Cade’s expression grew sad. “I was ruthless with you because I needed to see you. Had to have you in my bed. I suppose that was the wrong thing to do, given your past.”
“It’s just . . . hard for me to trust,” she admitted. “Hard for me to go to sleep at night and know everything’s handled, and I’m not just a responsibility to you. Not financially or emotionally. For once, I’d like to be in charge of my own life, you know?” She looked around Star’s shabby apartment and sighed. “It’s sad, because I’m taking advantage of Star, really. I pay her two hundred a month to sleep on her couch when I’m home and to have my mail sent here, but I’m still imposing on her.”
“I’m sure Star doesn’t look at it that way,” Cade said. “She’s helping a friend. And I bet she loves the company. Because no matter what you might think, Kylie, you’re wonderful to be around. You’re caring and kind and utterly loving. And my life isn’t the same if you’re not in it.”
She looked into his blue, blue eyes, and then down at the check clutched in her hand. “This . . . helps,” she admitted. “I was going to use this money to pay for Nana Sloane’s next year of care and couch surf with Star until my next gig.”
“I have a new proposal,” Cade said, dragging her against him. He pulled the check from her hand and set it down on the floor. Then, he had her breasts pushed against his chest and his arms around her waist and his mouth was so close to hers that she thought he’d kiss her.
“What’s that?” she asked, feeling breathless at his nearness.
“I know this great townhouse in Manhattan with a very lonely bachelor who’s looking for a roommate. I hear he’s going to charge very reasonable rates if he can find the right woman willing to put up with him and all his money.” His mouth crooked. “See, he travels a lot, so he needs to know that his girl won’t be too lonely when he’s gone.”
“I imagine she’d be working her own job,” Kylie said breathlessly, heart thudding. “So she could pay her portion of the rent.”
“That sounds perfect,” Cade said. “He’s going to want rent on the first of every month, of course. But the perks are pretty good.”
“What kind of perks?”
“Well, he likes his coffee black. I hear it’s very important to have similar tastes in beverages. He’s got a pink roadster he doesn’t know what to do with, a really big bed, and a really great shower. No grand piano, though.”
She giggled, thinking about his first hotel room with the absurd piano.
“But if it’s important to his roommate, he’ll get one,” Cade continued. “And best of all, he has good contacts at a lot of local hospitals and nursing homes so he’s sure he can help her find the perfect one for her relative to stay in and be comfortable. It’s one of the benefits of being a billionaire who made his money on medical patents.”
“He sounds ideal,” Kylie murmured. His mouth was so close to hers. She wanted him to kiss her. Hell, she wanted to throw him down on the couch and make love to him.
“I wouldn’t say he’s completely ideal,” Cade told her. “He’s a workaholic and a bit pigheaded from time to time. And he snores.”
She giggled. “He does, indeed.”
“But he loves you very, very much, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to ensure that you feel comfortable in the relationship, Kylie. And if that means charging you rent and insisting you work instead of using his money, then that’s what he’ll do.” Cade’s eyes were so blue as he gazed at her. “Say you’ll come home with me.”
Kylie was terrified. Terrified that this would be a mistake, but even more terrified that Cade would walk out the door and she’d never see him again. “Tell me you love me again?”
“I love you,” he told her, leaning in and brushing his lips over hers. “And rent’s five hundred a month.”
She giggled again. “That’s a lot of money just to couch surf.”
“Ah, but I have a really awesome couch,” he told her, kissing her mouth again. “And an awesome bed.” His tongue flicked into her mouth, slicking against her own, only to pull back a moment later as he continued. “And an awesome kitchen. Really, I’m just awesome all around.” He kissed her again, longer, slower, sweeter. “But . . . only if I’m with you.”
Damn it, there were the tears again. Kylie blinked rapidly. “I love you. So much.”