Chapter Fifteen
Cade stared at the forty-something face that resembled Ella’s teenaged sons. Garrett was the most attractive man Cade had ever seen. A true guy’s guy. The guy everyone wanted to hang out with and every woman wanted to fuck and have babies with. One of those guys that if Cade were gay, he’d go after. A guy who was real competition. Damn it.
He had an uphill climb to win her away from the man Josie told him too much about. Why the hell did the guy have to show up when he finally had started setting a foundation with Ella? “I know you had sex with her. She loves you. You have a long history with her.”
“Exactly,” Garrett said. “She loves me. She likes you. You’re a nice guy, rich, stable, available, and in love with her. If I hadn’t found out about Greg…” a sadness crept into the eyes of the man before him. The emotion seemed genuine, and a part of Cade felt sorry for him.
“I never would have come back. I love her, have always loved her, and I couldn’t stand watching my brother.” Garrett paused and inhaled. “She needs me. I wasn’t there when I should have been. I’m never leaving her again. I will do absolutely anything to be with her.”
Cade kept a poker face, but elation filled him. Garrett admitted there was a chance to win her. The beautiful brunette held his heart and soul. He was fairly certain he had a piece of her heart, but not all of it, not yet.
“It’s ultimately Ella’s decision, not yours or mine. Although, because of your family relationship, I will always accept you in her life as a friend when I marry her.” Ella came as a package deal, and Garrett was now a part of it. Her strong reactions to the man emphasized the depths of love she held for him.
“You’ll be gone within six weeks. You’re not a monogamous guy, and no matter what kind of kinky fantasies Ella has with multiple men, she won’t tolerate you cheating on her. She’ll choose the one man she can count on for the rest of her life as her anchor. That man is me.”
Ella has kinky fantasies? I’m going to have to find out exactly what kind and give her every single one.
Garrett turned toward the door. “Enjoy dinner with her. It won’t last long, and I’ll pick up the pieces when you fuck up tonight.”
“I’m not going to fuck up.” I’m going to fuck my Ella until she forgets you.
Garrett opened the door and sauntered outside with a spring in his step and his arms swinging like the world was his for the taking.
Damn, the man has confidence.
Cade needed more of that kind of confidence with Ella. When his clothes were off and he held her in his arms, nothing stood in his way, but dressed with Garrett in the mix? He worried. Garrett carried a lifetime of history with her while he only tallied up a couple weeks’ worth with their weekend and the hour massage sessions. Building a solid foundation took time. He needed more time.
He ran his hands through his unruly hair. He needed a cut to tame it.
“Is he really gone?” Ella’s sweet voice whispered from behind him.
He pivoted around and smiled.
“Yes, ma’am. It’s you and me.”
Her shoulders dropped an inch.
He searched her face for a sign, any sign she could love him more than Garrett. “Are you ready for a…”
Her gaze swept up to his. She stiffened again. “Cade, thanks for coming over, but now you know what Garrett is like—”
“I can deal with him.”
“But—”
He laughed. “No buts, Ella. I’m a big boy. I can take care of him.”
“He’s not going to stop,” she insisted. “You don’t know him. He’s relentless.” She squeezed her eyes closed. “I’m sorry. It’s been…” She stopped speaking, shook her head, and lowered her gaze.
He strode forward, taking her into his arms.
“I can only imagine.” He caressed along her back over her soft white T-shirt. “Let’s talk over dinner. You’ve got to be hungry, and I’m starving.”
Dinner alone would take him one step closer to making her fall for him as deeply as he already had fallen for her. One obstacle at a time.