Chapter Twenty-Two
Ella sat in her office and dialed Cade while Derek folded sheets in the laundry room of the spa.
“Ella?” Cade answered.
“It’s me,” she said. “I’m closing up. I had a great day.” One new client after another came in for a massage. Thank you, Jerry, for the fantastic referrals.
She sold out of her citrus and lavender soaps and oils, along with all the salt scrubs she recently added to her product line. It was the most profitable day she’d had in months.
“Derek there?”
“Folding sheets as we speak,” she said. “He’s a neat freak, so he reorganized my laundry room, cleaned my bathrooms, and put up the wall cabinets I had sitting in boxes in the laundry room.”
“I could have done that…not the folding,” he mumbled.
“It has kept him out of sight for most of the day,” she said. “Are we still on for dinner? I know it’s late.”
“Yes, but what about the boys?”
“They won’t be home until eleven.”
“So, I have you all night?”
“Dinner. Garrett and Derek want to talk about the boys.”
“I’m done with the sheets,” Derek shouted. “Are you ready to go?”
“You haven’t told him you’re going out with me?” Cade asked.
“I haven’t, but I will. I’ll see you when you get here.” She recognized the hurt in his tone, but she’d been busy and hadn’t spoken much to Derek; although he helped ring people up, and even consulted on an injury for a new client. Having him around had turned into a good thing.
Derek slid his hand around her waist. He had always been affectionate when Greg wasn’t around, but it was different this time. Her feelings for him intensified as the day progressed. His touch warmed her in places she wanted to keep cool until Cade came to get her.
“I’m on my way,” Cade said, and ended the call.
She placed her phone in her purse and gazed up at him. What would you do if I kissed you? She licked her lips. “Thank you for helping out today.”
“My pleasure,” he said. He stepped to the side and faced her. His hands drifted to her hips. “I had fun.”
“I enjoyed you being here.” She caressed up his arms and wrapped them around his neck. She leaned her head against his chest. I could fall so hard in love with you.
“We need to talk about setting you up for a physical. It won’t cost you a dime. And I won’t tell Garrett anything, as always doctor-patient confidentiality is in effect.” He slid his hands to the small of her back. “I missed you. I missed—miss Greg too. I’m sorry. I would have come back sooner too. My parents would have come, but they didn’t know either.”
“Thanks.” She backed out of his embrace. Mistake thinking you might be interested in me and not just Garrett. “What is in the past is over. I understand what happened.” She turned to the door. “I don’t need a physical. I’m going out to dinner with Cade. You can go home.”
“Not your call.” He walked to the door. “When would be a good time for a physical?”
She pulled her office keys from her jeans pocket. “No physical. I’m good.” I’ve got insurance, and you’re not my doctor.
“I’m taking you to my office for a checkup. It’s been more than five years since you had one. I checked with Kyle and Jason.” He opened the door, and she followed him out.
“Cade is picking me up. And, Derek?” She squared her shoulders and gave him her best stern look. “You don’t tell me what to do. You have to ask my permission to give me a checkup, and I have to give it to you. I am not giving you permission. I’ll decide when I’m ready for an appointment with you, and I’ll pay for it with my insurance. I also want to see the pictures you took the other night. I want anything too revealing deleted.” Which is every freaking photo.
He pressed his lips into a thin line. “Sorry, but you’ll have to talk to Garrett about those pictures when he’s home. He got called in to work for an emergency.”
She turned her back on him. Dang it. I’m never getting rid of him. Now Cade is going to be even more upset. She locked the door. “Could you tell Garrett I’d like to talk to him about the photos?”
“I could, but I want you to promise you will come to my office and get a checkup within the month. I won’t wait any longer for you to start taking care of yourself.”
He probably had his orders from Garrett to make sure she wasn’t deficient in some vitamin or mineral, and that all her vitals were in working order for whatever strenuous exercise regimen he had planned for her.
She turned around and faced Derek’s cold hazel eyes. “Okay, but go home. Cade will be here any minute. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
Derek’s gaze drifted to her mouth and the flat line of his lips turned into a sexy curved smile. “I can’t go home. I’m worried about you.” He gently placed his hand on the small of her back and nudged her forward toward his black limo. “I added Colleen’s appointments with me to your calendar. I know you’ll want to be there, and she wants you to be with her. I can add an appointment for you after hers if you’d prefer. You’ll already be there.”
“I’ll be there for Colleen, but I don’t need an appointment.” I could use a checkup, but I need to get through Colleen’s wedding first.
He led her a few steps before she realized what she was doing. With Derek around, her day settled into an easy routine. Her tendency to rely on a strong man pulled at her nature to please. Derek embodied strength in body and mind. Like Garrett. Like Cade. She couldn’t let her guard down for an instant with any of them, or she’d end up doing whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted, however they wanted.
Stay vigilant. I have plans with Cade for dinner. “I’m not getting in the car. Cade is picking me up.”
“Get in the car, and we’ll wait for him. I’ll drive you to the next destination.”
“No.” She gazed into his eyes, and her insides melted into a sugary sweet mess. Yep, I could fall hard for you. “Cade will drive me. You are going home.”
“We’ve been over this. I’m here whether you like it or not. Get in the car.”
“No. I’ll wait out here.” She shooed him away. “Go spy on me so I don’t see you. Spend some money at the Chinese restaurant.”
“The food is great, but the place needs renovating. The owner sat down and talked you up. She likes you.”
“She’s pretty great. Tell everyone you know about the place so they can afford renovations.” She rocked on her feet from side to side. Cade, where are you?
“Are most of your clientele men?” He relaxed his stance, but his shoulders seemed to rise.
Why all the tension? You need an appointment with me more than I need one with you. “No, it’s split down the middle. On occasion I even work on dogs.”
He laughed. “What about cats? My mom has got a tabby cat that needs to relax.”
A forest-green luxury SUV pulled in next to the limo. Cade hopped out of it, smiling from ear to ear. “Ready?”
She hurried over to him. “Hey.”
He bent down and hugged her. “Hey, beautiful. Good day?”
“Yes, sir,” she whispered. “Nice car.” She had an SUV just like it before Greg got sick. She had loved that car.
He handed her the keys.
“Here. You drive.”
Without a second thought, she took the keys and brushed against his hard body, igniting a flame deep in her belly. She stopped, pressed tight between him and the car.
He reached around her, and opened the door enough to accommodate her size as he whispered, “Get in the car, Ella.”
The flame turned to burning need down in her groin. Shit. She wanted him to get crazy with her, rip her clothes off, and lick her clit. She swallowed down the onslaught of desire surging through her veins, and crawled into the driver’s seat.
Cade closed the door. He strode to the other side, past Derek, and climbed into the passenger’s seat.
She started the car and backed out of the space as Derek casually slid into the back of the limo. Why isn’t Derek driving?
“Take a right and head toward your house. I’m just around the corner from you,” he said.
“Derek is going to sit outside your house,” she said.
“Sweetie, he’s going to be hanging out with my security guys who won’t let him anywhere near the house.”
“You have security?”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said. “Some people think I’m a bigger deal than I am.”
Greg was well known and rich but never needed security. Garrett needed it because of his job. But Cade?
“Have you had trouble in the past?”
“Nothing I couldn’t handle, but having a full-time security team at the house stops most stalkers from walking over that invisible boundary. It’s a precaution, nothing else.”
“I see.” She didn’t understand, but she also didn’t have a clue where he lived. His address sat in his client file on her computer, but she never looked him up, never thought to. She sent a thank-you note when he first came to her, but that was so long ago. Would she be in danger dating him? “You don’t have a bodyguard, do you?”
“I do, but only when I’m going to something really big locally or elsewhere. Around town, I can take care of myself, and you, just fine.”
She kept her eyes on the road. An ounce of paranoia set in. With Garrett and Derek around again, she questioned every miniscule action, every minute thought. Garrett was screwing with her head. He wants me to cling to him for safety, but I’m not counting on anybody ever again, not after Greg.
“Turn left on the next road,” Cade said.
She turned left.
“Slow down, lead foot,” he said. “The entrance is on the left.”
“Where?” Nothing but huge magnolia, pecan, and sycamore trees lined road.
“Slow down. It’s on the left. Slower, honey. You passed it. Turn around.”
“I didn’t see it.” She clenched her jaw. Crawling down the side street, not driving fast by anyone’s standards, she searched for entrance.
“It’s right between the trees.” He pointed to a grouping of sycamores. “There.”
Giving up, she pulled to the side of the road.
“You drive.” With no one around to watch her frustrated failure, she climbed out and switched places with him. “Amaze me by finding a road that doesn’t exist.”
Without bothering with the seatbelt, he made a slow U-turn and drove between a set of pecan trees in the midst of the sycamores onto what looked like a dirt road but wasn’t. What on earth is that made of?
The hidden, dirt road changed into a stone-and-pebble concrete path through dense woods. She glanced out the back, and sure enough, Derek’s vehicle dutifully followed them.
“So, you need security in this place?”
“A couple times a year someone unwanted wanders onto the property.” He tapped on the steering wheel. “I run a few security firms that cater to high-profile clients.”
“Besides the bar?”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m in construction too. I love the bar. The others are strictly for future building.”
She turned all her attention on the man driving her to his place. Cade wasn’t dangerous like Garrett, was he? He never gave her a dangerous vibe before and wasn’t now. He seemed a tad nervous? Jeez, I’ve got to stop analyzing everything. She closed her eyes and breathed. In with the good. Out with the bad. In with the good. Out with the bad. She repeated the mantra until she found a sense of peace then opened her eyes.
The woods opened to a beautiful, cream-brick house twice the size of hers with a large, black-iron gate in front of it.
“Wow. Is that your house?” she asked.
“Um, no.” He blushed a heavy pink. “It’s the security building.”
“Oh,” she mumbled. Dang. If your security building is a mansion, what is your home?
“My house is out of view at the moment.”
The gate opened. He drove down the stone-and-pebble pavement to the side of the house and stopped the car.
An older man probably in his fifties or sixties with a shaved head wearing a white polo shirt, khaki cargo pants, and beige, military-style boots stood waiting for them.
Cade’s window lowered. “Jimmy.” He greeted the man. “This is Ella O’Brien Winthrop, my girlfriend. She can come and go as she pleases whether I’m here or not.”
Jimmy nodded. “Mrs. Winthrop, if you need anything, please ask for me.”
“We’ll be here for the night,” Cade said.
“Um, no.” She had work and a funeral to go to tomorrow. The discussion earlier involved dinner plans, not sleepovers. “I’m not staying the night.”
Cade turned toward her. His brows crinkled together. “Can we talk about it privately?” An edge of frustration lined his question which seemed more like a command.
She sat back and crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him. I’m not a child to be ordered, but you’re right. We should talk in private, not in front of anyone.
“Yes. Sorry.” Not sorry. She swiveled in her seat and gazed at the mixture of beautiful lush landscaping around the building and the unkempt wild brush and trees lurking on the edges of the property.
He placed his hand on her thigh as he rolled up the window. “Hey, sorry. I had a stressful day.”
Yeah, like I didn’t? Whatever. “I think I’d like to pick up my car and head home.”
“Come on,” he said. “I didn’t want to argue in front of my head of security. You’re the only non-family female I’ve ever brought here. I’ve never introduced him to anyone I’ve dated, and I didn’t want the first introduction to include us arguing in front of him.”
“Just dinner, Cade.”
He nodded and headed straight for the trees. The road underneath them changed to green and blended into the surrounding landscape while staying firm beneath.
She sucked in her breath as he skillfully drove between two trees which magically seemed to move before her eyes, accommodating the width of the vehicle.
Oh, my gosh. Fake trees.
Cade easily navigated the winding path she struggled to remember while the trees in their way swayed to the side in an imaginary breeze and returned as the bumper cleared the invisible mark, hiding the entrance.
“Where are you taking me?”
“My house,” he said. “I think the boys liked it yesterday. I hope they did. Sometimes they are hard to read, like you.”
“Hasn’t Josie been here?”
“No. Only family and house staff. I like my privacy.”
She held her gasp as a glass-and-white-brick mansion appeared through the break in the trees. The security building couldn’t hold a candle to the place Cade called home.
He drove out of the strange woods to a fuller view of the front of the home. Flowers bloomed all around the house with sculpted trees and bushes resembling woodland animals.
“Why the squirrel trees?”
He cleared his throat. “My nieces and nephews talked the gardener into making those.” His face blushed a darker red as he swallowed. “Most of my nieces and nephews are young. I was relieved they didn’t want pink princesses and white knights anymore…”
Dumbstruck at the extravagance, she stared in silence. As they neared, she saw magnificent dining and music rooms through large, arching windows. The place resembled a modern twist on a castle? She struggled to categorize it properly. She’d never seen anything quite like it. The building embodied a striking feminine beauty entwined with extreme masculinity at every layer.
He tapped a button on the dash as they rounded the next corner. Double doors opened to a garage. “…I’ve thought about having a party for friends here, but it never felt quite right. I designed the house with my sister-in-law. She used to be an architect. What do you think?” He parked in an empty space between two antique sports cars.
She unbuckled, spun in her seat, and faced him. Somehow her mouth worked, and she blurted out exactly what she thought before she could rein it in. “It looks just like you, masculine, attractive, striking, beautiful, strong, confident, open, fearless, gigantic for a giant, but for one person? Does one person need all that? This house is for a family or three. How long have you had it? Why haven’t you invited Josie and Mark over? Are all these cars yours?”
His brown eyes widened in surprise? Confusion? While her mouth moved in direct conflict with her brain, she avoided his gaze. Maybe not avoided eye contact as much as not paid attention.
“You like it?” he asked.
“I…” She shook her head in confusion. “I don’t know. Yes. I like it. It’s so you.” It’s you with a huge family, not you alone.
He grinned. “I’ll have Josie and Mark over for dinner sometime. We can invite Maddie and Mike too.”
“Okay,” she mumbled.
“Good.” His voice lowered, and his hand on her thigh inched up closer to her groin.
She tamped down the sudden awareness of his body closing in on her. His hand reached the vulnerable spot between her legs.
“Cade.”
“Come here,” he said with an undercurrent of a growl. He cupped her sex, reached around to the nape of her neck, and lifted her onto his lap. In one swift move, he strode from the car, and carried her through the vast garage jam-packed with all kinds of cars.
He plastered her to his muscled body.
She wove her fingers into his silky hair. Her lips pressed against his strong neck. Her legs cinched around his narrow waist.
His hand slid to her bottom, and rocked her back and forth over his growing bulge with each stride. His breathing accelerated along with hers. His strides lengthened until he raced through the house at top speed, bumping and grinding her pussy against his full erection.
Her tongue flicked out and licked the heated curve of his neck. Mmm. So clean and male.
“I’m going to fuck you so fucking hard, you’ll have to stay the night.”
A door slammed behind them, and her back hit a soft comforter. His lips found hers. She moaned as their tongues danced. His hands. Her hands. Shirts flew off. He grabbed the front of her jeans as if he was going to rip them, but stopped. His hands fumbled unbuttoning, and pulling down the zipper, so unlike him. The wild frenzy slowed.
She kicked off her sneakers as he tugged off her jeans. She sat up, and unzipped his jeans. She pushed them down. Plaid boxers. Yes. Placing her hand on the band of his undies, she traced the outline of his bulge. How that thing fit inside her was nothing short of miraculous. But it did. What he could do with it was truly amazing.
He backed away.
“No,” she whispered. No teasing. No going slow. Please.
He dropped his boxers. “No one has ever made me so…” He slid her farther up the bed, pressed his hand on her chest and gently pushed her down onto the soft mattress. He skimmed his hands down her chest, over her belly and, agonizingly slow, drew her panty down her legs.
“I have never wanted a woman like I want you.”
She couldn’t think or speak, so her body took over. She splayed open her legs and gazed up at him. Take me. Fuck me. Make me forget about Garrett and Derek and all their promises of adventures. Make my decision to be with only you effortless.
He dipped down and licked the creases of her thighs. “Tell me you’ll stay. I need you tonight.” His hot breath blew against her sex with each soft spoken word.
“I can’t.” She lifted her hips and begged him to commit to what he started, but he moved with her, not closer or farther away.
“Tell me you’ll stay,” he whispered. He flicked his tongue over her bare mons, teasing her.
She closed her eyes. “I can’t. I don’t have any clothes here.”
“Whatever you need I can have for you by morning.” His hands glided over her belly, and up to her breasts. “Say you will.”
She trembled with adrenaline filled desire. Perspiration dotted her flesh. She was about to combust, and he wouldn’t have her at all if she turned to ash. The man was a force of sexual nature. What was she doing getting deeper involved with him? She needed to simplify her life, not further complicate it.
Her pussy shouted at her to give in, to surrender, but the responsible adult in her took over. She swung her leg over his head and rolled to the edge of the bed. She sat up and pushed her hands against her belly. No sex for years, and I’m making up for it all within a week? Shit. I’ve got to stop. “I need my car. I need to go home.”
The warmth of his body pressed against her back. His powerful arms embraced her. He nuzzled under her ear. “Whether you decide to go home or stay the night, you are mine, not Garrett’s. Deep down, you know you are only mine.”
Not up for delving into her emotions, she stayed silent. I can’t have sex with all of them. Moving from sex with Garrett and Derek immediately to Cade or vice versa was wrong. Although she already had, but she wouldn’t do it again.
She closed her eyes as images of her wrists tied to Garrett’s headboard while Garrett and Derek fucked her, lazily played in her mind. I can’t be that girl, can I? Am I?
“Talk to me.” He circled her right nipple, and drew a curved line around the outside of her breast and up the middle to her other nipple.
“I have to replenish my display and make more product. I can’t stay. I really can’t.” She stared at the masculine dresser. “I like you. No matter how much I may want to, I can’t stay over. I have boys, and I’m their example. I’m ready to go home.”
“Your boys are more mature than a lot of thirty-year olds I know. They love you. You’re a wonderful mother. You have and do set a great example for them.”
She shook her head. “I don’t feel like a good mom. My boys know you slept over last night. They know Garrett slept over the night before. I…” She exhaled and shook her head. “…I don’t know what I’m doing. Everything is so out of control.”
He kissed behind her ear. “Are you hungry?”
“A little.” She seesawed between reveling in the way he wanted to take care of her and frustration at wanting to be independent. So much had happened in such a short time. She had to stand strong and avoid depending on him. No matter where things headed, she couldn’t let go of her work, her home, her life.
Do you want to have dinner with me?”
She shook her head. “I’ll just end up spending the night, and I really can’t.”
He crossed his arms around her and squeezed. “I understand. Really. I do. I don’t like it, but I can compromise and even deal with not getting what I want.”
She cuddled into his embrace. “That’s very big of you, Mr. Jackson.”
He chuckled. “Is there anything I can do before I drive you home?”
She blew out a long exhale and mumbled, “Pay off my utilities.”
“What was that?” he asked.
“Nothing.” She shook her head. “I was joking.”
She still needed to pay off the utilities before anyone could buy the house. She was eight months from having the funds and no bank would give her a loan. Maddie didn’t have the extra money. God, Maddie cried when she found out how much she owed. She couldn’t ask Garrett. The explanations. She didn’t want to relive it all. Leaving her only other possible option—Cade. She didn’t have the heart to ask him. He’d do it, and she’d be stuck with an inordinate amount of guilt until the house found a buyer.
“Is this about the amount you owed on your utilities?”
“I got in a bind. I have to pay it off before I close on my house. I’ll find a way to handle it.”
“I handled it. Did someone call you asking for a payment?” He let her go and climbed off the bed. “I will call them right now and that harassment will stop. I will raise hell if they contact you again about that.” He mumbled as he pulled out a drawer from the dresser and grabbed clothes. “You don’t owe them a dime. I told them if a problem arose to call me. You don’t need that shit right now. Son of a bitch. They overcharged the fuck out of you. You overpaid those sons of bitches. Your roof is covered in solar panels. Your water bill should have been more than your utilities.” He dressed and turned, facing her. “Did you get a name? What time did they call?”
She pinched her arm. Ouch. I’m awake. This isn’t possible.
He held his phone and stared at her. “All I need is a name.”
“No one called today.”
“Tell me who called. I will make sure they are dealt with.”
Her chin crinkled and trembled. “You really took care of it?”
“Yes, of course I did. Maddie and the boys told me what happened, and I got to the bottom of it. It’s what I do.”
A rush of relief washed over her. A weight fell from her shoulders. “I owed thousands.”
“That was bullshit. You overpaid them. You’ll be receiving a check with an apology and two months’ free utilities. If you want, we can sue them.”
She swallowed the lump of emotions lodged in her throat and shook her head. Fluid filled her eyes. She’d prayed for help for so long. So long. She slipped off the bed and dressed. Breathing proved difficult as she held back the tears. I love you. I love you. “I don’t want to sue anyone. Thank you. Thank you so much.”
He took her hand in his. “I love you. I’ve loved you since the day we met. I would do absolutely anything for you. I’m going to drive you home, but I want you to know I’m not in a competition with Garrett. Not really. I can’t stop you from loving him. I don’t want to. I do want your love. Tonight didn’t start out right. The way this dating thing began was all wrong. Heck, it’s crazy.”
“It is crazy.” Tell me you love me again.
“I got overzealous, but Garrett and I are working together on the wedding. My parents are behind us, supporting us and him. I am listening to you. My life makes sense now that I have you in it.”