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

But she was on a mission. One last shot.

She bent over the table, aware the shorts rode up even further and her cleavage was on view for the nine o'clock news. She tried to remember what she'd seen on Pot Black.

"That's an idea.” She hesitated; the cue tucked under one arm. She flicked a strand of hair back from her face and eyed Harry. “How about a bet?"

"What ya got in mind?"

Yeah. What? From the corner of her eye, she saw Cade walk into the bar from the back room. He looked haggard, as if he hadn't slept for days.

Good job. Neither had she. Now, she intended to give him another sleepless night, something to think about—hopefully.

"How about a kiss?” And she gave Harry her best smile, making sure he heard her every word.

Poor Harry. The man's eyes nearly popped out of his head.

* * * *

"What the hell are you doing here, Taylor?"

"It's a bar, isn't it?"

Cade grabbed Taylor's arm, but his gaze fixated on her breasts, more than visible above the deep V of the buttoned leather waistcoat. Skin he'd kissed.

"Shit,” he bit out. “Dressed like that, is what I mean."

She batted her lashes at him. Damn, they were long. Too long. Too seductive. Adrenaline and arousal kicked in, his swollen groin making him instantly uncomfortable.

"Having fun, Cade darling,” Taylor almost purred. “Doing what you said I should and catching up on four years.” She trailed a scarlet talon down the center of his T-shirt.

Cade gritted his teeth. He wanted her. Bad. Real bad. “Not here you're not."

"You kicking me out?” She smiled at him. Teasing him. She knew it, and he knew it.

"I'll go with you,” Harry Fontain edged forward.

"Keep out of this, Harry. This is between Taylor and me."

"Taylor and I,” she corrected sweetly.

"Stop doing that."

"What?” Her eyes widened with feigned innocence.

"That! With those lashes of yours."

"You mean this?” And as she blinked several times, a soft peal of fluttery laughter escaped her ruby red lips. Her wide smile bared her teeth—teeth she'd used on him, nipping him.

Oh, hell. He was definitely in deep trouble.

"A girl can go out and have a drink with friends."

"And these are your friends?"

Cade glanced around. Harry, Roger, Ted Samson. The usual crowed hovered around, all eager to see what was going on. He bristled at their intrusion.

"They are, actually.” She nodded towards them, before returning her direct gaze at him, challenging his sanity. “Any problems?"

His grip on her arm tightened. “This isn't the sort of place for you."

"Why not?” she taunted. “What's wrong with it? It's a good bar, pleasant company. Besides, you own it, so I'm safe, aren't I?"

"You tell him, Taylor."

Cade shot the interloper a scathing glance.

"Point one to me, I think.” She smiled, running a hand through her long hair. A silken strand brushed against Cade's cheek, and he stilled.

Memories.

Taylor's hair abrading his sex-dampened skin, trailing over him as she licked him, teased him into oblivion.

Damn, this was hard. More than hard. It was pure torture. “This isn't a game, Taylor."

"No. It's life, and I'm living it, Cade. Just as you said I should.” She blinked again and smiled sweetly at him. Sweet. Hell, it was temptation and agony all rolled into one.

"It seems to me you don't want to share. I wonder why that is?"

* * * *

Cade couldn't believe it, come midnight, Taylor had beaten every guy in the room at pool. Mind you, most of them couldn't see the balls for ogling Taylor. She looked hot. Too hot for them.

"Closing time, folks.” Cade eyed the clock above the bar.

"Five minutes to go,” Harry called.

"Forget it, Harry. Time's up. Everyone out."

Grumbles aside, Cade hustled everyone out. Taylor walked to the door, her coat draped over her arm.

"Not you."

"I beg your pardon?"

"So you should; you've given me a hard on all night, and probably every other man in the room."

She smiled—that sweet innocent look again. Sweet nothing. Tonight, Taylor was sex on heels, and he wanted to kiss her, over and over until he could expunge her from his brain and his body.

"I need a drink. Fancy a nightcap?"

"Sure.” Dropping her coat on a nearby chair, Taylor followed him to the bar. “You know, this is all your fault,” she said, propping herself up on a barstool.

"You reckon."

"Absolutely. You helped me find myself."

"Good ‘ol me. Mr. Helpful."

"Mm.” She took a sip of the French blackcurrant liqueur, smiling up at him through those blasted lashes again. His body heat skidded past boiling.

"Maybe I should set myself up as a shrink."

"Why won't you talk about your past, Cade?"

He skulled the remainder of his beer before answering. “Some memories aren't worth remembering."

"If you don't deal with it, it'll haunt you."

A cracked laugh rumbled from his chest. “You trying analyze me again. Thought we'd passed that phase."

"Oh, I've passed the lot, Cade. But you, you're still back in the past."

"How do you figure that, sweetheart?” he said, trying for nonchalance, but coming up empty. He cared. But didn't want to. Caring that much hurt like hell.

"How about some music?” Taylor gestured towards the jukebox.

"Sure."

Still switched on, the garish lights zinged in the dimmed room. Cade poured them both another drink, swallowing back half of his in one gulp. He needed it.

The sultry sounds of a blues number echoed around the room. Cade grabbed their glasses and walked over to Taylor. “Your drink, madam."

She smiled, but didn't move. “Thank you."

"For?"

"Everything."

Cade's throat thickened. “Ms. Sullivan,” he said, virtually holding his breath, “would you care to dance?"

Taylor's nod was imperceptible, but the only encouragement he needed. He took her hand in his, spikes of desire ripping through him with vicious need at the first touch. He gritted his teeth. It's over. Remember, that.

Yet, it didn't feel over—but that it had just begun.

Effortlessly, Taylor stepped into his embrace and moved to the rhythmic chords of the music. “How is it that we know each other so intimately, yet I don't know what music you like?"

"I'm easy to please,” she said, smiling.

"Easy? Never that, Taylor.