Cupcake Explosion

by Bethany Lopez

  “I’m handcuffed to the chair and the guy with the key is in there,” he said, nodding toward the room we’d just left. “Go on without me, I’ll be fine.”

  “No,” I said, shaking my head. “We can’t just leave you here.”

  “Lean to the side,” Cade said, and when Bubba listened, he put his foot on the seat of the chair and gripped the arm with his hands, then yanked it repeatedly until it came off.

  Cade slid the cuff off of the arm and helped Bubba stand.

  “Now, let’s go,” my man said, and we happily complied.

  Cade led the way up the stairs, with me, Carmen, and Bubba following, and Bran bringing up the rear.

  He paused at the top of the stairs and held up his hand, indicating we should wait, then he peered around the corner and waved his hand, giving us the all clear.

  We ran down a back hallway, leading away from the common rooms that we had been in before, and out a side door. Once outside, Cade did his hand gestures again, and once he was sure there was no one around, we darted out to the fence.

  This time, I took the lead and led us to the gate and out to where the van was parked and waiting.

  I was so happy to see it, I wanted to give her a kiss, but settled for patting her lovingly as I opened the door.

  We all got in and as we were driving away, Cade said, “I can’t believe you thought I was pussy enough to get taken by a bunch of second-rate bikers.”

  I LOOKED OVER at him, distracted by the sound of his still-hanging chain hitting the steering wheel, because, of course, he had to drive.

  “What are you saying? That that was your mission, to have your bike hit, get taken and chained to a wall in the basement?” I asked, my eye starting to twitch.

  “Basically, although, not necessarily getting hit. The rest played out right, though,” Cade replied, then shot me a look. “What did you say about an explosion?”

  “They blew up the car and your bike.”

  “Mother fuckers!” he yelled, slapping the wheel and causing the chains to rattle.

  “So, you’re saying I went through all of this work investigating, worrying over you, thinking you could be dead, and it had all been part of your grand plan?”

  “Yup. Luckily, I got all of the information I needed. I was about to break myself out and head back to the compound when you three got thrown in with me.”

  “I can’t believe you,” I seethed.

  “Lila, I told you I was going to be off the grid, but you couldn’t leave it alone, could you?”

  “You know what? You’re in the dog house.”

  Cade shot me another look, which only made me angrier, and asked, “What?”

  “Until our wedding night, you’re in the dog house. You ain’t getting none of this.” I waved my hand over my body and wiggled in my seat.

  Cade chuckled. The bastard.

  “I’m not kidding,” I told him.

  “We’ll see, darlin’,” he said, then shot me his sexy, panty-melting smile, but I was immune.

  “Yes, I guess we will,” I retorted, then faced forward.

  “This is better than my Nana’s old telenovelas,” Carmen said from the backseat.

  “Uh, now’s probably not the time,” Bran whispered.

  “Just head to the gas station by where they hit you so we can drop Bubba off with Junior,” I told Cade, still not looking at him.

  Cade just grunted in response, and we rode the rest of the way in silence.

  Everything along the country road was dark, so we could see the gas station shining like a beacon.

  Cade pulled in and I hopped out to help Bubba out of the car and inside, with Cade following close behind. I guess Carmen and Bran didn’t want to miss any more drama, so they came in with us.

  “Pops,” Junior cried as he rounded the corner.

  He came over and pulled Bubba into a hug, which Bubba allowed for a minute, then he pushed him off.

  “Git the wire cutters, boy.”

  Junior rushed off to get the wire cutters and Bubba turned to Cade and said, “Thanks. You coulda left me there, but I ‘preciate you bustin’ me outta that chair.”

  Junior came back, holding the wire cutters up in victory, then cut his dad’s hand cuff off.

  “Git his too,” Bubba told Junior, pointing at the chains hanging off of Cade.

  Cade held out his arms and Junior cut them off.

  “Thanks, man,” Cade said, rubbing his red wrists.

  “Sorry about before,” Junior said, his eyes on me. “They said they’d hurt my pops if I told you anything else. Thanks for getting him.”

  “I understand, don’t worry about it,” I assured him.

  “Ready?” Cade asked.

  I nodded. I was utterly exhausted.

  We loaded back up in my van and headed home when I told Cade that Bran and Carmen’s cars were at my place.

  “My folks?” Cade asked as he drove.

  “They are here and all settled into the cabin. Elin and Elena are staying with them, along with Rufus and CB. And, just a head’s up, Alani wants to move here with us and go to school . . . stay in your cabin on her own. Your parents are none too happy about that.”

  “What about Chris, Jun, and Ripper?”

  “They come in tomorrow.”

  “Ah, I guess I lost track of the days,” Cade said. “How many days until the wedding?”

  “Five,” I replied, then looked at the time. “Well, I guess technically four now.”

  Cade tilted his head in acknowledgement.

  “Do you have more work to do, or will you be with us the rest of this week?” I asked.

  “I’ll have to go to the compound tomorrow, tell them what I learned, but I can do that after I pick up the guys from the airport. We can take Pops with us, get him his pig.”

  “Sounds good. Do you want to sleep at my place tonight, or head to the cabin and stay there, so you can see everyone in the morning?”

  Cade shot me a heated look and replied, “How about we sleep in our bed tonight, then head over early and be there when they wake up . . . have breakfast.”

  “Okay,” I said, then noting that heated look, added, “But don’t get any ideas. Like I said, pretend I’m wearing an out of order sign. You’re in the dog house.”

  “Like I said, we’ll see.”

  “Oh, to be a fly on the wall tonight,” Carmen said excitedly from behind me.

  “Carmen,” Bran warned, but I couldn’t help it, I grinned.

  “I DON’T KNOW what I want first, a shower, or a big fucking sandwich,” Cade said as we walked into the house.

  Bran and Carmen had gone home. Bran had convinced her to give us some alone time, even though I could tell Carmen wanted to stay.

  “How about you go shower and I’ll make you food,” I suggested, taking pity on him because he was still rubbing the raw skin on his wrists.

  Sure, he was in the dog house, and even though his imprisonment was self-imposed, I knew he must be extremely hungry. Who knows what they fed him in that place.

  “Thanks, babe,” Cade said, dropping a quick kiss on my lips before heading upstairs.

  I pressed my fingers to my tingling lips, thinking, damn, it’s been too long since those lips have been on me, then shook it off and went into the kitchen. I needed to try and remain strong, stick to my guns about not having sex until our wedding night.

  I pulled out a hoagie bun, turkey, ham, salami, lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese, bacon, mayonnaise, mustard, and pickles, and made Cade the mother of all sandwiches.

  I’d cut the sandwich in half, put it on a plate, and was pouring a cold beer to go with it, when Cade walked in. He had on a pair of low-slung Nike shorts and nothing else, and was toweling his hair dry, the beard still intact.

  Shit, he’s fighting dirty, I grumbled internally, as my gaze slid greedily over his chest.

  “Fuck, Lila, that looks perfect,” Cade said, and I swear, I heard his stomach grumble.

  Maybe I should�
��ve made two sandwiches.

  I crossed to the pantry and grabbed a bag of chips, then set it down next to the half of his sandwich that was still on the plate. The other was currently being devoured.

  “Easy, don’t make yourself sick,” I said worriedly. “What did they feed you?”

  “Mostly oatmeal and boiled eggs,” Cade replied with a grimace. “I’ll be happy if I never have either one ever again.”

  “Noted,” I said softly, thinking I’d like to give that Cueball a swift kick in the dick.

  Cade finished off the sandwich, chips, and beer.

  He looked like he was about to fall asleep at the counter, so I suggested, “Let’s go to bed, honey.”

  He grunted in agreement, so I put the plate and cup in the sink and turned off the lights, then we headed to our room.

  By the time I’d finished my nightly ritual, Cade was already snoring on his side of the bed, and I have to say, it was the most welcome sound. I missed him next to me, and now that I knew he’d spent the last few weeks in a basement, while I’d been home crying into my fluffy pillow in my comfy bed, I felt a bit guilty.

  I turned off all the lights and crawled in beside him, moving until my arm and leg were flung over him and I was snuggled into his side. I breathed in his spicy scent and drifted off, content, with a small smile playing on my lips.

  When I woke up hours later, it was with a moan.

  “Oh,” I cried softly as I came awake and became aware of Cade’s mouth on my core.

  My legs were open, my back was arched, and my hand was fisted in his hair.

  I tilted my hips up, urging him closer, deeper, as his fingers thrust in and out of me while his tongue caressed my clit. His beard was rough against my thighs, and I found I really enjoyed the new added sensation.

  “Cade,” I panted as my orgasm grew closer and closer, until finally I practically bucked him off the bed with a loud cry as I came.

  I was vaguely aware of him kissing my thigh and pulling up my shorts, then his lips grazed mine and I felt the bed depress as he got up.

  “Where you going?” I asked, groggy from sleep and the fabulous orgasm.

  “Gonna shower up and get ready so we can head out to the cabin. I’m excited to see everyone,” Cade replied as he stepped out of his shorts and boxer briefs.

  He was gloriously naked in front of me, his cock long and hard as it stood at attention in front of me.

  “You don’t want to . . . finish?” I asked, unable to tear my eyes off of him long enough to look at his face.

  “You said you wanted to wait until our wedding night, darlin’, so that’s what we’ll do,” he said, then turned and gave me a view of his taut ass as he walked into the bathroom and started the shower.

  I laid back down with a huff.

  Leave it to Cade to use my own stupid words against me.

  I lazed in bed until I heard the shower turn off, then reluctantly threw off the covers and headed to shower myself.

  I gave one last look of longing at Cade’s perfectly naked form as he toweled off, and when I heard him chuckle, I shot him the bird, then got in the shower and turned it on.

  Fifteen minutes later we were both ready to go.

  I was following Cade out the front door when he suddenly stopped, spun around, and pushed me up against the wall.

  His dark eyes locked on mine as his head descended and his lips captured mine. I opened eagerly beneath him, matching him stroke for stroke as he made love to my mouth. When he was done, we were both left panting, and my body was on fire.

  “Sorry about earlier. I know you want to wait, but it’s been so long and I needed to taste you. I’ll do better from now on.”

  I wanted to protest, to take back my silly policy on not sleeping together until the wedding night, but he’d already walked out the door, leaving me wanting, and kicking my own ass.

  “LOOK WHO THE cat dragged in,” I called as we walked into the cabin.

  “Cade!” Elin cried as he came at Cade full speed ahead.

  Cade grabbed him and picked him up into a hug.

  “How’s it going, brother-man?” Cade asked, squeezing Elin until he started to laugh.

  “Great! We stayed up late last night and watched a horror movie on Netflix, and Pops let me have popcorn, chocolate, and soda before bed. It was awesome.”

  I looked to Pops, who shrugged sheepishly, and shook my head. More because it seemed like the thing to do, than because it actually bothered me that Cade’s parents were lenient with my kids. I was just happy they all loved being together so much. They were the grandparents the twins deserved.

  Elena was standing off to the side and when Cade put down Elin, he reached out and grabbed her arm and pulled her in for a hug.

  “And how’s my Lena doing?” Cade asked, and although it looked like he was practically dragging her to her execution, I saw her fighting back a smile of pleasure and her cheek hit his stomach.

  “Okay. The movie wasn’t that scary, but Alani did my nails while we watched, so that was cool.”

  Cade dropped a kiss on the top of her head and let her go, then went to his mother.

  “Mama,” he crooned as he pulled her in and kissed her head like he’d just done with Elena. “How was your trip?”

  “Good, Hiapo, but we were happy to land safely on the ground. I like your house, especially that shower,” she told him, tipping her head back to grin up at him.

  Cade chuckled.

  “How about you, old man, you like the shower?” Cade asked, crossing to greet his father.

  Pops grinned and wiggled his eyes, which made Cade let out a belly laugh.

  That’s when it hit me . . . they were talking about Cade’s parents enjoying Cade’s huge glass shower with multiple heads and a large bench. Like, they had sex in it, just like we had, multiple times.

  Uck. The heeby geebies shook my shoulders, and I vowed to never use the shower in the cabin again.

  “Alani,” Cade said his sister’s name softly as he smiled down at her. “You look more beautiful every time I see you. You need to stop that shit.”

  “Cade, I need to talk to you,” Alani said, and I knew she was chomping at the bit to ask him about moving here.

  “I know, Ku‘uipo, just give me some time to get settled,” Cade replied, then looked to his mom. “We ready for breakfast?”

  “Of course, Lila stocked up the pantry yesterday, so we have everything to make Loco Moco. I’ll go get started. Kids, go wash up. Make sure you brush your teeth well, and you can have extra gravy. Alani, go start the rice,” Cade’s mom ordered.

  “Do you need me to do anything?” I asked.

  “They delivered your wedding arbor yesterday, why don’t you go check it out and make sure it’s exactly how you want it.”

  “Oh!” I exclaimed, excited.

  I guess I’d been so busy that I’d forgotten they were coming.

  “Come on, I’ll show you two where it is,” Pops said to Cade and me, and we followed him outside while everyone else went to follow Mama’s direction.

  As soon as we walked outside, Rufus and CB came bounding over to greet Cade, who crouched low to pet them and tell them he missed them.

  God, was it any wonder I loved him so much? This big, mountain of a man who was so sweet to kids, dogs, his family, and me.

  I fought back tears as the emotions of the past few weeks hit, along with the anticipation of our upcoming nuptials.

  We walked across the yard and down to the big clearing where we’d have our ceremony. The only thing currently there was the arbor, but I could picture the rows of chairs, the flowers, and our guests, and my belly began to flutter with nerves.

  This is really happening.

  The arbor was simple. Stained wood, with a trellis on the bottom sides, and, of course, the beams and trellis on top. It was tall enough and wide enough for Cade and me to fit comfortably beneath it without Cade having to worry about hitting his head.

  I touched a beam re
verently and imagined marrying Cade.

  “You okay, darlin’?” Cade asked, his strong arms embracing me from behind.

  I wiped the tears that had fallen and nodded.

  “Just excited,” I replied softly.

  I felt his lips on my crown.

  “Me, too,” he said gruffly. “I didn’t ask last night; did you find a dress?”

  I nodded, then leaned back against him.

  “I can’t wait for you to see it.”

  Cade turned me around and kissed me soundly. I could hear the dogs running around us, playing and barking, could smell the crisp morning air, and feel Cade all around me. He was here, he was safe, and we were getting married that weekend.

  The moment was just about perfect, until Pops said, “If you need me to skedaddle so you can take the edge off, I will, otherwise, we should probably get back. If we’re not there when breakfast is ready, there’ll be hell to pay.”

  Cade chuckled against my lips.

  Reluctantly, I pulled back, gave the arbor one last loving stroke, then put my hand in Cade’s and we all started back to the house.

  “Pops, after breakfast I gotta go get the guys from the airport, and then I’ll take you to see a man about a pig, does that work for you?”

  “Hell, yeah,” Pops replied with a grin. “Do I get to see that compound of yours too? Meet your brothers?”

  “Yup.”

  “I’ve been thinking about getting a new bike. Maybe I can test some out while we’re there, too.”

  “Sounds good, I need to look into finding a new bike myself,” Cade replied, while I thought, heaven help me.

  AFTER BREAKFAST, CADE and his dad left for the airport and compound, and I’d gotten a call about a case.

  Cade’s mom assured me they had plenty to do and didn’t need to be entertained but told me to be back by six for dinner. I’d said, yes, ma’am, then put in a call to Carmen and gave her the address of our new client.

  I figured it would be good for her to ride along with me, see how I did things, then she could start taking cases on her own. I didn’t want to throw her into it, but I would like to be able to go on my honeymoon without having to think about what was going on with the business.