Cade’s smiling face stared at me, watching my every move. The papers I’d been holding fell quickly to the floor, landing in every direction and under furniture. I couldn’t move. He was here, dressed in a tuxedo, and looking extremely happy and healthy.
“Hey, beautiful,” he said, standing and walking around the desk.
“Cade, what are you doing here?” I stammered. “I thought…I mean…Reid said…your letters….” I rambled on. My mind hadn’t quite wrapped itself around the fact that the man I loved was here with me and looked like he still loved me, too.
“I’m an outpatient now. All those times you were talking to Reid he came back and talked to me. We figured out the release was the day before, so we hid it from you so I could surprise you and be here,” he explained, carefully making his way to me. He stopped inches from me. “Do I get a hug?” he whispered.
I threw my body to his, feeling his strong arms completely engulf me. His hot breath was on my neck, his fingers gripping my sides. “I missed you,” I mumbled into his shoulder.
“I missed you more,” he chuckled.
His fingers locked in my hair, guiding my head back, and his mouth crushed mine. My head was dizzy from him lips moving with mine, our breath mingling and tongues exploring. Every inch of my being was on fire, wanting Cade like never before. I snaked my hands up and down his arms, finally looping them around his neck and digging my fingers into his skin. He groaned, pushing my body back until I was against the wall beside the entrance to my office. His hands explored, grasping my wrists and holding them tightly as he pressed his full, hard body completely against mine. Moaning, I leaned my head up, lips parted waiting for him.
“You’re so gorgeous, Francesca,” he huskily muttered in my ear. Chills ran the length of my spine.
“Cade, I think you’re even more handsome than you were when I last saw you,” I replied, hearing the desire oozing out of my voice.
His lips found mine again, kissing me more gently this time, then leaned and locked his forehead to mine. “I have to ask you a favor,” he said, his expression gleeful.
“Anything for you, Cade,” I replied, giving him a sexy grin.
He pulled back, his face registering my words. “Those are my words,” he accused.
“I stole them. What’s the favor?” I asked.
He glanced me over, giving me a small wink, and dropped to one knee. My body began to shake, my heart beating in overdrive. His hand slipped into the breast pocket of his jacket, pulling out something I couldn’t quite see.
“Francesca Taymon, the love of my life, you are more than I ever deserved and everything I hope to be. I can’t live without you, nor do I want to. I know being with me has never been easy, but I’m going to make it up to you. From this day on, I will be there for you, support you, help you, love you, and desire you. I need you to become my wife. I can’t stand the thought of not seeing you every night before I go to dream of you, or every morning before I start my day. I couldn’t have gotten through these past few months without you. I know how badly I’ve screwed up in the past and it helped me to become a better man. You make me a better man. You’re the most beautiful, wonderful, brilliant, and sexy woman I’ve ever come in contact with and I would be so honored if you would be my wife.”
The tears fell freely from my eyes, my hands shaking in excitement. I couldn’t speak through my sobs, so I just nodded quickly over and over. He jumped to his feet, grabbing me and swinging me around. He planted kisses all over my face, then I slid to my feet, giving him a sly grin. Holding my left hand out, I watched in delight as he took out a very large, beautiful diamond ring. He slid it on my finger, his gaze penetrating my soul as he did.
“I love you, Francesca,” he said, taking my lips in his. He kissed me until I was feverish and lightheaded, only stopping so we could catch our breath.
“I love you, Cade,” I whispered, smiling at him widely. “I want to take you back to my place and do every naughty thing I can think of, but we have to get through this party first,” I groaned, rubbing my hands all over his hard chest.
He sucked his breath in sharply, closing his eyes for a moment. “Anything for you, Francesca,” he moaned, pressing full, red lips to mine.
Want to keep up to date on new releases? Sign up for my newsletter! https://eepurl.com/DkPmr
Or connect with me on my website, www.feliciatatum.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/feliciatatumwriter
Twitter: www.twitter.com/authorfelicia
Mangled Hearts Page 37