Shit Kickers & Stilettos (Heiresses In Aprons) (7 page)

Spending the entire day with Dade had been exhausting. Rosie had gotten a much better understanding of her uncle’s respect for him. She actually had her own now, but he definitely had a commanding presence. He came off as a man who liked to be in control, and yet Rosie was getting to the point where she wanted to see what would happen when he lost it. She’d never felt the urge to push someone to their breaking point before. Well, other than Sophia, and that felt totally different from what Dade was making her feel.

Dade was making her feel a lot more than she’d expected to. Rosie wasn’t going to be the only one dealing with her feelings. If Dade brought emotions out in her she was going to do her best to bring something out in him too. The way he smiled over lunch she thought she might already be on the right track. She hadn’t been lying when she told him he needed to smile more, but it wasn’t because it made him look less intimidating.

When he smiled he got a kind of sexy vibe she wanted to explore more. She knew it was damn dangerous to play games with a man like him, but Rosie was finding it irresistible not too.

Just like teasing him had been. At first she was just doing it to have fun and try and loosen him up. Dade kept glancing at her legs —which she always thought were way too short— so she couldn’t help but move them more. Every time he looked at her she wondered if he was attracted to her, or just distracted by her. Sadly she didn’t know which one she wanted it to be. The only thing she knew was that she really liked the way he kept looking at her.

Rosie knew once her parents heard about her and Dade living together they’d show up to find out what the hell was going on. Since they had been out of the country on business when the news went public it took them two weeks. It had given Rosie time to plan what she was going to say, but there had also been enough time for the story to get fully blown out of proportion. Society and tabloid bloggers alike had taken the original story and ran with it.

Speculation about an upcoming wedding had been bandied about for days. Some wondered if there was possibly an announcement of a pregnancy on the horizon. Mostly everyone wanted to know how long the relationship had been going on. Many asked how they managed to keep it under wraps. Rosie knew better than to respond, and she’d made it perfectly clear to Dade that he wasn’t to comment on anything either. She could tell he was frustrated by her restraints, but Rosie needed him to trust her on this.

They were standing in the living room arguing over whether or not they should attend Nicolette’s upcoming fundraiser for the children’s hospital when her parent’s gold SUV pulled up in front of the house. Rosie was a bit shocked to see it, because she had expected to get a call demanding she come to them when they were ready to confront her. From the way Dade moved to her
side she could tell he noticed her surprise. She didn’t know if his closeness was meant to protect her or himself.

If he knew what she did
, it would have been for himself. Her father had never liked Dade. He’d never given a reason for it, but Rosie thought it was because through him her uncle had gotten the son neither of them had. Pure jealousy drove her father at times when it came to her uncle, and try as he might he just couldn’t hide it.

She reached down slid her hand into Dade’s and gave his a squeeze. “Let me handle this.”

“No promises.” Dade’s retort was a mere whisper as her parents entered the house.

“Rosalind what on earth is going on?” her mother exclaimed as they stormed into the room.

Rosie knew better than to try and answer before her father said his piece. “We know exactly what’s going on Lillian. It’s all over those trash rags.”

“Joel, we agreed to get Rosalind’s side of things before we pass any judgment.” It was nice of her mother to try, but Rosie knew her father had already formed an opinion.

Her father ignored her mother. “This behavior is totally unacceptable.”

“I agree.” Rosie took a fortifying deep breath, because what she was about to say needed to be done
quickly. “If you want to stay here and discuss what has been happening you’ll do it civilly or you can leave.”

“Rosie, I’m sure your parents are just surprised by what they’ve been reading.” It was sweet of Dade to try and be the peacemaker, but it was useless.

Her mother nodded. “He’s right dear.”

Rosie ignored them both and waited for her father to make his decision. He gave her a short and snappy nod agreeing to her
demand. Her father took her mother’s hand and led her to the couch. Rosie waited for them to sit down and get comfortable.

“Dade and I attended a charity function together and it seems a reporter got wind of the fact that Dade and I are living here together.
Nothing more or less.” Rosie knew it was a lot more, but admitting that to her parents would only make things worse.

“Did you at least try to stop the story before it got out?” Her father’s tone was more even, but still full of anger.

“It spread way too fast. Rumors are fiercest when you give the fuel. This will die down if we ignore it.” Rosie knew there was nothing to do but ride it out.

“Or you could just move back to your apartment.” Her father groused. “Better yet come back to live at home for a little while until this blows over.”

“I’m staying here.” Rosie knew they weren’t going to agree with her right away.

“I’m afraid the longer you are together the more people will talk.” Her mother might be right, but Rosie had committed herself to six months and she wasn’t backing out no matter how hard things got.

“Mom, I’ve never let the media push me around before and I’m not going to let them now.” Rosie hoped she could get her mom on her side, because Rosie knew no matter what she decided there’d be no changing her father’s mind.

Her mother was so quiet Rosie was about to give up, then she said, “I guess we’re going to have to trust that you know what you’re doing.”

“It’s not Rosalind I’m worried about.” Her father turned to Dade. “Whatever you have going through your mind where my daughter is concerned I want you to know even if you do manage to seduce her you’ll never get your hand on even the slightest piece of Crestmont Hotels.”

Dade laughed. “If I decide to seduce your daughter getting my hands on your hotels will be the last thing on my mind.”

Her mother’s cheeks grew red, and so did her father’s whole face, well before it turned a purple-ish color. His dislike for Dade had never been subtle, but now he was just being rude. Not many people stood up to him though. Most people held their tongues and kept their notions to themselves most likely to avoid having to argue with him. Not Dade though, he hadn’t thought twice about speaking his mind. She liked that about him.

That Dade had actually laughed at him surprised her, but Rosie didn’t think her father’s behavior was funny in any way. Even her mother, who always went along with her father, looked stunned. She couldn’t let her father get away with acting like this. Then again she shouldn’t let Dade talk about seducing her like it was some type of game.

“Dad you owe Dade and apology. And you,” She turned to Dade and stabbed her index finger at his chest. “Owe me one.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. I don’t plan to debauch you.” He flattened her hand against him and leaned in so only she could hear him.
“Unless you want me to.”

Flustered she pulled her hand away and turned her attention back to her father. “Damn it! I haven’t done anything I need to apologize for.”

“You accused him of trying to use me to get Crestmont.”

“Crestmont is a family company. He might have thought marrying you would make him family, unlike being Teddy’s ward.” It didn’t come as any surprise that her father’s first concern was for Crestmont Hotels and not his daughter’s heart.

“Not that we’re getting married,” Rosie wanted to make that perfectly clear. “But that would make him family. I would think that you’d want me to settle down and have kids so there’s someone for the company to go to. Or do you want it to end with me?”

“Rosalind,” Her mother tsked like she’d spilled something. “Of course your father and I want you to settle down and give us grandchildren. He just wants you to have the best.”

“In case you missed it I’m not what your mother and father considers the best.” Dade’s warm breath brushed her cheek as he whispered. “I hope you at least give me a shot before you make up your mind.”

Rosie jabbed her elbow into his side. He would choose now to flirt with her. She felt the heat bloom on her cheeks and hoped her parents didn’t notice.

“I’m sorry,” her mother said with a shake of her head. “But yes Dade is not the kind of man we had in mind for you.”

Rosie dreaded the answer, but she had to ask. “What kind of man would that be?”

Her father snorted. “Rosalind, you’ve dated millionaires, minor royalty, and high powered businessmen. We are not going to stand by and let settle for your uncle’s personal assistant.”

Settle? She was about to tell them how wrong they were when Dade’s hand closed around her wrist. Rosie looked over at him and he shook his head. Could her parents really not know Teddy had his own company? She knew it wasn’t public knowledge
and her uncle had done his best to keep his name from being linked with it, but she assumed her father would have at least figured out something was going on over the past twelve years. Boy, were they in for a big surprise when Mr. Grest read the will.

“I think everyone is overreacting. Mom you and
Dad should go home. I’m not going to defend my choices, and Dad’s not going to admit he was wrong and apologize to both me and Dade.” She was mad, but not enough to ban them forever. “I’ll call you in a few days after we’ve all had time to calm down and we can have lunch or something.”

“Joel we’re leaving.” There was no heat in her mother’s tone as Lillian got her feet and walked over to Rosie and kissed her cheek. “You’re such a smart girl.”

“Then you should try to trust me enough to know what's best for me.” Rosie walked them to the door.

Dade stood in front of the window and watched Rosie’s father walk to his car. Her mother lingered on the porch probably making a last ditch attempt to warn Rosie away from him. The old bastard glanced at him and Dade smiled and waved. It must be killing Joel that Rosie had stuck up for him. Dade’s smile got broader, not because he was enjoying getting between her and her father —that was just a little bonus. He was smiling, because Teddy had always said her father was never going to accept any guy unless he could completely control him and he was right.

Dade was the farthest thing from that and it seemed that they both knew it. So had Teddy, which had to be a contributing factor in his request. Maybe Teddy had wanted to stick it to his brother one final time. At the same time Dade knew he was trying to take care of Rosie even though he wasn’t there.

Rosie waved goodbye and Dade figured he had about three minutes before they were out of sight and she came in the house. Not much time to decide on what his next move should be. Oh, he knew what he wanted to do. She stepped inside and slammed the door behind her.

Her gaze landed on him and Dade held his hands up in the air, the standard sign of surrender. “I was an idiot. I’m sorry.”

She narrowed her glare and shook her head. Her heels clicked on the hard wood floor as she headed for the staircase. Dade followed not ready to let her go without thanking her for sticking up for him. He reached out and grabbed onto the back of her jeans. Either she hadn’t been expecting it, or her shoes were as dangerous as he thought. She stumbled and he lunged forward wrapping his arms around her waist. With a twist of her hips she turned to face him.

Dade took one look at her eyes and lost all control. He crushed her lips under his. She moaned and parted giving him the entrance he demanded. He swept his tongue along her hers loving the sweet way she tasted. Her arms slid around his neck and they clung to each other desperately eager for the intimacy the connection gave them. Dade pressed his pelvis against her letting her feel what she did to him. She felt so good in his arms that he didn’t want to let go, but the damn pesky part of him that still had some honor urged him to pull back.

“Rosie,” He took a second to catch his breath. “I want you, but I’m not sure you’re ready for this.”

“Okay, this is the second time today that you’ve hinted that I don’t know what I want. You really need to stop doing that.” Her smile confused him.

“So you’re saying?” He needed to hear the words.

She tugged her shirt over her head and dropped it to the floor. “That we can discuss everything I want later. Right now how about you show me what you want.”

He didn’t need to be told twice. With a quick bend at his knees he leaned forward and slung her over his shoulder. He carried her upstairs. When he reached the top he had a brief
moment of indecision. His room or hers? Now was a good chance to check out her room, but there were condoms in his room. She reached down and grabbed his ass and he made it to his room in three long strides.

Dade lowered her to the floor letting her body slowly slide along his. He wanted their first time to be something they’d both remember for a long time. Slow and easy savor every touch and taste that had been his plan until she reach for the button on his jeans. The two of them tore at each other’s clothes as he walked them toward the bed. Of all the things her uncle had wanted for them Dade was sure wild raging lust wasn’t on his list. They fell onto the bed in a tangle of limbs.

It was damn obvious neither of them was in the mood for slow and easy lovemaking, but Dade was still going to make sure this was good for her. She was breathing heavily as he kissed along her neck down, nibbled here and there, until he reached the swell of her breasts. He slid his hand from her now bare breast down her side. He stilled for just a second when she squirmed under his touch and giggled. Ticklish. He tucked that little tidbit away for later and continued his journey.

When he reached her hip his palm settled on the generous curve. His thumb rested on that spot where there was a dip that would lead right to where he wanted to be most. Dade rolled himself off her enough to give him access. He slid his hand between
them, his fingers parting her curls. She was soft, wet, and welcoming.

Dade ran his fingers along her silky folds enjoying the way she squirmed under his touch. She moaned as he slid one finger inside her. She was tight and he realized instantly he was going to have to be gentle with her at least at first. Rosie moaned as he toyed with her. The louder she was the harder he got. Damn, he was going to lose it soon if he didn’t get her
off. He added another finger to her tight passage and she pushed against his hand. Dade pressed the hard part of his palm to her mound and added pressure. He let her own movements drive her pleasure higher.

Rosie reached down and put her hand over his pressing it harder as she squeezed her thighs together. Dade knew she had to be close. He closed his lips over her nipple and suckled giving her everything he had.