“I won’t take it.” Kade crossed his arms and gave her an intimidating stare, a look that she was actually getting used to seeing. “You thanked me sweetly enough. I’m waiting for my kiss.” He turned his head, giving her his cheek playfully.
“I don’t want to infect you,” she answered hesitantly.
“You won’t. You’ve been on antibiotics long enough, and it isn’t as if we haven’t breathed the same air. We’ve slept in the same bed for days.” He leaned even closer, tapping his cheek with his finger expectantly.
Asha’s memory of the first several days of her illness was spotty, but relief flooded through her that she could finally touch him, and she sprang at him, throwing her arms around his neck and landing a loud, smacking kiss to his cheek. “Thank you, Kade. I’m not sure how to repay you for helping me, but I’d like to try.” Where would she have been had it not been for Kade? He’d taken care of her when she was sick, sheltered her while she was recovering, and now he’d given her things that would help her get more business.
Kade wrapped his arms around her, surrounding her with his warmth. He smelled so good that Asha lingered longer than she really thought was needed for a thank-you hug. But she couldn’t help herself.
Kade drew her closer and pulled her effortlessly onto his lap, resting her head against his broad shoulder and answering huskily, “That was the best thank-you I’ve ever received. It’s all I need.”
Asha sighed happily and snuggled into his muscular body, so warm and comfortable that she never wanted to move. Eventually, she’d have to give up the sense of security she felt when she was close to him. She was alone, had always been alone. But for just a little while, she let herself relax and be comforted by a man she was slowly learning to trust.
Kade had had a reputation for being one of the calmest and most focused quarterbacks to play football. He’d rarely gotten rattled on the field. Winning had been his objective, and he’d never let his emotions get in the way of that goal.
But he wasn’t on a football field, and he was far from tranquil at that particular moment.
What woman Asha’s age had never received a gift?
Hell, he’d been a stupid jock, but even he had given his girlfriend great presents and remembered her birthday. He remembered special occasions for all of his friends and relatives.
She really has been alone. Really alone.
Kade held Asha even tighter, realizing she was falling asleep against his shoulder. She was still pretty sick, but she was improving. He hadn’t had any business to do in Nashville. He’d dashed out strictly to get her a few things she needed. Now, he was glad he had. Like it or not, Asha was going to learn to accept that she wasn’t alone anymore. She’d have Max and Maddie.
And she’ll have me.
The proprietary beast that kept rearing its head when it came to Asha was back. Admittedly, Kade wasn’t sure it ever really went away. It seemed to always be there hiding just beneath the surface, and it was clawing its way out easier and easier every day if there was any threat or slight to Asha.
Kade shifted her slender weight, tucking her sleeping form back into the bed, questions forming one right after the other in his mind.
Why had she always been alone?
What kind of a life had she lived?
Hadn’t anyone ever been there to take care of her?
He knew way too little about her, and it rankled. He wanted to know everything about her. She fascinated him in a way that he was pretty sure wasn’t exactly sane, and that was perhaps actually a little bit obsessive.
Asha tossed restlessly in the bed, as though haunted by dreams. Kade shucked his jeans and shirt and slipped into the bed beside her. She reached for him immediately, crawling all over him to absorb his warmth. Smiling ruefully, he had to admit that he was getting used to this specific brand of torture. He’d be disappointed now if she didn’t seek him out in her sleep.
Stroking her hair and rubbing his hand comfortingly down her back, he whispered, “I’ll find out what your troubles are and take care of them. You’ll never be alone again.”
Asha Paritala deserved much more than the deal that fate had obviously handed her. And Kade was determined to change that destiny for her, whether she wanted his help or not.
While Asha slept, Kade started making plans, arrangements that he was determined to put in motion the very next day.
And so…he did.
Two weeks later, Asha found herself standing in the middle of Kade’s enormous home, terrified to touch anything. The mansion was pristine but sterile: a house that felt nothing like a home. “You really want me to do your walls?” she asked distractedly, looking at the humungous living room and shaking her head. “What single guy has white walls and white carpet?” she added, realizing too late that maybe he wasn’t single. She had never asked, and the only thing he’d said about marriage was his joking comment about marrying a woman who liked his shirts. Even though she had spent the last few weeks with him recovering in Nashville, she knew very little about his personal life. Wanting to pay him back for everything he’d done for her, she had hesitantly agreed to his offer to decorate his walls. She owed him a debt greater than money, but she was determined to work off some of the hospital fees he’d paid for her.