Page 143 of The Single Dads Club
The sounds of soft whimpering drifted from Lily’s bedroom. We pulled apart, our eyes searching each other’s.
“Caden!” Lily cried out.
He hopped up, tugging on his jeans, and jogged from the room.
I sat up on the couch and pulled on my clothes. The moment was gone. I could hear Cade’s low voice murmuring soothing endearments to Lily. The poor little thing must have had a bad dream.
I slipped on my shoes and jacket. It had been a long day, and my warring emotions over Cade and fussing over Lily had left me feeling exhausted. Not that I regretted anything, but it was a lot to sort out and my brain was tired.
Cade returned a few minutes later, looking worn out.
“Is she okay?”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah, she’s fine. Just a bad dream. I put her in my bed so she’ll be able to settle and fall back to sleep.”
Oh.
He eyed my jacket and frowned.
“It’s getting late,” I explained with a shrug and soft smile. “Maybe I should get home.”
He nodded. “Yeah, I suppose so.” He crossed the room in two easy strides and pulled me to his chest, planting a soft kiss on my mouth. “Thank you for everything today.”
“I had a really good day. Thank you for letting me spend the day with her.”
“Of course. She loved it. And I wish you could stay a little longer but I know it’s probably for the best.”
I nodded, wishing I could stay too.
Good night.”
“Night,” I whispered, breathless from his kiss.
He walked me to the curb and stood near the car door when I climbed inside.
“So … your parents. Tomorrow, right? What time?”
Oh yeah, dinner with my parents.“Six. We’ll meet in front of the Sherman Oaks Country Club.”
He shook his head, immediately looking nervous. “Damn, cupcake…”
I knew I’d conveniently left out the part about the dinner being at my parents’ club. I grinned at him sweetly. “Oh, and Cade? Wear a tie.” I closed my car door onhis stunned expression and pulled away. How he went from porn-star-slash-patient to pseudo-boyfriend, I had no idea. Despite the cozy domestic day we’d shared, I couldn’t forget that Cade and I came from very different walks oflife, and knew that tomorrow’s dinner with my parents would test whatever fragile relationship we’d developed. Hell, it would probably do more than test it—it would most likely smash it into smithereens.
Chapter 15
Alexa
I spotted Cade right away. He was dressed in a white button-down shirt and navy tie, with navy slacks to match and my lips tilted up as I took in his broad, muscular frame.
He looked sinfully sexy, but I couldn’t help but notice how out of place he looked in the entryway of the hoity-toity club, his tattoo playing peek-a-boo with his shirt collar. And he must have felt it too, because his eyes darted around the parking lot, searching me out and his shoulders only relaxed when his eyes met mine.
He appraised me with a sexy grin as I approached, my stiletto heels clicking against the brick walkway. He pressed a hand to my lower back once I was near and drew me close, dropping a kiss to my throat. “You look gorgeous, cupcake,” he growled.
I blushed at his compliment, looking down at the fitted black dress I rarely got the chance to wear anymore. “Thanks. You look great too.” My eyes searched the parking lot and when I spotted my parents’ approach I pulled away from Cade’s embrace.
My mom wore a pale-blue pantsuit and my dad was in his customary Sunday attire—chinos and a navy blazer, collar unbuttoned, no tie. It was the only day of the week he went sans-tie, considering he worked nearly twenty-four seven. But I knew Cade wearing one would make the right impression.
As they approached, Cade leaned in close, whispering toward my ear, “Why did I have to wear a tie if he didn’t?”
