Page 20 of Cade

April followed him, but as he took a seat on the sofa, she sat on the floor across from him with the coffee table between them.

Cade arched an eyebrow at her, but didn’t comment on her choice of seating. She needed distance.

“I wanted to ask you for a favor. It’s a big one, but I will make it fair to you.”

It was her turn to arch a brow at him. Her mind was blank as she tried to figure out what Cade would want from her, of all people.

“If you agree, I will explain the reasoning, but I’d rather not without your agreement because of the personal nature of it. Then we’d need an NDA and a contract, but I trust you to make the contract.”

More confused, April shifted on the floor and pulled her feet under her. He had her attention. She’d give him that much.

“I’ll be honest, Cade. I can’t think of a single thing I could help you with. You have lawyers that can write your contracts, so it’s not that unless it’s something clandestine, which I’ll save you the trouble and tell you no now.”

Cade coughed to cover another laugh. “You are somehow both very wrong and very close.”

Frustrated, April blew out a breath and ran a hand through her hair, shifting her part. “Just get on with it.”

“I want you to marry me.”

Her mouth fell open, and she had no power to close it. Never in a million years could she have guessed that. “I’m sorry. What?” Not that long ago, she wanted him to ask. Now? Now she was just confused, even as her heart shouted yes.

“It only needs to be for a few years and it would not be in name only. I need children.”

April tilted her head as she studied him. “Are you sick?”

“No.”

“I have questions,” she said before she stood. “I also need a drink.”

“Got anything stronger than wine?” Cade asked.

“No,” April said but poured two glasses. Grateful that he didn’t follow her, she took several deep breaths to get her thoughts in order. “Here,” she said, handing him a very full glass.

“I expected you to have questions, April.”

Her head whipped up. Him saying her name had some weird effect on her. “Why me?”

It was Cade’s turn to tilt his head. “Not what I expected you to go with first.”

It wasn’t what she meant to say first either, but here they were.

“We know each other, and I already know that our personalities are compatible. It would work,” he explained.

“We don’t know anything about each other. It’s been years.”

“People don’t change that much,” he told her.

“They do. They do it all the time. I thought I knew you and then one day you were gone. I never would have thought the Cade I knew would have done that, but he did. Maybe it’s just me that doesn’t know you, then.”

Cade studied her. “I would like to explain. I can’t until you agree.”

“Cade, I know it was your family. I’m more concerned that you walked away from me like that. Why in the world would I want to marry someone who can just leave at the drop of a hat?” April paced across the small living room. “I have nothing to offer here. No money. I know you can find women a lot prettier. No power. I don’t get it and you’re going to have to explain.”

“April,” Cade started.

“No.” She held up her hand. “I wasn’t fishing for a compliment there. I’m not a knockout, but I’m not ugly. I’m comfortable with who I am,” most of the time.

“It would be a contract marriage. You can draw it up and we will agree on our terms and custody up front. I need this, April, or I wouldn’t be asking.”

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