by Jen Talty
Heather found herself nodding, accepting the invitation. A minute after Elizabeth left, Heather still stared at her phone.
Nothing. No message.
No text.
The man had a job to do, and texting her in the middle of a five alarm fire had to be the last thing on his mind.
The day ahead promised to drag on at an agonizingly slow pace.
Between patients, Heather did her best to keep up with the news about the fire, but there hadn’t been an updat since three in the afternoon, reporting the fire had been brought under control and suggesting it would be completely out within in the hour.
But what worried her more, was the report of at least five injured firemen having been rushed to the hospital.
Still no text from Cade.
She’d sent him off that morning, feeling like an overprotective worry-wart, which would probably be a total turn off for him. He risked his life every day to ensure safety for his community. Sacrifice had been rooted in his soul. It’s who he was, not what he was.
Her last patient and her staff had left. All she had to do now was a bit of paperwork and she’d be able to head home. She sat behind her desk with a stack of files, one open. She gasped at the vibration of her phone.
Cade’s name and image flashed on the screen.
If he was texting, he was okay.
She picked up the phone, swiping on the text message.
Cade: Sorry it’s taken all day. Difficult fire. I’m okay. Just left the hospital visiting with some buddies who got caught inside when a building collapsed. They're okay. I’m okay. Will be home in twenty.
She glanced at her watch. Five-fifteen.
Heather: So glad you’re okay and hope your buddies’ injuries are mild. Watched things unfold on television and have been worried sick. Dinner at the Easton’s. They insist. See you there.
She hit send, almost wishing she hadn’t. It sounded too couple-ish. Only, she wouldn’t mind being Cade’s other half. The vibration in her hands from her phone startled her.
Cade: Not surprised they insisted. Okay. I can do that if you’re coming with me. Really sorry it took all day to let you know I was okay.
Wow. Just wow.
Part of her had wanted to jump up and down that he had been concerned about her feelings. Another part of her wanted to shrug it off.
She chose to straddle the middle.
Heather: Don’t worry about it. I understand. I’ll see you at the Easton’s.
She set her phone down, thinking that would be the end of it. Well, she was wrong.
Cade: If it’s okay with you, I’d like us to go over together. I’d like a little time alone with you.
Double wow. She gulped.
Heather: I’m at the office, but leaving in ten minutes. See you soon.
Before she could set the cell down, it vibrated with another text.
Cade: Thanks. Kisses.
How did one respond to that? She chose the ‘blow kiss’ emoji, then rushed to finish her paperwork so she could go home.
It shocked her how comfortable she felt with him, and not just because he’d made love to her so thoroughly, but because he was simply the best, sweetest, man she’d ever met. There was an innocence about Cade that she couldn’t deny. Not in a childlike way, but as in a genuine, kind, caring man with a heart of gold and a soul filled with hidden treasure.
Indeed, few men were like Cade.
By the time she slipped into the front seat of her car and headed for home, she had a perpetual smile plastered on her face. Dating a man like…God, she hoped he’d consider them dating. Jumping straight into bed with him didn’t mean they had any kind of relationship, but it did change everything.
A warm tingle flowed across her skin like a rainbow covered the sky when she eyed Cade’s truck. She parked her car, then pulled out her phone to text Cade, but before she pulled up his contact, she heard the roar of Jeff’s car pulling in behind her.
“Shit,” she mumbled, looking for Cade’s uncle’s number. She’d filed all the paperwork, so her ex shouldn’t be coming anywhere near her, unless he wanted to get arrested. Just as she clicked the call button, Jeff pulled open her door and yanked her from the car.
“Let go of me!” She tried to shrug his hand from her arm, while holding her phone in a death grip. “You need to leave. I filed a restraining—”
“I know what you did, and it’s ridiculous.” His fingers dug into her biceps, sending painful memories of the damage his fists could inflict.
“I’ve called the police.”
He laughed. “When are you going to stop this silly little temper tantrum and come home?”
“Home?” She glared at him. “We’re divorced, remember?”
“Something I shouldn’t have let happen. You need me.”
She wigged her arm, but he didn’t release his grip. “I don’t need you or your money.”
“Come on, you’re in debt up to your eyeballs and seriously, you miss me. I know you do. We can work this out. I told you I was sorry.”
“You really are a piece of work.” She glanced between his face and the hand on her arm. “Let go of me and leave before the police arrive because I don’t think you really want to make the headlines this way.”
“Don’t threaten me, baby.” He grabbed her other arm, holding her tight.
Her lungs burned as the familiar combination of shame and fear flowed through her veins.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Cade fly from his front door.
“Get your fucking hands off her,” Cade yelled.
Startled, Jeff shoved her behind him, still holding her by one hand.
“Back off, buddy, this is family business.”
Heather stared into Cade’s blood-filled eyes. She’d seen that look before.
In Jeff.
“Let her go and leave. I’m not going to ask again.” Cade reached out for her, but Jeff shoved her backward then shoved Cade in the chest.
“Get in the house,” Cade demand.
She wasn’t going anywhere, nor was she going to let these two fight it out. “I called the police.”
“I know, my uncle called me and he’s sending a car over, now get in the house.” His commanding tone sent a shiver down her spine.
She stood next to Cade, feeling the anger seeping from his pores. She leveled a hard look at Jeff. “If the cops arrest you, and they will, it will be hard to come out smelling like roses with the press this time.”
“You little bitch.” Jeff stepped forward.
Cade reached his arm out, curling his fingers around her biceps, and stepping in front of her.
Stunned by Cade’s use of force with her, she froze in place, watching Cade’s fist connect with the side of Jeff’s face. The crackle-pop, of knuckle crushing bone echoed between her ears.
Jeff stumbled backward, hitting her car with his back and a loud thud.
“You’re going to regret that,” Jeff said, wiping the blood trickling from his lip.
Heather, realizing Cade was going to go after Jeff again, ran the five paces toward him and grabbed his bulging biceps. His body stiffened as he whipped his head to the side, glaring at her.
She swallowed. “Let him be.”
“That’s it, baby, defend your husband.”
Cade growled.
His muscle twitched under her touch.
“I’m not your baby, and you’re not my husband,” she said, pointing down the street as a patrol car rolled to a stop in front of Cade’s driveway. “Last chance to leave, and don’t think I won’t go through with harassment charges if you keep doing this.”
“Come near her again and I’ll do more than hit you,” Cade said behind a clenched jaw.
She had no idea how to calm him down, and his rage frightened her on so many levels, even if it was to protect her. First, she had to handle Jeff.
“Are you fucking him?” Jeff questioned, daring to step forward. “Awe, baby, you are.” He raised his hand to his
mouth, spreading his fingers, shoving his tongue between them and waggling it. “Best pussy in town.”
“You fucking bastard,” Cade said, lunging forward.
“Cade! No,” she yelled, but it was too late.
Cade connected another fist with Jeff’s gut. In a fraction of second, Jeff landed a punch on Cade’s chin.
She stood there, mouth gaping open watching her asshole ex-husband and her current boyfriend, if you could call him that, beating the crap out of each other. The sound of clopping boots hitting the ground penetrated her nightmare as a police officer called out Cade’s name and commanded the men to break it up.
Neither man did.
The police officer yanked Cade from Jeff, who held his hands up and backed away. “I was trying to leave and then this guy assaulted me.”
“I understand that Dr. Holbrook has a restraining order, and you’re on her property, so I suggest you leave, and trust me when I say, there will be no second chances. You come anywhere near Dr. Holbrook again and you will be arrested.”
“And what about him? I want him arrested.”
“If I bring him in, I’m sure as hell bringing you in, too. So, I highly recommend you get in your car, leave, and make sure you don’t come back.”
Jeff didn’t say another word as he slipped into his fancy car, turned the engine over, and slowly backed out of her driveway, and rolled down the street.
Heather took a few calming breaths, rolling her neck. She was still afraid of Jeff. She’d probably always be afraid of him and for good reason, but she wasn’t under his grip, and hopefully this was the end of that road.
She focused on Cade, who stood in her driveway, hands on his hips with his back to her. His rage frightened her in a different way.
But it also angered her. Violence wasn’t the way to solve this issue, if anything, it only escalated it.
She folded her arms across her chest as he turned and closed the gap between them. His body sill oozed rage. She held up her hand, not wanting to feel that kind of anger. “Why on earth did you do that?”
“Do what?”
“Resort to violence to deal with him,” she said, letting out a short puff of air.
“Are you kidding me?” Both his brows arched. “The way he manhandled you—”
“Didn’t require you to hit him. All you had to do was step between me and him. Had he tried to actually hurt me, or you, fine, but you didn’t have to start it.”
“What?!” He stood two feet from her, looking down on her with dark eyes. “I bet he left bruises on your arm, the way he held on to you.” His nostrils flared like a bull ready to charge. His chested heaved up and down with every breath.
“You need to calm down before I can talk to you about this. I need some time alone. Give the Easton’s my best.”
With that, she turned on her heels and marched herself into her house and locked the door. Rubbing her arms, she could feel the pain of bruises developing where Jeff had squeezed so hard she thought it would cut off he circulation. She leaned against the front door, peeking out the window.
Cade still stood in her driveway, scratching the back of his head.
Her body trembled and tears stung at the corners of her eyes. Cade was a good man and she knew deep down he’d never hurt her physically. She’d give him time to calm down, and she’d take time clear her head.
She’d talk to him tomorrow and go from there.
One day at a time.
10
The next seventy-two hours had been sheer hell for Cade.
After the incident with Jeff, no matter how much he wanted to talk to Heather, he understood she needed space. He hadn’t felt that kind of rage in…well, never. Not even when he found his ex-wife screwing one of their friends.
His feelings for Heather cut deep.
He rubbed the side of his mouth as he pulled into the parking lot of her office. He hadn’t seen or spoken to her since the fight with her ex. He had to work a double shift to cover for one of his buddies who’d been injured in the fire and then he’d spent most of today sleeping. She was at work anyway, so it wasn’t like they’d be able to talk.
But now he had his scheduled appointment for the permanent crown. The clock on his dash blinked 3:45.
Fifteen minutes early.
He slipped from the driver’s seat, his body sore from work and lack of sleep, his heart ached from missing her.
The sun dipped behind a cloud as he made his away across the parking lot. This wasn’t the time or place to tell her how he felt, which she’d probably call him crazy if he did. He would, however, apologize. If there was one thing he knew about Heather, that was she didn’t like excessive use of force, and he’d done just that when he’d gone after Jeff. Truth be told, he wanted to make him hurt the way he’d hurt her.
Which put Cade on the same level as Jeff.
Sort of.
Cade’s intentions were good, but he knew without a doubt, he could have easily held his ground without ever tossing a punch, especially the first one.
He held the door open for a mother and her two kids before stepping into the empty reception area. The receptionist greeted him, telling to have a seat and Heather would be with him in a moment.
His heart rattled inside his chest like a kid sitting in the principal’s office waiting to get scolded.
Some woman who he vaguely remembered assisting Heather during his first experience in her office, led him down the hallway and into the same room he’d been in last time. He sat in the chair, clasping his hands together and waited.
And waited.
It felt like he waited an eternity, but the clock on the wall said he’d been sitting there for five minutes when he heard the clicking of shoes enter the room.
“Hello, Cade,” she said, pulling up her rolling stool. “How’s the tooth feel? Any problems.”
He swallowed his breath, staring into her rich brown eyes. She’d pulled her dark hair back into a ponytail, which she did anytime she worked. A small smile spread across her face.
“None. I want to apologize—”
“Let me get this crown in place and then we can talk, okay?”
He nodded.
“I’d prefer to do this without numbing your mouth. That said, some patients feel a quick, sharp pain when I cement it in.”
“Drilling?” he questioned.
“Only on this.” She held up the crown. “And not much.”
“Let’s get this over with.”
He leaned back, closing his eyes, and opening his mouth wide, letting her violate him yet again.
Only this time, he had no fear.
The procedure took about fifteen minutes, and only once did he feel any real pain. Before he knew it, he was following her up to her office where they could talk.
He felt good about the dentist, but wasn’t feeling so good about what the woman was going to say to him.
Shutting the door behind him, he situated himself on the sofa. She sat on the other end, facing him, one foot tucked under her.
“I want to thank you for being there for me,” she said, fingering her ponytail flowing over her shoulder.
“My pleasure,” he said. “I’m sorry I threw the first punch. I shouldn’t have done that.”
“The thing is, had you not been there…had I not been able to punch in the number to your uncle, who knows what Jeff would have done.”
“He hasn’t tried to contact you since then, has he?”
She shook her head. “But he got himself into some trouble that made the headlines and this time he can’t spin it.”
“What did he do?”
“He hit another woman who did what I should have done the first time.” She arched a brow. “I know you were just trying to protect me, and I understand and appreciated that, but you let him get the better of you and your rage scared me. Not for me, but that you could be so out of control, and I’ve seen that before.”
He closed his eyes for a moment. “I’m not Jeff.
”
“No. You’re not. But the way you were that day, you could have really hurt him and gotten yourself into trouble.”
He blinked, forcing himself to keep his frustration in check. “I understand that. But I want you to put yourself in my shoes for one minute.”
She opened her mouth, but he moved closer, hushing her with his finger.
“Imagine seeing someone you were falling in love with being threatened by someone who’d already proven he was a violent man? What would you do?”
Her eyes grew wide and her mouth hung open.
“So, you understand my point? I know I shouldn’t have hit him, but when someone you care about is being threatened—”
“Wait. Back it up a second.”
“What do you mean? Back it up?”
“Go back to the part where you said you were falling in love with me.” She’d dropped her hands to her lap and stared at him with those dark eyes filled with specs of gold.
Oh boy. Had he really said that? He hadn’t planned on tossing that out there just yet. “What about it?”
“Do you mean that?”
“I know it sounds crazy, considering we’ve only known each other a short time, but I can’t imagine my life without you in it. So, yeah, I mean it. I’m falling in love with you and there is no stopping it.”
“What’s crazy is we haven’t even gone on a date yet.” The corners of her mouth tipped upward.
“We had the barbeque,” he said, leaning forward.
“Wasn’t a date.”
“Okay, how about the night we grilled steaks. That had to be a date.” His heart beat faster as he cupped her face.
“Okay. I’ll give you that one.”
“Tonight, I’ll take you to my favorite sports bar and try to focus on you while stealing glances at the game.”
“I’d like that.”
His lips brushed hers, setting off an electric current from his mouth to hers, as if she were pulling all the heat from his body and taking it as her own.