Page 34 of Taking A Chance
“You know that this has gone on for far too long. That wall that you build up around yourself, doesn’t protect you Petra, it keeps out everyone who tries to get close to you.”
“I don’t need anyone else in my life. I have you and mum and…”
“I know I was sceptical at first but, I really thought that Cade was good for you. I actually thought that he’d managed to get you to realise that you can’t let people in your past, influence your future.” The lights dip into almost darkness, making it easier for me to hide my burning anger from the others in the room.
“Don’t start raking up my past, Kat,” I growl back at her through gritted teeth. “If you ever think I’m going to risk that happening again, months of therapy, have my world turned upside down, because of a man. You’re mistaken.”
“But what about…” A loud crash gets all our attention and one by one we rush to the kitchen only to find Amy on the floor along with a messed-up birthday cake. Gooey chocolate, strawberries with squished yellow lettering that you could only make out the words ‘Hap B am.’
Isaac immediately drops to his knees beside her, stroking her hair, his soft voice coaching her back to him. “Amy, Amy, wake up for me, baby!” Her eyes flutter as she slowly becomes lucid.
“What happened?” she asks, looking around at the many concerned faces that are watching her. Suddenly, she bursts into tears. “Oh shit, Isaac, I think I’m pregnant!”
A mix of laughter, mutterings of congratulations and I think someone even clapped, before we slowly filter out of the room, giving Isaac and Amy some privacy.
Grabbing my purse from the side unit where I’d left it earlier, I make my way to the downstairs toilet, only to find that it’s already occupied. Knowing the layout of the house and that Amy won’t mind, I nip up the stairs so I can use the house bathroom. After doing what us girls need to do, including checking for face shine and topping up the lippy, I leave the bathroom. On stepping out into the hallway, I find Cade leant against the wall, directly opposite.
“Petra.”
“Sorry to have kept you waiting, the bathroom’s free now.” I say as I continue to walk away.
“Wait.” He catches my upper arm, stopping me in my tracks. I turn to face him, but I can’t quite meet his eyes. “How are you?”
“I’m fine, thank you.”
“And your mother?”
“Things are much better than they were,” I reply a little evasively, as I don’t want to get into some full-on conversation. However, I feel a bit of a shit and having been brought up with manners, I can’t help but ask. “How are you?”
“Missing you.” His voice is barely audible, but I know exactly what he said.
“Cade,” I drop my head and watch my fidgeting feet. “Let’s not go there.”
“Go where?” his voice has become agitated and louder. “Back to where you tell me I’m not worth it, that I’m a joke. Is that what it was to you, Petra? Just a bit of fun?”
“That’s not what I said and you know it. I couldn’t… didn’t want to be with you anymore.”
He pushes me back against the wall and places his body up close to mine. For all intents and purposes, I’m caged in. This does nothing but cause a rush of excitement to every part of me. When his hand moves to my rib cage, above my waist and dangerously close to the round of my left breast, my arousal begins to burn. He supports himself with his other hand pressed against the wall, right next to my head, he leans into me. I keep my head low, knowing that if I look at his face, his eyes, his lips, all my ability to resist him will shatter.
“Couldn’t or didn’t?” his mouth is so close to mine that his breath is cold against my glossy lips. Yet still I refuse to meet his gaze. “I think you need to clarify, as they are two very different things, Petra. Very different things.”
“What’s the matter Cade, can’t your ego accept I don’t want you. That for once you were the one being dumped?” I smirk at him. My breath hitches when his thumb strokes across the mound of my breast, flicking over my already prominent nipple. My traitorous body lets out a disgruntled sigh when he takes his hand away, it’s already internally screaming for more. Placing his index finger under my chin, he tilts my face to his until I have no option but to look him in the eye.
“You might say that you don’t want me, but your body is giving me all the right signals.” His lips hover over mine as he whispers, “Did you miss me, baby?”
I push up on my tiptoes and push my lips to his. Instantly, his tongue slips into my mouth and I caress it with my own. A deep, guttural moan comes from deep within his throat. His hands cup my face as he deepens the kiss.
It feels so good, so deliciously right, but then the voice of reason in my head speaks up and verbally kicks my arse. This can’t happen.
With all the strength I have, I push him away with both hands, creating a small amount of space between us.
“No,” I pant. “I’m sorry, this is a mistake.” I sidestep, turn on my heels and move fast, almost stumbling as I flee down the steps like a drunken Cinderella at a fucked-up ball. I hear him call my name, a curse and a loud bang, but I don’t turn back. I walk straight out of the house, get straight in my car, and drive away.
It’s not until I’m parked outside my apartment that I let myself go. I can barely see what I’m texting when I send a message to Kat. I don’t go into details. I tell her to pass on my apologies. To tell them I’m unwell, and that I’ve left and gone home. The text I get back is short and not so sweet. Just the one word.
Liar!
And I know that tomorrow, I’ll have some explaining to do.