Chapter 25
25
CADEN
“ W hy are we here?” Caden stood on the threshold of an Italian restaurant with Nate in front of her, grinning.
“I’m taking you on a date.”
“Nathan, I don’t need to be wooed to have sex with you—I’m there.”
“Who says I don’t need to be wooed?”
Caden raised an eyebrow at him, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. “Oh, is that so? You need to be wooed now?” she teased as she watched him with a mixture of amusement and curiosity.
Nate’s grin widened, and he shrugged, looking as if he had a secret he was dying to share. “Absolutely. I mean, what if I want to be romanced? You ever think about that?” His eyes sparkled with mischief, and Caden felt a flutter in her chest at the sight. How Nate could be this open and unguarded was a mystery to her. She envied him.
“Fine,” she said, stepping closer to him, her tone challenging. “But if we’re doing this, we’re doing it my way.” She glanced around the restaurant, noting the colorful décor and the lively atmosphere. “And that means shots. Lots of them.”
Nate chuckled, clearly pleased with her response. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
They stepped inside, and Caden immediately felt the air conditioning blast her in the face. It was a nice contrast to the heat of the day outside. The place was cute, with strings of lights hanging overhead and the sound of music filling the air. Nate led her to a small table in the corner, away from the bustling crowd.
As they sat down, Caden couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation. She hadn’t expected this—hadn’t expected to feel... excited about a date with Nathan. But here she was, looking across the table at him.
“Alright,” Caden said, leaning back in her chair, her eyes never leaving his. “How would you like to be wooed?”
Nate leaned forward, his grin now a full-blown smile. “Give me your best attempt and we’ll see what happens.”
“ Attempt ? You make it sound like I’m not a femme fatale or something.” Caden tried to look hurt by his words, but her lips refused to do anything other than smile.
“You’re definitely fatal, but I don’t know about the femme part. You’ve beat my ass one too many times for that particular descriptor to be accurate.”
“Rude!” Caden put a shocked expression on her face and smacked his arm. “And here I was going to bring out the big guns and go all simpering female on your ass.”
“God no—I don’t think you could do that even if you tried, Quinn.”
“You don’t like simpering females, huh?” Caden sat forward, walked her fingers up his arm, and fluttered her eyelashes up at him all girly like. “So what do you like?”
“You.”
Caden felt heat race up her neck and settle in her cheeks. What the fuck was wrong with her? Blushing? Actually blushing as a grown ass woman?
“Shut up, Savage.” She swatted him again and tried to regain her composure. “I’m supposed to be wooing you , remember?”
He held his hands up in surrender and smirked at her.
“What’s the matter, Quinn? You can dish it out, but you can’t take it?”
“Oh, I can take it.”
“I don’t think you can. You’re too… brutish.” He smirked as he said it and Caden knew he was trying to get a rise out of her, but she couldn’t help but respond to that particular insult.
“Brutish!?” How dare he. She was just the same as every other woman. “I am refined and sensitive—thank you very much.”
“Prove it.”
“How am I supposed to prove it?”
“Dance with me.”
“You’re on.”
He smirked again, and Caden realized she’d just talked herself into a trap. But she couldn’t back out now. Not when her dignity was on the line.
“You better be wearing your steel-toed boots because I’ve never done this before.”
“I’m honored to be your first.”
Again with the blushing. She didn’t even know why she was blushing, just that she was and it wouldn’t stop. Caden decided to ignore it and let herself be pulled to the dance floor. A few other couples swung around the floor, but not enough to put Nathan off of his mission, unfortunately.
“It’s easy enough.” Nate pulled her close and put her hands on his shoulders. His hands clasped her waist, she could feel the heat of his hands through the thin fabric of her shirt. Despite the cool air, she was feeling flushed. “All you have to do is follow my lead.”
They moved slowly across the dance floor despite the tempo of the music being played. After a few minutes of barely breathing and trying to control the color in her cheeks, she pulled away from his hold and arched an eyebrow at him.
“Have you been properly wooed yet?”
Nate gave her a slow smile, the kind that sent a thrill through her despite herself.
“Caden, I’m sensing some impatience—are you just trying to get into my pants?”
“Well hallelujah! You finally caught on.”