Chapter 18 Caden
CADEN
My fingers tapped against the steering wheel as I drove toward Grae’s cottage.
The twitchy sensation had been with me since the moment she’d stepped out of my SUV and disappeared into her office.
It hadn’t left for a second. Jalen had asked if I’d had too much coffee that morning or picked up a cocaine habit he should be concerned about.
The truth was worse. I cared. I always had, but that care was rooting itself deep now, spreading and taking over. It was becoming dangerous. Yet here I was, driving toward my greatest temptation’s house.
I’d tried all day to rebuild the walls I knew were crumbling. To reinforce them with the strongest steel. As a reminder of why I needed to keep that emotional distance.
Clara’s face flashed in my mind. Her head tipped back in laughter, green eyes shining, so carefree. And then another image. Her in that damned hospital bed, so tiny and frail, fading away…
I pounded my fist against the steering wheel. Physical pain was the only thing that could fight off those images. The only thing that could keep them at bay.
I pulled to the curb in front of Grae’s house and stared at it.
All the pots with their arrays of brightly colored blooms. She was in every detail.
The rocks she’d painted with her nephews that were scattered across the garden beds.
The little fairies and gnomes sprinkled around.
The rockers where I knew she sat and watched the sun go down.
Those details would be the death of me. But still, I climbed out of my SUV and let them swallow me whole. I took the steps one at a time, trying to rein in the urge to get to Grae.
Reaching the front porch, I took a deep breath and rang the bell.
“Coming!”
There was a musical lilt to Grae’s voice that had my gut tightening and that pull flaring to life again.
The door opened, and I froze. Grae had a beauty that shone every single day, in every state, no matter what she wore or how tired she was. But I wasn’t used to seeing her like this.
She wore a pale pink silk dress with straps so thin and delicate they almost disappeared against her skin.
The fabric hugged every curve, dipping low in the front and showing just a hint of cleavage that had my mouth going dry.
My gaze tracked down her smooth, toned legs to the strappy shoes she wore that I couldn’t help but picture hooked around my hips as I took her.
“Gigi…”
She bit her lip. “Is it okay? It’s been a minute since I had to dress up for something.”
“You’re gorgeous.”
This image would be burned into my brain for eternity. Her white-blond hair was curled in waves that framed her face, and she’d done something to her eyes that made them seem impossibly larger. So large I wanted to get lost in them and never come up for air.
Pink hit her cheeks. “Thanks. You don’t look so bad yourself.”
Her eyes tracked over my navy suit and down to my shoes.
I chuckled. “I guess we clean up okay.” I glanced behind her. “You set the alarm?”
Grae turned, punching in a code and then stepping outside. She shut and locked the door, slipping her key into a tiny clutch. “Good to go.”
I offered her my arm, not wanting her to traverse the steps in those shoes.
Her eyes flared. “Turning into a gentleman, are you?”
The corner of my mouth kicked up. “Never.”
She laughed, and the sound wrapped around me, warming places that had felt cold for so long.
We made our way down the steps, and I helped Grae into the SUV. Rounding the vehicle, I climbed in and started the engine.
Grae toyed with the clasp of her clutch. “So, it’s your parents and Gabe?”
“And Lena, his fiancée.”
Grae’s lips pursed at that.
“Not a fan?”
“I’ve only met her twice, but she doesn’t really seem like someone I’d want to spend a lot of time with.”
I chuckled. “You and me both.”
Grae was quiet for a moment, staring intently at her bag.
“What’s wrong?”
She worried the side of her thumbnail in a telltale sign of nerves. “I meant to tell you. I had a little run-in with Gabe at The Brew the other day.”
I stiffened. “What happened?”
“He was an ass, and Aspen threw him out.”
My jaw popped as I worked it back and forth. “What did he say?”
“Something about wasting time screwing you. Some other colorful things. I just wanted you to have a heads-up.”
I glanced over at her. “You don’t have to go tonight. I don’t want you to have to be around him.”
Grae reached over and took my hand, squeezing. “No. I want to. I don’t want you to have to deal with them alone.”
My ribs tightened around my lungs in a vise grip. How long had it been since someone had wanted to protect me? I couldn’t even remember. “Gigi…”
“I want to. If you turn around, I’ll kick your butt.”
My lips twitched. “Wouldn’t want you using those knives on me.”
She grinned. “Just remember that.”
We made the rest of the drive in silence. Instead of parking in the lot like I usually did, I pulled into valet. Two young guys hurried toward us, opening our doors.
“Good evening, Mr. Shaw. I’ll keep her up front for you.”
“Thank you, Matt.”
I rounded the SUV and took Grae’s hand, weaving my fingers through hers. It felt right—too right. But I didn’t let go. I just kept playing with fire.
Two bellhops held the doors for us. I didn’t miss how everyone’s gaze, both women and men, traveled to Grae.
I couldn’t blame them. She had the kind of beauty that held you captive.
But it wasn’t just skin-deep. Her light radiated from somewhere in her very core.
It pulled you in and didn’t let go. She was an addiction, and you’d do anything for more.
I guided us toward an elevator and hit the button to go up. “We’re eating at Skyline. I hope that’s okay.”
Grae nodded. “It’s been a while since I’ve eaten there.”
I glanced down at her outfit again. “Where’s your pump?”
She laughed. “Geez, leave a girl a few secrets. It’s under my dress. There’s a little pocket.”
A little of the panic eased. “Oh.”
Grae shook her head. “I have been doing this a while.”
“I know. I just…” I worried about her.
“I get it.” She sighed. “Trust me when I say I’m used to people worrying.”
There was a sadness in those words that made my chest ache. “It’s because the people around you care.”
“I know.”
But there was defeat in her voice. I saw it then, how people’s care had become stifling. I squeezed her hand.
Grae looked up at me as we stepped onto the elevator. “Let’s make you look all respectable and shiz.”
I couldn’t help it, I laughed. “So respectable they won’t know what to do with us.”
She grinned. “I can’t remember the last time I wore a dress.”
My eyes raked over her. “You should do it more often.”
Grae’s cheeks pinked. “This outfit doesn’t really work when hiking up a mountain.”
“You’d definitely break an ankle in those heels.”
The elevator dinged, and the doors opened to a large restaurant that took up the entirety of the top floor of the lodge. Floor-to-ceiling windows made it feel like you were hovering in mid-air over the mountains. The views were unparalleled.
The hostess broke into a wide smile with more than a hint of lust. “Mr. Shaw, it’s so good to see you again.” Her words held a familiar purr to them, even though I’d met her maybe twice.
“Good evening, Candace.”
Her smile brightened at my use of her name. “Your family’s already here. Let me take you to them.”
I glanced down to see Grae glaring daggers at the woman.
I squeezed her hand, and she looked up at me.
“It’s soooo good to see you again,” Grae whispered mockingly.
I choked on a laugh. “Jealous, Gigi?”
She let out an adorable little huff. “I’m standing right here. It’s rude.”
My smile just grew wider.
Candace stopped just short of the table. “Here you are.” She reached out, her hand lightly grazing my arm. “Please let me know if you need anything at all.” Her eyes locked with mine. “Anything.”
I stepped out of her grasp, my gaze going hard. “I’ve got everything I want.”
She blanched and scurried away.
Grae fought to keep her laughter under control. “Now I feel a little bad for her.”
“She went too far.”
Grae’s gaze lifted to mine. “That happens a lot, doesn’t it?”
I shrugged. “Sometimes. People find out you’ve got money and think you’re the ticket to a free and easy life.”
“But money doesn’t magically erase all your problems.”
I brushed a strand of hair away from her face. “No, it doesn’t.”
“Are you two going to keep creating a spectacle, or are you going to join your family for dinner?” Gabe snapped.
“Leave them be,” my mom said, a smile in her voice. “They’re happy.”
Grae squeezed my hand as I guided her toward the table. I gave her the seat next to my mother, the friendliest face in the crowd. My father’s expression was hard and impassive, while Lena looked as if she’d just sucked on a lemon, and Gabe appeared to be a cocktail or two in already.
I pulled out Grae’s chair, helping her into it. She leaned over to give my mom a quick hug. “It’s so good to see you. It’s been too long.”
My mom beamed. “You, too. When Caden told us you two were seeing each other, you can’t imagine how happy I was.”
Lena’s nose scrunched up as if she smelled something bad.
“Grae,” my dad greeted. “How are your parents?”
Grae sent him an easy smile, but I knew her well enough to see that it was forced. “They’re good. My dad’s getting back into the swing of things with search and rescue, and Mom’s enjoying reaping the benefits of her summer garden.”
Lena snorted. “Gardening, really? Don’t you have staff for that?”
Grae turned to my brother’s fiancée. “It’s one of her favorite hobbies. She’d never give the task to someone else.”
Lena placed a hand on Gabe’s chest. “I’m so glad we don’t have to worry about that.”
Gabe stared hard at Grae, darkness swirling in his gaze. “And what about you, Grae? How are you spending your summer?”
She kept her smile light. “This is our busy season, so I’ve been out on the trails and the lakes quite a bit.”