One Funeral (No Weddings #2)(31)

Shocked that Daniel would invite a man we’d just met, I gaped at him, then shut my mouth before Ryan saw.

“That’s nearby on Fifth, right?”

Daniel nodded. “The first hand is dealt at 7:00 p.m.”

“Yeah, I could be there.” He shook Daniel’s hand. “Thanks, man.”

Ryan looked down at me, but with the heated undercurrent of his gaze, I backed up a step. If Daniel wanted to protect me, then I would let him.

Ryan gave me a quick nod. “Give it some thought. We have three private VIP rooms in six clubs and two in four others. Every Friday and Saturday night they’re booked with clients having private parties. That would be a lot of cake orders.”

“I’ll think it over.” Smart business demanded I do nothing less.

“Have a great afternoon.” Ryan tipped his head at us before he stepped back from the counter and headed toward the door.

Then I saw beyond him. Cade stood inside the doorway in an aggressive stance. He glared at Ryan.

Ryan nodded as he passed him and pulled open the door halfway, which was all Cade’s unmoving body would allow. Cade gave a curt nod back.

I blinked at the display of testosterone from Cade. He was like a male buck, looking to lock horns over a territory dispute. And I was the territory.

Cade slid his gaze back toward me and strode over, swiping up the business card. Then he pocketed it.

“Hey!” I pushed Daniel aside and followed Cade over to the couch, where he dropped his messenger bag and began taking off his jacket. “That’s my business card.”

Cade gave me a pointed look edged with warning while he lowered onto the couch. “It’s our business card since I’m mentoring you. And there’s no way in hell you’re considering his proposal without a thorough background check on the guy and his businesses.”

Daniel spoke up, voice low. “I don’t like the guy.”

“Me either,” Cade grumbled.

Fuming, I sat beside Cade and shoved my hand into the pocket where he’d stashed the card.

Cade’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. “Why, Maestro, how bold of you. I like where you’re headed, but in front of the kids? Should we get a room?”

Daniel chuckled and turned around, going back to his task. “Ignore me. Pretend I’m not here.” He pulled out the spray bottle and spritzed the front glass.

I growled low, glaring at Cade. “Shut it. Give me that card.”

He leaned forward, trapping my hand in his pocket. “Make me.”

“What are you, three?”

“Five, actually. When we were on the kindergarten playground, I stole Camie Winfield’s picture book.”

“Bully.”

“The exact opposite. Other boys were plotting to steal it, so I got to it first.”

I snorted, touching the corner of the card with a fingertip. I wrestled my hand around in the tight confines of his jeans’ pocket, trying to get another finger around it. “So you were a better bully than the rest. Doesn’t surprise me with your competitive nature.” On a hard shove from my shoulder, I forced my hand deeper. And brushed against something hard.

Cade sucked in a sudden breath, eyes widening.

My attention fell to his chest, which now rose and fell deeply. I swallowed hard, my initial fury dissipating into something more erotic.

His eyes were sparking with heat when I raised my gaze. “No, I was her only protector. They wanted to destroy it—pull apart the pages and scatter them across the playground. I guarded it for her and gave it back later.”

I stilled my hand. A sudden captive audience, because I’d trapped my hand in his clothing, I listened carefully to what he’d explained. He wasn’t being domineering because he could, but because he was looking out for me. Like Daniel had only moments ago from behind the counter.

My heart warmed. Two of the men in my life had stepped up to protect me when hints of danger blew my way, regardless of the actual threat.

A tiny smile curved my lips. “Thank you, Cade. It means a lot to have you looking out for me.”

He raised his eyebrows and glanced at his crotch. “Hey, I only did it so you’d cop a feel. Now I wish I’d worn looser pants.”

I yanked my hand from his pocket, abandoning the card. “You are unreal.”

He chuckled. “And don’t thank me yet. I’m going to that poker game tomorrow night.”

Daniel popped his head out of the display case where apparently sound channeled crystal clear. “So am I.”

I glanced back and forth between them, narrowing my eyes. “If you think I’m letting the two of you rake an unsuspecting victim over the coals, you’re delusional. Deal me in, boys.”

Cade pulled his head back, crossing his arms. “Really, Maestro? You play poker?” He shook his head. “I should’ve known.”

I ignored him, getting up and leaving him to his computer, his project, and his research on Mr. Wall Street Journal. I entered the domain of my kitchen to work out my frustration over posturing men, using a thick batter and sturdy whisk and hoping my card-playing skills were strong enough to play with those men.

Much more than money was at stake.



Cade insisted on picking me up for the card game, his tone making it clear that if I balked, there would be a fight. Not in the mood to deal with his surliness, and more than a bit turned on by his dominant, possessive side, I nodded and climbed on behind him on his custom-built chopper. At night, black paint that had dark purple ghost flames appeared all black, but the massive amount of chrome everywhere gleamed in even the dimmest of light.