Chapter 26 Caden
CADEN
I kept one hand on the steering wheel and the other on Grae’s thigh. I couldn’t seem to stop touching her. Maybe it was because I’d held myself back for so long. Perhaps it was because she had some drug humming just below her skin. The reason didn’t matter.
Grae tipped her head back against the seat as my thumb swept back and forth across her skin. It was as smooth as silk. I could lose myself in the feel of it.
I glanced over at her. “I can still turn around.”
“I don’t think missing work for sex is really a valid excuse,” she murmured, a smile playing on her lips.
“I think it’s an incredibly valid excuse.”
Grae snorted. “Men.”
“Hey, I’m going to have to deal with blue balls all day.”
She arched a brow. “We had sex twice this morning. And I got you off in the shower.”
I shifted in my seat. “It’s that damn shower image that will have me in blue ball land.”
Grae choked on a laugh. “Sorry?”
I stopped at a traffic light and leaned over to kiss her. “No, you’re not.”
God, that taste. I wanted nothing else on my tongue.
Grae moaned into my mouth.
A honk sounded, and we broke apart.
I glared at the car behind us with out-of-state plates—impatient tourists.
“Whoops,” Grae muttered.
I pulled up to Vacation Adventures and put my SUV in park. “Walk me through today again?”
She searched my eyes, a hint of worry there. “I’m taking out a kayak group, but Jordan is coming with me, and we leave right from here. It’s only a two-hour trip. Otherwise, I’ll be in the office.”
“And someone will be with you the whole time?” I pressed.
“Law talked to Jordan. They’ve both made it clear that I won’t be alone other than to pee.”
“It’s not something to joke about.”
Grae leaned across the console and brushed her lips against mine. “Humor is how I cope, remember?”
I kissed her again. “And Roan’s picking you up?”
“Yup. I’ll call you if that changes.”
I forced myself to release her and leaned back in my seat. “Check in, okay? It’ll make me feel better.”
“I can do that. You just focus on the retreat and the gala. People will be arriving soon.”
Grae was right. I needed my head in the game. Jalen and I needed to go over a million details. “I’ve got it covered.”
She grinned as she slid out of my SUV. “I know you do. But I won’t mind getting the play-by-play of when you make Gabe eat his words.”
I chuckled. “I’ll see if Jalen can get a video.”
Grae waved and headed into the office. I waited until I saw her safely talking to Noel before I pulled onto the street. Even knowing they were looking out for her, driving away was brutal. As if I were leaving all my internal organs outside my body. But I forced myself to do it anyway.
Our event planner, Erika, moved around one of the four tables in the great hall. “This is option one. I’m calling it our traditional look.”
The settings were exactly what you’d expect for a gala: gleaming silver, crystal glassware, and white china. Boring and expected.
“This is exactly what we need,” Gabe said, nodding at her.
Erika gave him a polite smile. “I’m glad you like it, but we’ve got three other options for you to consider.”
Gabe scowled. “If you want to waste our time, fine.”
“Now, Gabe,” Mom chided. “Erika has put a lot of work into this. Let’s see what else she’s come up with.”
Erika smiled at my mom. “Over here is more of an art deco look.”
That table had a black-and-white motif with pops of color. It was more interesting, but I didn’t think it fit with the feel of the resort.
“This would be fun, and Clara did love bright colors,” Mom said wistfully. “But it might be more fitting for our Miami property.”
Erika nodded. “I can see that.”
My phone buzzed, and I pulled it out of my pocket. A photo filled the screen. It was a selfie of Grae in her kayak.
Gigi
No attempted kidnappings by any otters to report.
I shook my head, but a grin played on my lips.
“That wouldn’t be Grae, would it?” Pleasure swirled in my mom’s voice.
I looked up from my phone. “How’d you know?”
“Because you only ever smile like that when she’s around.”
My eyes flared.
Mom shrugged. “I’ve always known she’s been special to you. I’m just glad you two finally figured out whatever was keeping you apart.”
“Can we quit wasting time over this? You’re acting like Caden finally getting into a relationship is the second coming.”
My mom frowned at him. “I don’t think being happy for your brother is wasting time.”
“He’s just going to fuck it up. Caden doesn’t take anything seriously. So don’t go planning the wedding now.”
Mom’s hands began a nervous flutter at her sides. “Gabriel…”
“Show us the next damn table,” he snapped.
Erika jumped at his tone. “O-of course. This is what I call our natural look. I thought it might be nice to bring in elements of our setting with the tablescapes. We’ve got watercolor napkins in the lake’s colors, rustic wood name cards, and pops of greens for the forest.”
I cleared my throat. “This fits Clara to a T. Maybe we can get prints of some informal shots of Clara around The Peaks. It’ll remind people why they’re giving.”
“That’s a wonderful idea, Caden,” Mom said. “I’ve got plenty of shots I’d love to use.”
“Of course, you’d go with his idea,” Gabe scoffed. “Dad’ll hate it.”
I took Mom’s hand and squeezed. “It’s okay.”
“It’s not,” she whispered. “I don’t see why you two can’t get along.”
Guilt dug in its claws. “He’s just stressed with work. I’m not taking it personally.”
“Are you two going to keep whispering, or can we actually get some work done?” Gabe clipped.
Mom’s hand trembled in mine.
“Enough, Gabe,” I barked.
He scoffed. “Stop acting like you’re the chosen son. I’m sick of it. You’re not better than me. I’ve been here working my ass off while you’ve been living it up in New York.”
“I was working,” I gritted out.
“Bullshit.”
“Stop it,” Mom cried, tears filling her eyes. “Just stop it.”
Before either of us could get another word out, she tore out of the great room.
I whirled on Gabe. “I know you hate my guts, and that’s fine. But around her, you can at least fucking pretend. She’s already lost a daughter. It kills her that we aren’t some big, happy family.”
Gabe laughed, but it was ice-cold. “You don’t give a damn about her. You just want to play the dutiful son so you can get control of The Peaks.”
“I think you’re talking about yourself there.”
Gabe gave me a hard shove. “I care about the legacy of this family. Unlike you. If you get control of this resort, you’ll ruin it like you do everything else.”
Without another word, he stormed out of the great room.
I straightened my suit jacket as I turned back to our events planner. “I’m sorry, Erika.”
Empathy filled her expression. “I’m sorry for you, too.”
Blood roared in my ears. How had it come to this? Was it simple greed, or had something else set him against me? But I knew one thing for sure: I’d seen true hatred pulsing in my brother’s eyes.