Chapter Three
Ella slapped Cade’s hand as she ran past him into the woods alone. She trusted the path to the guest house would be as even and clear as the way onto it.
The sounds of crickets chirping and the voices of frogs croaking didn’t stop her mind from drifting to Cade and sex. I almost unbuttoned his jeans. Cade’s jeans.
She’d had so many fantasies about doing just that, but he always said something more than her name. He encouraged her in her dreams, but here, the bunnies hunkered down in their burrows for the night talked more than him. The man was as quiet as a mouse, so unlike him.
Maybe he and Greg had more in common than she thought. Greg talked at work, but not during sex. Would real Cade be like Greg and only want sex in the missionary position? She assumed Cade would talk up a storm after all the teasing, not stay quiet and wait. She didn’t need another silent man.
She didn’t want Cade to be anything like Greg in bed or at home. She wanted her fantasy lover who talked a lot, ordered her around, and pushed her to explore. Maybe he enjoyed a woman who took charge? She had no idea how to take charge in bed; she wasn’t sure she wanted to learn.
Maybe staying was a mistake. Maybe she wasn’t ready to move on. Maybe her reservations about Cade had more to do with her undying feelings for her late husband’s brother, Garrett. God, she missed him. But the horrible fight between the brothers had pushed him away too many years ago, and he never came back. Not even for Greg’s funeral.
Cowboy boots hitting the pavement and a powerful current of air alerted her to his fast approach. “Ahh.” She exhaled as big hands swept her off her feet, bringing her back to the present.
He continued running as he carried her. “Didn’t mean to scare you, but I can’t let a little thing like you beat me to my own house. I couldn’t live with the humiliation.”
She wrapped her arms around his taut neck while her heart hammered at the proximity of his lips to hers. She did like him. Heck, she wanted him with every fiber of her being. She was kidding herself if she thought her feelings for Garrett had anything to do with her feelings for Cade. Cade was here. Garrett was…only God knew where.
“I did challenge you.”
“You sure did,” he said without any sounds of exertion.
The man took great care of himself.
“Are you going to make me cook dinner for losing?”
“No, I’m going to…” He started to say something more but didn’t finish.
He slowed down to a walk as they emerged from the woods. The scent of freshly cut grass filled her nose. She gazed in the direction Cade was moving.
A large, two-story, cedar-sided cabin similar in size to the main house stood with the glow of the half-moon as a backdrop. Overgrown bushes adorned either side of the front porch steps.
Recessed lights along the ceiling switched on one by one across the length of the portico as Cade walked up three steps to the porch. Wicker tables and chairs with overstuffed, cream cushions were organized in groups for easy conversation. The exquisite book-matched floor was perfectly pieced-together to highlight the beautiful grains of walnut. Either he spent an arm and leg on a master carpenter, or he was as skilled a craftsman as her late husband had been. Scents of cedar and fragrant flowers surrounded her.
“Are those azalea bushes?”
“Yes, ma’am. My mom and I planted them a long time ago. I didn’t think they’d ever grow, but now they’ve overtaken the front and the back. If you want any, I’d be happy to dig some up and help you plant them.”
She planned to sell her house as soon as possible, not add anything to it. It was one more gift from her husband she couldn’t hold onto anymore. “I’m good for now. I bet they’re beautiful in bloom.”
He turned to the side and opened the front door. Layers of deer antlers, one atop another, and strung with lights made beautiful chandeliers that hung from extra-high ceilings in the foyer, living, and dining room areas. Thick curtains in rich, natural hues brought more of the lush outdoors to the luxurious interior of the hunting lodge he humbly called a cabin. He held her as he kicked off his cowboy boots and walked over the green and charcoal braided rug.
In the large, open room, a floor-to-ceiling fireplace separated the living and dining area. Bear skin rugs in front of the living room side of the fireplace brought warmth to her cheeks. She’d dreamed about him introducing her to some very naughty things on a bear-skin rug, things she’d only dreamed of, never done.
He stepped toward the moss-colored couch and cut off the view of the dining room. Square vases filled with freshly-cut lavender and sage were displayed along the sofa table and brought the lovely scent of spring inside.
“If you change your mind about the azaleas, let me know.” He brushed his lips over the top of her head. “Ready for dinner?”
“Sure, are you?” She couldn’t see the dining room table without turning her torso against his broad chest and getting closer to his handsome face. She wasn’t sure rubbing her breasts against any part of him would prove to be a smart move. She didn’t want to set the tone of the evening. Show me how you take control.
He curled his hand under her and cupped her ass. A soft, approving rumble sounded from his chest as he slowly turned her front against his and slid her down his bulging body parts.
“Mmm.” She exhaled as her shoes gently touched the floor. She leaned back, cradled safely in his arms, and waited for the moment he tapped his thigh and decided to kiss her or end the date and drive her home.
His hands leisurely slid up her back to her neck. He cupped her head. “Ella, I—”
“Hey, Cade,” a man’s voice interrupted from somewhere behind him.
Cade effortlessly tucked her into his side and adjusted her into the “friend zone” hold.
“Hey, Phil. How are you? We’re starved.”
A short, red-haired man with freckles wearing a white chef jacket and jeans smiled at them.
“I’m great, and you’re in for a treat. I’ll be back later to clean up. Dessert is in the fridge.”
“Could you bring dessert to the main house on your way home?” Cade asked.
Phil nodded. “Sure.” He paused for a second and raised his eyebrows, wrinkling his forehead. His mouth opened and closed a couple times. “Where would you like breakfast served?”
“We’ll have the rest of our meals at the main house this weekend,” Cade said. “Thanks.”
Phil threw up his hand in a wave. “Have a great evening.” He walked through a doorway past the dining room table and then disappeared from view.
Cade guided her to the tan-and-brown-linen covered table set for two but could easily have sat ten. “I hope this is okay. I’m sorry it’s so late.” He pulled out a chair for her at the end of the long table.
“I eat late most nights.” She sat down in the brown-leather parson’s chair.
He sat down next to her and lifted the covers off the platters.
The scents of grilled steak and garlic mashed potatoes wafted through the air. Her mouth salivated, and her stomach grumbled. “Wow.”
“Yeah, Phil is a great chef. He lives locally, but on occasion I talk him into catering events for me back home.” He held the platter of potatoes and offered her some.
She spooned a dollop onto her gold-ringed plate, thankful for conversation, then scooped two onto his plate. She gasped and covered her mouth. I’m with Cade, not Kyle and Jason. “Sorry. It’s habit. I know you’re capable of serving yourself.”
“One more, please.” He laughed. “So your boys eat a lot?”
She dropped her hand from her mouth. “You could say that.” She scooped him another spoonful of potatoes.
He switched and held the platters, and she served. They worked effortlessly together.
The steak melted in her mouth. It took everything inside her not to moan and scarf it down like she hadn’t eaten a good meal in her life. She hadn’t eaten like this in years. Not since the money ran out.
“So how is the massage and soap business?”
“It’s good.” She smiled. It would be better if clients would tell me they couldn’t pay, instead of handing me bad checks. I’m getting screwed every month by all the fees and overdraft charges.
“How long have you been selling specialty soaps? I really like them and so does my mom.” He ate a bite of potatoes. “This is good. You need to try the potatoes. I can’t be the only one smelling like garlic this weekend.”
Her talkative Cade was back, making her body smolder in all the right places. She ate a spoonful of potatoes. “Mmm. Delicious.” She placed her spoon down, picked up her napkin, and patted her mouth. “I’ve been selling the soaps and oils for a little over a year. They’re pretty popular, but I only have two hands. Making them takes time.”
“You make them by hand?” Cade narrowed his gaze and tilted his head. Curiosity flitted through the warmth of his eyes. “Like the Amish?”
She grinned. “Yes. I make them by hand, not quite like the Amish, I think. But maybe?” She shrugged. “I blend oils, soaps, and candles specifically for each client. I have a bottle of oil I use just for you with your name on it. If you want your oil, stop by Tuesday, and I’ll give it to you, since you’re no longer a client.”
“I’ll definitely be by to pick up whatever you want to give me when I stop in to pay you for my last minute cancellation.”
“You fired me,” she said in mock indignation.
“Yes, ma’am. I’m excited about getting free massages now that you won’t accept payment for them.” His grin spread from ear to ear. “I’m ready whenever you are.”
“Oh, so you want a weekend with me and free massages?” She rolled her eyes. “Is that all?”
“No. I want much more.” He paused for a moment. He slowly lowered his steamy gaze to her breasts.
She straightened her spine and pushed out her chest.
He lifted his gaze and met hers. “Some free soap too. I’ll help you make a batch. It sounds like an interesting process. I thought you bought it wholesale then resold it.”
He placed his firm hand on her thigh over her jean skirt. The weight of his hand on her thigh settled her, comforted her while it struck at her heart.
She wasn’t ready to open her heart, not yet.
“The boys are going to help me make the soaps as soon as school is out. Kyle and Jason know how to make them, but they don’t like doing it. Jason is designing some displays for me to set up in a couple boutiques in town. Kyle is setting up a website and marketing strategy for that part of my business. He’s really smart. He’s designing a program for my business to do things I can’t comprehend.”
He withdrew his hand from her thigh. “Wait, isn’t he in high school?”
“Um, yeah. They both are,” Ella said. Crap. Didn’t want to go there.
“Seniors, right?”
“Yes. They both graduate in a couple weeks.”
His fingers tapped on the table in a steady drumming rhythm. “Are they planning on college or something else?”
“Colleges are salivating over them.” She held in a groan. I shouldn’t have said that. Passing their history class with Mrs. Kellen seemed more improbable with each passing day, and they had to pass in order to graduate. The woman had it in for her boys.
“Are we talking scholarships?”
“Full rides for both of them wherever they want to go. Kyle is probably going to spread his wings and go off to college for mathematics. He won’t go too far. I hope he doesn’t go out of state. Jason is a homebody and wants to stay near me to study mathematics. He’s interested in taking classes online and showing up only for the ones he has to at the university. His girlfriend is going to Memphis.”
She had to stop blabbing on about her boys. She hadn’t even mentioned her daughter. If he remained interested in continuing the weekend after hearing about her boys, he was worth getting to know. “Sorry. You don’t want to hear about all that.” She exhaled.
“So Kyle and Jason are gifted in math?”
His interest baffled her. He genuinely wanted to know more about her and her children. “Yeah.” More like math geniuses like their dad and uncle.
“What about your daughter? She’s in college?”
“Colleen isn’t gifted in academics. She hasn’t failed out, which is a big feat for her. She’s fun, and sweet, and social. She can calculate sales tax faster than a computer and can sell you darn near anything. I keep telling her she needs to be working toward a business degree. She doesn’t have a steady boyfriend, and she’s not pregnant.
“So, she’s successfully finished her freshman year as far as I’m concerned… Cade, stop me anytime now.” Ugh. She did not want to be one of those mothers. She had to get out of this conversation and fast, or she’d end up ruining the evening, and making her daughter sound stupid when Colleen was no such thing.
“You should invite the boys up here,” he said. “We could hang out and swim tomorrow. The pool out back is heated. It could be fun.”
“Really? I don’t think they’re doing anything.” Do guys ask their date’s teenagers to join them on a first date? Is this normal protocol? Or are you already trying to end the date? Being so out of the loop with this stuff, she didn’t know what to do.
“Ella, call them. I’d love to meet them.” He reached in his pocket under the table and pulled out his phone. He handed her the phone.
She tapped the phone screen and dialed Kyle. Cade wouldn’t have asked the boys over if it was an odd request on a first date. He dates a lot. He would know. She needed to stop overthinking.
“Do I need to come and get you?” Kyle asked.
“Oh, no. I’m calling to see if you and Jason want to come to my friend’s lake house tomorrow?”
“Well,” Kyle said and paused. “Jason and I have dates, and then we’re babysitting Josie and Mark’s, and Maddie and Mike’s kids tomorrow night. We’ll change our plans, if you need us. Do you need us?”
“Gosh no,” she said. “Cade asked, and I miss my boys. It’s okay.”
“Is this the same Cade you’ve been calling for in your sleep?” Kyle asked.
Ella coughed. Crap. He heard her. They both would have heard. Oh, God. “Uh, he used to be a client. He’s not anymore. I’ll see you Monday night.”
“Tuesday,” Kyle said. “We’re hooked up with babysitting until then. We are making some sweet cash. Maddie said you were having a great time. You are, aren’t you?”
“Yes, Kyle.” Calling them was one of the worst decisions she’d made in a while. Parents don’t invite their kids to go on a first date unless they don’t want another. What the heck had she been thinking? “Have fun this weekend, and take care of those cute little kids.”
“We will. You know Jason and I would babysit the kids for free. They’re a lot of fun. Getting the money is a bonus. Have a nice time this weekend. You deserve a break from worrying about us. I love you, Mom. Call me tomorrow.”
“I love you too. Goodnight.” She ended the call and handed Cade the phone. “They’re busy.”
“Okay. Maybe next time.”
She nodded. There might not be a next time the way things were going. One minute he was hot as fire, and the next he was backing off, inviting her kids on their date. What happened to the bold man in the car?
If the evening continued down the current boring path, she’d order the boys to visit. Jason would probably get into an argument with Cade over nothing, and Kyle would overcompensate for Jason’s no-holds-barred commentary, providing an easy excuse to end the weekend.
“So, is it too soon to ask for a foot massage?” Cade sported a slight curve at the corners of his mouth. “You know how much I like my feet rubbed.”
She laughed and turned to face him. He did it again. He made an uncomfortable situation comfortable and pushed away her doubts. “Cade Jackson, you’re a liar. You hate your feet rubbed. You squirm like a worm while I’m working on them.” She playfully squeezed his large muscular bicep. Yum.
He raised his hands in surrender as she let go. His shirt lifted and showed off bodybuilder abs worth drooling over. “I didn’t think you noticed. You’d rub my feet for ten agonizing minutes every Tuesday. Were you trying to torture me?”
She branched out from her normal course of action and tried a move at seduction. Her first. Ever.
She leaned toward him and whispered, “I’ve been waiting for you to tell me you didn’t like it.”
“But I do like it.” He placed his hands on the edge of the table. His grip wrinkled the linen tablecloth. “It hurts, but it feels so good afterward.” He lifted a lock of her hair near her cheek and tucked it behind her ear. “Let’s go back to the main house and eat dessert.”
He traced the side of her neck with his fingers down to her collarbone. A soft wave of shivers rippled over her flesh. The proximity of his smoking-hot body and lips pushed her into lust hyper-drive. All he’d have to do was kiss her earlobe, and she’d have an orgasm.
“Do you want to wrap up the leftovers and bring them with us?”
“The fridge is stocked at the main house.” He glided his hand over her shoulder and down her arm to her hand. “Ready?”
He curled his fingers around her hand and tugged her up.
She nodded, standing on unsteady legs.
“Um, sure?” Am I ready for dessert with Cade?
She swallowed.
She could do the food kind but hoped he meant a naughtier kind of ending to their meal.