Insomnia

MINE OLD

Evie stares at him for a long time, breathless. 

"Baby, I'm down on one knee and this snow is cold as fᴜck. Could you give me an answer?" He chuckles, lightening the intense mood.

She slowly shakes her head at him, looking at all the people around, staring at them. "N-no... I-I..."

"No?" He looks up at her, the hurt clear to anyone in his eyes.

She pulls him up, blushing in shame at the few angry stares from bystanders. "J-just not now." She mumbles, on the verge of tears. "I'm so sorry, I love you so much." She mumbles through her gloved fingers, looking out of the corner of her eye at the murmuring, staring, people. She can see the eyes, hear the murmurs, feel the oncoming panic attack. It feels like she got hit by a bus. The air is wicked from her lungs, but her diaphragm refuses to pull in life-saving oxygen for them, making her choke on any words she wants to convey to him.

"Do you need something?" Cade demands from the gossiping girls closest as he stands, trying to keep poor Evangeline from sobbing her heart out right here, right now. He tucks the ring in his pocket.

"You want my number?" One of the girls asks, biting her lip, batting her eyelashes.

"Sorry, thirteen going on thirty and desperate just isn't my type." Cade takes Evie's hand, dragging her over to the car where she bursts into tears.

"I'm so sorry," she hiccups, sobbing. "It's just not the right time and there were so many people staring at me. I felt like I got hit by a truck and it was all too much." She blubbers, hiccuping and gasping for air as fat tears race down her flushed cheeks.

Cade pulls her into his chest, letting her sob and cry. His embrace is the most comfortable place she's been in years. She feels wanted here. — Needed here.

"You're so fragile." He mutters, running a hand through her hair. "I don't hate you because you said no. I put you on the spot. Next time, I'll do it much more privately, I learned my lesson. Wanna go home, cutie?"

She snivels as she backs away, wiping at her face and nodding. Her eyes are red rimmed as well as her already pink nose, the poor thing.

"I love you so much." He kisses her forehead. "You're so cute." He squeezes her waist in a hug. Cade leans into her ear. "Now, do you wanna go home and screw like bunnies all afternoon or what?"

Her cheeks go a deep red. "As long as you feed me again." She mumbles.

Cade grins. "You're always hungry."

"I know." She mutters, her tears slowing to a halt and flushed cheeks fading.

"You're fucking adorable." Cade squeezes her waist tighter. She nuzzles into his shirt, inhaling the scent. Why did I ever think this man would clip my wings? He cared for every feather, meticulously nurturing each one.

She could stay in his arms forever, forgetting about all her woes and worries. He may create a lot of them, but he takes away as well.

"Your asked me to feed you, but I can't cook. I'd burn the house down."

Evie giggles. "I can do it. I may not be an iron chef, but I can make some damn good pancakes."

"That is a very true statement."

Evie narrows her eyes at him, "Would you get your hands off my butt? We're in public, you dolt."

"Eh, we're in a parking lot." Cade smacks it, causing her to squeal and jump in surprise. He gives her a cheeky grin while she glares.

"Guys were checking you out, I have a right to grab your ass."

"What?! When?"

"In the Café. Some stores."