Affinity (Part IV)

She sat down next to him, and he took both of her hands in his. “I really didn’t mean that,” he explained sincerely. “But I asked Nik not to tell you I was here. Shane told her I had somewhere else to be tonight and I wasn’t coming to dinner, because even she wouldn’t have kept the secret if she’d known we’d run into each other. I’ve been in town a couple of days, and being around the two of them made me think. I’ve missed you,” he said. 1

Suddenly, he couldn’t resist temptation anymore. Leaning forward, he pressed his lips gently to hers, only slight pressure as he slanted the kiss to become subtly more intimate, and to her, the mere touching of lips became a touching of souls.2

She pulled back. Eyes wide, she whispered softly, “Yes.”3

He looked slightly confused for a moment, not sure to what she was referring to. She clarified. “Yes, I’ll do it.” She knew it was risky and extremely stupid on her part, but she didn’t care. She’d been numb for too long, and all she wanted was to feel again. She didn’t consider consequences or repercussions. All she considered was Cade. 4

“You don’t have to,” he told her quietly. “I was an asshole for even asking. I can’t offer you anything but sex, and you deserve better than that.”5

She looked away for a moment, unable to let him see the truth hiding in her eyes. Those fathomless pools of truth squeezed shut as she told him, “It doesn’t matter. That’s all I want.” Her eyes opened to stare up at him, all expression hidden behind a cool façade. “There’s only one condition.”6

“What’s that?” he asked calmly.7

“When I say it’s over, it’s over. Michael can never find out about this. Ever,” she clarified in a tone that allowed no argument.8

“Are you sure?” 9

“Absolutely.”10

“Okay, then I agree,” he told her, mentally breathing a sigh of relief. He wasn’t sure what he would have done if she had changed her mind when he’d given her the chance. Almost immediately, she looked as though she was already having doubts as to her own judgment, but he kissed her again, fogging her senses and preventing her from thinking about her decision. 11

She heard Nikki’s car door slam, and she jumped up with a guilty expression. No matter what their relationship was, nobody could know about it, though she wished she had the nerve to tell her best friend. Nikki would understand, she knew. She understood passion and loneliness. She would be able to relate to her doubts, comfort her when she forced herself to keep her distance. 12

But she couldn’t tell her. She would, eventually, she was sure of it. Just not right now. She wasn’t afraid Nikki would tell Michael. She would never do that. But Nikki was stronger than Kara was, and she didn’t want her friend influencing her in this affair in any way. In fact, if she let Nikki in on the little secret, she would probably try to convince her to get divorced. 13

She smiled to herself. Nikki, the hard-edged cynic, had turned into a hopeless romantic.14

The front door opened, and the pretty actress stepped inside, her stiletto heels clicking on the marble floor in the foyer. And stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Kara standing next to the couch where Cade sat, her arms folded protectively over her breasts. 15

Nikki’s eyes grew wide, and in typical fashion she over-dramatized the moment, her mouth dropping open as she stared, before she finally gasped, “Oh my God!” Her groan of stupidity said more than her words could. 16

Kara left the room, and Nikki followed, as she’d known she would. Her face red with mortification, she began to explain. “I honestly didn’t know he would be here tonight, Kara. I’m so sorry. If I had known, I would’ve told you, but Shane said he was just staying for a couple of days and he would keep him away when you were here, and…”17

“Cade told me. But just so you know, your little boyfriend was in on this. They decided to tell you a little story so you wouldn’t tell me Cade was here. You should keep him on a tighter leash,” Kara teased.18

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Nikki replied dryly.19

They ate dinner in tight silence, Nikki and Shane occasionally trying to draw the others into conversation with small talk, finally giving up when they saw how useless it was. Shane looked as though he was beginning to doubt the wisdom of his plan. 20

The tension in the room was so thick it was tangible, so Kara decided to leave early. Nikki jumped up the see her out but Cade offered to walk her to her car. With an hesitant nod from Kara, Nikki let him have his way.21

He walked quietly beside her, his hand at the small of her back. He even surprised her by opening the car door for her. The old Cade would’ve never even considered such a small act of courtesy. 22

She didn’t know what to say. They stood there for a moment, with her trapped between the car and the heat of his body. Was she supposed to ask him what time they should meet, as though they were making a date, or maybe a business arrangement? She wasn’t sure. She’d never done anything this outrageous before. She usually left that kind of behavior to Nikki. 23

He spoke first. “So… When can I see you again?”24

She looked down, avoiding his eyes as she wondered if she could really go through with this. Would she seem too eager? “I don’t have anything planned for tomorrow… if you’re free,” she responded.25

“Yeah, I’m on vacation, so… um… Tomorrow then? Where?”26

She felt really bad about this, but she couldn’t think of anywhere to go. He was staying with Nikki, so that was out of the question. “If… if I give you my address, can you meet me at my house around 4:00 maybe?”27

“What about… you know?” God, this was awkward. She’d never made an arrangement to have sex while her husband was out, and she really wished he hadn’t mentioned it.28

“Let’s not talk about him, okay? I wouldn’t suggest it if he would be there.”29

“Okay, then. 4:00 tomorrow it is.” He looked as though he wanted to kiss her goodnight, but at the last minute thought better of it. Instead, he smiled slightly and backed away from the car a couple steps, allowing her room to duck inside and drive away, watching her until the car disappeared. 30