by Cate Beauman
He found himself clenching his jaw even now, remembering the rude, dismissive way Gwen’s ex had spoken to her—as if he tolerated her. As if she were at his beck and call. That had pissed him off. But when Gwen had pushed him away as if the two of them being together was somehow wrong, well, then he’d seen red.
He didn’t often lose his cool. Dad had trained him early that poor tempers were a detriment in life—and the boardroom. But the scene in the park had been his undoing, fucking up one hell of a perfect day. Gwen was supposed to be here with him. They were supposed to have picked up where they’d left off in her bed. But a wide berth was better for both of them when he had yet to rein himself back in.
Snapping off the water, he snatched up a towel, wrapping it around his waist, full well knowing that a shower had been a waste of time when he had every intention of heading over to the main house to make use of the Sandersons’ state-of-the-art gym. He stepped into his bedroom, stopping abruptly as he stared at Gwen, her hair dripping, her pretty dress wet and clinging to her as she paced back and forth by the bed. “You should go.”
She stopped, crossing her arms, her temper raring just like his. “I’m not going anywhere. You had no right to walk off like that.”
He crossed his arms, too. “I think I did.”
She sighed, pressing her fingers to her temple—a sure sign that she was flustered. “Look, Cade, I handled things poorly. I recognize that. I’m sorry.”
He wasn’t quite ready to be appeased. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with tonight—watching the way he treated you. The way you let him.”
She narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean?”
“He walked all over you. You changed the second he came around. You’re a strong, confident woman, but not when it comes to him. Did he hit you?”
She gaped. “No, he didn’t hit me. And this isn’t about strength and confidence. I’m trying to keep things amicable for Kaitlyn’s sake. If that means I have to bend a little, then I’ll bend.”
He adjusted his stance to settle his hands on his hips. “So, what does that mean for us? If he disapproves, are we done?”
Her shoulders jerked almost imperceptibly before she shook her head. “No.”
But it wasn’t lost on him that Gwen had hesitated, which was all the confirmation he needed. “He gets that much control over your life? He’s calling your shots?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You didn’t have to say it. I can read you.” He started pacing now as his temper reared up to red-hot. “I thought you and I were building something. I thought you and I were in this together, with Kaitlyn.”
“We are.”
He whirled back around. “No, we’re not. Not when he’s in charge. And I don’t get that, Gwen, because where the fuck has he been? He sure as hell isn’t helping you raise your daughter. He’s not the one staying up with her when she’s miserable and feverish. He’s not the one playing with her and reading to her and feeding her. He’s not the one bathing her and rocking her to sleep. That’s me. I’m doing that with you. I’m doing that for Kaitlyn.”
Her chin trembled, and tears poured down her cheeks. “I know that, and I’m so grateful—"
“I don’t want you to be grateful!” he shouted.
“I am, anyway!” she shouted back, rushing several steps toward him before she stopped. “It’s no secret Liam wants nothing to do with her. That’s painfully obvious. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t her father—that he doesn’t have rights. Liam has always wanted what he can’t have. He always has to win. Did you see the way he looked at me tonight? The way he looked me up and down in my sexy little dress?”
Cade said nothing, even though he knew exactly what Gwen spoke of—the possessive gleam in Liam O’Leary’s eyes. He picked up his pace, growing impossibly angrier.
“He doesn’t want me, but he doesn’t want you to have me, either.”
“Well, he doesn’t get to have you back!”
“I don’t want him back!” She shook her head, her fingers wandering to her temple again. “If he feels like he can’t have access to Kaitlyn, he’ll go after me in court, and I’m not doing that to my daughter. I’ll be damned if I give him any fuel that makes him believe that he’s not getting what he wants—that he’s not winning.”
“So, you’re his pawn?”
“I’m Kaitlyn’s mother. There will never be anything more important than that.”
He nodded, unable to fault her for choosing her daughter.
“I’m sorry for dismissing you tonight, Cade—for treating you like you aren’t absolutely vital in my life. Because you are. Liam caught me completely by surprise. I don’t want him coming between us.”
He turned toward the chest of drawers for boxers, because whether Gwen liked it or not, Liam already had come between them. “I’d say it’s probably too late for that.”
“But it doesn’t have to be. I know that I bring endless complications to our relationship, but we’ve been doing just fine. We were having fun. We’ve had a hiccup tonight, but that doesn’t mean things have to change.”
He closed his eyes as he shook his head. “That’s the thing, Gwen. They already have.”
“I see,” she said quietly, all of the fight leaving her voice.
Sighing, he dropped his towel, putting on his underwear. “I don’t want—” He turned again when he heard the front door close, realizing she’d left. “Damn it!” He hurried down the hallway, then outside as she beelined it toward Brad’s Rover in the pouring rain. “Gwen, wait!”
She moved faster, yanking open the door.
“Wait!” he said, running and grabbing hold of her arm before she could get in. “Just wait a minute.”
Her breath heaved in and out as she blinked at him from devastated eyes while water rushed over both of them. Then she turned, covering her face with her hands as she started crying.
Exhaling a long sigh, he hesitated before he pulled her back against him, turning her to wrap her up in a hug while she stood rigid in his arms. Liam was an absolute asshole, but the only one making her cry tonight was him. “I’m sorry. Come back inside.”
She shook her head, still covering her face as she sucked in a breath. “I should get home. Kaitlyn—”
“Is fine.” He tugged her hands away, staring into her sad blue eyes. “We need to fix this.”
“I’m starting to wonder if we can.”
“Do you want to?”
“Yes.”
“We both want this, Gwen. Come inside. Please.”
She nodded, shutting the Rover’s door. “Okay.”
He walked with her into the house, both of them dripping all over the entryway. “How about the couch?”
She frowned. “I don’t want to get the furniture all wet. I’m soaked.”
“I’ll get us some towels.” He started down the hall before he stopped. “Don’t leave. Please.”
She shook her head. “I won’t.”
He hurried to the main bathroom, grabbing two towels and the robe he rarely used, taking a steadying breath on his way back, knowing he needed to handle himself a hell of a lot better than he had the first time. “Here,” he said, handing her the soft white cotton. Then he gestured to the robe. “I brought this for you, too.”
“Thanks.” Sniffling, she started drying off her face and arms, shivering as goosebumps puckered her skin.
He closed the distance between them as he dried himself off. “You’re freezing.”
She nodded, settling the towel around her shoulders, hugging it around herself. “A little.”
“Let’s get you warmed up.” Doing what he could to help, he rubbed his palms up and down her arms. “You’ll probably want to ditch the dress.”
She swallowed as she stared at him.
He held her wary gaze, reading clearly enough that she was deciding if she still trusted him. Their knock-down-drag-out had taken them several steps backward. Only hours ago, they’d lain naked togeth
er in her bed. Now, she hesitated. He’d be damned if they would walk another step down the wrong path. “Ditch the dress, Gwen. Your lips are turning purple.”
She slid the spaghetti straps off her shoulders, sending the soggy fabric to the floor.
“Here,” he said, opening the robe for her, doing his best to ignore her skimpy white bra and panty set.
She snuggled into the gray fleece, tying it closed. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He unsnapped the barrette in her hair, sliding his fingers through her soft, wet tresses. “Do you need a cup of tea or anything?”
She shook her head. “I’m good.”
Unable to stop touching her, he tucked several long locks behind her ear. “I’m sorry, Gwen. About this whole damn thing.”
She sent him a small smile. “I’m sorry, too.”
Taking her hand, he kissed her knuckles. “Can we talk this through?”
She nodded.
He kept her hand in his as they walked to the couch, both of them taking a seat.
She sighed, clutching at his fingers. “I’ve handled things so badly.”
“I didn’t do much better.”
“You’re so important to us, Cade.” Her eyes grew teary as she brought his palm to her cheek. “I know we weren’t looking for this—that none of this was supposed to happen—but I’m so happy it did.” A tear spilled as she sniffled. “I’m sorry if I made you question that.”
“You hurt me.”
She nodded as more tears fell. “I know. I’ve never regretted anything more.”
He scooted closer, using his thumbs to wipe her cheeks dry. “It’s over now.” But even as he said the words, he knew they weren’t true, because Liam was still in the picture.
“Kaitlyn’s so lucky to have you. Me, too. I understand the role you’re choosing to play in her life—how fragile that is, because you don’t have to—”
“I want to, Gwen.”
She nodded again. “I didn’t ask you if you wanted to come to brunch tomorrow. I should have. It’s important for Liam to understand that you’re a part of our lives now. If you want to join us, you’re welcome to.”
“I’d like that.” Mostly because he wanted to make it clear to Gwen’s ex that intimidation tactics didn’t work on him. Tomorrow, he would be the one doing the intimidating. By the time they finished their meal, Liam would understand that Gwen and Kaitlyn were his. He didn’t give a shit if that sounded possessive and pathetic. O’Leary had fucked up his shot at a family. Cade wasn’t giving his back.
“Good.” She hesitated before she pressed a quick kiss to his cheek, her uncertainty of exactly where things stood apparent. “We were having such a great day today. And tonight.”
“Maybe we still can.”
“I want to.” She reached for the remote on the coffee table, turning on the television. “I’m sure there’s a movie we can watch. We can make some popcorn—”
He pulled the remote from her hand, shutting off the TV. “I don’t want to watch a movie.”
Her brow furrowed as she looked at him. “Okay.”
He captured her hands, bringing her knuckles back to his lips. “I want to be with you—to take you to bed. I want to feel close to you, like we were this morning.”
She swallowed. “Oh.”
He grinned. “If that’s okay.”
She grinned back. “Feeling close is never a bad thing.”
“See? Here we are, agreeing again.”
She laughed, and the worst of their storm passed.
His smile disappeared as he opened her hands, kissing her palms, then her wrists. “We have this whole place to ourselves—no distractions.” He pulled her closer, stroking his fingers down her neck as he kissed her jaw. “I plan to take advantage of that.”
“To touch and taste everywhere,” she whispered, snagging his bottom lip with her teeth.
He held her gaze, wanting to eat her alive—and soon, he would. But he would take his time. “That’s right.” He tugged her mouth to his, kissing her slowly, gradually taking her deeper with lazy glides of his tongue against hers. They were going to do this right—the way he’d intended before Liam O’Leary had strolled into the park. Easing back, he pulled at the tie on her robe, parting the fleece, pushing it off her shoulders, staring at her killer body. “You won’t be needing this.”
She smiled again. “I’m definitely warming up.”
Grinning, he gave her a gentle push so she rested her back against the cushion. “Count on it.” He settled on his knees in front of her. “Because I’m not going for warm; I’m going for hot.”
Her breathing came faster as she unsnapped the front clasp on her silky bra, freeing full, gorgeous breasts.
“Damn, Gwen, you’re fantastic.” Palming her, he pressed kisses to her shoulders, then her collarbones before he used tongue and teeth to play with her nipples.
She tensed. “I might leak.”
“Relax,” he said as he continued his work. “There’s nothing more beautiful than the way you take care of Kaitlyn.”
She sighed, closing her eyes, resting her head against the cushion. “That feels so good.”
Eager to give her more—to make her lose control—he moved to her slim stomach, leaving openmouthed kisses on his way to her hips and thighs before he teased her with his mouth, suckling her through her panties.
Whimpering, her hips jerked as her fingers wandered into his hair.
“Let’s get rid of these, too,” he said, tugging off the swatch of fabric, impatient to look his fill—to explore and taste. Yanking her farther forward, spreading her legs wider, he groaned, staring at Gwen’s perfection.
“Cade,” she whispered on a gasp, tilting her hips toward him in invitation.
Holding her gaze, he gave her tender skin several kisses before lapping and circling, then invading her with his tongue.
She gasped, her stomach muscles quivering as her cheeks grew rosy—her chest blotchy.
He kissed her again, adding flicks and suckles.
She tipped her head back on a long moan. “Yes, Cade.”
Ready to give her more, he freed himself from his boxers, waiting for her to look at him again before he pushed himself inside her, a groan escaping his throat as she bucked when he began to thrust.
“Keep going,” she begged. “Oh God, keep going.”
But he stopped, pulling free of her, watching her frown before he brought his mouth back to her.
Then her eyes grew wide as she clutched at his ears, gyrating against him.
God, she was so close. He took care to drag out her build, loving her sounds, loving her taste, loving watching her on the verge. Stopping again, he slammed himself back into her.
“Cade.” She tensed, nearly there. “Please don’t stop.”
He pumped three more times before he used his mouth again, keeping his pace steady, waiting, waiting.
And then she gasped—once, twice—crying out, her fingers finding his shoulders, biting into his skin as she pulsed around him.
Loving everything about Gwen lost in her orgasm, he kept her going until she squirmed—until she cried out again, even louder.
Not nearly finished, he gripped her hips, stuffing her full of him again, loving her tightness—that he stretched her.
She bucked as she clutched at the cushions behind her, going stiff as her whimpers turned into a scream.
He groaned, slamming himself into her, staring into eyes gone blind with ecstasy.
“Cade,” she chanted mindlessly, pulling him to her, kissing him wildly. “I’m going to come again,” she choked out, locking her legs around him.
He moved faster, pumping harder until he pounded into her, his breath coming in steaming torrents, waiting for her.
Her moans turned into short gasps, and then she called out his name.
Unable to hold off any longer, he followed her, tipping his head back on a loud groan, exploding inside of her before he let himself collapse against
her.
“Oh my God,” she panted next to his ear, wrapping her arms around him, still trembling. “Oh my God, Cade.”
He grunted his agreement because her expression was exactly right. He smelled her shampoo and fancy perfume. Her skin was dewy and damp against his. Everything about Gwen Carter was magic. Lifting his head, he stared into her eyes.
She smiled. “It’s never been like that for me.”
He brought his mouth to hers for a tender kiss before he lifted her in his arms.
“What are you doing?”
“Taking you to my bed. I figure we should have a power nap before we go at it again.”
Laughing, she kissed his neck all the way down the hall.
Gwen eased to a stop in front of Carter House, wincing as she glanced at the dashboard clock. Eleven thirty was incredibly late, even if Mom and Dad had told her to go out and have a good time.
Struggling with a wave of guilt for taking advantage of their generosity, she quickly got out in the clearing skies, quietly closing the Rover’s door as she looked toward her parents’ bedroom windows. Thankfully, they were dark, because she was naked under Cade’s Paxton Enterprises T-shirt.
She couldn’t help but laugh as she looked down at her designer purse hanging from her shoulder, and the white cotton brushing her thighs, rolling her eyes at the ridiculousness of it all. Her dress was still soaked and currently dripping dry in the Sandersons’ shower. She and Cade had been too distracted to worry about wet clothes while he’d been thoroughly and excellently ravishing her—three more times after they fell into his bed.
She grinned as she unlocked the door and stepped inside, flashing back to the numerous and delightfully delicious things he’d done to her—his insatiable need for her. And hers for him.
Quickly locking up, she tiptoed down the hall, making it halfway up the sweeping staircase before Mom started downstairs in the dim light. Gwen froze, feeling her eyes growing huge as their gazes locked. “Mom.”
Mom’s left eyebrow winged up—the trademark Carter gesture they’d all learned from her. “I would ask you what you’ve been up to, but that’s clear enough.”
Gwen winced, sighing. “I’m sorry. I’m being completely irresponsible.”