AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I also kissed you because I want the world to know that the love of my life is back. You belong with me.”
“But you said you’re worried about Monday.”
“I am, but if I show you how much you mean to me, then maybe it will stack the odds in my favor.” He cupped the back of my neck. “Are we good?” His eyebrows tugged low, shadowing his brown eyes.
How could I resist him as he looked at me with so much love in his gaze? “We’re good.”
“Excellent. We’re celebrating tonight … all night. Your pick, my place or yours?”
I licked my lips and pushed away my nerves. I hadn’t ever spent the night with a guy before, and not to mention, I would need to handcuff myself to the bedframe. But if Kane already knew my past, and his, he shouldn’t have difficulty adjusting. He would most likely ask me to stay open-minded and nonjudgmental on Monday, so it was time that I made peace with my wrist cuff.
“Mine.”
“Excellent. I’ll meet you there in a few hours.” He kissed my forehead before he walked to the locker room.
I watched as he strolled away, the muscles in his legs and ass flexing in his tight football pants. I sank my teeth into my lower lip, wondering if he would fuck me while wearing his uniform. I stifled my laugh, then walked back to the girls, who were waiting for me to join them for the ride home. I couldn’t wait to see Kane later, but I would also need to tell my girls as much as possible. They were my friends, and I didn’t want to hide my present like I had my past.
A spark of tingles traveled through me. For the first time, I was dating someone and had friends. Kane and Gabby even knew my secrets, and neither of them had turned their back on me. Life was looking up, and I was elated. Little did I know that what was lurking around the corner would change everything.
ChapterThirty-Four
Kane
Ipaced my living room floor, reminding myself to breathe. After I spent the weekend with Brie at her house, I was scared shitless she would walk away when she understood how fucked up I was.
I ground my molars together, then recited football plays out loud. After five minutes, I gave up. My go-to when I was stressed wasn’t helping. Nothing would make me feel better until Brie learned my secret.
I’d worked hard, giving Brie everything she could have possibly asked for while at her place. The plan was for her to fall helplessly in love with me, then she couldn’t leave after Monday. I’d admitted that I was attempting to stack the deck in my favor, but even then, I understood that nothing could prepare her. Not for this.
After I’d asked Brie if she could wait until Monday, I’d called Madeline with an idea. I was stunned when she agreed to help. It was a good thing because I kept wanting to call off the plan, but I knew if Brie wanted to be with me, she would have to accept everything—the good and the bad. Hell, Brie had been vulnerable with me when she cuffed herself to the bed Saturday night. As hard as she tried to hide her embarrassment, Brie’s insecurity was written all over her beautiful face. When she rolled over, turning away from me, I wrapped my arm around her and pulled her close. No way would I allow her night terrors to get in our way.
* * *
“We’re here,” I said to Brie as I drove into the parking lot of Madeline’s club.
“From the way the building looks, I can’t tell where we are.” Brie leaned forward in her seat, peering through the darkness.
“You’ll see.” I discreetly wiped my sweaty palm on my shirt while she climbed out of the Jaguar. Nervous didn’t even begin to cover my feelings, but I’d dealt with crazy shit before. This was nothing.Just keep lying to yourself, asshole.
I locked the car, then took Brie’s hand and approached the entrance. Pushing the little white button on the black box, I waited for the locks to pop open.
“Ready?” I glanced at Brie.
“Yeah.” She nodded.
I led her down the corridor to Madeline’s office, my pulse pounding in my ears. The one stipulation that Madeline had was to meet Brie and have her sign a nondisclosure form. Also, Madeline insisted on remaining in the room with us. Brie had agreed to it all, but I could tell it was freaking her out a little. She probably thought I was an ax murderer who taxidermized my victims or some shit. At least I wasn’t that fucked up, but close.
Reaching the office door, I knocked. Brie bounced on her tiptoes, her nerves showing.
“It’s not too late to back out, Brie. I don’t want to cause you any more—”
“I’m not backing out. Yes, I’m nervous as hell, but I want to do this. I need to for both of us.”
She grabbed my shirt and pulled me down, kissing me. I wondered if she would want to touch me after she learned what I was hiding.
The door swung open, and Madeline met us with a big smile. “Hi, hon.” She patted my cheek, then focused on Brie. “My goodness, you’re a beautiful one, aren’t you?” Madeline looked up at me. “Well done, Mr. Cooper.”
“I certainly think so. Brie, this is Madeline.”
