by Natalie Ann
“Definitely.”
Guess she wasn’t doing that good of a job at hiding things like she thought she was. Or maybe she just wasn’t as strong as she hoped she could be in Cade’s presence.
“I probably should dial it back then.”
“Why?” he asked, never missing a beat at the bar.
That was the question of the day, it seemed. “It’s what he wants. We’re just friends. No reason to muddy things up.”
“Cade is good at getting messy. He thrives at being dirty. Don’t worry about him.”
“I’d never have guessed,” she said, “since he seems to be the prettiest of you guys. Sometimes I wonder if he takes more time in the bathroom than I do.”
Brody burst out laughing. “God, you are so good for him. Just remember, he isn’t only a pretty face though.”
“Do you feel that way too?” she asked, smiling at him. He was teasing her, she knew it and she wanted to give it back. So far she’d enjoyed all her interactions with Cade’s siblings, even if they were odd at times.
“When you look as good as we do, a lot of assumptions are made that aren’t always true.”
“Not always, but sometimes?” she asked.
“Well, sometimes they are. You know that old saying about making beds and lying in them?”
“Yeah,” she said, not liking where this might be going.
“It doesn’t mean you can’t buy new bedding.”
Brody turned and walked away, leaving her there to think about everything she’d been trying to keep locked up.
***
“Did you get anywhere, Paula?” Jolene whispered into the phone to Alex’s mom as she walked into another room so that Gavin couldn’t hear her.
“Nothing. I have no clue what is going on. I honestly think they’re just friends.”
“No way. I know Cade and I saw what I saw weeks ago when they were at our party. Those two must be fighting what is right in front of their faces.”
“Alex is stubborn, that’s for sure. But I just don’t see it, Jolene. She had a rough time with her last relationship and I think she’s steering clear of things.”
“Cade will help her forget about that,” Jolene said. “She needs to give him a chance.”
“I don’t know how to get her to do that. I had to pretty much twist her arm to ask him to lunch a month ago as a thank you. I know they’ve done a few things together, but I really think it’s what she says. Friends.”
“She’s at Fierce with him right now, right? You said you got that much out of her.”
“She said all the siblings were going to be there, so I’m thinking it’s not like she is meeting Cade. She made it sound like it had more to do with the new agent that she was working with. Supporting the band.”
Jolene snorted. “That sounds like words Cade put in her mouth.”
“Do you think?” Paula asked, sounding hopeful. “I’d really love to see her settle down. I’ve been throwing out all sorts of hints and she brushes me off like lint on her shoulder.”
“I’d be at the bar right now to see what was going on if we weren’t watching our granddaughter for the night. It’s probably for the best. I might have overstepped myself a few weeks ago, so I’m trying to behave.”
“What happened?” Paula asked.
“Nothing to worry about. It wasn’t anything big, but I’m not letting up. Don’t worry there. I’ll keep you posted if I hear anything.”
“I’ll do that same,” Paula said.
“Jolene, what are you doing?” She turned and saw Gavin standing in the doorway to Cade and Brody’s old room, glaring at her when she disconnected the call.
“Nothing.” She walked up and put her arms around him and gave him a hug.
He huffed out a laugh. “I know guilt when I see it. I’ll let it go since you didn’t push me on going out tonight.”
“I know when to push and when to sit back and wait,” she said, running her hand down his arm.
“If you say so. But since Sidney is sound asleep in Ella’s old room, how about we make our way to our room for a little entertainment ourselves?”
“How about we do that?” she said, putting her arm around her husband and pushing Cade and Alex from her mind.
My Personal Genie
“I didn’t think three beers were going to make me this loopy,” Alex said a few hours later. She’d been at Fierce a little after six and it was barely eleven now. She should be feeling fine.
“They were high alcohol content,” he said, smiling at her.
“I’m not drunk though.” She knew she wasn’t. She knew everything that was going on around her, from the fact that Cade hadn’t left her side all night, to the way each of the beers she drank tasted. She could even tell you when she drank those beers.
“Nope. Just feeling loose. Best not to drive home, don’t you think?”
“Are you going to bring me home?” she asked him. The band was finishing up their last song of the night, but the bar would be open for another three hours. She was thinking most of the people would be staying to drink and eat some more.
“I could do that if you want.” He leaned in, his lips brushing her ear. “Or we could go back to my place. Your wish, my command again.”
She giggled and was surprised she’d made that sound. She wasn’t sure she’d giggled much in her life. “Are you my personal genie?”
“I can be. Just don’t make me wear any fancy outfits.”
“But you look so good dressed up.” She ran her finger down his arm. “Then again, you look pretty fine with nothing on at all.”
“Only fine?” he asked.
“Are you fishing for compliments?”
“They’re always nice to hear. But in this case, we can sneak out now. Your car will be fine in the parking lot for the night.”
“Okay,” she said, standing up and following him out back. If she was the puppet, he was the master controlling all her strings right now just with his pinky finger alone. A scary thought that she pushed away so she didn’t change her mind.
“Night, Cade, Alex,” Brody said to them as they made their way out.
“Do you think he’ll suspect anything since we’re leaving together?”
“Would it matter if he did?” Cade asked, frowning.
“I don’t know. I guess I can’t think of that right now. The other part of me doesn’t even want to think of it.”
“Then don’t,” he said, threading their fingers together. “We can leave through the back entrance.”
She was thinking they were getting a lot of looks going through the restaurant with Cade holding her hand, telling her everyone was going to suspect, if they didn’t already.
“I can’t believe how busy it still is back here,” she said. The restaurant had more than half the tables filled.
“Overflow from the pub. The restaurant stops serving around nine. Anyone who comes in after that can order off the pub menu. Many are back here eating late and enjoying the music without actually watching the band. It’s still nice and not so loud.”
“I didn’t think of that. I’ll remember it next time there is a band here. It’s actually a nice atmosphere for a late meal.”
“Some from the pub will filter back here once the music stops. Others will go home. These are big nights for us, food and drink.”
“How come you don’t do them often?” she asked, as they walked through the kitchen now. Still lots of action on one end of the kitchen, which she was guessing belonged to the pub. The other end was cleaned up for the most part.
“Supply and demand. If we did it every week then people wouldn’t rush to get here as much. Every two months we’ll try to bring in some form of entertainment.”
“It’s not always music?” she asked. They were in the parking lot now and walking toward his car.
“We had a comedian once and it was huge. The music is great, but I’d love to try a comedian again. It’s just finding the right one. I’ve got a few lead
s. I think doing that once a year is plenty.”
“You and your siblings have really made Fierce a force to reckon with. It’s not just food and drink, though I’m sure that alone is enough to keep you all extremely busy.”
“It is, but you know that if you stay in one place too long, everyone starts to pass you by. There is a fine line between excelling in your field and putting a lot of fingers in pies. The question is, how many pies is too much for the waistline?”
“Exactly. And enough talk about pies because now I’m starting to get the midnight munchies.”
“Tell me where we’re going and I’ll get you some food.”
She angled her head to him. “I thought you said where we were going.”
“I want you to tell me clearly. I want no misunderstandings here.”
They were in his car now and he was starting the engine. She reached her hand over and cupped him in the seat. “Are we clear now? You drive me to your place or mine. It doesn’t matter where we are, but I’m thinking your little buddy wants to come out and play.”
He snorted. “Little?”
He was proving just how false that statement was under her hand right now. “You’re fishing for those compliments again. You and I both know the truth.”
“Maybe I need you to show me what you really think and feel.”
He was driving through the traffic now, not that far to his house. Shorter than going to hers. “Do I really need to show you that?”
“Or you could tell me.”
“I’ve always found show is better than tell.” Voicing words had never come that easy to her. Actions...they always spoke louder in her mind.
“Are you going to keep your hand there the whole drive?”
She’d forgotten it was still in his lap and now her fingers were tracing the grooves of his jeans. She was only kidding when she’d said “little buddy.” She hadn’t been with a lot of men, but she knew when someone was better equipped than average. All she did was raise her eyebrows at him though...then move her fingers some more to the accompaniment of his groan.
Then again, nothing about Cade Fierce ever screamed average.
They were pulling into his parking garage of the condo building. The minute she was out of his car, he grabbed her hand and pulled her along. “Hey, sexy heels here. They aren’t meant for running.”
“Too bad. You shouldn’t have been stroking me on the drive over. Now you need to pay the price.”
“How much is this going to cost me?” she asked, laughing. When he turned and hit her with a stare full of heat strong enough to melt an iceberg, she knew it was going to cost her everything.
***
For someone that only wanted to be friends, Alex was sure giving off a shitload of mixed messages tonight.
Between her little leans into him at the bar, the smiles, the tilt of her head, the heat in her eyes. This was more than a booty call and he couldn’t for the life of him figure out why she wouldn’t admit that.
He was just going to have to take what she was willing to give and figure out a way to wear her down to show him more.
The fact she didn’t say much but continued to touch him wasn’t lost on the fact that she communicated better with actions than words. He was someone that didn’t shut up half the time. Talking was his form of communication. He’d been known for his actions too, but when it counted, he wanted words.
He wasn’t going to be getting them from her, he was thinking. At least not right away.
The minute they were in his condo, she was pushing him against the wall again. No way. Not again. This time he picked her up and carried her to the couch.
“At least it’s not all the way down the hall to your room,” she said when he came down on top of her.
“I figured this was a good compromise.”
“I can compromise just fine. Take your clothes off and let me show you,” she said, her hands reaching under his shirt.
He allowed her to take it off of him, but then he leaned back and started attacking her clothes first. This time he wanted the upper hand.
Her shoes were discarded, then her jeans, panties, bra, and top. She was naked and laid out for him like one of Aiden’s fancy meals at the holiday. There for him to look at and appreciate. Touch and now taste. He was going to do what Brody accused him of. He was going to lick and touch every part so that no one could get it but him ever again.
“Alex,” he said. “Look at me.”
She did. She shifted her eyes, pointed them directly into his dark ones and if he passed out because he was holding his breath, he hoped to hell he came to in order to finish what he had planned for the night.
There weren’t words for what she was feeling right now, he could see in her eyes, and he understood and he was going to show her that he felt the same way. Then maybe if he was lucky, she’d voice a few words that didn’t always pertain to sex to him.
He lowered his mouth and kissed her softly. She was having none of that. She threaded her fingers in his hair and yanked him as close as possible to her. A breath couldn’t fit between their bodies, his bare chest rubbing against hers, feeling her hardened nipples, her mouth crushing his, her tongue going in and tasting him deep enough that he almost didn’t want to move from this spot.
But he was going to because he had no intention of letting her do what she wanted tonight.
He eased his lips from hers but moved them from her cheeks to her ear and whispered, “I’m going to make you scream tonight like you’ve never done before.”
“Don’t make promises you might not be able to keep.”
“It’s not a promise, but a fact.”
“Then show me,” she said, her nails lightly scratching his back, down to his hips and sliding under his jeans to cup his ass.
He shifted down, his lips licking and nibbling over all her exposed skin. Her breasts, boy, did he love them. Nice and big, round and plump, spilling out of his hands like he was holding all the loot in the world and it was his for the taking.
He latched onto one nipple and started to suck, pulling it in, her hips bucking up to his, letting him know she loved feeling it as much as he loved doing it.
“Don’t forget the other side,” she said, her voice cracking.
“I wouldn’t even consider it,” he said.
And he didn’t. He moved over and showed her that he always played fair. That he always kept his promise and her wish was still his command.
“Cade,” she said, her nails starting to leave marks. “You promised me something special, and as much as I love what you’re doing. You did a lot of that the other night.”
“I love your breasts.”
“You can love another part of me too.”
She was making it hard for him to stay on track, but it wasn’t a hardship to do what she was asking either, so he detoured down over her ribs to her waist and then placed a few kisses on her hip.
But where he really wanted to go was all but calling his name. He looked her over, glistening with moisture, little droplets of it waiting for him to taste. He spread her wide and lowered his head, his tongue coming out to lap it all up. He was greedy that way. If it was there presented to him, he was going to stuff himself silly.
“Cade,” she screeched out.
“Quiet,” he mumbled. “I’m working right now.”
She didn’t say another word, or if she did, he wasn’t listening. He was focusing on what she’d told him to do. Tasting her inside and out, his tongue, his teeth, then his hands moving around and sliding a few fingers in. Her tightness was so slick he never wanted to move from this spot.
“Oh God!”
He’d heard that loud and clear and just kept up what he was doing, finding her little nub of pleasure, bringing it between his lips and sucking like it was the last lollipop on the face of the earth and he wasn’t going to let it out of his mouth.
He felt her throbbing and pulsing around his fingers, so he started to move them in and out faster,
drawing everything from her he could until he couldn’t feel anything else but the beating of his own heart.
When he looked up at her, her eyes were closed, her breath coming in short gasps and a huge smile on her face.
He slithered up her body, placed a kiss on her lips and asked, “Did I deliver on my promise?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe you need to try again once I gather my wits. I can’t think right now.”
He laughed. “Never change, Alex.”
“You make me forget all the things I keep telling myself I need to remember,” she whispered.
That was enough for him for now.
Avoid Danger
The next morning, Alex rolled over and realized her body felt like it went through a three-hour CrossFit session. More hurt on her than didn’t. She wiggled her toes thinking that might be a part that wasn’t sore, but she was wrong when one cramped up and she quickly had to flex her foot.
What the hell? How was that possible?
Cade was how it was possible. He made every part of her body tense and come alive, then relax and tense again. She’d never thought it was conceivable to get a full-on workout from sex alone, but he proved her wrong. It would be the last time she’d doubt him.
Once her mind settled on the fact that she was going to be sore for the rest of the day, and maybe even tomorrow, she assessed that Cade wasn’t in the room with her and looked over at the clock. Holy cow it was almost ten. She’d never slept that late.
She swung out of bed and stood up, steadied her legs and then stretched a little bit. That seemed to help somewhat.
Her clothes were nowhere to be found. Another thing that was becoming a habit here. She was guessing they were still in the living room somewhere where Cade had disrobed her then carried her to bed after two mind-blowing orgasms in the living room alone. She was pretty sure he received as many as she did last night. Maybe not. She kind of lost track after they fell on his bed.
She walked into his bathroom and took a nice long hot shower, feeling her muscles start to loosen up a touch. That was something at least.
