in the vicinity. Trust me, there is something far more lethal than a mouse in the vicinity, and right about now, I’d welcome an entire herd of little white snowballs with foot-long tails.
Cade gets down and gives his friend a scratch behind both ears. “Buddy, this is Cassidy—Cassidy, this is Buddy.”
The dog looks over with his menacing, albeit cute, fuzzy little face as if he understands every single word.
“He minds you pretty well.”
“He does. Buddy here is nothing but a gentle giant. He doesn’t have it in him to hurt a fly.”