Page 20 of Rae of Sunshine (Light in the Dark 1)

Cade continued to follow me. At the top of the stairs I turned around sharply and came face to face with his bare chest. No wonder the girl downstairs had been so keen to say hi.

I pushed all thoughts of his bare chest out of my mind, though. “You can go now. I’m at my dorm. I’m alive. I don’t need your help.”

“Don’t be silly, Rae. I’m your friend and I’m not leaving until I know you’re okay.”

“You are not my friend,” I seethed, slashing my hand through the air.

“Yes, I am,” he grabbed my hand and dragged me down the hall.

He stopped in front of the right door and I almost asked him how he knew which was mine when I realized that Thea was his sister, so of course he’d know.

I opened the dorm door and didn’t bother protesting when he followed me inside. I didn’t know Cade but I knew enough to see that he wasn’t going to leave until he was ready.

“Sit,” he pointed at the bed that was obviously mine.

; “Um, I live here. Stop bossing me around.” I purposely refused to sit even though I was exhausted.

He narrowed his eyes. “God, you’re frustrating.”

“So I’ve been told.” I lifted a shoulder in a small shrug.

He shook his head and headed into the bathroom. A moment later I heard the shower turn on.

He poked his head out of the doorway. “Come on.”

I blanched. “No way. I’m not showering with you. Are you crazy?” Cade was clearly off his rocker. I had never in my eighteen years of life met a guy like him.

He threw his head back and laughed. “Did you seriously think I meant for us to shower together? I’m not that presumptuous, but if you’d like for me to join I’m happy to accommodate your fantasies.”

My mouth fell open in shock. I stepped into the bathroom and pushed him out. “Get out!” I yelled before slamming the door in his face.

His answer was to laugh. I could hear him through the closed door.

I stripped off my damp jeans and pulled his shirt over my head.

The hot water did wonders to revive me and I took extra time washing my body and hair—just killing time in the hope that Cade would be gone when I was done.

When I finally stepped out of the shower the small room was steaming. Since I’d been flustered earlier I hadn’t grabbed clothes. I slipped Cade’s shirt on once more and opened the door.

I let out a scream when I saw him lying on my bed, arms crossed behind his head, and smirking like he owned the place. “Why are you still here?”

“You have my shirt.”

My face turned red. “You’re ridiculous,” I shrieked. Before he could say anything else I grabbed my clothes, went back into the bathroom, and changed.

This time when I opened the door, ready to throw the shirt at him, he was gone.

He was infuriating.

I walked over to my bed and found a note lying on top of the pillow. I reached out and picked it up.

I was only kidding. The shirt looks better on you anyway. Keep it.

-Cade

I stared at the note, dumbfounded.