Kingsley Academy

Chapter 32

The next morning, I woke up before the sun had fully risen. Kade was still asleep beside me, his arm draped over my waist, his breathing deep and even. I smiled softly, watching him for a moment, my heart feeling lighter than it had in a while.

Carefully, I slipped out of bed, not wanting to wake him, and padded quietly to the bathroom. The warmth of the shower was calling me, and after everything that had happened last night, I needed a moment to myself. I turned on the water, letting the steam fill the room as I stepped under the spray, letting the hot water cascade over me.

As I closed my eyes, the warmth easing the tension from my body, I didn't hear the door open behind me. It wasn't until I felt the cool rush of air as Kade slipped into the shower with me that I realized I wasn't alone anymore.

I opened my eyes, startled for a second, but then Kade's hands were on my waist, pulling me back against him. His lips found the back of my neck, pressing soft kisses along my damp skin.

"Thought you'd sneak off without me?" he murmured, his voice rough with sleep but full of that familiar teasing edge.

I smiled, leaning into him as his hands roamed over my hips, pulling me closer. "I didn't want to wake you," I said softly, the warmth of the water and his touch making my skin tingle.

Kade chuckled softly, his lips trailing down to my shoulder. "Too late for that."

I turned in his arms, facing him as the water poured over us. His eyes were still heavy with sleep, but there was a spark of something else in them, something that made my heart race all over again. His hands slid up my back, pulling me closer as he pressed me against the cool tile wall, his mouth finding mine in a slow, lazy kiss.

"I guess we're both awake now," I whispered against his lips, my hands tangling in his damp hair.

Kade smiled, his lips brushing mine again. "Yeah," he murmured, his hands sliding down to grip my waist. "And I can think of a few ways to make it worth your while."

---

After the shower, Kade and I quickly got dressed and headed out to join everyone for breakfast. As we stepped outside, the scent of freshly made food filled the air—Carly had clearly gone all out. The table was overflowing with pancakes, eggs, bacon, fruit, and even scones, making it look like a small buffet.

Everyone was already there, chatting, their plates piled high with food. Kade and I took our seats, but I could feel the tension radiating off him. His jaw was tight, his eyes flicking toward Xavier and the others, but he didn't say anything.

I tried to keep things light, leaning in to nudge him playfully. "So, we're gonna hit the lake today," I said with a grin, trying to distract him. "Chance for you to show off those abs."

Kade's lips twitched into a small smirk, but I could still see the tension lingering in his eyes. "Yeah," he muttered, though his mind was clearly elsewhere.

I sighed, glancing down at my plate. I had only grabbed a few pieces of fruit, even though the table was covered with options. Carly had created an impressive spread, but the sight of pancakes and bacon made my stomach twist with unease. I wasn't ready to deal with all that, not this morning.

Carly glanced over at me, noticing my plate. "Ally, are you sure that's all you want? I made enough for an army," she said with a laugh, gesturing to the table.

I forced a smile, trying to brush it off. "Yeah, I'm good. Just not super hungry."

She didn't push it, thankfully, and the conversation moved on, but I could feel Kade's eyes on me, watching the way I picked at the fruit on my plate.