First Kiss (9 page)

Cade was at the sink mixing a salad. Steaks sat on a plate next to him, seasoned and ready for the grill.

She walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around him. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

He clasped his hands over hers. “This whole journey has been upsetting. I miss him, and I realize I didn’t even know him.”

He turned and gathered her in his arms. “Tell me, were you in love with him?”

“Cade…” She tried to pull away, but he held her close.

“No. I need to know.”

Olivia pushed away and paced the kitchen while he watched. “Once, maybe. One of those foolish girl things.” She shook her head. “He wasn’t one for scandal.” She wanted to laugh, but, in her heart, she couldn’t. She took a breath to explain her silly, childhood crush when they heard Gage scream, and they both ran out the back door and to the driveway.

Gage stood near the end of the driveway behind the truck, which had done some off roading and gotten stuck in the rocks. He pulled and he pushed and he screamed again.

Once Olivia’s heart stopped pounding, and she could catch her breath, she could laugh.

Cade walked over to the car and pulled it from the rocks. “It really isn’t four wheel drive, buddy.”

Gage gave him a knowing nod and climbed back in and pedaled off.

Cade looked up at her. It was going to break her heart into a million pieces when he went back to his life. But standing there in the driveway, his eyes matching those of her son and his heart exposed by the smile on his face, she couldn’t help but love him—this time as a woman.

She walked across the driveway, wrapped her arms around his neck, and pulled him in for a deep and satisfying kiss.

“You’re going to break my heart, aren’t you?”

“Never on purpose,” he said in her ear as he held her tight.

“We will stay with you.” She inched back to look at him. “And I know my heart is going to shatter, but don’t hurt Gage. He’s already trusting you. You can’t hurt him.”

Cade looked up to where Gage rode around in a circle. “I didn’t know a grown man could fall in love with someone other than a woman.” He looked back down at her. “I’d never hurt him. I promise.”

Well, he’d given her his word. She just wondered how good his word actually was.

Chapter Eight

Olivia sat down at her desk on Monday morning and sifted through the papers she’d left there on Saturday afternoon.

Again, her mind wasn’t on her work. It was on Cade.

This time, however, she was smiling.

He’d given her son a priceless gift and, even though it had pained him physically, he’d even carried him up to the tree house. He’d cooked her an amazing dinner. And then, while her son slept in his own crib in the first home he’d known, Cade had made love to her all night, gently and sweetly, in his old bedroom which his father had kept pristine.

Her entire body still tingled at the thought of every touch, every kiss, and every flowing movement between them. He’d taken her to the edge and then fallen over with her. Then he’d held her, caressed her skin, and whispered sweet things in her ear. Things only Cade Carter would know she’d want to hear. She wasn’t a fool to think it would last forever, but she was going to enjoy every moment she had.

Parker tapped on her door. “Good morning.”

“Good morning.” She smiled up at him.

“You look refreshed.”

“I am. New week. Time for moving on.”

He nodded and then shut her office door behind him. “Listen, I know this isn’t any of my business, but I heard Kat talking and…” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I know Cade has been staying at your place, and last night you stayed at his.”

Olivia gritted her teeth. “I didn’t realize who slept in my bed had anything to do with my job.” Her voice had risen to a pitch she’d never wanted to use around her boss.

“Oh, no.” He looked up at her, his eyes wide. “No, nothing like that. I just wanted to say that if you’re involved with Cade then I’m sorry about the invitation to have pizza the other day. I didn’t mean to step over any boundaries.”

Olivia dropped her shoulders. “Parker, Cade is an old friend.”

“Oh, I know. You two were very close once. I just didn’t know you still were.”

He was right. There was no reason for anyone to think that she and Cade had anything left in common except for his father. “Thanks for the invite anyway.”

He nodded. “Sure. If you need anything, let me know.”

The door to her office opened again and Kat stuck her head in. “Hey, darling, your boyfriend is here.”

“Mrs. McCormick, he’s a customer of this bank. Not my boyfriend.” How was it the woman could be so endearing and so crass at the same time.

“Right. I’ll send him in.”

Cade walked through the door a moment later, nearly running Parker over.

“Good morning, Cade.”

“Parker.” He slipped his sunglasses behind his head as Parker shot her a glance and shut the door.

She tried to push past his obviously foul mood. “Good morning, sir.” She smiled and pushed up from her chair to reach across the desk to kiss him, but when he looked up at her and narrowed his eyes, she relaxed into her seat. “What can I do for you?”

“I need a checking account.”

“We can do that.” She opened the drawer with the necessary papers in it. “Why do you need this?”

“It seems as though no one in this town takes credit, and an out-of-state check is out of the question.”

“What are you writing checks for?”

“I have to get that house fixed up. Already this morning, I’ve had three contractors there to give me bids. One won’t take my check, and the other two came in much higher than the other. Both have made comments that they knew me, and I dated their daughters. Neither of which I remember, but hell, I guess this town has its opinion of me.”

He had certainly soured her mood.

“Do you really think the people in this town are just trying to mess with you? I mean really you…”

“Didn’t even show up for my own father’s funeral.”

How could she argue with that logic?

She collected the information she needed, and Cade filled out and signed the necessary papers.

“Well, Mr. Carter, you are officially a new customer of this bank.”

“Great.” He took the papers she’d tucked into the bank envelope for him and shoved them into his back pocket. “I have some business to take care of. I’ll be gone a few days. Keep an eye on the house?”

Her mouth opened and she shut it quickly. So much for the nice, warm good morning he’d given her. Officially he’d frozen her out. “Sure.”

“Great. Thanks.”

And, with that, he put on his sunglasses and headed out of the bank.

Olivia balled her fists to her side. She walked directly down to Parker’s office. “Is that dinner invitation still open?”

He looked up at her and nodded. “Of course.”

“I think we should do it soon. Tonight?”

“Yeah. Sure.”

“Great. I’ll meet you there at six.”

He nodded again. “What about Cade?”

Olivia held up her hand. “Do you see a wedding ring on this finger?” With that she walked away. Oh, she’d been so stupid.

Cade had started out of town much later than he’d wanted. At this rate, he wouldn’t hit Las Vegas until the wee hours of morning. He was sure his aunt would be awake, but perhaps not home. He’d have to get a motel room and rest up. This certainly wasn’t what he’d wanted to deal with.

He’d hoped Olivia would show up after work. He’d had half a mind to invite her along, but his aunt was nasty and Olivia didn’t need that. Besides, he’d been in such a bad mood when he’d gone to the bank that he wouldn’t blame her if she didn’t talk to him at all.

Cade rolled over the Rose Bridge and headed out of town, but a quick glance at his gas tank and he knew he wouldn’t be getting far. He checked his watch again. It was seven-thirty. Maybe he should just wait until tomorrow to leave.

He pulled into the 7-11 and stopped the car in front of the pumps. It hurt to get out of the damn car. As soon as he was back in Green Bay he was selling the stupid thing to Ashley. That had always been the deal anyway.

He opened the door to the tank, started the pump, and waited. It was then Olivia’s car caught his eye. A moment later, she walked out of the pizzeria across the street with Gage on her hip, and he was screaming.

It broke his heart to think Gage wasn’t happy. But to see him warmed him to the core.

A moment later, Parker Woods exited the restaurant with two children, one on each side. Cade had no idea how old children were supposed to look, but they didn’t look very old at all. Each of them had one of his hands and tugged in two different directions.

He watched as Olivia buckled Gage in the car, and Parker unlocked his car and the two children at his side hurried in.

But then he watched Parker and Olivia each walk to the back of their cars which were parked next to each other. The conversation was intimate, not the kind where they were talking about a bank loan—that much he could tell. The air in his lungs nearly stuck there when he watched Parker reach for Olivia’s hand and then he moved in and kissed her on the cheek.

What in the hell was going on? One night with him and the next night with Parker? What kind of game was Olivia playing?

All of this only days after his father died, and hadn’t she admitted to having feelings for his father?

Well, he’d been dumb enough to fall for her charm and drag her to bed. Shit! He cared for that little boy, and he was just a ploy in her game.

The gas pump shut off, and Cade quickly hung up the hose, closed the tank door, and climbed back into the car. With a thunderous noise, he peeled out of the parking lot of 7-11 and headed out of town. From his review mirror, he could see her head snap up. He’d made his point.

Chapter Nine

It had been the worst night ever. Gage was awake nearly all night screaming. She’d hoped the two nights without the night terrors was the signal of the end.

She combed her hair and looked over her reflection in the mirror. Dark circles plagued her eyes.

Simply put, it was going to be a very long day.

Michelle had suggested Gage spend the day with his grandmother, and though Olivia didn’t like the idea, she agreed.

Her mother met her at the door to her hotel room, all dolled up for the day.

“You remember Mary Ann? Her granddaughter is visiting today so we’re going to meet at the park.”

“Please be careful with him. He’s all I have.”

“You’re still alive, aren’t you?” Her mother reached for Gage. “I know what I’m doing.”

Gage tried to pull back from his grandmother, but when she had him in her arms, Olivia took a step back.

“I’ll be done right at five.”

“I’ll be here. But don’t be late. I have an interview for a job.”

“You’re getting a job?”

“Sure. I’m sticking around. The bar needs a new bartender. Sounds like my kind of job.”

It sure did, and Olivia realized she didn’t want her mother there. Aspen Creek was her home. There was no room for Celeste Baker there.

Gage reached out for her again, and she had to just turn and leave. That moment had broken Olivia’s heart nearly as much as driving by Austin’s house and seeing Cade’s car still gone.

Parker was waiting for her the moment she walked into the bank. He followed her into the office and closed the door behind him.

“Is something wrong, Parker?”

“Listen, I didn’t mean any harm last night when I kissed you. I mean, wow, I didn’t…”

“Stop. It’s nothing. It wasn’t like we made out. It was a peck on the cheek.”

“So Cade is okay?”

She shrugged. “He left town.”

“Oh, God, I’m so sorry.”

She watched Parker pace back and forth. “Parker, let it go. After all, the whole night didn’t quite turn out like we’d thought.”

He looked at her and chuckled. “I’m not sure they’ll ever let us back in that restaurant.”

She laughed. “I’ve never seen three little kids make such a mess. Gage usually isn’t that much work.”

“If it’s any consolation, my daughter loved you. She might have spilled her entire soda on you, but she thought you were really nice.”

“Thanks. Maybe someday we can have dinner at my house. Then the kids can run around and no one will be bothered.”

“I think my kids would enjoy that.” He walked closer to her and took her hand in his. “What about us? Do you think…”

He was so close she placed her hand on his chest. “Parker, listen, I don’t think we should…”

“I know. Cade, right?” He took a step back. “If you need someone, I’m here.”

He opened the door and left her alone to think about the confused state she was in. How had it all come to this?

Cade watched the ceiling fan spin above him. He must have found the cheapest, dirtiest motel outside of Vegas. Not that it had mattered. He hadn’t slept all night. The image of Gage so upset, followed by Parker kissing Olivia, had his stomach tied in knots.

Perhaps he’d overstepped the boundaries by making moves on Olivia. But he hadn’t been the only one in that bed the other night. No, she’d matched him move for move as they made love all night long. He’d never felt so connected with a woman—ever.

Then again, no other woman had been Olivia. In his heart, he’d waited his whole life to hold her.

He looked at the clock on the nightstand. After a shower and a cheap Vegas breakfast, he’d head to his aunt’s house. Hopefully she’d have the papers he needed to close out his father’s estate. Then he could decide how to handle Olivia. But first he’d better call Ashley. It was going to be a few more days before he’d be home.

Cade pulled into the trailer park complex that matched his aunt’s address. He knew the specific trailer the moment he pulled up in front of it.

He stepped out of his car and saw the curtains in the window move. She’d seen him already. There was no turning back.

Only a few moments later, his aunt opened the front door and stood there in a ratty bathrobe with slippers on her feet and a cigarette in her fingers.