Page 9 of Caden

“Babe, I grabbed us a booth,” a deep male voice says from behind. My entire body erupts in tingles. I don’t have to turn around to know Caden Daniels is standing behind me. He places a hand on my shoulder, and fire launches through every nerve ending in my body. “Didn’t you get my text?”

“Babe?” Anthony looks both disgusted and shocked.

Though I don’t need Caden’s protection, I know playing along will really twist the knife into Anthony’s kidney. It’s why I turn my head slightly, reaching my hand up the side of Caden’s scruffy chin. Dammit, the man is already irresistible when clean-shaven. Add a couple days of stubble that is quickly turning into a beard, and I’m forced to clamp my thighs shut so I don’t do something incredibly stupid in a public setting. Like spin my stool around and wrap my legs around his waist demanding he take me right here in the bar.

Fuck, I need to get laid.

“Who the hell are you?” Anthony snaps at him.

“What I am is your problem if you don’t leave mygirlfriendalone,” Caden practically growls.

My nipples pebble in response to his possessive tone. I know it’s all for show considering the man hates me, but my traitorous body doesn’t seem to give two shits about that detail right now. It’s the most delicious mixture of malicious satisfaction and secret thrill I’ve ever experienced.

“Why are you here?” I ask my ex, hoping that if I can get to the bottom of this mystery, he’ll leave town tonight.

“I came to offer you your job back,” he says, ignoring Caden.

“Not interested.”

“My parents are willing to overlook the whole sleeping with their biggest client’s son thing. I’ve been given permission to double your old salary.”

I narrow my eyes, wishing fire daggers would shoot out of my eyes and incinerate the bastard. “Notinterested.”

“With triple vacation time?—”

“She said she’s not interested,” Caden says, his voice low, firm, and doing all kinds of things to my lady bits. “I suggest you pay your tab and hit the road.”

“I know you’re not really with him, Ruby,” Anthony says, his mocking tone sending ice through my veins. I consider tossing my drink in his face, but I don’t want to make a mess I’m too tired to mop up. Plus, it’d be more offensive to Jax than my ex anyway. “I mean, come on.Him?”

“Himis about to break your jaw if you don’t leave,” Caden says, his fingers digging in my bare shoulder.

The last thing I want is for Marshall’s best friend and business partner to sit in a jail cell over the weekend because my stupid ex showed up and caused a scene. It’s bad enough this ass wipe is here dredging up my mistakes for everyone within ear shot to hear. But if Caden hit him, Anthony is just pathetic enough to press charges.

This is my mess to clean up. No one else needs to suffer for my stupidity.

“Babe,” I say to Caden, turning in my chair until I’m facing only him. My knees fall open, and I reach for his hips, dragging him between my legs. Caden’s gaze drops to mine, and I know I’m not mistaking the liquid heat in those beautiful eyes. Telling myself Caden hates me is nothing but a lie. This crush hasneverbeen one-sided. I use that to my advantage now, hoping this is the way to save Caden from handcuffs. “Why don’t you wait in our booth? Order my usual. I’ll be right over after I take out the trash.”

“Ruby—”

I reach for his cheek, dragging his face down to meet mine.

When our lips meet, I swear the entire place goes up in flames. There is no bar and grill. No townsfolk gawking at us. No stupid ex here to stir up trouble. There is only Caden and me in this moment that is forever burning into my memory. Because he doesn’t hesitate to move his lips against mine when they first meet. It’s as though we’ve kissed a thousand times. Each kiss hotter than the one before.

When our lips break apart, I’m winded. It’s a miracle I’m still seated on my barstool, because my bones have melted.

Holy fuck.

“I’ll—I’ll, uh, be right over. M’kay?” I nod at the booth.

“Ruby?” Caden says, his voice low.

“Yeah?”

“You’ll need to let go of my shirt,” Caden says, one corner of his mouth tipping up into a rare half smile.

“Oh, right.” I drop my hand and spin my chair around as Caden heads reluctantly to a booth. But that reluctance is only because I suspect he’d like to punch Anthony square in the nose. Still, the protective thing is ridiculously hot coming from Caden.

It’s the expression on my ex’s face that brings me back to reality. The hum of conversation and music return. And so does my anger.

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