He's the One, Jane Beckenham [best new books to read TXT] 📗

swathed ceilings and walls while standard candelabra adorned with creamy rose scented candles burned brightly and proffered an intoxicating sense of romance.

"It looks like heaven has descended,” Cade said impressed.

Finally, Taylor smiled. “Thank you. That's what I wanted."

"You've succeeded.” He picked a bud rose from the nearest cascading arrangement and tucked it behind her hair, unable to resist the temptation of trailing his fingers down of her cheek. A whisper-soft mewling fluttered from her lips, and the dance of her pulse beneath his fingers brought a smile to his lips.

Cade's gaze scanned the room, capturing its beauty and then back to Taylor. “I can see why creating something this beautiful gives you a great deal of satisfaction."

"It does.” She hugged her bag closer. “Life is hard enough these days. Sometimes it's nice to have little bit of fantasy."

As soon as the words slid from her lips, Cade saw reality dawn on Taylor's face and she jerked backwards. She dropped her gaze and hid her wary eyes behind the heavy fall of her lashes.

"Don't hide away. Taylor.” He reached out and took her hand in his, a hand so slender it made only half the size of his. He threaded his fingers through hers. “Look at me. Please?"

Her eyes opened, wide, fearful.

"Don't be afraid."

She bridled. “I'm not."

"Yes, you are."

With heavy lids, she gazed up at him, her lips parted slightly. He could feel the soft fan of her breath against his skin as she leaned toward him. He wanted to kiss her. Had dreamed of this moment for days—and long nights

"Why are you doing this, Cade?"

He went to answer, but there wasn't really any answer. He was reacting on instinct, something he'd never done before. In the past, he'd always thought things through, planned his life. “Since I met you, my head is in a whirl."

"So, take some Panadol."

He ignored her cutting remark. “I'm doing things I see other guys do. Love sick guys."

Shit. Had he said that? He wasn't love sick—he wasn't. Absolutely not. Love wasn't an option. And yet, with a sickening dread, he'd woken up to reality. “You're the first thing I think of when I wake up. I haven't slept for days."

"So, I'm your nightmare?"

"No, not a nightmare. A fantasy."

"Go get a book, Cade. I don't want to be in your dreams. That wasn't part of the deal."

"Look, I'm sorry if I made you miss your ... date with Rob."

Taylor turned from him them, hiding her expression. “I don't want to talk about it."

Damn. He needed to see her face, her eyes and very definitely her mouth. “Why not? It's in the past. We all have memories, Taylor, have to live with them. The word live here is the deal. Live,” he reiterated.

"We're not talking about Rob. You're in lust, that's all, Cade. It's all in your pants."

"That's not like you, Taylor. Don't be coarse."

She rounded on him then, poking one long polished nail deeply into his chest. “That's just it, you don't know what I'm like."

"But I want to."

"No. Forget it. Forget what we did."

"That, sweetheart, is totally unforgettable."

"Shut up, Cade. Just shut up. I'm not going to let you use me to assuage your lust."

"Isn't that exactly what you did? What we did together."

"It was a business arrangement. But you think you can just smile and get that dimple under my skin and I'll fall into your bed."

"Well, you gotta admit it was good,” he chuckled, trying for a smidgen of humor.

But Taylor wasn't about to give an inch. “Good. It was..."

"Hot! We were hot together, sweetheart."

A sudden shout from behind caught them both unawares. “Taylor, there you are. I've been looking everywhere for you. I thought you were going to wait outside for me."

Cade's hand dropped away and Taylor jerked back and hugged her bag across her chest once more. She brushed back an invisible strand of hair and tugged nervously at her skirt and jacket as if to perfect something that was already perfection. She turned to their interloper.

"Edward,” her voice came out a whisper and she coughed several times, stammering.

Why was Taylor suddenly so nervous? Cade looked at Edward. Stocky, forty-ish dressed in khaki's and a button-down plaid shirt. Very staid. Very stoic and reliable.

Nothing like a bar owner.

Cade's gaze twisted back to Taylor, but she refused to meet his stare. His blood heated up a notch. A boyfriend? But she'd said no to his boyfriend question.

"You ready?” Whoever Edward was, the guy had barely acknowledged him.

Cade intended to remedy that. He held out his hand. “Hi, I'm Cade Harper, and you?"

"Not now, Cade. I've got to go.” A flustered Taylor interrupted and grabbed Edward by the elbow as if she intended to hurry away. But she was out of luck, and knew it as she gave Cade a warning frown.

"Edward Sullivan. Taylor's brother."

"Oh.” Cade eyed Taylor and gave her a quirky half smile, and then back at her brother. “Nice to meet you. I'm her ... boyfriend."

Taylor choked off a gurgling fit of words. “He's not. He's in fantasy land."

But already Cade and Edward Sullivan were quietly summing each other up.

"Hmm, Taylor's sure good at fantasy. Very inventive,” Cade offered, knowing he'd sent the conversation instantly to overdrive."

"Cade...” Taylor warned again and squeezed her eyes shut. Her brother's bulged.

Cade was having fun. And besides, the surprise on Edward Sullivan's face was too good to miss.

"The folks are waiting for us,” Edward reminded his sister and glanced down at his watch. “Weekly dinner, you know,” he said as if it explained everything. Edward turned to him. “Hey, why don't you come, too? A friend of Taylor's and all that,” he said covering up the awkward silence.

Taylor's grip on her brother's arm clearly tightened. “No, he can't."

"Sure, I can."

She shifted her narrowed gaze to him, daring him.

Oh, he dared, and he gave her his best, beaming smile. He held out a hand to Edward. “Love to come and meet the family. Taylor's told me so much about you, haven't you, honey."

"Hon—” Her coughing