Page 27 of Taking A Chance
“Offered? You demanded, more like,” Ben huffs, but with an air of joviality.
“Ben!” Cade runs his hand over his face, then looks at me apologetically. “One minute,” he says, holding a finger towards Kat and Ben. He guides me to one side, his hand resting on my hip as he bends to whisper to me. “You won’t let me go with you, so Ben is. I need to know that you get there safely.” I shake my head at him. “Petra, it’s hard enough letting you go as it is. At least grant me this one thing.”
“Petra,” Kat taps me on the shoulder. “You ready? We really need to get going.”
I look back at Cade and give him a sad smile. “Yes, but you can ride shotgun. I’m going to sit in the back and catch-up on my reading.”
We all walk out to the car, Cade and Ben load the suitcases into the boot.
I’m about to climb in when I feel his muscular arm come around my waist, pull me backwards and spin me around to face him. We stand, barely an inch is between us, our gaze securely fixed on each other. Cade steps forward, closing the gap and kisses me so fiercely, everything around us becomes irrelevant. My concern about who might be watching, turns to I don’t really give a shit. Ultimately, we become breathless and end our kiss so we can catch our breath. Kat and Ben stand shoulder to shoulder, observing our indiscretion with a knowing smile on their face. Cade finally lets me go when Ben opens the front car door for Kat. Cade’s hand rests for a moment in the hollow of my back, while he leans forward to open the back-passenger one.
“Call or text me as soon as you get a chance. Let me know you’ve got back home safe.”
“I will,” I reply, as I settle in the back seat. “Thank you.”
“What are you thanking me for?” he gives out a soft laugh.
“Just,” I also laugh but mine is the nervous kind and I realise that it’s not the right time or the right place to discuss my issues, “for making this holiday so memorable.”
“Petra darling, believe me when I say, I plan on making more unforgettable moments with you.” He puts his cheek to mine and whispers into my ear. “I’m not letting you go.”
His words make my heart almost burst with joy and I lean forward and steal another kiss on the lips to seal the deal before relaxing back into my seat. Cade slowly closes the door, a soft smile plays on his lips, while all the time keeping eye contact. Ben gives Cade a brotherly slap on the back and I can just about hear him, as he tells his brother that he needs to get going or we’ll miss the flight.
With Cade now stepping back from the car, Ben walks around and gets into the driver’s seat. The car engine comes to life and we move away from the curb. I crane my neck to see out the back window, and concentrate on his smile until it no longer can be seen. Then I take in his strong, majestic stature until he’s out of sight. With a sigh, I turn back around in my seat and fire up my Kindle. The two in the front are full of chatter. For the fourth or fifth time, I’ll be honest I’ve lost count, I try to read the same page displayed in front of me, but nothing is sinking in. My mind is full of everything that is Cade.
By the time we’ve said our goodbyes to Ben, finished with check-in and security, the flight has started to board. Thanks to Isaac and his generosity, we board first and get settled into our luxurious First-Class seating. Kat hasn’t really said much up to this point, which makes me wonder if I’m not the only one that will miss a new acquaintance in their life.
I should have known better. It was just a matter of time before it began.
“So, you and Cade?”
“What about me and Cade?” I reply in a monotone voice, determined not to give anything away.
“Well, you’ve pretty much spent every night holed up in his room.”
“Eh!” Bloody hell, I should have known nothing would get past her. “How did you find out?”
“I caught the back of you disappearing into the lift one night. It indicated that it was going up, so it was obvious where you were heading,” she scoffs.
“I could have been going to see Ben,” I countered.
“Doubt it, seeing as Ben was with me. He was as convinced as me, as he’s not seen much of Cade either.” She raises her eyebrows at me. Her mouth pulled into a tight-lipped, flat smile. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m absolutely made up that at last you’re back in the saddle,” I can’t help but snigger, being that I’ve been calling Cade, Cowboy for the duration of our visit. “But it doesn’t take a genius to notice that the way you two were acting, this isn’t a fling, is it?”
“He doesn’t want it to be.”
“Wanting and doing are two different things.” My expression must give me away, when she adds. “Bloody hell, Petra, you’ve fallen for him, haven’t you?” she sighs. I don’t answer. I close my eyes to hold back the threatening tears and nod. “How the hell are you going to make it work? You’re going to be in different parts of the fucking world.”
“Believe it or not, there are such things as telephone calls, texts and Skype. He’s going to fly over when he can and… I’ll go over there.” I bark back. A heavy sensation in my gut tells me that a part of me knows exactly where she’s coming from and even my defence is weak and sounds unrealistic.
“It’s not as easy as that though, is it, love?” her voice becomes softer. “I don’t want you to get hurt. I’ll be honest, all I can see is this whole thing turning into one big emotional nightmare, and you’re the one that’s going to come out of it in pieces again.”
“I’m different now. Stronger.”
“Are you? Really?”
“So, tell me Kat,” I turn in my seat, looking her straight in the face. “O wise one. What should I do?”
“Petra, I can’t tell you what to do, honey, but in my eyes, you have two options. Finish it now, call an end to it before you get in deeper than you already are. Or, try it, see if you can make it work, but please, go into it with a realistic mind-set, that there is a strong possibility that it’s all going to end up smelling of shit.” Kat puts her arm around my shoulder and does her best to hug me within the restraints of the seatbelts. “I don’t want to open old wounds, and I know that you hate to talk about your last breakup, but it near on killed me to watch you go through it. I don’t want to do it again, but whatever you decide, I’ll be right here by your side.”