Kade Read online

  “Hey, sweetie.” I hate that she still calls me that.

  “Hey, mum. What’s up?”

  “I just wanted to ask you if you’re being safe. Should I buy you more condoms?” Yup, that’s my mother, open and realistic.

  “No, mum, I’m still good.” I laugh.

  “Okay, just want to make sure you are protected,” she says, smiling at me. Why her and dad got together, I’ll never know. He's strict, and mum is easygoing. I guess opposites do attract. Dad still thinks I’m a virgin. I don’t know why, he knows I have fun, but he chooses to pretend otherwise. Ignorance is bliss and whatnot.

  “You going out with Layla tonight?” my mum asks.

  “Yeah, I was just about to text her now.” Mum loves Layla. Always has. Layla is the calm to my storm. I can get riled up easily, but not Layla. It takes a lot to get her going, and even then she doesn’t pull out punches. Unlike me, Layla is the epitome of a lady. I have the temper of the redhead I am, and I’ve been in more fights than most guys I know. I’m not proud of it, but it is what it is.

  “Oh, that’s good. You girls have fun. Dad and I are going to the office for a bit. Got some work that needs to get done.” She comes over and gives me a quick hug and a kiss on my cheek before leaving.

  I take out my phone and text Layla.

  N: Come to my place tonight! Let’s go clubbing. Get ready with me. XX

  L: Okay I’ll be at yours in an hour

  I love Layla, she’s like a sister to me. We met in the second grade when my family had just moved here from Canada. That’s right, I’m Canadian, bitches! My dad is from Australia. Dad met mum at some business event, and that was that. When they got married, they stayed in Canada for a few years, and after a while they wanted a change. Plus, dad’s company offered him a raise and moving bonus if we went back to Aus. So we all made the big move to Australia, and I started school and met Layla. That was that, the start of the Nikki and Layla era.

  I'm digging through my wardrobe, flinging clothes onto my bed, trying to find the perfect outfit for tonight. I find something that catches my eye, just as I see Layla walk in.

  “Layla!” I give her a huge hug. She smells like strawberries and coconut.

  “Hey! Having trouble finding something to wear tonight?" she says, staring wide eyed at the massive pile of clothes on my bed.

  I shrug. “I think I have it sorted. I need to get laid tonight. Need to look sexy!” And I do. I need to get Kade off my mind. You know what they say, to get over someone you gotta get under someone new.

  We get ready, have a bite to eat, and then we head out in a cab. The men better watch out, because we are dressed to kill.

  ******

  Visit www.twinkledot.com

  for free books uploaded by our members

  I haven’t heard from Layla, so I tried calling her cell a few times. Finally the hottie she went home with answered, and said he’d get her to call me when she woke up. Eventually Layla messages me her address, telling me to come over. When I see the address I do a double take, thinking I must be reading the message wrong. There's no way in hell. Well, fuck. Layla lives with Kade? This is not good. I think of making an excuse not to go over there, but I already said I was on my way over. I need to handle this. I pull into the driveway of the familiar house and groan loudly. It’s such a small world. I cannot believe my bad luck. I make my way to the door, feeling nervous as hell. When Layla opens it with a huge smile on her face, I feel a bit better. We walk into the lounge area and I take a seat, hoping Kade isn’t home.

  “Okay, spill,” I demand.

  “We just made out. I stayed the night at his house.” I gasp. Wow. Chase seems like a good guy. “Which also happens to be my house. This house.”

  Holy shit. I feel my eyes go huge. This really is fucking crazy. Come on, both of our coincidences are insane. I burst out laughing. Moments later, Kade himself walks in. Oh no. I put a blank expression on my face and act like I've never met him before.

  “Care to share what’s so funny?” he says in that sexy voice of his. He plops down on the couch next to us, and his eyes widen slightly when he notices me. My eyes go wide, and I swallow hard, then I quickly try to cover it up. I hate lying to Layla, but this is just too much crazy, even for me.

  “Where the hell have you been hiding this one, Layla?” I attempt to purr.

  I see Kade’s eyes narrow on me thoughtfully, then he smirks, understanding what game I’m playing. “I was about to ask Layla the same thing.”

  “This is Nikki’s first time here!” She laughs, and I bristle at that because it’s not. “But Kade, meet Nikki. Nikki, meet Kade. And feel free to continue to eye screw each other like I’m not even here.”

  That gets Kade’s attention. “Eye screw?” He laughs. “You can’t even say eye fuck. You're adorable, Layla.”

  “Isn’t she?” I grin at Layla. She is so innocent. “So, where’s Chase?”

  She pouts her beautiful lips. “At work.” She gestures towards Kade. “That’s his baby bro.”

  “No shit.” Holy shit, this just keeps going and going. The universe hates me. I know it. “Good genes, much! So Kade, what do you do with yourself?”

  We make small talk for a bit, and I see another guy come in, Layla introduces him as James. He’s hot, too, and I can’t help it when my eyes stray to his sexy lip ring. Damn this family. Layla and James start talking when Kade comes close to me and whispers, “So, your name is Nikki? I’ve been dying to find out what it was since that night.” He grins. “I like it, care to share your full name?”

  I may as well tell him because I know that if I don’t, Layla will. “Nicole Jaymes Heath. You?"

  “Kade Alexander Steele,” he says without hesitation.

  After a while, Kade gets up, quickly grabs my hand, and begins to lead me to his room. The minute his door closes, his mouth is on mine. We kiss each other frantically, for a long while, his hands slowly twisting themselves into my hair, pulling me closer with each gentle tug. When he starts to move his hands up my dress, that’s when I pull away.

  “Stop, Kade,” I say softly.

  “Fuck, do you know how long I’ve been trying to find you? I have our night burned into my head. I want you again, Nikki.”

  I can’t help the faint smile on my lips. “That night was good.”

  “Good? More like fucking fantastic!” he growls.

  I giggle in agreement. He must take that as an invitation because he starts to kiss my neck.

  “Kade!” I chastise, pushing his head away.

  “Nikki…” he growls.

  “How about no? We can’t do this because Layla lives here now! Just think about how awkward it would be for her!”

  “Oh, come on, Nikki, we’ll be good together,” he encourages huskily.

  “Again, no. Now let me go.” He stares at me a while longer, contemplating.

  After a few moments he says, “I always get what I want, Nikki, remember that.” He lets me out of his embrace and I quickly retreat. As I open his door he whispers, “I can still remember your smell, your taste.”

  I know exactly what taste he's talking about.

  I walk out of the room, my face red. Kade follows behind me, and I'm aware of him, of his every move.

  Shit. I stay and chat for a bit before leaving. This is going to be awkward. It’s like a one night stand that just won’t go away. Anytime I want to visit with her, he’ll probably be there.

  When I get home my phone starts to ring, and I know its Layla by the ringtone.

  “What’s up, Layla?” I say into the receiver.

  “Hey, beautiful.”

  Kade. What the hell?

  “Did you steal Layla’s phone?” I ask slowly, my brows furrowed.

  He ignores my question and goes on, “So, I was thinking. Tomorrow night, you and I go on a date. I’ll come and pick you up.”

  “Kade, no. I’m not going out with you just so you can
get a guaranteed fuck!” I hiss.

  “I don’t fucking want that, Nikki. I want to actually take you out. Date. Get to know you more,” he tells me.

  “Yeah, sure. Bye, Kade.” I hang up. I know his angle. He says he wants more, but it’s just a line. He wants sex, and I don’t know why he has to pretend like he wants more just to get laid.

  Visit www.twinkledot.com

  for free books uploaded by our members Chapter Two

  It’s been a month since I saw Layla. She’s been texting me, but I keep making excuses as to why I can’t come over. I’m a fucking coward. I’ve never let a guy have this much power before. Well, except for that one time, and look how well that turned out. I have no idea how to handle it. So I’ve been taking the easy way out- avoidance. I’ve also been busy with my schooling, so my usual excuse is just that. School work. Some of these projects our professor has us doing are pretty easy, others, not so much.

  I’m flipping channels on television and lounging around when I hear a knock on the door. I groan as I lazily get up and drag my feet to the door. When I open it, I'm shocked to see it's Kade. Well, fuck. How does he even know where I live?

  “What the fuck are you doing here?” I demand.

  “Why haven’t you been coming over? Layla misses you,” Kade says as he shoves himself inside.

  “I’ve been busy with school, she knows that,” I retort defensively.

  “Bullshit, you’re avoiding me, and in turn avoiding her.” He stares at me with knowing pale blue eyes. Damn him.

  “Kade, you need to leave. I’m not avoiding anyone,” I lie through clenched teeth.

  His eyes narrow at me. “Yes, you are. I saw you last week at the club and you left as soon as you saw me. I came out looking for you, but you were too quick.”

  Shit, he saw me. I thought I did some pretty stealthy moves there. “Are you done? You can go now,” I say rudely, placing a lock of hair behind my ear.

  “No, we need to talk.” His voice goes low. “Or we can do something else.” He smirks. I roll my eyes.

  “Do those lines actually work?” I ask in a dry tone.

  “All the fucking time,” he says as he walks into my living area and takes a seat on the couch.

  “Make yourself at home,” I mumble sarcastically as I slam the front door. He grins and takes over the remote control, flicking the channels until he finds something that pleases him. Which happens to be ‘Once Upon a Time’.

  “You like this show?” I ask, surprised.

  “Yeah, why? Don’t you?”

  “No, I do,” I mumble.

  “Then stop whining and watch,” he says, pulling me closer to him. I sigh, and reluctantly relax into him.

  “Kade, what are we doing?” I groan out. Every time he's near, I want him. It’s like I can’t help myself.

  “Watching TV?” He says it like a question.

  “Fine,” I say, and start taking off my clothes.

  “What the fuck are you doing?” Kade says, looking pissed.

  “What do you think? You want another go, so let’s do it,” I say as I take off my panties. I see Kade’s gaze turn hungry. I go up to him and start kissing his neck, but he shoves me away rather roughly.

  “What the hell? I thought this is what you wanted?” I yell, confused.

  “No, it’s fucking not. And if you'd just for a fucking second pay attention, you would know I want more than just sex from you,” he spits out as he gets up from the couch, storms out the door, and slams it behind him.

  Well, then.

  I sit there blankly for a while, still undressed, and I can’t help the tears starting to fall down my face.

  Fuck, I’m an idiot.

  Visit www.twinkledot.com

  for free books uploaded by our members Chapter Three

  It’s been three months since Layla and Chase started dating, I haven’t really seen much of her. I usually invite her over here so I can effectively avoid Kade. Whenever she invites me over there I think of any excuse I can, hell, I even made a stupid one up, saying my cat was sick. I don’t know why I said that, everyone knows I don’t have a cat. Kade tried coming over a few more times, but I pretended I wasn’t home.

  Last week I ran into him at some bar. I didn’t see him at first, but when I felt hands on my hips while I was dancing, I spun around and there he stood. He looked so damn sexy, wearing his trademark low jeans and a black shirt. We didn’t really talk, just danced for a bit, and he’d glare at any man that tried to approach me. I had way too much to drink that night and started acting like my normal slutty self. I may or may not have tried to get him to fuck me in the bathroom. He stormed off and I haven’t heard from him since. I’m not sure if I’m pleased he has given up so easily on me or not. He probably thinks I’m a whore and wants nothing to do with me. Hell, I honestly don’t know what to think about anything at the moment, but I am on my way to Layla’s house for dinner because I love her cooking, and I can’t avoid Kade forever. I’m just going to suck it up and face him. We're both adults, and can be in the same room together. I can control myself.

  I hope.

  I walk into the house and greet everyone, avoiding any eye contact with Kade. I take a seat next to James, and I can feel Kade’s disapproval, but too bad for him I need some self-preservation. We eat together, and I pretend I can’t see the daggers Kade is staring at me. As the men clean up, Layla and I watch one of our favorite movies. I laugh and look over at her to find her fast asleep. I try to make a quick exit, but Kade sees me and grabs a hold of my arm.

  “What was that, Nikki? You won’t sit next to me? You won’t even look at me! So tell me, what the fuck is going on?” he growls.

  Shit, I'm not ready for this confrontation. He's the one that stormed out of my house. “Nothing, Kade. I didn’t realize I had to sit by you. Is there a reason I can’t sit by James?” I ask, acting obvious.

  “Have you been seeing someone else?” he asks, his tone heated. Wait, what?

  “What the hell are you talking about? You just saw me last week, before you stormed away all pissed off.” I say, throwing my hands up in exasperation.

  “You and anyone else, not gonna fucking happen!” he hisses between his teeth. “Yeah, I fucking walked away, I was pissed you would think so little of yourself to let me fuck you in a dirty bathroom in some bar.”

  “Seriously, Kade? We barely know each other. Let me go, I need to get home. Tell Layla I’ll call her in the morning.”

  He lets go of my arm, and I quickly make it to my car and climb in. I see him standing in the doorway, watching me leave with his arms crossed. What the fuck was that about? I turn my radio on, and Demi Lovato’s ‘Heart Attack’ is playing.

  Puttin’ my defenses up

  ‘Cause I don’t wanna fall in love

  If I ever did thatI think I’d have a heart attack

  Well, fuck.

  I turn the radio off, and sulk to myself.

  When I’m nearly on my street, my phone beeps with a text from an unknown number. Curious, I quickly check it and try to keep my eyes on the road at the same time.

  Unknown : I meant what I said. – Kade.

  I wasn’t even aware he had my number.

  I have no idea what he’s on about, the man is so much drama.

  Instead of responding, I drive myself home and jump into bed.

  ******

  The next morning, I’m getting ready for classes when my phone rings.

  “Yeah?” I say a little rudely, my voice still husky from sleep.

  “Is that any way to answer the phone, beautiful?” Kade purrs into my ear.

  “What do you want, Kade?” I ask, resigned.

  “Meet me for lunch,” he demands.

  “Yeah, no. I have classes to get to. Later.” I hang up before he can argue.

  K – Don’t hang on up me again. I’ll spank that beautiful ass of yours if you do.

  N- I’d like to
see you try. You will get nowhere near this ass.

  K – Don’t say things you don’t mean, beautiful.

  I don’t bother texting back.

  Chapter Four

  I’m sitting in class, slightly bored, when my lecturer asks to see me after class. Well, fuck. These kinds of things are never good.

  When class is over I stay seated until everyone leaves, playing with my hair nervously.

  “Nicole, I want to talk to you about your grades this semester,” he says, pushing his spectacles further up on his nose.

  “Um, okay. Is something wrong?” I ask, my brows furrowed.

  “Not at all, in fact, the opposite. You have done extremely well. I sent in a recommendation letter to Regal, and they are interested in taking you on as an intern. If you’re interested, of course.”

  I’m stunned.

  “Here are all the details,” he says, handing me a book and pamphlet. “They would like for you to start in two weeks and here is your boss’s contact details. He is waiting to hear from you.”

  My mouth opens in a small O. “Thank you so much,” I manage to blurt out, still in shock. My lecturer chuckles.

  “You did all the work, Nicole, not me. Looking forward to seeing where you take your career. Don’t forget, that big project is due tomorrow,” he says before he walks off.

  I sit there for a few more moments absorbing everything.

  This is an amazing opportunity for me. Regal Public Relations, or RPR, is one of the places I’d hoped to get an internship at. I squeal in excitement as I run out of the classroom, and quickly rush home to tell my parents the good news.