Truth and Dare

by Candace Havens

“You know me, Chris, had to check in.” She plopped her keys on the steel table.

  He laughed. “You wouldn’t be you if you didn’t. Scott is in the photo lab developing some of the pictures you guys sent back from Rome. I can’t believe your dad uncovered eleven-hundred-year-old bones. What a find.”

  “Yeah. He was pretty excited, and he’ll have all the time in the world he needs to complete the dig now that they’ve registered it as a historic site.”

  Working with her father, she had been the one to identify the age of the bones, which had been verified by several leading scientists in Rome.

  One of the best things about her trip was she and her father had several very frank conversations about everything that was going on in their lives. In many ways it was like they were before Jeremy had disappeared. Though it had been difficult, they’d even discussed that they would once again hire professionals to search for Jeremy. It was a burden they no longer carried alone, as her stepmother, Jenny, was also adamant in being involved.

  Jenny and the boys were in Italy with her father, and for the first time Patience had genuinely connected with them in a way that made her feel like a part of the family. Her twin stepbrothers, who were eleven, were fascinated by her work and became fairly good assistants once they learned that science sometimes takes time.

  Even though she spent eighteen hours a day working, she still managed to spend time with her family.

  “Any chance we’ll get to see those bones?” Chris interrupted her thoughts.

  She shook her head. “I’m afraid they’re now owned by the Italian government since it was on their property. Though they did ask me to come back to see if I can’t help identify who they belong to.”

  “And you’ll take us, right?” He waggled his eyebrows.

  Patience understood the excitement over a find like this. “I’ll take it under consideration.”

  “Hey, boss, here are your up close and personals,” Scott said as he closed the photo lab door. “I noticed two of the femurs were an odd size, did you guys figure out why?”

  “Dwarfism,” she said. “But that’s one of the reasons I took so many photos. I have a feeling this could be a long-term project for us.”

  She glanced at her watch. “Why don’t you guys clean up and get out of here. You’ve been working double duty for me and the London office for the last three weeks. You deserve some time off.”

  Chris and Scott gave each other a strange look.

  “What?” Patience held up her hands in a questioning motion.

  “You—well, you seem different.” Chris fidgeted. “You’re usually so intense.”

  Patience smiled. “I’m still intense, guys, but this is my one day out of three hundred and sixty-five that I’m feeling generous. Take advantage of it. Because Monday I’m back to making your lives a living hell.” She gave them a wink and went back to her paperwork.

  “You don’t have to tell us twice,” Scott said.

  They both locked their research away and stored the equipment they’d been using.

  Patience laughed as they all but ran out the door.

  CADE WATCHED PATIENCE FOR several minutes from the door of her lab. She was as beautiful as the last time he’d seen her, maybe even more so. Whatever she was thinking, she had a serious look on her face and she chewed on her lip as if she were nervous. She also fingered the necklace he’d given her, which she promised she hadn’t taken off since the night he’d given it to her.

  “Did you miss me?”

  Patience jumped and nearly fell off the stool she’d been sitting on.

  “You surprised me.” Her hand flew against her chest as she moved to greet him. “And yes—” she wrapped her arms around his neck “—I missed you.”

  When their lips met, Cade’s body went rigid with need. He’d more than missed her. This woman held his heart so tightly and he didn’t think she had a clue.

  He’d spent the last two weeks trying to figure out how he could get her to marry him as fast as possible. Never in his life had he wanted or needed someone like he did Patience.

  “From the, um, feel of things it seems you must have missed me, too.” She pressed herself tight against his already hardening erection.

  “Oh, you don’t know the half of it. Every time we talked on the phone, well, let’s just say it’s been a long few weeks.”

  They kissed.

  “Are you in the middle of something?” He pointed to her computer and quipped, “Because I’d really like to take you home and ravish you.”

  “Mmm. Ravishing does sound good.” She cleared her desk and shut off her laptop.

  The lab was orderly, just the way she liked it, he was certain. It still boggled his mind that she was so prim and proper and at the same time one of the most sensual creatures he’d ever met in his life.

  22

  CADE’S HOME WAS NOTHING short of magnificent. The modern glass-and-steel structure jutted out over Lake Travis with incredible hillside views. One side of the house was nothing but windows. Patience kept forgetting how wealthy Cade was. He was so down-to-earth and in Phosphor his life was much more simple.

  They were outside on the deck where Cade had grilled their steaks. After weeks of the bland pasta the doctors had insisted on and soups, the steak tasted heavenly. What made it so special was that Cade had consulted with his cousin Kent, who was a doctor, about the types of foods she could eat.

  “Patience.” Cade suddenly looked nervous. “I have something I need to talk to you about.”

  She crossed her legs in the chair and leaned forward. “Whatever it is, you’re scaring me.” She couldn’t imagine what he could be thinking. “Are you sick? Did something happen to GG?”

  He laughed and his tone made her feel a little better.

  “This isn’t the romantic way I’d planned this, but—I want to warn you that I’m going to ask you an important question.”

  Patience was still clueless.

  “I want to ask you to marry me.”

  He could have said he had ten giraffes in the backyard and she wouldn’t have been any more surprised. They’d only known each other a short time, and though she’d fantasized about marriage more than once this was much faster than she expected.

  Cade held up his hand. “I’m not expecting an answer right away. I just want you to get used to the idea.” He pulled out a box and opened it. A huge emerald cut diamond glittered in the porch light. “But when you feel like you are ready to wear this, you say the word. I love you, Patience. I love you more than anyone or anything in this world.”

  “I—this is…” She couldn’t quite get the words out. Part of her wanted to grab the ring, and the other part wanted to order him to take her home. “It’s sudden,” she finally said.

  They sat in silence for a few moments and she tried to digest everything he’d said. He loved her. But marriage?

  Cade shook his head. “This was too soon. I knew better. Please, forget I did this. We can wait. I just wanted you to see—” He started to rise, but she grabbed his hands.

  “I love you, too,” she said softly, tears brimming in her eyes.

  He stopped as if he hadn’t heard her correctly.

  “I mean it, Cade, I’ve loved you pretty much ever since I met you.”

  “That’s a good start.” He leaned down and kissed her hands. “Honestly, I wanted to give you time to get used to the idea before I really popped the question.”

  She laughed nervously still trying to decide how she felt about the idea of Cade wanting to marry her. “If you want to go steady first, you don’t need a ring that big. In fact, I think you’re supposed to give me your class ring on a chain or something.”

  He sat back down and smiled at her.

  “I’m the kind of person who always thinks big,” he said as he pulled her into his lap. “Please don’t be upset. Part of me was worried some Italian Romeo would sweep you off your feet and the idea was nothing short of torture for me.” He squeezed his arms
around her.

  “The only Romeo I’m interested in is you. For the record, I’m not saying no. Just not a yes right this second. And by the way, you picked out the most gorgeous ring I’ve ever seen. Will you keep it safe for me?”

  “Yes,” he said as he nuzzled her neck sending shivers down her spine.

  “Cade,” she whispered as he trailed kisses down her back.

  “Uh-huh?”

  “Let me show you how much I love you.”

  Scooping her up, Cade carried her to the bedroom.

  AFTER A NIGHT OF LOVEMAKING, Cade needed to satisfy another primal instinct, so he headed down to the kitchen.

  You almost blew everything.

  Hell, don’t I know it.

  The ring had been too much for her. The shock in her eyes alone had created a knot of fear in his gut.

  What the hell were you thinking?

  That I love her.

  He hadn’t lied about the Italian Romeo. She was so beautiful and had such a kind heart. Men were drawn to her and she didn’t have a clue. He’d seen it time and time again when they were in Phosphor. He couldn’t get over that she was his woman.

  His woman. She’d laugh if she heard him say that out loud, but it was true. She was it for him.

  The idea of spending another day without waking up next to her was hard to imagine. She brought a kind of balance to his life that he never realized he needed.

  He only hoped he did the same for her. When she’d shared with Cade her discussions with her dad, even via the phone he could tell how much mending that relationship had lightened her soul. She’d told him that it was after seeing him with GG and his cousins that she realized how much she was missing out on with her own family.

  He’d also been impressed by the way she was able to wrap her quick mind around the details of his business and she had fresh perspective, which was exactly what he needed.

  That connection they’d forged in Phosphor had only grown stronger as the days went on. When he found out they’d taken her to the emergency room he’d made preparations to fly to Italy. But she’d called him an hour later to tell him that she was fine.

  “Is that bacon?” Patience covered her mouth in a yawn as she sauntered into the kitchen wearing his shirt from the night before. Her long, toned legs and her tousled hair took his breath away.

  “I’m not sure the bacon is good for your ulcer, but I’m also making eggs,” he said as he gathered her in his arms and kissed her.

  She tugged on his ear. “I don’t care if it’s good for me or not, I’m eating bacon. Maybe I’ll even have seconds.”

  The feel of her against him was too much for his control. Gently he set her on the kitchen counter. “I have a better idea of what I want for breakfast,” he said, cupping her left breast.

  Her breath hitched as he rubbed his thumb across her nipple. Unbuttoning the shirt he used his tongue on one breast, then the other. Her hands went to his hair as she gasped.

  The sound caused a tent in his boxers.

  When her hand reached down into said boxers, he nearly came in her hand.

  His fingers flew down to her heat and when he discovered she didn’t have on panties, he stopped breathing for a moment. He captured her lips with his as he slid his fingers into her pink flesh.

  Patience moaned and writhed against him.

  Increasing the speed of his fingers he teased her flesh faster and harder until she screamed her release.

  She shuddered and leaned into him, head bent. “I want you, Cade. Please, I need you inside me,” she begged.

  More than anything he wanted to, but they were missing a key element.

  “Patience, I don’t have a condom.”

  She gave him a wicked smile as she pulled one out of the breast pocket of the shirt she was wearing.

  That’s when he saw it. She wore the engagement ring.

  Everything stopped as he stared at her hand.

  She laughed at the shock he knew was on his face.

  “Patience, did you come down here to seduce me into marrying you?”

  “Yes,” she whispered as she opened the condom. “I dare you to marry me, Cade Randall.”

  “Oh, hell, yeah,” he said as her fingers slid the condom down his cock. “I’ll take that dare any day, but are you sure?”

  “Oh, yeah,” she said as she guided him into her. The tightness and warmth was almost his undoing. Then she kissed him and Cade’s body took over as he pumped in and out of her slowly.

  “Tell me how much you love me, baby,” he said.

  She watched him with those knowing eyes of hers. “With everything that I am. Do you want to marry me, Cade Randall?” she asked, as she leaned back on the counter making it easier for him to get his full length into her.

  “Yes,” he growled. “I want you more than anything I’ve ever wanted in my life.”

  “Then take me, Cade, take me.”

  Epilogue

  Nine months later

  “CADE, WE’RE FIFTEEN MINUTES out. Are Patience and her dad there?” Patience’s boss Mariska had called to check in with him.

  “They’re upstairs unpacking, they’ll be down here in a few minutes,” he answered. “Is everything all right?”

  “Definitely,” Mar affirmed. “Hold on, Jackson wants to talk to you.”

  “Hey, man, I know Mar sounds nervous, but it’s all good. The package is ready.” Jackson was not just Mariska’s husband, but a former CIA agent. They were coming to Phosphor for the wedding and now they had what he hoped would be the best present ever for Patience.

  Cade took a deep breath. There was a noise at the top of the stairs. “Thanks for this,” he whispered into the phone. “Just text me when you guys are coming up the walk. I don’t know if I should give them some kind of warning or let it be a surprise.”

  “A package this big should be a surprise,” Jackson said.

  Cade couldn’t argue that, and besides, he had no idea how he could explain what was about to happen. Never in his life had he been this nervous. All he wanted was for Patience to be happy.

  Patience talked him into holding off on the wedding until her dad could come back to the States from Italy. Normally a control freak with a capital F she’d left most of the planning to GG, who had done her level best to involve the entire town. There were banners congratulating the couple and twinkle lights on every tree.

  Smiling, he watched Patience chat with her father, Professor Clark, as they entered the living room. Thanks to her work on his archeological dig, they had spent more time together in the past few months than they had since she went away to college. Every day he saw those walls she kept erected around herself crumble more and more.

  His phone vibrated. This was it.

  “Everything okay?” Cade asked.

  “Fine,” Patience’s father answered.

  That was good. They would need some calm before the storm.

  The door creaked open and Mar stepped through.

  “Mar!” Patience rushed up to give the woman a hug. “I didn’t know you were coming down today.”

  GG stepped up beside Cade. He gave her a worried glance and she put a hand on his shoulder. She, along with Patience’s stepmother, were the only two people at the B and B who knew what was about to happen.

  “It’ll be all right, son,” she tried to reassure him.

  As she said the words, Patience’s brother, Jeremy, stepped through the door. He was a tall, gangly fellow, with the same curly blond hair as his sister’s, though, his was cut short.

  There was a loud gasp. “Jeremy?” The professor reached out a hand to the boy.

  Patience had been hugging Mar and was faced away from the young man, but she quickly whipped around at the sound of his name.

  A sob came from her throat and she, too, reached out to Jeremy. He looked from one to the other as if he wasn’t sure what he should do.

  Patience swallowed hard and then smiled. “Is it really you?”

  The young
man nodded.

  “Do you know who we are?” Her voice was no more than a whisper.

  “Yes.” Jeremy’s wobbly voice was hoarse.

  Her father stood there with tears streaming down his face. “Son?” He extended his arms full out and this time Jeremy did the same, hugging his father as they sobbed in each other’s arms. Patience wrapped her arms around them both.

  Cade glanced around the room and there wasn’t a dry eye anywhere. GG, who rarely cried, dabbed her eyes with a kitchen towel. Then she motioned Mar, Jackson and him to join her in the kitchen.

  “Let’s give them some time alone,” she said softly.

  As they were turning to go, Cade noticed Patience’s stepmother at the top of the stairs. She held a box of tissues. He motioned for her to come down, but she mouthed, “Have to look after the boys.” He nodded his understanding.

  With one more glance back at Patience and her family, he smiled.

  “HOW COULD SOMEONE STEAL a child?” Patience asked Cade as they snuggled on the couch in the family room at the B and B. The fire was roaring and the smell of fresh pine boughs twisted over the mantel filled the air.

  It had been nearly six hours since her brother walked through the door and she still couldn’t wrap her mind around it.

  “There’s no excuse for what your aunt did,” Cade answered, “but at least Jeremy grew up loved. And he’s a good guy, that’s easy to see. Your mother’s sister might have been crazy, but she took proper care of him.”

  Patience kissed Cade’s cheek. “He is a great guy. I’m not surprised he’s an artist. He used to draw on everything.” She sighed happily. “We’re all together, Cade. You brought us all together for our wedding.”

  He wrapped one of her curls around his finger. “You can thank your friends Shannon, Mar and Jackson and the rest of the Stonegate gang for their truly heroic efforts. They’ve been working around the clock to find him for you. It was when GG asked if any of your mother’s family might want to come that I started digging.”

  Patience and her father didn’t know about her mother’s sister. When her mother had married her dad, no one from her side was in attendance. She told him they were all dead. Now that her aunt, Lucille, was dead there was a good chance they would never know the whole story. The woman told Jeremy that Patience and their father had been in a terrible accident and that she had been given custody of him. He was so young then, that he never thought to question her.