Page 102 of Heartless
Cade’s boots move off the paved part of the driveway, and I can hear them crunching against the packed gravel beside it, drawing closer.
“The worst part is...when I find you, I’m going to punish you both.”
Luke’s shoulders shake harder. He knows his dad is a big softy under that gruff exterior. I don’t think he’s punished Luke a day in his life.
Me though? I’m not so sure. Bedroom Cade is not Dad Cade. My body tingles in response—I don’t laugh at all.
“I bet you’re...behind the shed!” We can hear him jump and then groan when the spot he thought we’d be in is empty.
I turn and give Luke a warning glare because I feel the little puffs of air escaping his lips. After I mouth,Be quiet, he gives me a nod and takes a breath in through his nose.
Cade’s heavy footfalls draw nearer. “How about...” He’s approaching the well, but the opposite side. I give Luke a look and point upward, hoping he understands that we’re going to jump.
He nods.
My fingers count down from three.
Two.
One.
“In the well!”
We shoot up and shout, “Boo!”
And predictably, Cade jumps, his tall frame startling as he takes a step back. His handsome face momentarily appears very shocked, and Luke and I dissolve into peals of laughter.
“Gotcha,” I wheeze. “No wet T-shirt this time though!”
“You should have seen your face!” Luke points at him.
“Okay, that’s it. You’re both dead.” Cade points at us, spinning his cap backward and hitting me with a wink.
Dick. He knows it kills me when he wears it like that.Murder me with your dick, please, sir.
Luke turns and guns it for the main house. Cade lets him get a little ahead before his long strides eat up the ground behind him and he scoops Luke up into his arms and starts tickling him. Luke squirms and his light giggles blend with Cade’s deeper baritone.
“Willa! Help!”
“Don’t worry, Luke. I’m coming!” I sprint heroically around the well and get my fingers right up in Cade’s ribs.
He squeals. He straight upsqueals,and it is the least manly noise I’ve ever heard come out of such a manly man. We’re all laughing like lunatics, but Cade is stronger, taller, faster—meaner. And somehow, he tosses Luke over one shoulder and hefts me up over the other one.
Luke slaps at his back in breathless hysterics. “Let me down!”
Tossed over the opposite shoulder, I reach down farther and slap his ass, which just makes Luke laugh harder.
“Giddy up, Daddy!” Luke calls, and Cade’s breath huffs out on my bare thigh.
“You two are a pain in my ass.”
“How the hell are you carrying us? This isn’t normal. Put me down.”
“Woman. I can pick up calves, you two are nothing.” His finger traces the inside of my thigh, and I squirm.
“Looks like you’ve got your hands full, son,” Harvey calls out, but I can’t see him. I don’t need to see him to hear the smile in his voice. “Why don’t I take the tiny hell-raiser off your hands for a bit longer?”
“Yes! Save me, Grandpa!” Luke screams, thrashing wildly, shaking his dad’s body as he does.
