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

armor,” Taylor murmured as she watched the retreating vehicle.

Trouble was she wasn't sure she could handle being rescued by Mr. Harper.

* * * *

The Mustang's revs vibrated as Cade drove up Mt. Victoria. He didn't have a clue why he headed there, except he wasn't ready to go back to the bar and face the curious glances or his sister's interrogation. Katie may have been the youngest of the Harper siblings, but she sure made up for it with her mothering. He'd got used to it over the years, but right now, he wasn't in the mood.

What he was in the mood for was Taylor Sullivan. Prim, uptight Taylor with long, slender legs he was sure went on forever. He imagined them wrapped around him, holding him to her.

And ankles ... since when had ankles become so darned sexy? Cade shifted uncomfortably. He needed a cold shower—and soon.

He couldn't help but wonder, though, what was beneath her prim exterior. Didn't she know covering up was way more seductive? It left a guy wondering, and he sure did wonder.

He brought the car to a halt at the summit and cut the engine. Silence surrounded him, while the city pulsed below. The same as his body pulsed the moment he'd set eyes on Taylor. Unbuckling his seat belt, he sank down on the seat, shutting out the lights below. But, it couldn't shut out Taylor.

Her image replayed in his brain. Soulful eyes, the way she looked at him, a soft wordless plea in a sea of blue that threatened to swamp him.

Better get your control back, Harper.

The way she blushed and looked away embarrassed, as if caught doing something naughty. Right now, naughty seemed very nice. And yet Cade had seen desperation in her eyes, too. Taylor wanted sexual experience to be able to advise her clients. It sounded weird, but he could actually understand it. How often had he ended up as an unpaid counselor to a patron who cried into their drink?

Yeah, but you don't kiss them, don't undress them ... and take them to bed.

And that was his problem. She'd asked him to kiss her. He'd done it and wanted more. Lots of it. Her lips, her body. Everything. One taste, one touch of her sweet and tempting mouth beneath his and he'd been hooked.

"Dumb move, Harper,” he cursed into the silence.

He should have sent her packing. But he hadn't, and damn it, it felt right—when he knew it shouldn't. She was too—perfect. And that scared him. All he could think about was Taylor and how she felt in his arms. His constant state of arousal drove him crazy.

But he couldn't ignore his responsibilities. Never had. Not since he'd been ten years old and those that should have known better disregarded theirs. In the blink of any eye, Taylor Sullivan had become his responsibility.

* * * *

By the time he parked the Mustang behind the bar, the crowd had diminished, though escape proved impossible.

"Hey, Cade, get lucky?"

"Nah, she looks too sweet for our man."

Cade frowned at the snide innuendoes, and his hands balled to fists at his side. As he crossed the bar, he felt his sister's eyes follow him. but he refused to acknowledge her silent questioning and gave a dismissive wave to the rest. He eyeballed the bar. He needed a drink. And time to think.

Filling a glass with the remains of half-melted ice from the ice bucket, he poured himself a whiskey and headed straight for the back room.

Perfume. Taylor's perfume. Cade skidded to a halt. The tantalizing fragrance of roses and lilacs assailed his senses the moment he walked in. His eyes shuttered and he inhaled, remembering how her skin had smelt.

Now he'd never be able to rid her from his mind or body.

Sinking into the chair behind his desk, he held his glass. The ice clinked and swirled a watery path through the golden liquid. He mentally counted to ten and waited.

The door banged open and Cade glanced at his watch. “Dead on time."

"You and I need to talk, Cade."

Cade gave a resigned sigh. “Why am I not surprised it's you, Katie."

"Now don't get all uppity with me."

"As if I would.” he grimaced. He raised his hands in surrender as his sister stepped into the room and closed the door behind her. Escape would be impossible.

"The bar is closing. I've cashed up."

"Thanks.” But Cade knew there was more to come.

"So, who is she?"

"None of your business, Katie,” he said quietly.

"Sure it is. I've got to look after my brother. Your history goes before you."

"What history?” He tried to deny it, but knew his love and leave ‘em attitude was about to play against him.

"That's exactly what I mean. Too many to remember. The female species drop over you like flies."

"And your point is?” Cade tempered his tone. He'd put up with Katie's nosiness because he loved her. Unfortunately, she didn't take the hint.

"The point is they drool over you, and you play the game, one after another. This one's different."

"How so?” His gaze narrowed on Katie, surprised by her intuitiveness. But she didn't give up. She was on a roll.

"Well for a start, she's got clothes on."

So far. Cade's mind whirred.

"She's a wedding planner,” he offered by way of an appeasement. Seeing the surprise on his sister's face, he nearly laughed out loud, despite himself.

Katie's eyes twinkled. “Anything I should know about?"

"Nope.

"Oh, yeah, that's right. I forgot you're commitment shy."

"Got that in one."

"You can't keep blaming them, Cade."

His jaw tightened along with every muscle in his body, unwanted memories taking him to a sad, dark place he didn't want to visit. It always did at the mention of his parents. “That's none of your business, Katie. You were too young to know what went on."

"Perhaps, but I've seen the consequences."

And he'd lived them. “Forget it, Katie, it's not up for discussion."

"So?” Her foot tapped a tattoo as she stood with her hands on her hips. “I'm waiting."

"You're not giving up, are you?"

She gave him