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

Taylor took it, surprised when the younger Harper took her hand to his lips and kissed it.

"Mitts off, brother,” Cade almost growled, surprising her by his he-man tactics.

"What? Can't stand a little competition?"

"You'd lose.” Cade stood rigid, the tiny pulse in this jaw she'd come to recognize when he battled for control, flickered a relentless beat.

"Wanna bet?"

"No contest.” Cade wrapped a proprietorial arm around Taylor's shoulder.

"Enough.” She eased her hand from Zane's and wagged a finger at both men. “What is this? Sibling rivalry?"

"Brotherly love,” Zane informed her. “Just checking up on the old boy here. Don't wear him out, now.” And with that, Zane gave them a jaunty wink and wave and sauntered towards a group of young women.

For a few seconds, Cade remained immobile, his narrowed gaze fixed on the retreating Zane. Then, he turned to her, a wash of concern coloring his face.

"Sorry about my brother. You okay?” Taylor nodded, but when she shivered, Cade shrugged off his leather jacket and draped it around her shoulders.

Taylor surreptitiously dipped her head, inhaling deeply the fragrance. It smelled of him. All warm and masculine. Pulling the edges around her, she hugged it to her. Once again, it was just the two of them, the crowd fading into nothingness.

"We've a date, I believe."

Taylor's toes curled. “How could I forget?"

"I hoped you hadn't."

"That would be impossible where you're concerned, Mr. Harper."

"Good. Let's go.” Linking his hand in hers, they almost ran back to where he'd parked the pickup. Cade gunned the engine as it roared to life. He gave her a quick glance. “You okay."

Oh, yes. She was more than okay. She was definitely ready.

* * * *

The moment Taylor stepped up behind Cade outside the bar's back entrance, any doubts she'd been harboring flew out the proverbial window.

He turned to her, a finger over his smiling lips. “We need to be quiet unless you want my nosey parker sister springing us.” Draping his arms over her shoulders, Cade pulled her to him. She came up against his hard body. His very sexy body.

It felt good—again.

Excitement bubbled inside Taylor, and she reached up and kissed him softly on the lips.

"Do that again, and I won't be able to control my actions,” he murmured against her mouth.

"Is that a promise?” She kissed him again. There was nothing gentle or tentative about this kiss. She kissed him hard, stroking the side of his face, feeling his stubbled jaw and tasting him. Her hands slid beneath his T-shirt, feeling him shudder as her fingertips splayed across his heated and slicked skin.

Breathless, she pulled back, witnessing Cade's reaction. And when he chuckled, the velvety husky tone of his laughter sent shivers of need coursing through her veins. “Come on, we need some privacy."

With as much stealth as any spy, Taylor followed him up the back stairs of the bar to his apartment.

Cade switched on a table lamp and a soft glow spread around the room.

It was a very manly sort of place. Leather couches and dark wood floors, a cream Flokati rug in front of an unlit fireplace. Top-notch sound systems and a large wall-mounted flat screen television identified the apartment as home to someone who knew technology.

But it was the shining chrome hubcap, with its bold V8 insignia hanging in pride of place above the fireplace, that brought an instant smile to Taylor's lips.

Yes, this was Cade's home.

She was aware of Cade's scrutiny, and suddenly her nerves erupted again, dancing a tango in her belly. She could still feel the moistness—down there—where Cade had teased her alive and nearly over the edge.

"Do you want a drink?"

She shook her head.

"Food?"

Heat flooded her cheeks, and she shook her head again. She dropped her gaze.

"Taylor what do you want?"

You. I want you, her brain shouted. Her body agreed wholeheartedly.

"Taylor? Speak to me. If you want to bow out and change your mind, I won't think bad of you."

Enveloped by a sudden shyness, her heart raced. “I don't,” she whispered. “I haven't changed my mind."

She heard Cade's sigh of relief and a tingle of heat slid across her arms. It did her good to hear that, boosting her suddenly flagging confidence.

Emboldened, she closed the gap between them and clasped Cade's hand in hers. His fingers were so strong, the muscles in his forearm twitching. She lifted his hand to her lips and taking his middle finger she wiped it across her parted lips, never once taking her eyes off his beautiful face.

His darkened eyes widened, and she smiled, enjoying his surprise.

Still holding his finger, her tongue snaked out and licked its tip. Once. Twice. Then she held it between her lips, sucking on it in such a primal way it could never leave Cade in doubt as to what she had in mind.

"You taste delicious,” Taylor whispered.

He tasted—of her. Oh, Lordy! Just thinking it, a scalding heat burned right through Taylor. She had tasted herself.

Cade's cheeks dimpled and his smile broadened. The man had seen her shock. He knew exactly what she was thinking.

* * * *

Cade knew he needed to slow down. He didn't want to scare Taylor, but ... heaven help him, she tempted him so bad.

Unspeaking, he reached up and brushed at a strand of her hair, winding it round his finger. The silken curl caressed his skin. His jaw tightened, and he swallowed back the urge to plunge into her moist depths, right there and then.

Take it easy. Huh! Slow down? He felt as if a steamroller had ripped right over him. He didn't know what slow was any more, whether he could go slow or wanted to.

With wide innocent eyes she looked up at him, through unbelievably long lashes. Innocent?

What she did to him didn't even remotely feel innocent. It heated him to boiling point.

He felt a shiver ripple through her, and smiled. “Do you know what you're doing to me?” he questioned as he caressed her bare arms.

A tinkling sound of pure joy fell from her lips. “I