“Yeah,” he rasps. “Baby, I know.”

I know he knows.

I’ve always known he knows.

I just wanted him to know again.

CHAPTER 14

PRESENT - CIARA

I wake before Spike in the morning, and I can’t bring myself to disturb him. He’s sleeping soundly, which I imagine is something he doesn’t do often. His big hands are tucked up behind his head, and his bare chest is rising and falling with every deep breath.

I slide out of bed, and my body aches all over. It’s funny, when you have a night where you release a mass amount of emotion, you always wake up the next day feeling like you’ve been hit by a bus. It’s almost like every part of your body has been holding those emotions, unable to let go, and then suddenly they release in a rush that puts you into some sort of shock. I feel numb, and yet completely sore. It’s odd.

I lean down and grab Spike’s shirt, pulling it over my head and breathing in his musky scent. Then, I tiptoe out of the room, closing the door silently.

I walk down the hall, opening the shutters as I go. When I reach the kitchen, I flick on the coffee machine and realize it’s past 9 a.m. Jesus. I slept in far more than I normally would. I reach up into the cupboard, getting myself a cup, and begin brewing a coffee.

I dig through the fridge while I wait, wondering what I can make for Spike. I’ve got some bacon and eggs. That will work. Men love protein. I’ve just pulled them out of the fridge, when someone knocks on my front door. I let out a groan; who could possibly want me right now?

I walk over to the door, and swing it open to see Cade and Addison. Dammit. Shit. Fuck. They are NOT going to be happy when they find out Spike is here.

Well, Addison will be happy, Cade won’t be. I cross my arms over my chest and force a smile. “Hey guys, what’s up?”

Cade rakes a gaze over me, and his eyes blaze. Shit.

“Hey,” Addi grins. “Interrupting something?”

“No! I was just making coffee.”

“Whose shirt is that?” Cade says, his voice icy.

“Um....”

I don’t get to finish because Spike walks out of the hallway, butt naked. I squeal, and he leaps backwards. His eyes widen when he sees Addi and Cade, and he just stands there, looking stupid. Fuck.

I turn back to them, cheeks flushing, no words. Addi tilts her head to the side, and it takes me a moment to realize she’s looking at the spikes, or trying to. Sweet god, the girl has no shame. Cade grips her shoulder harshly, and pulls her back. Spike backs down the hall, and we just stand there in silence.

Well. Shit. Cade is pissed, like mega pissed. His eyes are flaring, and his lips are stretched in a tight line. I open my mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. That’s when Addi steps in, and being her typical smart-ass self, she begins singing, “H-h-h-h-he works out!”

I stare at her, wide-eyed as she sings it using the same tone as LMFAO’s song “Sexy and I Know It.” I can’t help myself - I burst out laughing. She grins, joining in and before we know it, Cade is laughing, too.

Spike walks back out, a pair of jeans on, still no shirt. Oh, right, I’m wearing it. I stop laughing, and everyone else follows suit. Cade stares at Spike, and for a moment, they just kind of eye each other. I really hope we don’t end up with any more black eyes, because seriously, it’s not necessary.

I turn back to Cade, reaching out and touching his arm. He flinches and meets my gaze. I know I’m giving him a pleading look, but I want this to be okay.

“Cade, please, this is important to me. I want to be with him. I want to remain friends with you. I don’t want to have to choose, please don’t make me.”

His eyes soften a touch. “I’m only tryin’ to protect you, Ciara. I don’t wanna see you gettin’ hurt again.”

“I won’t,” I whisper.

He lifts his eyes to meet Spike’s again. “You serious about this?”

I turn, and see Spike’s eyes are on me. He stares at me a long moment, then he turns back to Cade. “Yeah, fuckin’ serious.”

Cade nods. “Ain’t my place to tell you who to love, but fuck, you hurt her and I’ll...”

“Yeah,” Spike grunts. “I know.”

“Okay,” I say, breathing out. “Can we all get along then?”

“Yeah,” Cade mutters.

“Yeah,” Spike grunts.

Addi rolls her eyes and walks inside. She passes Spike, and flashes him an award-winning smile. “Morning friend!”

“Precious,” he says, his mouth twitching.

“Have you got any coffee?” she says, walking into my kitchen.

I give Cade another glance and then I turn, flashing Spike a grin and walking into the kitchen with Addi. I watch as Spike walks over to Cade, and they lean in close. I tilt my head to the side, trying to catch what Spike is saying, but I can’t make it out. Addi grips my arm, pulling me back. I turn to face her, and smile at her gleeful expression.

“We’re two lucky bitches,” she breathes, watching the two men.

“Yeah,” I agree. “We sure are.”

“So.” She grins, spinning towards me. “You and Spike, yeah? Finally!”

I roll my eyes at her. “It’s not serious, we’re just not fighting it anymore.”

“Hubba hubba!”

I laugh and pull out the coffee I was brewing and hand her a cup. She takes it, still grinning.