Page 38 of Confusing Cade
The sound of my name on his lips felt like a caress, and I arched instinctively, my body molding to his as his hand slid up my back, fingers splaying with deliberate intent. I tilted my head, seeking his eyes, and when they met mine, the world narrowed to the heat in his gaze, the unspoken promise flickering there. “I’m... this is...”
“What?” Cade pressed.
His voice was low and rough, like a secret meant only for me. His thumb grazed the curve of my jaw, the touch featherlight but searing, sending a cascade of sparks skittering across my skin. His face was mere inches from mine, his breath warm and uneven, intertwining with my own in the narrow space between us. Cade’s eyes pinned me in place, and I felt the weight of his restraint—the taut cord of his muscles, the faint tremor in his hand, as if he were waging a silent battle to keep himself tethered. My pulse thundered in my ears.Does he feel this too, the wild, fragile, electric thing threatening to unravel us both?
“I don’t know... um... I don’t know,” I admitted, my voice trembling with the weight of the longing, the anticipation, and the way my body seemed to hum in response to his. “I can’t tell.”
Cade’s hand moved, cupping my chin with a gentleness that belied the fire in his eyes. His thumb traced the curve of my lower lip, slow and deliberate, and my breath hitched, completely focused on that single point of contact. I was certain he would kiss me then. Our lips were so close I could almost taste him, the air between us seemed charged with the inevitability of it. It would seal everything I’d felt building since that first charged conversation at Dad’s old headquarters, every glance, every touch that had led us here. And God, I wanted it. Craved it. My attraction to Cade wasn’t just sparks anymore; it was wildfire, consuming every rational thought, urging me to lean in, to let it happen.
My hands slid up his chest, fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt. His eyes darkened, a low sound caught in his throat, and for a moment, I thought he’d close the distance, that he’d give in to the pull we both felt. I wanted to see it through, to know what it would feel like to surrender to this need, this ache that had taken root and refused to let go.
But then, agonizingly, he stepped back. The sudden space between us felt like a physical, concrete barrier.
“It’s getting late,” he said, dropping his hand from my cheek. “We’ve already been here long enough, and I have an early day tomorrow.”
“You do? On a Saturday?”
He smoothed his tuxedo jacket. “I have to go to New York for some business meetings over this next week.”
“Oh.” I didn’t try to hide the disappointment in my voice.
“Let’s head out.” He offered me his elbow, signaling that the night truly was over, and the fun really had ended. “Come on, Bella.”
Sighing, I took it without protesting. He was right. We’d had enough for one night. And this wasn’t a date or an evening out;it was a see-and-be-seen business dinner meant to further our shared agenda.
I needed to remember that. I needed to set my other feelings aside.Keep it all in check, Bella. This is business. That’s it.
But what had his lingering looks and gentle caresses meant? How was I supposed to understand those when all I’d felt was heat?
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CADE
I hated traveling for business on weekends, but this time, I was grateful for the plans. In the past, New York often annoyed me. The city had too much traffic, too many people, and too much rigmarole involved in getting anything done, but that time, it didn’t. I welcomed the dinner with the venture capital team looking for my business, the round of golf in Westminster on Sunday, the charity dinner Sunday night for Presbyterian Hospital, and the back-to-back meetings the rest of the trip; I barely had time to breathe, let alone think.
Which kept my mind off Bella. Mostly.
Dancing with her at the fundraiser had been so unexpected and sodiverting. I’d had my share of dance partners in life and never ran short on that front, but dancing with Bella felt effortless, as if her body was made for me and only me.
And damn it, I should have kissed her when I had the chance.
But I didn’t. Couldn’t. One kiss would unravel me, and I wasn’t ready to lose control like that. Not yet. Still, by the time my meetings broke for lunch on Thursday, I couldn’t take it any longer. I placed a call to Lois from the New York Athletic Club.
“Everything’s fine here,” I told Lois from an ancient telephone room tucked off the main dining area. “But can you do me a favor and get Bella set up for a meeting tomorrownight? I have some things I want to go over with her about the Promenade.”
