by Cate Beauman
Money was coming in. She was slowly adding to her savings account, but she definitely wasn’t in a place to spend frivolously. An afternoon at the spa was going to have to wait a while yet. “Maybe.” She sat up, ready to change the subject. “What can I do for you? Rub your shoulders?”
He pursed his lips as he nodded. “I won’t turn you down.”
“Then let’s get this off.” She stood in front of him, pulling his T-shirt over his head before she knelt on the cushion between his legs, squeezing his powerful shoulders.
He groaned as he closed his eyes, letting his head fall forward. “That’s amazing.”
She frowned, feeling several knots. “Jeez, Cade, you’re really tense.”
He made another sound in his throat. “It’s been a long week—the extra flights for visitors wanting to come before school starts again.”
She went after one of the knots at the base of his neck with firm strokes. “We’re ticking closer to the quiet season every day. Mid-September will be here before we know it.”
“Thank God. I’m starting to love rainy days—when everyone just stays away.”
“Aw, you sound like the rest of us Sandersonians.” She grinned as he opened his eyes, staring into hers. “By this time every year, we’ve all had enough of the summer chaos.” She kissed him. “Welcome to the club.”
“Thanks.” He brought her mouth back to his. “We should celebrate.”
She laughed as he grinned. “And what are we celebrating, exactly?”
His hands wandered to her waist. “That I’ve nearly made it through my first high season. That’s a big deal—definitely worth some afternoon fun.”
She rolled her eyes, unable to stop her smile, wondering if they would ever get enough of each other. She’d never wanted anyone the way she did Cade—never craved anyone the way she did Cade. It was safe to say that they’d had more sex in their few short weeks together than she’d had during her three-year relationship. It wasn’t even close. “You do have a point.”
His palms moved beneath her jean skirt to her butt, squeezing. “How much time do you think we have?”
She glanced toward the monitor—at Kaitlyn still deeply sleeping. “Probably thirty minutes.”
“And your parents aren’t going to walk through the door?”
She shook her head. “They’re definitely in Boston for the weekend. They’re having lunch with Derek and Phyllis today.” She combed her fingers through his hair. “So, what was it that you had in mind?”
Shrugging, he cupped her breasts, stroking her nipples with his thumbs through the barrier of her tank top. “Whatever—just mess around a little.”
She closed her eyes, exhaling a breath, treasuring that he knew exactly how she liked to be touched. “We messed around a lot last night.”
He chuckled. “Contrary to popular belief, less isn’t always more.”
“In this case, I agree.” She nipped at his chin with her teeth, then went after his neck with her mouth and tongue before she got on her knees, kissing his sexy pecs. “It’s still your turn. For a rub.”
He settled back against the cushion. “I can get behind that.”
“Mmm.” She walked her fingers down his abs to the elastic of his athletic shorts, smiling when he clenched his stomach muscles. “It’s the least I can do, especially if we’re celebrating you.”
“Cheers to me.”
Grinning, she rubbed his erection through his clothes, then tugged on his shorts and boxers, bringing them down to his ankles. “Cheers, indeed, Mr. Paxton.” She held his gaze, gripping him, teasing him with barely-there kisses.
He steamed out a breath. “Are you trying to drive me crazy?”
She slid her tongue up hot, hard skin. “I am.”
“It’s working.”
“Good.” She took him into her mouth, pleasuring him, adding her hand to her rhythm.
He sucked in a breath, then exhaled as his fingers played in her hair, tightening as his hips began to jerk. “Damn, that feels good.”
She continued her work, loving that she could make him as crazy as he always made her.
His hips jerked again as his breathing changed. “Come here, Gwen.”
She stopped, still working him with her hand. “Are you sure?”
He nodded, holding her gaze, his eyes full of hungry promises. “Come sit on me.”
She stood in front of him.
He pulled her shirt over her head. “I can’t tell you how much I love your skirts, especially now.” He tugged up the snug denim, then sent her panties to the floor. “Come here.”
She straddled him, inching herself onto him, both of them moaning with their exquisite joining. Staring into his eyes, she began to rock.
He unfastened her bra, kneading her with his palms, lapping her with his tongue in the fantastic way he always did. “God, Gwen, there’s nothing about you that’s not incredibly fucking sexy.”
She grinned, sighing as she settled her hands on his shoulders, moving torturously slowly, feeling herself building.
“Faster,” he whispered. And suddenly, he gripped her hips, pounding up.
She gasped, wrapping her arms around his neck, nestling herself close to his ear, waiting for flash point. “Yes,” she shuddered out. “I love what you do to me—the way you make me feel.” And then she hugged him tighter, crying out quietly against his skin as the orgasm came quickly, ravaging her.
He thrust faster. “I want you to come again,” he panted out.
She kissed him wildly, knowing neither of them would have to wait long as his rapid pumping hit her in all the right places. “Cade,” she moaned, clutching at his shoulder. “I’m almost—”
Somehow, he moved faster yet.
Tensing, freezing, stunned, she felt her eyes go wide as the intense flash of heat rushed through her center. “Oh my God!” she yelled, trembling, gasping for each breath as she rode out the waves, holding Cade close in another hug, waiting for him.
Moments later, he groaned loudly, jerking up as he filled her. “Damn,” he murmured, wrapping his arms around her. “I’d ask you if you’re alive, but I can hear you breathing.”
“Barely,” she said, still out of breath, pushing her hair out of her face as she lifted her head off his shoulder. “My thighs are shaking, and I didn’t do any of the work.”
He kissed her. “I like making you come like that.”
She definitely didn’t hate it either. “I guess this is another thing Saturdays are good for.”
He grinned, resting his head back against the cushion. “You’ll never hear me complain.”
She glanced toward the monitor, studying her little girl still sleeping. “I’m going to head upstairs and clean up before Miss Busy joins us again.”
“I was thinking about a snack.”
She rolled her eyes. “Sex and your stomach. That’s so male, Cade. So predictable.”
He smiled as he wrapped her hair around his fingers. “I have to refuel. I’ll make something for you, too. Maybe some cheese and crackers and fruit.”
“Now you’re talking.” She kissed him before she reached for her bra, refastening it in place.
He handed her the tank top on the cushion next to him. “When Bug wakes up, do you want to pack her up and head into town for a bit? We can walk around—maybe stop in and see the ladies at the bakery, then head to the park and play before it starts getting busy with people coming in for the music?”
She pulled her shirt over her head. “I love that idea. Maybe we can stop by and see Nate, too, if he’s not out on patrol.”
He nodded. “Sure. Sounds like fun.”
She looked around for her panties next, leaving them on the rug, not ready to get off him yet. “Then we have a plan.”
“We do.” He pulled her back for another kiss. “I’ll make us that snack. I should also give the marinade a stir, too—make sure our chicken is soaking evenly.”
She wiggled her brow, already anticipating another one
of Cade’s fantastic meals. “I love when you cook for me. Those omelets this morning were killer.”
“They certainly weren’t half bad.”
“They were better than that. I’ll be right back.” She got up, grabbed her panties, then headed upstairs, picking up her pace when she heard her cell phone ringing in the bedroom. The last thing she wanted was Kaitlyn waking up before she was ready and rested. Dread barely had time to register as she snatched up the phone, reading Liam’s name on her screen. “Hello?”
“Hello, Gwen.”
“Liam,” she said, slightly out of breath, hurrying over to push the bedroom door mostly closed. “How nice of you to finally call after you ditched us last weekend.”
“It turned out we had to get back to the city earlier than planned. We caught an earlier flight.”
Shaking her head, she sat on the edge of the bed. He truly was an ass. “And you couldn’t call or text?”
“It doesn’t have to be a big deal.”
“Mostly, it wasn’t. We enjoyed a lovely brunch, anyway, but we waited, and you were rude.”
“Then I’ll apologize.”
She rolled her eyes because they both knew he didn’t mean it. “What can I do for you?”
“I’d like to discuss Kaitlyn joining us here in the city more regularly.”
Her stomach sank, instantly growing ill. “And what does that mean?”
“For now, I’d like her to start spending a day with us once a month.”
Her eyes grew huge as she rushed to stand. “An entire day?”
“I think that’s reasonable.”
She didn’t. Not even close. She started pacing, unable to stand still as her anxiety became too much. “And what would this day look like? It’s clear you and Jessica don’t have any experience caring for a baby, especially a very active little girl. Kaitlyn’s crawling now. She’s into everything.”
“That’s what nannies are for.”
She stopped dead, staring out the picture window. She was all for amicability, until she wasn’t. And right now, she definitely wasn’t. “So, you want to have Kaitlyn join you regularly so a nanny can take care of her?”
“Employing a nanny is perfectly reasonable, especially when I’d eventually like to see Kaitlyn in residence one weekend a month—”
She adamantly shook her head. “No.”
“Excuse me?”
“I said no.” It was a word Liam O’Leary wasn’t used to hearing—a word she’d used sparingly since Kaitlyn’s birth. She cringed, thinking of how easily she’d caved to his wishes, letting him walk all over her to keep the peace.
“I’m her father.”
“Technically, yes.”
“Don’t be nasty, Gwenyth. It doesn’t suit you.”
Her anger grew with his patronizing tone. Unable to stay still, she started moving again. “I spoke with Aiden after Kaitlyn’s June visit. And visit is generous, Liam, seeing as how she was never taken out of her stroller.”
“Gwen—”
“I’m not finished,” she snapped as her heart thundered. “He called to tell me how excited he was to receive such adorable pictures of Kaitlyn. He also mentioned the payout you’ve put away for her college education, which we both know is absolute bullshit.”
“I don’t have to justify the way I spend my money to you.”
“No, you don’t, but you also won’t be using an innocent little girl for your gain. My daughter.”
“Our daughter.”
“When it’s convenient.”
“I won’t continue this conversation if you’re going to be petty.”
“This isn’t about me being petty, Liam. This is about Kaitlyn. You took me to the cleaners in the divorce. You happily helped yourself to half of my investments and life savings. I was forced to use most of what was left to pay off your credit card debt when you screwed me over with the bill. I’m mostly over that, even if it was a dick move. But I won’t sit back when it comes to Kaitlyn. I’ll be hiring the nanny. Me.” She pressed a trembling hand to her chest as she emphasized the word. “The adult who actually knows, loves, and cares for her every single day. You’ll simply pay her salary. That’s the deal.”
“If I’m paying, I get some say—”
“No, you don’t. We can try a full-day visit after someone has been hired—someone I feel comfortable leaving Kaitlyn with.”
“I see.”
She narrowed her eyes, understanding how loaded two simple words could be. “And what does that mean?”
“It means that maybe once a month isn’t enough visitation after all.”
And this was what she’d been trying to avoid at all costs. “Don’t you threaten me.”
“It’s not a threat, Gwenyth.”
She swallowed as her eyes filled because he was right. It was now a promise. Liam didn’t feel like he was winning. But he would make sure he did. “Feel free to call your attorney, Liam, because I’ll be calling mine.” She hung up, dropping the phone to the bed as she sat again. “Oh God,” she whispered, pressing her hands to her face, taking several steadying breaths as she rocked back and forth.
What had she just done? She should have tried harder to keep her cool. She should have found a way to work with him. She didn’t have the money for this. Litigation fees. Endless billable hours for a long, drawn-out court battle. Because Liam’s new mission would be to make her pay.
She rushed to her feet when she heard the tap on the door, slapping a smile on her face when Cade opened it wider, standing in the doorway with cheese, crackers, and grapes on a plate.
“Is everything okay?”
Things had never been worse, but she nodded. “Everything’s fine.” Clearing her throat, she stared down at the floor, unable to look him in the eye and lie. “I should get stuff cleaned up.” Pushing her way around him, she headed downstairs, ready to attack the small mess they’d left in the kitchen after lunch. She needed time to think and figure out what she was going to do because her absolute worst nightmare was officially coming true.
Cade stood where Gwen left him, clenching his jaw as he watched her retreating down the hallway. He wasn’t sure what pissed him off more: the conversation he’d just overheard or the fact that Gwen had lied.
She had offered up small glimpses of her married life over the last couple of months, but they’d never talked about her actual divorce and the settlement she and Liam had agreed to. From what he’d just heard, she’d gotten hosed, which was complete bullshit.
Technically, none of this was any of his business, but he wasn’t always big on technicalities, particularly when the woman he was crazy about was being bullied and threatened by an absolute fucking asshole.
Heading back downstairs, he followed the sound of the water filling the kitchen sink. He stopped on the opposite side of the counter, setting down the cheese and cracker plate he’d made, watching Gwen scrubbing at one of the bowls she easily could have put in the dishwasher. “Was that Liam?”
She darted him a glance, scrubbing the dish harder. “You know it was.”
He nodded, crossing his arms, trying like hell to keep his cool. There would be no shouting matches today. “Were you going to tell me about your phone call, or were we going to spend the rest of the day pretending that you’re ‘fine.’” He added air quotes to the last word.
She glared at him. “Not now, Cade.”
“Definitely now, Gwen.” He snapped off the water himself. “Did you ever plan to mention that he fucked you over—that he took everything from you?”
She set the bowl on the drying rack with a snap. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
He nodded because he was well aware that Gwen could put up one hell of a brick wall when she chose to. “So, we’re just going to keep doing this where Liam’s concerned? I can hang out with you and your daughter. I can spend the night and take you to bed, but everything else is off the table?”
She stopped scrubbing the plate in her hand. “That’s not fa
ir.”
“I agree.” He paced away and back, shoving his fingers through his hair. “Why won’t you let me in when it comes to that bastard?”
She swallowed, staring into the sudsy water.
“Damn it, Gwen, answer me. Share the ugly stuff, too. I want all of it. That’s part of what we’re doing here.”
“It’s embarrassing. The way I’ve let him treat me. The mess I’ve made for my daughter. It’s humiliating.”
He stopped, studying her spectacular face—her beauty and strength. “You’re certainly entitled to feel the way you feel, but I don’t see what you see. I’m staring at a woman who’s taken a really shitty situation and made the best of it—thrived despite it.”
She closed her eyes. “I wish that made this better, but it’s only going to get worse.”
“We’ll handle it together.”
She adamantly shook her head.
He was around to her side of the counter in five big strides, turning her to face him. “We’ll handle it together.”
She crossed her arms, clutching herself as her tears started rolling. “I can’t ask that of you.”
He sighed, pulling her closer, wiping her cheeks with his thumbs. “You didn’t ask. You never ask.”
She sniffled. “That’s because I’m not going there with you.”
“Why, Gwen?”
She pulled away. “Because that’s not what you and I are about. You’re already too generous with Kaitlyn—always buying her things, picking up packages of diapers or wipes or her puffs. I don’t ever want you questioning my intentions—why I’m with you.”
He settled his hands on his hips. “Why are you with me?”
She blinked, clearly surprised. “Because you make me and my daughter happy. Because I like waking up with you in the mornings and sharing my life with you.”
He nodded. “I’ve never questioned that. Damn, Gwen, you all but shoved me away in the beginning. You knew who I was then, and it never mattered. I had to take far more of an interest in interior decorating than I ever wanted to just to get you to talk to me.”
She blinked again, then huffed out a watery laugh. “I thought you wanted to be in on every stage of the project.”
