Country Kisses (3:AM Kisses Book #8)(63)

I come for weeks, for ten blissful years deep inside of her.

Oh, yes. It’s Christmas morning all over again.



In the late afternoon, I shower and drive Cassidy back to her dorm so she can do the same.

“You know, you could have showered at my place.” I interlace our fingers as we walk hand-in-hand through the middle of campus.

“Oh, sweetie, in that tiny hot box? There’s hardly enough room for one person, let alone a party.”

“I’ll stand. You can sit on me.” I tweak my brows. “I like a good party.”

“Now that sounds like something I can work with.” She pauses for a moment and takes up my other hand. Cassidy stands in a stream of golden sunlight, bathing in its radiance as it washes her in a shade of lemony yellow. “I know you said you don’t mind my scar, and I believe you.” She ticks her head to the side as if she couldn’t understand why. “But there’s something you should know. This little spackle job of mine only holds for so long, and it’s just about powerless under the duress of a steaming hot shower.” Her forehead breaks out in a series of thin lines. “I’m a hot mess under this, Cade. You’ll see for yourself one day. I have no doubt about that. But I think you should know, I’m slow to show off my good side.” Her face darkens at the idea.

“Every side is your good side.” It comes out soft as a whisper. “But you don’t have to worry with me. I’m not going to think any less of you no matter how I see you. I’m going to love you just as much, if not more.” My fingers touch over the matrix of lines, the cable-like ridges that extend from her eye to her lip. “You are worthy to be loved, deeply, with or without this. Your beauty, both inside and out, sears me to the bone. I’m blind to anyone but you.” I pull her close and take in that strawberry scent that surrounds her like an aura. I love Cassidy. I couldn’t stand to breathe if she wasn’t in my life. She quelled the ache in my heart, and I can never let her go.

“Cade.” She wraps her arms around me so tight, her chest bucks as if she’s fighting tears.

A throat clears from behind, and we turn to find Sammy with a stack of books in her arms, the look of disappointment on her face.

“Sorry to interrupt.” She gives a sheepish shrug. “I was just headed back to my room with a little literature to keep me company.” She flinches when she spots our conjoined hands. “Anyway, I was just walking by—I didn’t mean to interrupt. Um, I just thought I’d say hi.” She nods to Cassidy. “And say I’m so sorry.” Tears glitter in her eyes as she looks to me. “And to say I hope you can forgive me for being such an ass yet again.”

Cassidy takes a ragged breath. “I think I owe you an apology.” She loosens in my arms as she takes a step toward Sammy. “All those things you were doing to Cade were ripped straight out of my playbook. I’m the one who suggested you do any and everything to get him back. In fact, I remember the words play dirty being tossed around.” She glances at me with a brief grimace. “Had I known we were fighting for the same man, a little hair pulling might have ensued, but I think in the end we could have still managed to come away with a friendship.”

“And now?” Sammy is pleading for a ray of Cassidy’s light. I know how she feels. When Cassidy is for you, around you, your entire world is warm with love.

“And now, of course, we can.” Cassidy leaps over and offers a quick embrace. There’s something about witnessing this scene that offers me great relief. That’s all I wanted, to leave on good terms—for Sammy to know that Cassidy and I are together, inseparable, unbreakable, and undeniably happy. And I want that for her, too.

Cassidy strokes Sammy’s hair as if she were a child. “You’ll find your Mr. Right. Who knows? He might be here at Briggs after all.”

“Well, if he is, I’ve only got a few more weeks to find him.” She looks up at me with peace written across her face for the first time in a long while. “I’m headed to TCU come fall. I’ll spend the summer in Franklin getting ready.”

Cassidy picks up Sammy’s hands and rocks them. “I’m headed to Tennessee myself for a bit after school lets out. I just might roll through town and say hi if you’ll have a cup of coffee with me.”

“Of course. That is, if it’s okay with you.” She looks to me with apprehension.

“Oh, hon”—Cassidy laughs into the sky—“Cade isn’t the boss of either of us. Of course, it’s okay with him. I’m hoping he’ll be there, too.” She bites down on her lower lip with that mischievous gleam in her eye. “I’m just dying for you to meet the rest of my family.”

“I wouldn’t miss it.” I land my arms around Cassidy from behind as we finish up our conversation, and a familiar groan wails from behind.

Crap. Leave it to my sister to douse what has quickly become an amicable situation.

Piper heads over and examines the three of us for a moment before looking to Cassidy.

“You need me to claw anyone’s eyes out?”

“Nope.” She swings Sammy’s hands. “This one and I have once again become fast friends.”

Piper snorts at the idea before letting out a tired breath, her shoulders sagging into submission. “I guess if Cassidy thinks you’re okay, then I do, too.”