by Cate Beauman
She frowned. “Wasn’t the ‘New Wave of Adventure’ thing your idea?”
He shrugged. “Maybe.”
She laughed. “Definitely.”
He grinned. “We’re on track for this being one of the busiest high seasons the island has seen.”
She nodded. “Things are certainly hopping. I still can’t believe how huge a difference the trolley system has made, which has been great. I used to dread leaving the house five months out of the year. Now, it’s no big deal.”
“That was the plan. We just needed to tweak some of the infrastructure.” He took another bite—a combination of cookie dough and brownie. “The splash pad’s also nearly finished, which means we’ll have a grand opening coming up—probably in a couple more weeks. Kaitlyn might like getting her feet wet.”
Gwen grinned. “I can’t wait for her and Ava to be old enough to have some fun there.”
“By next summer, for sure. Kaitlyn will be running all over the place by then.”
She smiled sadly. “Yeah.”
He paused as he stared at her. “What’s that look about?”
“Nothing. It’s just going by so fast. Every day she’s doing something new. She’s getting so big.”
He bumped her arm with his. “I wasn’t trying to upset you.”
She shook her head because she knew she was being sentimental and silly. “You aren’t. I just love her so much. I love being her mom.”
“She’s lucky to have you. You’re lucky to have each other.”
“Yes,” she said wistfully. “We are.”
“I’d really like to see her. I’m bummed that she’s not here. Are you up for dinner tomorrow? We can eat at my place if you want. You know how much she loves the jumper activity gadget I got for her.”
She winced as she stared down at the sand. And here’s where things were about to get messy, because she didn’t know how to navigate their friendship right now. Things were going well this evening. Everything felt mostly normal. But could things stay this uncomplicated after they’d crossed the line? Because she was well aware of what she wanted but couldn’t have—of what she was missing out on when it came to Cade Paxton.
He stopped walking, halting her movements with a gentle hand around her arm. “That’s a long pause. What’s up?”
She shrugged. “I have some concerns about spending so much time together.”
He frowned. “And why’s that?”
She huffed out a laugh. Was he kidding right now? “Because this was supposed to be simple—our friendship. That’s what we both wanted.”
He nodded. “And now I’d like to change that.”
She let her head drop and closed her eyes before she looked up at him again. “This is exactly what I meant when I said that men and women couldn’t be friends.”
“I am your friend.”
“Yes, but there’s more going on here.”
“Exactly. I’m attracted to you. You’re attracted to me. We have fun together.”
She let out another exasperated laugh. “You’re oversimplifying things. It’s more complicated than that. I have a daughter, Cade. You’re important to her.”
“And she’s important to me.”
Gwen shook her head because he didn’t seem to understand. “I can’t make any more mistakes. Kaitlyn’s needs have to come first.”
“Why does this have to be a mistake?”
“Because I’m newly divorced.”
“You’ve mentioned that, but I can’t figure out what that has to do with you and me.”
“I have to look at the long game here—what my life is going to look like in one year, five years, ten. Are you planning on sticking around permanently? Because Kaitlyn needs stability. She can’t have people walking in and out of her life.”
Gwen didn’t want that for herself, either.
“I’m certainly not planning on packing up and leaving anytime soon. I own the airport here on the island.”
She gaped at him, growing more frustrated by the second. “What am I supposed to do with that? That’s hardly a guarantee.”
He clenched his jaw as he shook his head, clearly becoming frustrated, too. “There are no guarantees. All I can promise you is right now. I love being with you and Kaitlyn right now.”
“That’s not good enough.” She turned to walk off.
“Cadence was a planner,” he said, grabbing her by the wrist before she could take a step. “She dotted her i’s and crossed her t’s, too. She had her whole life mapped out—married by this age, kids by this date. A timeline for everything. But there was no plan for her getting sick—for her dying of a fucking brain tumor by the age of thirty-one.”
Any flames of her temper immediately vanished as he told her more about his sister. He rarely talked about her.
“Cade.” She took his hand, squeezing it. “I’m so sorry.”
He jerked his shoulders. “I’ve never seen much use in planning too far ahead when life throws whatever it wants at you anyway.”
She nodded, bringing his big hand to her cheek, nuzzling his palm, easily reading the pain in his eyes—hearing it in his voice.
He sighed. “I didn’t tell you that for sympathy. I told you that to prove a point. I wasn’t looking for this, either, Gwen, but here we are.”
She swallowed because she did sympathize. Her heart broke for him. She hated that he’d been forced to deal with such a devastating loss. “I understand your point, but that doesn’t mean I know what to do. If it was just you and me—”
He surprised her, pulling her closer, his eyes growing intense as he held her gaze. “What conversation would we be having right now if it was just you and me?”
She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter because it’s not just you and me.” She looked toward the house. “We should probably head back up. Kaitlyn will be home soon.”
She pulled away, hurrying up the beach because she couldn’t stare into those green eyes of his for another second. It was too easy to forget her single-forever mantra now that everything had changed between them.
Cade followed Gwen into Carter House, struggling to rein in his frustration. He closed the door behind them, taking a moment to listen in the quiet, realizing that Rebecca, Henry, and Kaitlyn still weren’t home.
Good.
He walked behind her to the kitchen. “I think we should finish our conversation.”
She set her bowl on the counter with a snap. “I thought we did.”
He set his bowl next to hers, then his ball cap, sliding his fingers through his hair. “Not even close. I don’t want to go home—leaving things like this, so we go another several days without talking.”
She headed for the refrigerator, reaching for the handle. “I don’t want to push you away, Cade. That’s not my intention.”
He moved behind her, slapping his hand against the door so she couldn’t open it. “So, don’t.”
She whirled, annoyed, standing face-to-face with him, crossing her arms.
God, she was gorgeous—mad, sad, or happy. It didn’t matter. She was absolutely stunning as she stared daggers at him. “Talk to me,” he said, gentling his voice.
“I don’t know what to say.” Exhaling a breath, she leaned against the stainless steel, dropping her hands to her sides. “Right now, I completely understand where Molly was coming from when she was afraid of messing up her friendship with Brad over a romance.”
He raised his brow. “You mean the same Molly and Brad who are currently engaged and building a house across the street from your brother?”
She rolled her eyes, smiling a little. “So, it ended up working out for them.”
He smiled back. “I would say it couldn’t have worked out better.”
Her smile faded. “But that’s them.”
“So, there’s a happily ever after for everyone but you?”
She shrugged, shaking her head. “I don’t know. Happily ever afters aren’t really on my radar anymore. The only thing I know for
sure is that I wasn’t expecting any of this.”
He nodded, craving to touch her—to feel her against him again. “I know. I get it.”
Sighing, dropping her gaze, she fiddled with the hem of his shirt. “You mean so much to me. You mean so much to Kaitlyn. It’s been such a short amount of time, but we depend on you being a part of our lives.”
Unable to stop himself, he lifted her chin, stroking his fingers along her jaw. “I feel the same way.”
Her breathing changed, growing unsteady like the way it had the other night.
Taking advantage of her weakness, recognizing that she was starting to cave, he let his fingers slide down her neck. “We can take our time. We can move at whatever pace you want.”
“I need to—I don’t know.” Hesitating, she clutched at his wrists, growing more breathless, snagging her bottom lip with her teeth.
Christ, she was his undoing. How did she expect him to just stand there when she did stuff like that? “Damn, I can’t take it anymore,” he said, crushing his mouth against hers, immediately bringing them to flash point.
Moaning, she opened for him, pulling him closer as she gained her tiptoes, cupping his cheeks in her palms.
Pushing her up against the fridge, he grabbed her hands, lacing their fingers, locking them above her head as he dove in again, desperate to quench his need for her.
“Cade,” she gasped against his lips, freeing her hands from his. She shoved at his chest, moving to the sink, gripping the counter. “They’ll be home soon.”
Clenching his jaw, he settled his hands on his hips, watching her jerky movements as she went about filling the sink to clean a couple of dirty dishes that easily could have gone in the dishwasher. Sighing, he stepped up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. “Did I do something that made you uncomfortable?”
“No. But they’ll be home any minute, and you’re distracting.”
He chuckled next to her ear, figuring it was a good sign that she hadn’t stepped out of his embrace. “That’s not such a bad thing, is it?”
She reached for one of Kaitlyn’s bowls floating in the suds. “It is if I can’t hear them. I don’t want my parents walking in on us making out in the kitchen. I should probably get used to this before I ask anyone else to.”
He nipped her earlobe with his teeth, then pressed kisses along the nape of her neck as he let his hands wander up her sides. “So, it’s something you want to get used to, then?”
She dropped the dish back in the sink as her weight settled against his chest. “I don’t—I can’t think when you’re doing that.”
He grinned, well aware that she was heating up as he slid his palms over her luscious breasts, pausing to squeeze gently.
She gasped.
“Do you want me to stop?”
She gripped his forearms as he kneaded. “No. Yes. I don’t know.”
He knew exactly what he wanted as he moved down her waist to her hips and thighs, inching up her skirt.
Her arms came up, locking around the back of his neck. “I shouldn’t be doing this. I’m a mother.”
He let his hand slip into her panties. “You’re not my mother.”
Her breath heaved in and out as she turned her head. Mouths met and tongues tangled as he inched closer to her sweet spot.
He groaned, finally touching her the way he’d craved, sliding his fingers over soft, sensitive skin, slippery and ready for him.
“Oh my God,” she choked out, rocking and whimpering.
He held her firmly around her waist, pulling her closer, playing her with flicks and rubs until he found the rhythm that made her moan.
“Cade, I’m going to come; I’m going to come,” she chanted in a frantic whisper. Seconds later, her knees buckled as she sucked in a sharp breath, then came on a stunned cry, pulsing against him.
Nearly ready to explode himself, he turned her around, capturing her mouth as he nestled her into the corner of the counter, lifting her onto the marble, eager to give her what they both wanted.
She wrapped her legs around his waist as she pulled his mouth back to hers for another searing kiss.
He sucked in a breath when her cool, elegant hands snuck beneath his shirt, running up the sides of his waist to his pecs. “I’m not finished with you,” he panted, sending his fingers back into her panties, invading her.
She tipped her head back against the cupboard, tensing, moaning.
He worked her, plundering, stroking, loving the sounds she made—her desperate, throaty whimpers—waiting for her because he knew she would go over again as he stared into her eyes.
“Cade,” she gasped over and over, clutching at his shoulders. Then she froze, trembling, letting loose a quiet scream.
“God, Gwen. Come home with me for a little while. Let me take you to—”
Car doors suddenly slammed outside, interrupting him.
Gwen gasped, pushing him away, then hopped down, fixing her skirt. “They’re home.”
“We’ve got a minute.” Cupping her cheeks, he settled his forehead against hers. “The next move’s yours. If and when you’re ready, I’ll be waiting for the rest of you, but in the meantime, I’d like to have dinner with you and Kaitlyn tomorrow night.”
He needed her and the baby back in his everyday life just as badly as he needed Gwen in his bed.
Nodding, she held his gaze as they both caught their breath.
He kissed her again—a quick dive of his tongue against hers. “Text me what you want to eat. I’ll see you at five thirty.”
She nodded again. “Okay.”
“Fix your hair,” he suggested as he grabbed his cap, moving to the French doors, slipping on his slides. He hurried outside before Henry and Rebecca could walk inside with Gwen’s daughter and find him turned on and rock hard.
“Damn,” he murmured, starting toward the compound. He needed a cold shower and a serious session in the weight room. The ball was officially in Gwen’s court now. He was eager to see what she would do with it.
Chapter 17
Gwen walked into the bakery at nine a.m. sharp, well aware that there was never a good time for a business meeting during the high season. But Molly flipped the lock, then turned over the closed sign with a note telling customers that Carter Island Deli and Bakery would open again at ten.
“I still think we should be saving these for Sunday afternoons,” Gwen said as she walked into the Arts and Eats side of the business, where Callie already sat at one of the tables with three glasses of ice water and generous bowls of freshly cut fruit from the farm.
Molly followed behind. “No way. Sundays are for fun and family. No business talk allowed.” She pulled out her chair, taking a seat. “That’s the rule—and the only way to stay sane—during the busy months.”
Callie nodded, looking gorgeous and maternal while she stroked her hands over her ever-growing belly. “I agree. We had fun at the barbecue. Talking numbers and strategy would have ruined it.”
Sighing, Gwen sat next to Molly, a little grumpy and out of sorts. “You’re right. I just hate that you have to close down once a week, even if it’s just for a little while.”
“It doesn’t bother me.” Molly plucked up a blueberry, tossing it in her mouth. “I enjoy the break, actually.”
Callie gestured to her sneakers as she wiggled her feet on the opposite chair. “It’s also a great opportunity to take a load off.”
Chewing her fruit, Molly narrowed her eyes, studying Gwen. “You look tired. More than usual.”
“Gee, thanks.” Gwen batted her lashes as she curved her lips, realizing that the extra few minutes she’d spent on her concealer had been a waste of time. She’d barely slept at all last night. She’d been too busy tossing and turning, replaying the many glorious moments of her make-out session with Cade. “Eventually, you, too, will discover that motherhood isn’t for weenies.” Although, the cruel irony was that Kaitlyn had actually slept until five a.m., completely exhausted after her trip to Kay’
s with Grandma and Grandpa.
Molly snagged a strawberry next. “It’s definitely not. You and Callie are totally rocking the mom thing. I’m looking forward to joining the club in a few more months.”
Callie sighed as she helped herself to her own bowl of fruit, her big blue eyes dreamy as she smiled. “I can hardly wait for all of our kids to play together. Cousins. They’re going to be such good friends.”
Gwen grinned, loving the idea, too. “Cade was telling me that the splash pad will be opening soon. Next summer, we’ll have to take Kaitlyn and Ava.”
Callie beamed. “It’s a date.”
“So,” Molly said, crossing her arms on the table. “You mentioned Cade. Let’s talk about him. What’s going on with you two?”
“She’s always so subtle,” Callie teased, sitting farther up in her seat. “But since we’re on the subject…”
Gwen rolled her eyes, chuckling. “You two really want to hear this?”
“Yes,” they said in unison, both of their gazes undivided and trained on her.
She sighed. “Good. Because I really need to get some stuff off my chest.”
“Go ahead,” Molly invited. “Get stuff off your chest.”
Gwen sighed again, interlacing her fingers on the table. “As you know, Cade and I have been spending a lot of time together. It was supposed to be simple. Just friends. So why couldn’t it stay simple? Just friends?”
“Because the guy’s freaking gorgeous,” Molly answered.
Gwen shook her head. “It’s more than that. He’s kind and supportive and silly. He makes me laugh.” She pressed her hand to her heart as she smiled. “He’s so good with Kaitlyn, too. He talks to her and reads to her and plays with her. And he loves feeding her dinner, no matter how messy they both get.”
“So, he’s perfect. What’s the problem here?” Molly asked next, popping a chunk of peach in her mouth.
“I’m newly divorced. The ink’s barely dry on the decree.”
“Is there a time frame on when you get to be happy again?” Callie wanted to know.
Gwen frowned. “That’s what Cade said—or sort of, anyway.”
Callie reached for her hand. “Sometimes—most of the time—you don’t get to pick when things happen. They just sort of do. My life was falling apart when I found Nate. Things weren’t any better for Brad when everything changed between him and Molly, either. As I’ve said several times before, really amazing things can come from the terrible.”
