Chapter 36 : Layla POV Tessa and 1 are having one of the best shifts to date . The patrons are all in a good mead , the tips are flowing , and we even have time for a catch - up lots and there . I haven't been able to tell her about the new developments in my life Le , the three hunky guys that are all vying for my attention . I'm notunistic though . that I'll be able to give her a brief intro once the evening starts winding down . When Cade saunters in a few hours later and throws a wink at me before he disappears into the back , Tessa immediately notices . When I can't keep the blush from creeping up my neck along with the shy smile on my face , her eyes widen in excitement . Oh goody , Miss Nosy Pants will be interrogating me later . The rest of our shift consists of helping customers , replacing used stock , cleaning relinquished tables , and Cade subtly flirting with me . Every time he walks by me his hand drags across my lower back . As I reach for something on a higher - up shelf , he steps up behind me to get it for me while plastering his chest against my back , his sandalwood and grass scent rendering me temporarily mute , There's even a moment in the staffroom when he " corners " me . He pushes me up against one of the lockers , his left hand holding onto the side of my neck while his right hand digs into my plump hip . The kiss starts slow and exploratory - as if he wants to memorize my taste , my reactions , and every whimper he elicits from me . But it soon turns carnal and consuming like he would rather suffocate than break contact with me . - My hands can't decide between gripping the front of his shirt or combing through his hair . When my nails scrape against his scalp , the groan that climbs up his throat is guttural , and animalistic , and soaks my panties in an instant . If the hissing of the coffee machine up front didn't startle us , I would have most likely allowed him to take it much further , consequences be damned Always the gentleman , he tucked a loose strand of my hair behind my ear , straightened my shirt , and then kissed me gently on my forehead before ushe me out the door . Looking over my shoulder just before the door closed behind me , I saw him leaning back against the lockers , his head tipped up , and ta deep calming breaths . I might have also gotten a peek at the substantial bulge in his pants . Tessa's mischievous grin when I returned to behind the counter suggested she knew exactly what we were up to back there . The warmth I could feel on my cheeks also didn't help to calm her suspicions . Later , as the last couple of patrons leave the shop , I step outside to bring in the pavement board but movement across the road catches my eye . Straightening , I notice someone leaning against a big oak tree . It's without a doubt the top half of his face . a guy : tall , muscular build , angular jaw , and even a ball cap obscuring Under the cover of darkness , I can't make out the person's facial features , but I have this eerie feeling that they are looking straight at me . Do you want to know the weird thing ? His gaze doesn't frighten me , his attention doesn't put me on edge , and his stance isn't one of malicious intent . I get the idea he's only observing me - whether to glean more information or as a pseudo - guardian angel remains to be seen . Deciding to leave him be , I pick up the board and head back inside , shutting and locking the door behind me before flipping the closed sign around . Cade and I wait for Tessa to input the code and we all step We finish our final closing duties and go to leave via the back exit where the alarm panel ; outside , waiting to hear the alarm activate and watching as Tessa makes sure all the locks are secured . I can see the million - and - one questions in Tessa's eyes as we saunter over to our respective cars in the back parking lot , but I have no intention of spilling all the beans in front of Cade . Girl - code prohibits it " I saw on the schedule that you're not working Wednesday . Do you have any plans for the afternoon ? " I ask her as we stop next to her driver's side door . " I need supplies for a school project Mason has due next week , so I was planning on going to the hobby shop and maybe getting a mani - pedi afterward . " " Well , if you wouldn't mind company , I would love to join you ? " Hopefully , the look in my eyes alerts her that I want to spend some alone time with her to clue her in on all my new drama . Lucky for me , Tessa catches on and enthusiastically agrees with a little squeal and a huge hug . We decide to finalize the details via text tomorrow before Chapter 36 : Layla POV Cade and I watch her get in her car and leave . Cade swings his arm over my shoulder , walking me to my car . " Whose Mason ? " " He is Tessa's seven - year - old son . He has the chubbiest cheeks and a mop of curly hair . And even though he can be a hellion on a good day , I adore him " And where's his dad ? " , " He up and left Tessa while she was still pregnant with Mason . Until this day , she hasn't heard a peep from him . " " Shit , that's fucked up , " Cade exclaims . " Yeah , but Tessa has been a supermom through and through . Mason lacks nothing . And I try to babysit for her as often as possible , so she doesn't drown underneath all her mommy duties . " By the time I'm done speaking , we've reached my car . I unlock my door and toss my bag onto the passenger seat and when I turn around to say goodnight to Cade , he's right behind me . Fortunately , my right hand is grasping the door frame , so I don't startle and fall backward . Cade takes advantage of my surprise and backs me into my car . His hands land on the roof , effectively caging me in . " You keep getting more perfect by the day , " he says softly as his eyes roam every inch of my face . " How so ? " I ask breathlessly because having Cade this close to me is doing weird things to my insides stomach , my lungs have forgotten how to function as intended , and my heart skips every second beat . - a kaleidoscope of butterflies has taken off in my " Not only are you beautiful , but you're kind and generous . Not to mention caring and … " Before he can say another word , I go up onto my toes and tentatively . He freezes for half a second before he takes over the kiss and devours me . Chapter Comments 10