He's the One by Jane Beckenham (ready to read books .TXT) 📗

don't understand. You're very successful, run a thriving business, but in this day and age most women of your age aren't..."

"Virgins,” she interrupted, blushing madly.

"Yeah."

"Well, that's tough,” she bit back. “Because I am. It's not a disease."

"I never said that."

"No, you didn't. I know I'm the odd one out. I have been all my life. Nothing new there."

Needing to put space between herself and Cade, Taylor climbed out of the car into the chilly night. Goosebumps immediately sprinted down her bare arms and her breath misted into the darkness.

He came to stand beside her. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to touch on a sore subject."

"Don't worry. It's nothing.” But it wasn't. It was her past, and present. Something which never went away and she lived with daily.

"Come on.” Cade turned her toward the restaurant. “Dinner awaits. Let's put all this morose talk behind us for the night and enjoy ourselves.” He held out his hand to her. Taylor hesitated for a fraction, then took it and gave him a fleeting smile.

"Why not? We only live once,” she said.

Rob only lived once, leaving only guilt and sadness behind. Guilt—that she'd lied to him. But how could she have told a dying man she no longer loved him?

* * * *

Sedate and sophisticated, Hammerheads oozed exclusivity and enjoyed the privilege of being the best seafood restaurant in town. With its arched Palladian windows opened to a panoramic view of the harbor and the myriad of boats moored alongside, it set an exquisite scene for diners.

Approached immediately by the maitre d', Cade guided Taylor across the room, his hand resting on the small of her back. Her concentration shattered from his touch, she struggled to focus on anything except the handsome man at her side.

Once seated, the waiter provided menus and a wine list. Cade discussed various wines with him, surprising Taylor. It must have shown as Cade lowered the wine list and gave a curt nod to the waiter who slipped away.

"I'm not just a backyard bar boy."

Taylor glanced away for a second, then fixed her eyes back on his. “I realize that."

"Do you?” His steady gaze held hers.

"Yes. Of course."

"You're not really sure about me, Taylor, admit it. I said I wondered who the real Taylor Sullivan was. Now I get it."

"Get what?” Taylor sipped nervously at her iced water.

"You're stuck in a void. A prim little world that you can't see out of. You said you were the square peg, well that's just it. You pigeonhole people."

"I do not. That's my...” Taylor slammed her lips together. That was her family. Not her. Surely?

"Yes, you do. You think because someone comes from the wrong side of the tracks they can't be...” Cade's gaze skimmed the room and back to her. “Can't be cultured,” he finally said with a sneer.

"That's not true. You're making me sound like a snob."

He shrugged, and reached for his glass, swallowing its contents in one long gulp.

Taylor couldn't take her eyes off his throat. Long. Strong. The movement as he swallowed.

A wash of heat cannoned over her and beneath the table, her toes curled in her sandals. Finally, she found her tongue. “I'm sorry, Cade. I didn't mean to insult you. I ... I'm not a snob. In fact, if there's anyone out of their depth, right now, that'd be me,” she said honestly.

Cade may make her feel unsure, but her own emotions had set her world all topsy-turvy. She needed to get back in control—fast.

Taylor cast her gaze about the room and choked back a sadness. Lovers. Couples. Everyone a duo. Soft touches, a caress here, a secretive smile there. Would tonight be her time to enjoy romance, even for one night? Just the thought of it set her heart rate into overdrive, and she fidgeted with her water glass. She raked her brain for non-contentious conversation.

"How did you know Hugh Prendergast and Brianna Bennett?” she finally asked.

Cade lowered his glass and eased back into the luxurious leather chair. He rested a hand on the pure white linen tablecloth, and Taylor found herself fixated for a moment on his fingers.

"I grew up with Hugh, me on the wrong side of the tracks, him definitely on the other. Schools are zoned and our suburb bordered on his, so we ended up at the same junior school, then high school. Hugh was the nerd. Everyone took the mickey out of him. It wasn't nice."

"Bullies are never nice."

"No.” Cade's tone hardened. “I sort of took him under my wing, and we discovered a love of making things."

"What sort of things?"

"Small inventions, electronic gadgets.” He twirled his wineglass and took a sip. Taylor watched as his tongue wiped across his top lip and found herself doing the same. She couldn't breathe and tried to swallow. Nothing worked. Was it hot in here—or what?

"That'd explain how Hugh became one of the big players in electronics,” she reasoned. The waiter arrived at that moment, ready to take their order, and Taylor sensed Cade's relief at the interruption. She eyed the vast menu, unsure she had the mental dexterity to choose anything.

Except another kiss!

"How about the seared game fish,” Cade suggested. “It's delicious."

She lowered the menu. “You've been here before?"

Cade gave their orders to the waiter before answering. “Several times.” The twinkle in his bedroom eyes offered a silent challenge.

Taylor's throat thickened. “With other women?"

"Of course."

"You go out with a lot of women.” It wasn't a question, but a statement, one she already knew the answer to.

"And that makes you feel comfortable or uncomfortable?"

Taylor reached for her napkin, playing for time. Foreplay, he'd said. Fun! She slid it from the silver holder and unfurled the crisp white linen, laid it on her lap and then looked directly at him.

"Oh, definitely comfortable,” she smiled, knowing he'd turned her statement back on her.

His grin widened and he folded his arms across his chest, pulling the fabric of his jacket taut across his wide shoulders. Taylor's mouth dried up. She reached for her glass and took