A knock hammered home on her front door, and her head snapped up, alert.
Damn. With clothes scattered about, the room certainly didn't resemble a passion-pit. Quickly, Taylor corralled her scattered clothes and shoved them in the wardrobe. She grabbed her jacket and purse and slipped her feet into a pair of strappy black sandals and made a beeline for the door.
Taylor swore her heart stopped as she opened the door to Cade and had to force herself to breathe. Difficult when he simply took her breath away.
Dressed in dark trousers and shirt that off-set his outdoorsy tan, Cade stood under the night light on her doorstep, a sports jacket slung over one shoulder.
He looked so very good. Taylor had to force herself not to reach out and touch him, run her fingers across his skin.
Dark eyes shrouded by long, thick lashes held her captive and his smile deepened his dimples. She wanted to kiss them.
Finally she managed to speak. “You're on time."
"You didn't think I would be?"
"I thought perhaps the bar might keep you busy."
"You don't quite believe me yet, do you, Taylor?"
Heat scalded her cheeks, and determined her guilt. Taylor chose immediate retreat. “I'm ready to go."
"What? Not going to invite me in?” he teased. Taylor chose not to argue that point and with her jacket and bag in one hand, she flicked the lock on the front door and pulled it closed.
Feathery fronds of lavender guarded either side of the path and tinged the night air as she walked with Cade towards the car. At the white picket gate, he halted and turned to her with a serious expression plastered on his face as he leant close.
Hope and expectation fired inside Taylor. Her lips parted, a shivery heat coloring her world. Was Cade going to kiss her?
"You may have put the ultimate proposal to me, Taylor, but don't fret, I won't rush you. I'm no uncouth youth who can't wait to get going. I can,” he said with determination.
Taylor swallowed hard and squashed her disappointment.
The thing was, could she?
* * * *
Cade caught her nervousness as he eased the car into the evening traffic. Funny, he felt the same. Excited. Adrenaline pumping.
He struggled to find his voice. “Hope you like seafood."
"Yes.” Her reply was quiet, almost ethereal, and it turned him on without even trying. She looked away.
Cade changed gears, wound the window down, and then back up again. He glanced over at Taylor. All stiff and rigid, hands folded tightly in her lap. He smiled. “I feel like kid again,” he said finally. “I don't know what to say."
"Well, if it's any consolation, I'm nervous, too."
"Yeah, I guess you would be.” The anticipation in finding out more about Taylor Sullivan and why she had waited so long stirred his imagination, and more.
Dressed in a black dress that skimmed her curves, she reminded him of his cars. Curves he loved to caress.
"We can start easy,” he said and reached over and took her hand in his. He heard her exhale, accompanied by a tiny shudder.
He wasn't doing any better. His groin had taken a direct hit. Hard and ready. He tried to think of anything except sex.
He flicked another glance at Taylor. So beautiful, with her hair in a sleek chignon, exposing her neck and those sexy earrings that dangled from impossibly seductive earlobes. Oh, man. He had it bad. Sex with Taylor was definitely on his mind.
"Do you know I sat up all night because of you, wondering what lay beneath that uptight exterior you portray?"
"There's nothing beneath..."
"Really?” Cade interrupted. “Nothing, as in naked?” His eyes twinkled.
"No!” Taylor's denial rent the confines of the car. “I am who I am,” she said. Her smile slipped, and she went to pull her hand from his.
"Oh, no you don't. That stays here. Foreplay, remember? Though I must admit, the thought of you, naked beneath that sleek black dress has the very tangible ability of sending me over the edge. My concentration has taken a nose dive."
"Keep your eyes on the road, Cade Harper,” Taylor retorted.
"Yes, ma'am."
How the hell he would survive the evening, and how could he react so strongly to a woman he'd only just met? But he did, and nothing had prepared him for the jolt of heat pinning him to the spot the moment Taylor opened the door. From that moment, he'd been on the verge of losing it.
And right now, he definitely wanted to lose his hands in her hair, unpin it as he had done last night, let it slide over his hands, feel her lips beneath his.
He wanted to explore. Not listen to his conscience.
She hadn't taken her hand away, though, and that strengthened his hope. Without thinking, his fingers traced a pattern across her hand.
He continued. “Late into the night my mind played tricks on me. Had me guessing. Want to know what I came up with?” he asked. He saw her hesitate. “I reckon you're frightened of life,” Cade assessed.
"That's ridiculous, I run a successful business."
"I did a bit of research."
Taylor's jaw dropped, and this time she yanked hard and managed to pull her hand away. “You checked up on me?"
"Sure thing. Just as you did on me."
Cade drove the Mustang towards the Harbor Bridge, which spanned from the North Shore to the central city, where the city's fathers had reclaimed land at the waterfront over a hundred years earlier.
"How long have you been interested in classic cars?"
Taylor's unexpected question caught Cade off guard. “Good change of topic,” he teased. A tiny smile played on his mouth, but he kept his eyes on the road. It didn't prevent him from reaching for her hand again. This time Taylor didn't resist.
"As a kid, I used to hang out at the speedway,” Cade said as they bypassed into the traffic passing the container wharves. “My passion is anything fast. When I started making some serious money, I bought an old car and renovated it in my spare time."
"This one?"
"Yes, this is the baby of the clan,” he said with obvious pride.
"There's more than one?"
"Four to be exact."
"Impressive."
"I'll show you them some time."
A flutter of laughter escaped her lips. “Sounds like your version of etchings."
Cade wriggled his brows suggestively. “Why don't you come up and see me sometime,” he said in a fake accent.
"I don't think you're quite right. Wasn't it Mae West who said that?"
"Oops.” He laughed with her, and his thumb began circling her palm.
* * * *
Foreplay.
It had started.
Taylor clamped down on her nerves.
"But if you'd like to see the cars, I'm happy to show you."
"Thank you. I'd like that. The car is certainly exotic. It must take a long time to restore them."
"Yeah,” he admitted.
"Dedication and commitment."
"That's about it."
"Yet you're anti-commitment."
"If you mean marriage, then you're dead right on that score,” he agreed. The change in Cade's tone had been slight, but definitely there.
"Do you drive them all?"
"Of course. Cars are for driving, not simply for show. They're machines, just like humans, and meant to be used."
Taylor remembered the way Cade caressed the car's curves, almost tenderly, blessing its beauty. Would he be as gentle with her? What would his touch really be like?
"We're here,” he announced as they pulled into a car park along the waterfront.
Taylor glanced up at the two-story building sited besides the waterfront. Situated in Okahu Bay, one of the city's now exclusive neighborhoods, the building in previous years had been part of the city's control center for wastewater, and more recently converted into a top restaurant.
Cade switched the engine off and everything went quiet. The tide of nerves in Taylor's stomach
performed somersaults.
He shifted to face her. “There's something I've wanted to do since last night,” he said and without preamble, his mouth covered hers. Gone was the tentative and gentle kiss from last night. This was hot and demanding—breathless.
He pulled back, eyes darkened and lids hooded. Bedroom eyes, Taylor thought.
"I couldn't wait.” He smiled down at her with a lopsided grin that tugged at her heart.
She wanted his kiss, too, but a sad and insidious seep of guilt snaked through Taylor and broke her soul.
Remember, this is an experiment. To be experienced only once.
A harsh cry wrenched from her lips. “No.” She wiped the back of her hand across her mouth, trying to erase temptation. She caught Cade's accusing gaze, felt it rest on her mouth and her hand fell away. “I'm sorry. You took me unawares,” she said feeling like the prim woman he thought her.
"How old are you, Taylor?"
"Twenty-four."
"That's what I don't understand. You're very successful, run a thriving business, but in this day and age most women of your age aren't..."
"Virgins,” she interrupted, blushing madly.
"Yeah."
"Well, that's tough,” she bit back. “Because I am. It's not a disease."
"I never said that."
"No, you didn't. I know I'm the odd one out. I have been all my life. Nothing new there."
Needing to put space between herself and Cade, Taylor climbed out of the car into the chilly night. Goosebumps immediately sprinted down her bare arms and her breath misted into the darkness.
He came to stand beside her. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to touch on a sore subject."
"Don't worry. It's nothing.” But it wasn't. It was her past, and present. Something which never went away and she lived with daily.
"Come on.” Cade turned her toward the restaurant. “Dinner awaits. Let's put all this morose talk behind us for the night and enjoy ourselves.” He held out his hand to her. Taylor hesitated for a fraction, then took it and gave him a fleeting smile.
"Why not? We only live once,” she said.
Rob only lived once, leaving only guilt and sadness behind. Guilt—that she'd lied to him. But how could she have told a dying man she no longer loved him?
* * * *
Sedate and sophisticated, Hammerheads oozed exclusivity and enjoyed the privilege of being the best seafood restaurant in town. With its arched Palladian windows opened to a panoramic view of the harbor and the myriad of boats moored alongside, it set an exquisite scene for diners.
Approached immediately by the maitre d', Cade guided Taylor across the room, his hand resting on the small of her back. Her concentration shattered from his touch, she struggled to focus on anything except the handsome man at her side.
Once seated, the waiter provided menus and a wine list. Cade discussed various wines with him, surprising Taylor. It must have shown as Cade lowered the wine list and gave a curt nod to the waiter who slipped away.
"I'm not just a backyard bar boy."
Taylor glanced away for a second, then fixed her eyes back on his. “I realize that."
"Do you?” His steady gaze held hers.
"Yes. Of course."
"You're not really sure about me, Taylor, admit it. I said I wondered who the real Taylor Sullivan was. Now I get it."
"Get what?” Taylor sipped nervously at her iced water.
"You're stuck in a void. A prim little world that you can't see out of. You said you were the square peg, well that's just it. You pigeonhole people."
"I do not. That's my...” Taylor slammed her lips together. That was her family. Not her. Surely?
"Yes, you do. You think because someone comes from the wrong side of the tracks they can't be...” Cade's gaze skimmed the room and back to her. “Can't be cultured,” he finally said with a sneer.
"That's not true. You're making me sound like a snob."
He shrugged, and reached for his glass, swallowing its contents in one long gulp.
Taylor couldn't take her eyes off his throat. Long. Strong. The movement as he swallowed.
A wash of heat cannoned over her and beneath the table, her toes curled in her sandals. Finally, she found her tongue. “I'm sorry, Cade. I didn't mean to insult you. I ... I'm not a snob. In fact, if there's anyone out of their depth, right now, that'd be me,” she said honestly.
Cade may make her feel unsure, but her own emotions had set her world all topsy-turvy. She needed to get back in control—fast.
Taylor cast her gaze about the room and choked back a sadness. Lovers. Couples. Everyone a duo. Soft touches, a caress here, a secretive smile there. Would tonight be her time to enjoy romance, even for one night? Just the thought of it set her heart rate into overdrive, and she fidgeted with her water glass. She raked her brain for non-contentious conversation.
"How did you know Hugh Prendergast and Brianna Bennett?” she finally asked.
Cade lowered his glass and eased back into the luxurious leather chair. He rested a hand on the pure white linen tablecloth, and Taylor found herself fixated for a moment on his fingers.
"I grew up with Hugh, me on the wrong side of the tracks, him definitely on the other. Schools are zoned and our suburb bordered on his, so we ended up at the same junior school, then high school. Hugh was the nerd. Everyone took the mickey out of him. It wasn't nice."
"Bullies are never nice."
"No.” Cade's tone hardened. “I sort of took him under my wing, and we discovered a love of making things."
"What sort of things?"
"Small inventions, electronic gadgets.” He twirled his wineglass and took a sip. Taylor watched as his tongue wiped across his top lip and found herself doing the same. She couldn't breathe and tried to swallow. Nothing worked. Was it hot in here—or what?
"That'd explain how Hugh became one of the big players in electronics,” she reasoned. The waiter arrived at that moment, ready to take their order, and Taylor sensed Cade's relief at the interruption. She eyed the vast menu, unsure she had the mental dexterity to choose anything.
Except another kiss!
"How about the seared game fish,” Cade suggested. “It's delicious."
She lowered the menu. “You've been here before?"
Cade gave their orders to the waiter before answering. “Several times.” The twinkle in his bedroom eyes offered a silent challenge.
Taylor's throat thickened. “With other women?"
"Of course."
"You go out with a lot of women.” It wasn't a question, but a statement, one she already knew the answer to.
"And that makes you feel comfortable or uncomfortable?"
Taylor reached for her napkin, playing for time. Foreplay, he'd said. Fun! She slid it from the silver holder and unfurled the crisp white linen, laid it on her lap and then looked directly at him.
"Oh, definitely comfortable,” she smiled, knowing he'd turned her statement back on her.
His grin widened and he folded his arms across his chest, pulling the fabric of his jacket taut across his wide shoulders. Taylor's mouth dried up. She reached for her glass and took a steadying sip of her wine. Her gaze never left his
"How so?"
Oh, boy. Things were heating up. She'd been hooked, and now Cade Harper reeled her in. “It means you're ... um, experienced,” she finally admitted.
"And you get a good teacher."
Her jaw dropped, and Cade gave her a cheesy grin, as if very pleased with himself.
"Never believe what the gossips tell you, Taylor. I know I have a profile in the papers. Owning a string of successful businesses ensures that."
"You don't mind?"
"Why would I? It doesn't do any harm to my business."
"And that's important?"
"Of course it is. Isn't it to you?"
"Well, yes,” she agreed.
Cade eyed her above the rim of his crystal glass. “I'm not a monk, Taylor. I know a lot of women and go
out with some, and to bed sometimes, too."
Blood boiled in Taylor's veins, along with something else ... something indefinable. It wasn't a nice feeling. She leveled her gaze with his.
"So that makes you perfect."
"You think I'm perfect?"
"Oh, Mr. Harper, now you're putting words in my mouth."
* * * *
Cade suggested they wait before ordering dessert. “How about we take a stroll outside?"
Taylor eyed the deck attached to the restaurant. Empty except for the stars and the caw of the occasional gull; she bit back a stab of nerves. Dare she? With the other diners around, she felt safe—safe from her own actions. But outside—alone with Cade?
"You too scared to be alone with me, Taylor?” he challenged, surprising her as if he could read her mind.
"Of course not."
"Liar.” And he held out his hand.
Taylor dropped her napkin to the table and pushed her chair back. If she wasn't scared, then why were her legs already jelly-like? She took Cade's hand, but once outside a shiver slid up and down her spine.
"Cold?” Cade queried.
She shook her head, but he pulled her into his embrace and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. The shivers continued, though Taylor knew it had nothing to do with the climate. She inhaled his scent. Masculine. Sexy. And very tempting.
The moon hung high in the night sky, surrounded by an array of stars and merged with inky blackness of the ocean. The soft slap of waves rolling in with the tide brought the tangy fragrance of sea spray.
"See that cluster of stars?” Cade pointed skyward. “That's the Southern Cross.” He leaned toward her, his breath a warm flutter across her cheek. “Crux lies along the Milky Way, surrounded by Centaurus and at the foot of the cross,” he said indicating the stars, which made up the constellation, “is Acrux. It's the brightest star."
"Very impressive, Mr. Harper.” Taylor smiled up at him.
"A tick in my favor. That's good.” And he returned her smile.
With his back to the view, Cade leant against the railing and pulled her to rest between his parted thighs. Her belly did a double flip, aware the instant his very blatant arousal pulsed against her.
He's the One Page 4
