Page 307 of Blackwood

Lex grins, shameless. “Damn right. You in heels? That’s the only thing I’m ever paying attention to.” He leans back on one elbow, tongue running across his bottom lip. “You could dance the Macarena and I’d still be hard as fuck.”

I finally spot the fishnets dangling off the headboard like some kind of lacy war trophy and groan. “Why are they up there?”

Lex shrugs. “Because you wore them upthere.”

Cade chuckles from the closet.

“Good times, baby.” Lex grins.

I shake my head and stuff the fishnets into my bag. “God, we are not normal.”

“Speak for yourself, baby. I’m the picture of mental stability.”

“Your suitcase is filled with protein bars, brass knuckles, and three different colognes.”

“Exactly. Essentials.”

Cade emerges with an armful of folded outfits. “You don’t have to bring everything, you know, sweetheart. We’ll only be gone a few days.”

“Tell that to my anxiety,” I mutter, zipping a garment bag with way too much force.

Cade crosses the room and presses a kiss to my temple. “Hey. We’ve got this. You’ve got this.”

I exhale. “Yeah. I just… I want it to be perfect. If we don’t win at Nationals, we don’t go to Worlds. I don’t want to screw it up. And what if the judges hate me? The fact that he’s going to be on the panel scares the living shit out of me.”

“You won’t,” Cade says gently. “And they won’t. You’re going to kill it. All three of you.”

Lex flops onto his back, eyes on the ceiling. “If that bastard even thinks about looking at you the wrong way, I’m filing a formal complaint.”

“Lex…”

“I’m serious, baby. One head tilt, one smug little look, lick of his lips, and I’m dragging his ass off the panel myself.”

I toss a balled-up sock at his head.

He catches it midair, smug as hell. “Ha! Still got it.”

“You’re ridiculous,” I laugh.

Cade nudges my suitcase closed and latches it for me. “Go triple-check your makeup bag, sweetheart. I already pre-packed snacks and chargers. I’ll go take the rest of the bags to the car.”

I exhale and smile at him. “How are you so perfect?”

“Lex packed vodka and a switchblade,” he laughs. “I packed trail mix and your travel migraine kit.”

Lex lifts a pointed finger toward Cade. “Balance.”

♥♥♥

The limo eases to a stop at the edge of the private tarmac justas the wind decides to attack. Winter in New York doesn’t just bite, it claws. Sharp and unforgiving. The kind of cold that slices straight through your coat, your sweater, and your soul.

I yank my beanie down tighter over my ears and brace against the gust as the door opens. Ellie hops out first, bundled in a sherpa-lined cream jacket that makes her look like some golden Upper East Side snow bunny.

Haley follows, her long burgundy coat cinched tight at the waist, wind catching the ends like a damn runway moment. Rosethorne royalty in full winter glam.

Cade steps out of the car, steam curling off his coffee like he conjured the cold just to look that good in it. He’s wearing a tailored black wool coat that is so perfect it should come with a warning label all sharp at the shoulders, cinched at the waist, and the collar popped against the wind. Underneath, his gray hoodie peeks out casual and effortless, just like him.

Then there’s Lex.