What the hell was going on?
“What would you like to drink?” Spence asked, all smiles.
“Oh, some tea would be lovely.” Bianca glanced at Patton’s empty beer bottle. “Your beer is empty. I’ll get you a new one.” And with that, she and Zach disappeared into the house.
Patton stared after Bianca, confused.
“She thinks you don’t like her,” Cady’s voice was low and husky, rolling over him and setting his nerves on edge and his hunger on fire. He glanced at her, but she didn’t look at him.
“Patton doesn’t like many people,” Spence teased. “But he sort of hugged her and he did say more than two words to her, so she should feel pretty good right now.”
Patton ignored his brother. He’d much rather talk to Cady...and get her to look at him. “Did she say why she thought I didn’t like her?” He drew in a deep breath and looked at her, really looked at her. It was hard work, not staring at those full red lips or the ear she exposed when she tucked her blond streak of hair behind it.
Cady shook her head. “She wants you to like her—since you’ll be family soon.” She glanced at him, her brown eyes sweeping over his face before she looked away. “What an amazing garden.”
“Mom takes a lot of pride in it,” Spence offered. “There’s some rose tour the Horticulture Society has every fall—it’s sort of a big deal—she gets kind of crazy over it. She and Bianca are two peas in a pod. Do you garden?”
Patton heard the nervousness in his brother’s voice. So Spence was interested in Cady. His stomach felt cold and hollow.
“No.” She laughed. “Bibi’s got the green thumb. I’m good at not gardening.”
“No gardening.” Spence teased, “What sort of hobbies does a high-power executive have?”
Patton watched her closely. He’d seen her naked, touched her, tasted her, but he had no idea what she liked to do with her spare time. Had he always been such a dick? It wasn’t as if he didn’t want to know her—he did. But whenever they were together things got carried away. His attention wandered to her mouth... He tore his gaze from her, directing all of his attention on cleaning up his work space.
“I play music and I work out,” she admitted, almost shyly. “I work out a lot.” She shrugged.
Patton grinned. He did know that. The working out made sense; she didn’t like to sit still.
“Hey, you must be the best friend?” Lucy held out her hand to Cady. “I’m the cousin. One of the cousins. Actually, the only girl cousin. Out of nine. Feel free to sympathize.”
Cady took her hand, laughing. “I’m not sure what to say to that. Except...wow.”
Lucy nodded. “Yep.” She glanced at Spence then at Patton. “So you know these Ryan brothers. But there are more. My brothers—” she turned and pointed “—are over there. Dean and Jared. I know they look a lot alike, but Dean’s hair is a little blonder. And Jared has a scar through his eyebrow. They’re trying to act like they’re not checking you out right now. But Jared is totally checking you out.” She paused, glancing at Patton so quickly he almost missed it. “They’re single and sweet—in case you’re interested?”
Patton glared at her. Lucy’s smile was huge. He realized what she was up to then and felt like a complete idiot. She was trying to figure out his feelings. And, boy, had he taken the bait.
9
CADY HAD DONE her best to avoid him, she’d had to. She’d never felt so out of control. One moment she wanted to tell him everything—to admit she was falling for him. The next, she knew she needed to keep her mouth shut and get the hell out of there. When they were done destroying this engagement, they were done, too. How could there possibly be a future for them? When Bianca and Zach were so important to their lives.
When Patton started cleaning up outside, she offered to help tidy up inside. As long as she kept some distance between them, she’d make it through the night. She was covering bowls of green beans and potato salad with plastic wrap when Bianca came in.
“What’s going on with you?” Bianca asked, placing the fruit salad on the counter. “What is up between you and Patton?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Cady looked at her as if she was crazy.
“Come on, Cady. He’s been watching you since we got here.” She sounded excited, almost hopeful. “There’s this weird tension between you.”
He’d been watching her? Every time she’d dared look his way, he seemed completely oblivious to her. Cady shrugged. What could she say?
“Nothing? Really?” Bianca prodded. “You’re acting weird.”
Cady shook her head, deflating a little. “If I’ve been a buzzkill, I’m sorry.” It wasn’t Bianca’s fault that she was having actual feelings for a guy. A guy who had left her in the shower—no note, no phone call, no freaking email—after she’d actually shared with him. Had she freaked out? Had she taken way too long in the bathroom? Hell, yes, but she’d needed to calm down—to regroup. Nothing had hurt as much as emerging to find her bed and her apartment empty.
“Maybe it’s just me.” Bianca was talking, pulling her back to the present. “I’m being so oversensitive—”
“You’ve got a lot going on.” Cady took Bianca’s hand in hers. Bianca didn’t need to be worrying over her right now. “Weddings are stressful,” she added. “Speaking of stress...” This wasn’t the place for this conversation, but she saw an opening and she took it. “I know things are super tight right now, and I’d like to help, if I can. It’s just me. And as you’ve pointed out, I don’t have much of a life, so it’s not like I’ve got a ton of expenses.”
“I never said you don’t have a life. I said you work too hard. And you could use a vacation.” Bianca frowned.
“Fine, okay, whatever,” Cady teased, trying to lighten the mood. “But if you need my help, you’ll let me know? Right?”
“Cady, I mean it. No secrets, I promise.” Bianca shook her head. “We’re different, you know that. I have to tell you everything... Too much sometimes. You know all about my money troubles, the shop’s spotty business and all the family drama.” She smiled. “I don’t know how you keep it all bottled up. I love you. I want you to be happy. And recently, you’re so distracted—which isn’t like you. I’m worried about you. Whatever it is, you can tell me. I’m here for you, too.”
Cady blinked, her eyes stinging unexpectedly. “Oh, God, Bibi, I don’t even know where to start.”
Bianca took her hand. “At the beginning? It’s not work?”
Cady shook her head, her mind filled with images of Patton. Patton smiling at her. Patton’s fingers sliding through her hair. Patton’s lips nipping at her earlobe. She shivered. “No. Not work.” Her hands gripped the edge of the countertop.
“So... It’s a guy?” Bianca’s voice was soft.
Cady sucked in a deep breath before facing all the questions in Bianca’s hazel eyes. It was the sight of Patton, over Bianca’s shoulder, that silenced her.
Patton filled the doorway, his pale eyes fixed on her. She was off-kilter enough with him standing there, looking at her as if she was dessert...and he was starving. The kitchen seemed to shrink, ratcheting up her nerves. She tore her gaze from his, absentmindedly placing an extra layer of plastic wrap on the veggie tray.
“Hey, ow,” a muffled voice came from behind Patton. “Why did we stop walking?”
“You can come in, Patton.” Bianca laughed.
He stepped inside. “Didn’t want to interrupt,” his low voice sent a chill down her spine.
She didn’t look at him. She couldn’t afford to get lost in those eyes...or the hold he had on her.
“At least give a girl warning, cuz. Your back is hard. Must be all the muscles,” Lucy teased, heading to the refrigerator.
Cady knew his back was all muscle, not that she’d ever vo
lunteer that information to anyone. Or linger on the images of him...all muscles and strong, yet gentle, hands...
Lucy opened the door and pulled out a pitcher of lemonade. “Beverage duty,” she explained. “For dessert. I think the boys are finally getting tired of darts and horseshoes and ready for more food. Bottomless pits, the lot of them.”
“Right. Where are the dessert plates?” Bianca asked.
“I’ll show you,” Lucy offered. “Can you take this out?” Lucy held out the lemonade to Cady.
And then they were alone. She placed the covered dishes in the refrigerator, picked up the pitcher and headed to the back door. But he set the cooler he’d been holding on the ground and blocked her path.
“Excuse me,” she kept her voice light and airy.
But he just stood there, forcing her to look up at him. He was staring down at her, his eyes piercing...searching. She couldn’t look away. One look was all it took. The air seemed to thicken around them, pressing her toward him. The scent of him both soothed and excited her. Dammit. She didn’t know whether to dump the lemonade on him or put it on the counter so she could throw herself at him.
She held the pitcher up, cocking an eyebrow at him.
He stepped back, holding the kitchen door open for her. Of course, it also required her to brush by him, sending each and every nerve ending into overdrive. His gaze stayed on her, sweeping over her face to linger on her mouth. She needed air, now. She pushed past him, sucking in deep lungfuls of cold air as she crossed the patio. “Lemonade?” she asked.
“Thank you, Cady.” Mrs. Ryan smiled. “I’m so glad Spence convinced you to stay for dinner.”
Spence...who was also looking at her. He had been sweet and charming and funny all night. Too bad she was into tall, dark and brooding types. She turned, glancing at the kitchen’s screen door. No Patton. Which was good. Wasn’t it?
“Hey, Cady,” Jared called out. “You any good at darts?”
She shook her head, waving. “No. Wouldn’t want to hurt anyone.”
“I’m a good teacher,” the other cousin, Dean, spoke up.
It was hard to ignore the creak of the kitchen door. She almost stopped herself from looking up. Almost. Lucy and Patton carried plates and cutlery toward the table. Bianca joined Zach at horseshoes.
“Oh, leave her alone,” Lucy interrupted. “You’re losing to Jared and you’re looking for a distraction.” She put the plates on the picnic table and winked at Cady.
“Gee, thanks, sis.” Dean frowned at his sister.
“The only girl?” Cady asked, returning the smile of the perky curly-haired blonde in front of her.
“Yep. Don’t forget Mark and Mason,” she pointed. “Or the twins of terror, as I call them. I think the only reason they became firemen is because they were such pyromaniacs as kids.”
Cady acknowledged the twins throwing darts and cracking jokes with Zach, Dean and Jared. There was no denying the Ryans were a good-looking bunch of men. Or that they were a close-knit family. A lump settled in her throat. “That’s a lot of testosterone.” She glanced at Mrs. Ryan. “I can’t believe you do this every week.”
“Oh, it’s not always this nice. Have a seat and some lemon icebox pie.” She offered Cady a plate.
Cady sat, taking a bite of the pie. “This is amazing.” She took another bite, all too aware that Patton sat beside her on the bench.
Mrs. Ryan smiled. “Thank you. I normally make a casserole, lasagna or pasta salads. But I wanted to do a little more since this was Bianca’s first family dinner and all,” she explained. “Now that you’re practically family, you’re welcome to join us anytime, Cady.”
Mrs. Ryan’s words were exactly what she needed to snap out of it.
What was doing? She wasn’t joining the Ryan family. So why was she still sitting here? This wasn’t...her. She ignored the very present feeling of Patton at her shoulder—and the very real possibility that his presence was why she was still here. But why? This wasn’t what she wanted. This wasn’t part of her life, these weren’t her friends or family—besides Bianca.
“Thank you for the wonderful meal,” she said, standing. She needed to go to the gym, work off some frustration and clear her head. Then she needed to make sure the debugs were ready to run over the weekend for their new international client. She didn’t have time for family dinners, falling in love or raging hormones. And, since none of those things were priorities, she wasn’t going to make time for any of them. “It’s getting late. I should go.” Cady took Mrs. Ryan’s hand in hers, shaking it.
“Oh, honey, we’re huggers around here.” Mrs. Ryan hugged her—hard. “You’re welcome anytime,” the woman said in her ear.
Cady felt a sudden sting in her eyes—ratcheting taut her already tightly wound emotions. But she managed to speak without sounding like a woman on the edge. “I appreciate that.”
She gave Bianca an extralong hug. “I’ll see you Saturday? Reception decorations?”
Bianca nodded. “But... I’d rather have some alone time if you’re free for lunch tomorrow?”
Which would be a very bad idea. She’d almost spilled everything to Bianca. Once her emotional epiphany was out there, it would impossible to ignore. So Cady hedged, “I’m swamped at work. Tomorrow’s the last day to make sure the big upgrade and debug goes off without a hitch this weekend. Can’t lose this client—it’s that big new Japanese firm, remember? And there’s the office party.”
“Knock ’em dead, Cady.” Bibi hugged her, hard. “I know you’ll get the promotion.”
Cady made her goodbyes quickly, keeping her smile as bland as possible when she locked eyes with Patton.
“It was nice to meet you.” Lucy walked with her across the yard, her words a hurried whisper. “Listen, it’s none of my business, but I love my cousin. Patton’s a great guy and... I’ve never seen him act like this over a woman. Ever.”
Cady had no time to process Lucy’s words before Spence opened the gate. “Ready? I figure I’ll be the gentleman tonight. I wouldn’t want you to get attacked in the three hundred feet that lies between here and the safety of your car.”
Cady laughed, following him through the gate. “Yes.”
“Should I put on my bulletproof vest?” Spence asked. He had a nice smile. “I mean, our neighborhood is pretty shady.”
Cady shook her head, the tension in her chest easing. “That’s the word I’d use to describe your neighborhood, all right. Shady—from all the glorious trees and manicured lawns.”
Spence laughed then.
“Cady,” Patton called out, “What time am I picking you up tomorrow night?”
Cady turned back to stare at Patton. She wasn’t alone. Everyone in the Ryan’s backyard was staring at him—stunned into absolute silence. What was he up to?
“We don’t have any wedding stuff planned, do we?” Zach finally asked, looking at Bianca for confirmation.
“No,” Patton answered. “Cady and I are going to her office party.” He strode toward her, all muscle and confidence. He took her breath away... But his smug little grin doused her appreciation and ignited her temper.
* * *
THE WHOLE NIGHT had been one long exercise in torture. To have her so close, within reach, but not be able to touch her. Hearing his cousins talk about her, seeing Spence’s spark of interest in her—he’d never felt the urge to run before. But he felt unpredictable when it came to Cady. He didn’t want his attachment to her to make him do something he’d regret.
Her conversation with Bianca had left him reeling... First, Bianca was in money trouble. As a cop, he knew that was a pretty strong motive. Was Bianca jumping into this wedding for Zach’s money? It was way past time to look into Bianca Garza’s past. He needed answers—and soon.
Second, who was the guy that had rattled Cady? He knew w
ho he wanted it to be.
As he reached the gate, he saw the tightening of her mouth, the slight narrowing of her eyes and couldn’t help but grin.
“I’ll let you two work out the details then,” Spence offered. “If you think you can get her safely to her car, that is?”
Patton nodded but didn’t take his gaze off Cady. Her temper was so damn sexy. It took everything he had not to crush her against him and bury his hands in her hair.
“I’ll be fine,” she hissed as soon as Spence was out of earshot. “But you might not be so lucky.”
He laughed.
Her eyes went wide, her hands fisting at her sides. “Patton—” She paused, her attention wandering beyond him. To everyone in his family watching them. She pressed her lips together, spun on her little red heels and headed toward her car.
He jogged to catch up then fell in step with her. “About tomorrow—”
“I told you I can handle it.” She glared at him, fumbling in her purse for her keys.
“And I told you I was taking you.” He leaned against her driver door, blocking the handle and lock. “What time?”
“Move, please.” Her words were short, snipped. “I have plans.”
With those three little words his amusement dimmed. “Now?” he asked, staring down the street.
She crossed her arms over her chest and looked at him.
“Okay.” He moved. As hot as she was pissed, he didn’t want to lose this time with her. “What time tomorrow?”
She paused. “You’re really not going to give up?”
“No.”
She looked at him. “Is there something about me that screams damsel in distress?”
He shook his head, searching her face.
“Then what’s the big deal?” she asked. “And what the hell was that?” She waved at his mother’s house.
He knew deep down why it was a big deal...why he’d just made Cady off-limits to the rest of the Ryan men. He cared about her—a lot. More than he’d ever cared for a woman, even the one he’d planned on marrying. Cady fascinated him, captivated him, in a way he couldn’t quite wrap his head around.
Seducing the Best Man (Wild Wedding Nights #1) Page 12