Off Limits(100)

“Yep. So, what do you want, maple syrup? Blueberries? I think I have some raspberries in the freezer, but I’d need about five minutes to turn them into a quick compote topping if you want them,” he replied, deftly opening what I now recognized as a waffle iron and pulling a large waffle out before pouring more batter. “Hurry up now, I don’t want our waffles to get cold.”

“Maple would be great,” I answered. “Butter too, if you have any.”

“Only organic grass fed,” he said. “You can find it in the fridge if you don’t mind. I slept late myself and need to hurry just a bit if I want to get into the office this morning.”

I found the butter and took it out. “Wow, your fridge looks like it was stocked at a total organic food store or something.”

Kade nodded. “It was. I’m not into a crazy diet of any one type, so I eat gluten, meat, eggs, all that. But I do figure on using whole organic ingredients as much as I can. As a model, do you have any special diet?”

I shook my head. “I think I’m going to be taking a sabbatical from modeling,” I said, smiling as I cut pats of butter from the stick and set them on a small white china plate I found in the glass-fronted cupboards. “Maybe I’ll go to college, like my stepbrother thinks I can do.”

“I think admissions for PSU are closed for the fall semester, but the winter term might be an option,” Kade said, taking it in stride. “Is your agent going to be pissed?”

“Probably, but they’ll understand. We models are supposed to be mentally irregular anyway. If I tell them that I’m only open for limited shoots, they’ll be happy enough. Besides, I don’t have a dedicated contract with them, they just represent me. But Kade, why the fresh breakfast?”

“It’s something I do,” he replied. “I guess afterwards, when you give yourself to me, I try and give myself to you in return.”

“So I can expect waffles every time?” I joked lightly. “You know I don’t need it.”

Kade turned off the waffle iron and got the last waffle out. Setting it on a serving platter, he came over and pulled me into his arms. “You may not need it, but I enjoy it. Isn’t that all we need?”

“Well, that and some new clothes,” I replied, snuggling against his chest. “You said we’d talk about shopping today, but you have work. I understand.”

Kade shook his head. “I didn’t forget. This evening, after work. I’m going to talk to Vince and Monica, set up some stuff on the cases we’re working on, and then be home by six to take you out for the evening. It won’t be the best shops in Portland, but we can definitely hit up the Lloyd Center tonight, it’ll get you started. It has a Macy’s, but sadly the Nordstrom’s is closed.”

I chuckled and snuggled tighter against him. “I don’t need expensive clothes. I have everything I need right here.”

Kade chuckled and whispered in my ear. “Lloyd Center also has a Victoria’s Secret. Not all of the shopping is going to be just for you. Now, let’s have some breakfast. I have a few requests for you for while I’m at work.”





Chapter 14





Kade





After a busy but relaxed day at the office, where Monica spent the first half hour having me sign paperwork, I was surprised when Dad gave me a call. I closed my office door and put him on speakerphone while I looked over the transcript of the deposition Vince had sat in on. “Hey, Dad, how’s it going back at work?”

“I wish I was back in Catalina,” Dad said with a laugh. “But considering the talk that Layla and Alix had last night, I wouldn’t have it any other way. What magic happened to have Alix call Layla like that?”

I was tempted to tell Dad the truth, but decided against it. It would lead to too many questions that I wasn’t prepared to answer. “I don’t really know, Dad. I was surprised when Alix asked to come with me to Portland, actually. If we didn’t spend most of the night talking, I would be worried, but I think she’s just moving on to a new stage in her life. Can you guess what she wants to do now?”

“What? Please don’t tell me she’s fallen in love with someone and wants to get married. Layla hated her last boyfriend. I can’t say I liked the guy either.”

How close you are, yet how far, Dad. “No, but she was saying she wants to take a sabbatical from modeling, and look at going to college. It was part of why she wanted to come up here, she’s looking at maybe going to PSU.”

“Really? That’s great,” Dad said, genuine happiness in his voice. “I mean, Alix is beautiful, and I was always happy for her modeling career, but she’s always had more brains than she gives herself credit for. Any idea what she wants to study?”

“Not yet. I think she really got fired up from all the investing and real estate work you’ve been helping her with, and she might be looking at something like that.”

“Well I’m glad to hear it. You know, Kade, Alix impresses me more and more every day. Why don’t you settle down and find a nice girl like her? I’m fifty-eight, and I’d like to be young enough to play with grandkids some day.”

I laughed, leaning back and setting my deposition transcript aside. “Dad, you and I both know there’s only one Alix Nova. Besides, you can’t rush love. Sometimes it just comes out of nowhere and smacks you in the face.”