“I know. I was fixing to leave, and then we got a lunch rush. Mason got Haley to come and help out, so I could escape a while. I love running the bar, but I don’t think I realized just how much work it was going to be. I couldn’t do it without Mason.”
Just one more reminder that I really wanted a relationship with Cade like the one that Lexi had with Mason. I wanted to be there for him, and I wanted him to be there for me. I wanted us to be inseparable.
I wanted to tell Lexi everything that was going on, but I knew I had promised Cade that I would keep his situation to myself. If I had any chance with him, I needed him to know that he could trust me.
“So what’s going on?” Lexi asked as she sat on the edge of my bed.
“Which outfit should I wear?” I motioned to the two outfits I had spread across the bed.
Lexi reached out and ran her fingers across a deep blue silken dress. Then, her eyes fell on the outfit beside it, black slacks and an emerald top. “Depends on where you’re going.”
“Tomorrow’s Cade’s birthday, so I’m going to eat dinner with his family.”
Lexi looked up at me, a flash of white teeth as she grinned. “Is this your first time meeting his parents?”
I tried not to make a big deal out of it. “Yeah.”
“You look good in blue. You should wear the dress. Besides, I think Cade will appreciate the way the dress defines your asstributes.”
I grinned at her reference to her boyfriend. “The longer you and Mason are together, the less I can tell which one is which. It’s kind of like those photos you see of people and their pets and after a while, they start looking alike.”
Lexi gave me an indignant look. “And which one of us is the dog?”
“Mason, of course.”
Lexi nodded in satisfaction. “Okay, now that we got that straight, tell me more about this dinner.”
I shrugged. “There’s not much to tell. Cade’s family is just getting together at his parent’s house for his birthday, and I’ve been invited.” I hesitated. “There is one other thing I should mention.”
“What’s that?”
“I saw Rachel a few days ago.”
That got Lexi’s attention. “Mason’s ex-wife?”
“Yes.”
“And where did you see her?”
“At Pax’s apartment.”
“Are they dating?”
I lifted my hands, my palms facing upward. “I have no idea. She was sitting in his lap, so whether they’re dating or just friends or just sleeping together, I couldn’t say. Cade was just as surprised as I was, so he had no idea.”
She digested the news. “Has she come back to Creekview?”
“I don’t know.”
“Well, I guess that’s good for you and Cade. It’ll keep Pax occupied, right?”
I wanted to tell her that we were hoping to occupy Pax with Jessica, but I refrained. “Yeah, I guess so.”
When she didn’t say anything else, I added, “And what about you? Does it bother you that she’s lurking around?”
She chewed on her lower lip. “Lurking? What makes you think she’s lurking?”
“I don’t know. I just know that she started trouble between you and Mason before. I just hope she doesn’t do it again.”
Lexi shook her head. “Mason and I are solid. I’m not worried about her, and the last time they spoke, they wished each other well. I think they found closure with their relationship.”
I nodded. “That’s good. I just wanted you to know.”
“Now, back to your dinner.” Lexi picked up the blue dress. “You should definitely wear this.”
I scooped my hair up, looking at my reflection in my dresser mirror. “Should I wear my hair up or down?”
“Down. Make Cade want to run his fingers through it.”
“At the dinner table with his parents?”
“Well, you won’t be sitting at the dinner table all night, will you?”
“I don’t suppose so.”
“He’ll be itching to get you alone, and when he finally does, he won’t be able to keep his hands off you.”
I couldn’t suppress the tiny shiver that scurried down my spine as I thought about his hands skimming my body. Blue dress to show asstributes. Hair down.
Laying the dress back down on the bed, Lexi shifted. “What are you getting him for his birthday?”
“Shit. I was so worried about dinner with his parents and what I was going to wear, I haven’t even thought about that.” I’d also spent a lot of time worrying about the future of our relationship, but I didn’t mention that.
“Time’s running out.”
“What do you think I should get him?”
Lexi shrugged. “I don’t know. He would love anything that has to do with hunting or fishing, but he probably has all that stuff. You could ask Mason or Hawk. They might know something he wants.”
“I’m sure I’ll think of something.”
We were silent as I hung the outfits back in my closet. When I finished, I collapsed on the bed beside her.
Lexi stretched out beside me. “How’s your job search going?”
“I have a couple of interviews lined up.”
My phone dinged, and I fished it out of my pocket as I read the text from Cade.
Cade: Dinner tomorrow at 7. You want me to pick you up around 6:30?
Me: That’s fine.
Cade: I’m tied up today, but I’ll see you then.
Me: Okay.
“Is that Cade?” Lexi asked.
“Yeah, he’s going to pick me up tomorrow.”
“So it’s a date?”
“It’s dinner with his parents and his brothers.”
“Close enough.”
When I didn’t respond, Lexi switched back to our conversation before it had been interrupted by Cade. “So where are your interviews?”
“One’s with a printing company here in Creekview.”
“And the other one?”
“The other one’s in Los Angeles.”
Lexi jerked up into a seated position. “Los Angeles!”
“Yep.”
“As in California?”
“That would be the one.”
She frowned as she ran her fingers through her thick brunette hair. “You’re not seriously considering that one, are you?”
“The pay scale’s a lot more generous than the one here,” I reasoned.
“Yeah, because the cost of living is a lot more expensive in California.”
I tore my eyes away from the circling blades of the ceiling fan and looked at her. “I’ve taken that into consideration. It’s still a much more lucrative position…if I get the job.”
“You know I love you, and I want what’s best for you…but I don’t want you to move away. It’s like middle school all over again.”
I smiled at her. “We’re all grown up now. You can hop a plane anytime you want and come visit me. Besides, you have Mason. Between him and the bar, you’ll be so busy, you won’t even know I’m gone.”
She blew out a puff of air. “That’s bull, and you know it. At least now, I see you almost every day.”
“We can video chat.”
“Not the same thing.”
I rolled over on my side and propped myself up on my elbow. “I could help you scope out sites to expand Whiskey Nights.”
She smiled at the thought. “Help me take over the world?”
“Exactly.”
“Did you put me down for a reference?” she asked.
“Why?” I narrowed my eyes. “Are you going to sabotage my chances?”
“Maybe,” she drawled.
“You wouldn’t dare. Not even to keep me in Creekview.”
She frowned. “I know. But that doesn’t mean I can’t consider it.”
“We could be wasting our breath, anyway. There are several rounds of interviews, and my first one is via video next week. Who knows? After that, I may never hear from them again.”
“Have you told Cade?”
“No.”
“Are you going to tell Cade?”
“At this point, there’s no reason to tell him.”
And until I knew where the two of us really stood, I needed to make decisions based on what was best for me.
And it was only the first round of interviews. It was a huge company, one that had probably attracted candidates from all over the country.
If I had learned anything from my past disappointments, it was not to count my chickens before they hatched.
Because some eggs were rotten.
***
I spent hours getting ready for Cade’s birthday dinner. I was more nervous than I’d expected at the prospect of meeting his parents.
As I glanced at my reflection in the mirror, I admired the finished look. I’d contemplated straightening my hair, but since Cade seemed to like it wavy, I had let my hair dry naturally, emphasizing the curls instead of trying to get rid of them.
The dress complemented my eyes, and to complete my makeup, I chose a lipstick in a soft pink hue.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, I pulled on a sexy pair of strappy black heels and glanced at the clock. I was ready a half hour early.
I had just switched from watching television to listening to music on my phone when I heard a soft knock. After examining my reflection one more time and taking a deep breath, I opened the door.
Cade let out a low whistle as he leaned against the door frame, his thumbs tucked into the front pockets of his jeans. His eyes raked down my body as an appreciative smile settled on his lips. “Damn, girl, you look sexy as sin.”
I stood frozen, mesmerized by his appearance. His dark hair contrasted with his crisp white dress shirt, untucked over the edge of his worn jeans. His collar was unbuttoned just enough to give me a hint of his muscular chest, and his broad shoulders tapered down to a narrow waist. His hair was styled in a slightly mussed fashion as if maybe he had used a bit of gel to make it stand on end, and my eyes roved down his body before making their way back to his face. He was beyond handsome, and when he stepped forward and lightly kissed my lips, my mouth went dry and my heart raced.
I would have thought after sleeping with him that the mere sight of him couldn’t affect me this way, but it seemed that I would never become accustomed to the feelings that he stirred within me.
“Aren’t you going to invite me in?”
Drawing in a breath, I realized that I was staring at him, and I waved him into my room.
“I went to see Jessica yesterday,” he said.
“You did?”
He nodded. “I explained everything to her.” He reached out and twirled a strand of my hair between his thumb and forefinger. “I made sure she understood that I’m serious about you, and that even though things would change, I would still keep my promise to help her.”
I swallowed nervously. “And how did she take it?”
He cocked his head, his dark green eyes staring upward as if he were remembering his conversation with her. “She wasn’t surprised. I’d told her about you as soon as I’d gotten back from Ireland.”
I exhaled a pent-up breath. “I’m glad.”
“I am, too, especially since Pax and Rachel pretty much killed any notion I had of getting Pax to entertain a relationship with Jessica.” He released a pensive sigh. “But enough about that. All I want to focus on tonight is you.”
He walked over to my bookshelf, examining my books and old photos and stuffed animals. He picked up a small pink stuffed dog. “Aren’t you a little old for toys, Flanagan?”
“Do you remember when that traveling carnival came to Creekview? I was a freshman in high school, so you would’ve been a junior. I saw you there with Evan.”
“It seems vaguely familiar. Hell, that’s been a few years.”
“You know that game where you had to squirt the water in the clown’s mouth? You played that. Do you remember?”
“Oh, yeah. Damn, you’ve got a good memory.”
“I remember because you won, and when you got your prize, you gave it to me.”
He looked at the dog again. “This is it?”
I nodded.
“You kept it all this time?”
“What can I say? I love little pink dogs.”
He placed it back on the shelf and reached for me, pulling me into his embrace. “Damn, of all the things to turn me on….” His lips crushed down on mine as his hand roved over the silky fabric of my dress and cupped my ass. When his tongue teased my lips, I opened to him, and he tasted me with an urgency that stole my breath. Both of his hands clutched me, and I could feel him hardening as he pressed our bodies together. Heat began building within me, and I felt as though a jolt of electricity churned at the apex of my thighs, building in intensity as I waited impatiently for a way to diffuse it.
Bending down, his hand scooped the hem of my dress, raking it up with his fingertips. His rough palms skimmed my soft flesh, and I found myself aching as he shifted his leg between my thighs.
“Damn, you feel good,” he whispered against my lips as his hands pushed down the back of my panties until he clutched a handful of my bare flesh.
I was heady with excitement as sensations overwhelmed me. I couldn’t respond. All I could do was hover in his arms, lost in the sheer power of his maleness.
In one quick movement, he jerked my panties to the ground, and I obediently stepped out of them as I pushed my dress back into place. He stood again, and his lips found mine as he walked me backwards toward the bed. Once my legs brushed against the mattress, he spun around and seated himself. Then, he positioned me, still standing, between his thighs.
My heart thrummed against my ribcage. My chest rose and fell rapidly as I attempted to catch my breath while I waited to see what he would do next.
His hands skimmed my thighs at the edge of my hem. Slowly, he massaged my legs as each sweep of his palms pushed my dress higher and higher.
The electricity was still building between my legs, and I shifted my stance slightly as I tried to find relief. Finally, he pushed my dress upward, the form-fitting dress clinging to my hips, leaving me exposed to him.
He breathed out softly, his eyes pinned to the prize that he had just uncovered. His close perusal made my nipples ache, and I closed my eyes, silently begging him to touch me.
His fingertips massaged my knee before working their way up my inner thigh, inflicting an excruciating need within me.
My body cried out for him, but he continued his torture.
“Please, Cade,” I whispered as his fingertips stopped just shy of their target.
“Tell me, Flanagan. Tell me what you want.”
“I want you to touch me.”
“I am touching you.”
I shook my head, my eyes still closed as I licked my lips. “Not where I want you to.”
“Show me,” he said softly. “Show me where you need to be touched.”
My eyes cracked open, and I was surprised to find him watching me. “You know where,” I whispered.
“I want you to show me.”
Instead of showing him with my hands, I rotated my hips, thrusting toward him. If he didn’t relieve me soon, the aching hunger would consume me.
I gazed at him with hooded eyes, his strong jawline clenched as he watched his fingers touch and tease. When his fingertip finally separated my flesh and gently massaged me, I gasped at the sensations that flooded me.
His eyes met mine. “See what my touch does to you?”
I didn’t trust my voice to speak. I could only give him a vague nod as his fingers stroked my flesh rhythmically. My eyes fluttered shut as I concentrated on the hum of energy that was building inside me.
“You belong to me.” His voice was gruff, and I knew that he wasn’t unaffected by the way I responded to him. One hand curved around to my buttocks, holding me steady as his other hand inflicted the sweetest form of torture I could imagine.
When his finger p
robed at my entrance, I unwittingly clutched my thighs together.
“Come on, baby. Relax for me,” he whispered, his fingers every bit as encouraging as his command.
I did as he asked and was rewarded with intense pleasure as his finger slipped inside me. He thrust deep within me and withdrew, toggling the actions until his rhythm made me teeter on the brink. “Oh, yeah, I can tell you like that,” he groaned hoarsely. “So wet.” His hand released my buttock, and his thumb began teasing tiny circles around my sensitive nub while he continued thrusting. My breathing came out in tiny pants while he skillfully manipulated my sensations until I exploded in a wave of pleasure, a soft moan escaping me as I tumbled in mindless abandon with the feelings he evoked.
“You’re mine, Flanagan. You hear me?”
Part of me wanted to tell him that I belonged to no one, but the truth was I liked the sound of it. I had wanted to be possessed by him for a long time, and since I was still reeling from Cade-induced aftershocks, belonging to him seemed like a damn good idea.
His finger gently left me, massaging me with one final stroke as he pulled away altogether. He tugged my dress back into place.
When I could finally form a coherent thought, I reached down and cupped his erection as I ran my tongue up the rough stubble on his cheek. “Right back at you,” I whispered. “I licked you, and now you’re mine.”
He groaned. “Shit, do you know what you’re doing to me? Holding my stick and licking my face? I feel like a damn lollipop, and I think I like it.” A mischievous grin lit his face as he pulled me to him for a kiss.
And I thought maybe, just maybe, a leprechaun was granting me a wish, after all.
Chapter 18
Barney
Cade
Now that it was April, the temperatures were warmer and the trees were beginning to bloom. The spring weather coupled with the fact that my relationship with Flanagan was finally headed in the right direction had improved my mood. In fact, there was a damn good chance today would be the best birthday I’d had in recent years.
Pulling Flanagan to me, I kissed her temple as we left her basement apartment. I inhaled deeply, her heady fragrance intoxicating me and making it nearly impossible to keep my hands off her in that blue dress that emphasized her curves in the perfect combination of sexy and sophisticated, elements that would please both me and my parents.
Deceived Page 16
