Chapter 064
HANNAH
My brows were furrowed in concentration as I peered at the textbook in front of me. The pen I held was poised to write in my notebook when I heard the door open. I got off the bed and onto my feet just in time to see Cade walk in.
I sat back down on the bed with a sigh, shifted the textbook and my homework to the side.
"Cade, you really need to learn how to knock," I said, miming knocking.
He made a sound in his throat but said nothing articulate as he sat beside me. Tenderly, he cupped my face in his last hands. His fingers stroked my face, leaving goosebumps in their wake. Just as my lips parted, he kissed me. Slowly.
I grinned when he pulled away. "Not what I was expecting, but it was kind of nice."
"Kind of?" he teased. "I missed you, Hannah."
"I missed you too."
He smiled now. "Yeah. I know. Even if it's been just hours since I saw you. I'm still trying to wrap my head completely around this mate bond thing, you know. It's weird, the feeling of still craving someone you've virtually been with all day. Does the... pull ever wear off, do you think?"
I stopped tracing circles in his palm.
"I hope not," I said. "I love the connection and the way you all make me feel-"
"Just what I want to hear." This time his forefinger finger traced my lips, first the bottom one, then the top. It stroked my tongue. He drew in a sharp breath. "How about another kiss?" he said huskily.
He started to lean forward and then froze. His eyes widened in surprise.
"What? What is it?" I said sharply, looking around.
There was no one in my room except for us.
"It's you," he said, sinking his voice.
"Me? What are you talking about?"
"Wait. Hold still." He held me in place, pressed his nose against my chin, my hair and sniffed.
"You do smell different," he said half to himself. His eyes searched my face.
My face broke into a smile as I finally realized what had caused his surprise.
I knew I would smell different to the triplets now. Since I had rejected Asher and he had accepted the rejection, I was no longer marked by his scent.
"I'm not mistaken, am I?" I shook my head. "Whoa. Whoa. Wait a minute. Is this what I think it is?"
I nodded. Cade's mouth hung open in surprise.
"Seriously?" he cried when he could finally speak again. "How on earth did that happen? I know that asshole. Asher would never reject you willingly. Unless... did my brothers do something to him that I'm not aware of?"
"No. It's all me. I doubt Chase and Jace even know about it yet."
"But- but how?"
"At school, I rejected him and forced him to accept it."
I completely understood Cade's look of amazement which lasted for almost a full minute. I would have been shocked myself if I were in his shoes. Here I was, a girl who couldn't even speak to save her life just a few weeks ago. Now I had forced the most sadistic and ruthless person I had ever known to do what he didn't want to do. I felt a smile stretch my lips.
"You look like you're in shock," I teased.
"No offense, Hannah-"
"None taken."
"But what you said you did is impossible. Asher would never give in no matter what. He's a stubborn son of a bitch."
"Nothing is impossible."
He started to say something, stopped. "This is unbelievable."
I pressed a lock of my hair to his nose, inviting him to sniff it again. "But you have to believe it. The proof is here, isn't it? I don't have his scent anymore and you know there's only one thing that can make that happen."
Cade, torn between unbelief and the evidence right before his eyes impulsively pulled me into his arms.
"You're right," he said. "You somehow managed to do it. But Hannah you have to be careful. Those are dangerous people you are dealing with. They will stop at nothing to hurt you. Promise me."
"What?"
His arms were so warm and snug, I had to force myself to pull away to look him in the eyes.
"Promise me that you will be careful.."
I wanted to tell him I could now take care of myself but he looked so worried I wanted to ease his mind.
"I will be careful," I said.
The shadow over his face visibly lifted. "Do it for me please. I don't think I can ever stand loosing you again. Those days when you lay on this bed half alive... They were the worst days of my life. I wouldn't have such days for anything in the world."
"You won't. I'm fine now."
"Yeah. That being said, I'm so happy Asher isn't a part of you anymore. I don't know how you did it, but I like it... and I like you."
This time, his kiss was passionate. Cade's tongue explored my lips, the inside of my mouth. I made a mewling sound in my throat. The fire his kiss lit was slow, but burning steadily. His hands slid down my back, my waist. They traveled up to cup my face once more so he could hold it and kiss me thoroughly.
I flicked my tongue across my lips to taste him when he stopped.
"I could get used to doing that," he murmured.
"Me too."
"You know, Chase and Jace will be so happy when they find out you're finally free of Asher. I'm thinking... Should I tell them the good news or wait for them to find out themselves?"
"Er- maybe we go with the second option. The looks on their faces when they realize..."
"Yeah. That will be priceless. I think I'll go with that." He gave me a peck on the cheek. "I'll let you get on with your homework then."
He was about to leave when his phone beeped. He dug it out of his pocket, read the message before turning to me.
"It's a text from your instructor," he said. "He's waiting for you."
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