“Cade. . .You don’t have to. . .”

  “Oh, I definitely have to. There is nothing in this world right now that could keep me from wanting to taste you.”

  She glanced down, captivated by the sight of him on his knees staring at her body like she was the most delicious thing he’d ever laid eyes on. Water ran down over his strong shoulders and back, and she traced it with her fingers.

  “I have to taste you.” He kissed down her belly before grabbing one of her legs behind the knee and easing it over his shoulder, opening her to him.

  “Have to.” He kissed up her thigh, then licked her in one long stroke, fingers clamping around her thighs as he did.

  “Cade. Oh God.” Her head fell back against the shower wall as he did it again.

  And again.

  He showed no mercy, and all she could do was slide her fingers into his thick hair and hold on as he drove her higher and higher again with his talented mouth. He didn’t just taste, he feasted. Like he was a starving man and the only thing that would satisfy him was her.

  Lights danced behind her closed eyes as her body melted in pleasure. She sobbed his name, collapsing back against the wall, her whole body shaking as the orgasm completely overtook her.

  Cade kissed down her thigh again, easing her leg off his shoulder, then kissing his way up her body as he stood. He rinsed them both one last time—having to pull her physically off the wall—then shut off the water.

  She was almost drunk with this feeling. He smiled at her as he toweled himself off, then gently set to drying her.

  “That was amazing.” She knew she’d already said that once, but it was all she seemed to be able to manage.

  He kissed her more tenderly than he ever had.

  “We’re just getting started.”

  Chapter 23

  “Cade. You’ve got drool on your pillow again.”

  As far as whispers went, this one was pretty loud and directly into his ear. But given Jess’s normal volume, it wasn’t too bad.

  “That’s because I was sleeping, knucklehead. People are supposed to drool when they sleep.”

  “Only mouth-breathers.”

  “You’re four. What do you know about mouth-breathers?” He forced one eye open.

  “I’m almost five. And I hear things. Uncle Baby was talking about Stranger Things.”

  “You’ve seen Stranger Things?”

  She shrugged. “No, we’re not allowed to watch it until we’re twelve.”

  He was falling in love with this child and her amazing brain as quickly as he was falling in love with her mother. The thought should terrify him, yet here he was sleeping on a couch a foot and a half too short for him.

  Cade groaned as he sat up. Five nights on that lumpy piece of. . .furniture was leaving him sore all over, but he didn’t care. Until they had this stalker captured, he was stuck to these ladies like glue.

  Even if it meant the couch.

  There had been no other incidents like the dead cat or the car for the past five days, but neither had there been any progress on figuring out who was behind it. Dennis Redman had missed his appointment with his parole officer the day Peyton had almost been hit by the car. But it was because he’d been at a job fair—something his parole officer had approved.

  But nearly impossible to confirm Dennis had actually been there.

  Until this was sorted out, Cade had a team around Peyton and Jess when he couldn’t be with them himself. That hadn’t been too often.

  He understood, even respected, the need for him to sleep out here on the couch and not in the bed with Peyton. Loved that Peyton put the emotional wellbeing of their daughter above everything else.

  Even if he had a crick in his back and wanted Peyton way more than the few times he’d managed to sneak into her room like they were both teenagers.

  “Is your mom still sleep?”

  “Yeah.” Jess shrugged. “I thought I’d give her a few extra minutes.”

  He chuckled. “Do you know what precocious means?”

  She raised an eyebrow. “Do you know what are you my mom’s boyfriend means?”

  He sat up. He and Peyton still hadn’t decided when the best time would be to tell Jess the truth about him. Neither of them wanted it to be in the middle of this craziness. They weren’t sure if there would be emotional fallout.

  “I want to be your mom’s boyfriend.” He wanted to be a hell of a lot more than that. “Your mom is very special to me. She always has been.”

  Jess nodded. “Yeah, she’s the best.”

  “I would never try to take her away from you, you know that, right?”

  She looked at him like she might pat him on the head and escort him to Special Ed classes any minute. “Yeah, I know.”

  But it just went to prove what an amazing job Peyton had done with her. The concept of someone being able to replace her in her mother’s heart was completely foreign to Jess.

  “I’d like to be a part of both of your lives.”

  He really would’ve gotten up and made a pot of coffee if he had known there were such deep talks scheduled for this morning. He rubbed his eyes, then stretched. Jess took the opportunity to plop down next to him on the couch.

  “You’re famous, right?

  Definitely needed coffee. “I’m a singer. A musician.”

  This unmistakably interested her. “You play instruments?”

  “Mostly guitar. A little piano. Why, are you interested in learning? I could teach you.”

  There was nothing he’d like more than to teach his daughter the instrument that had brought him such joy and an amazing career.

  She shrugged. “Actually, I’m already good at piano. I’m also pretty good at violin and harp.”

  He turned to stare at her. “You play all those? Aren’t you in pre-K?”

  She shrugged the little shoulder again and looked so much like Peyton, Cade’s heart actually stopped for second. “I go to a fancy-smancy school. They help us figure out what we’re good at.”

  Cade knew all about the private school Jess had been invited to attend. He knew details about Brearley Academy he was pretty sure Peyton didn’t know.

  “Your mom didn’t mention to me that you were interested in music. She only said you were really good with math.”

  Not to mention off-the-charts in analytical thinking, quantitative reasoning and problem solving.

  She shrugged. “Instruments are math. That’s why they’re so easy. I like playing Beethoven best.”

  “You’re playing Beethoven?”

  “Only on the piano and violin.”

  Shit. Holy shit. His kid was a genius.

  “I’d like to hear you play sometime. Or maybe we could play together, although I don’t really play Beethoven.”

  She snuggled next to him, her little legs barely stretching over the couch cushion. She flexed and pointed her toes in an alternating fashion the way any four-year-old would.

  “Look.” Her voice became serious. “I haven’t told Mom about the instrument things.”

  “Why?”

  “It costs extra.” Her little feet stopped moving. “Mom works really hard, and I think some of it is to pay for my school stuff. I don’t want her to have to work harder for me.”

  His heart tightened in his chest.

  “Well, what if I use my famous person money and help your mom out a little with all this? She would want you to have every opportunity, you know that, right? Especially if you’re good at something.”

  “Yeah.” Jess rolled her eyes. “She says that to me all the time.”

  “Because it’s true.”

  She jumped up without any warning. “Okay, good talk. Glad you’re my mom’s boyfriend. I’ve got to get ready for school.”

  She turned toward her room, but then spun back around and ran to him, throwing herself up on him, sure he would catch her.

  And he would. He would always catch her.

  Her tiny arms wrapped around his neck and he pulled her close. “Thanks, Cade.”

  She jumped down and dashed back to her room. “Morning, Mom!” she yelled as Peyton came out of her bedroom.

  “Looks like you two made friends.”

  He walked over to her and kissed her, tasting minty toothpaste on her breath. “Evidently little miss approves of me being your boyfriend.”

  “Is that right? Do I get any say in the matter?”

  He stepped back and patted her on the ass. “I don’t think so, no. I’m not even sure if I get any say in the matter.”

  “You can’t keep sleeping here on the couch. We’re going to have to figure something out.”

  He walked into the kitchen to make coffee. “We will. We’ve got time.”

  Since Peyton needed some more time in the editing suite, Cade took Jess to school. It was exactly what he’d expected to find: open, bright, with engaging adults, and the best equipment and facilities money could buy.

  Brearley Academy was a private, progressive school for advanced students. The waiting list was extensive and attendance was by invitation only. And even then, the parents had to pay the exorbitant tuition and fees.

  No wonder Peyton had been working three jobs to make ends meet.

  But for a child like Jess—and yeah, he was biased but that didn’t make her any less remarkable—attending a school like Brearley Academy would challenge her and allow her to learn and grow to her fullest potential.

  It was perhaps the greatest gift a mother could’ve given a child so advanced.

  Brearley was widely regarded as one of the most difficult preparatory schools to be accepted into in the country. Peyton must have been thrilled when Jess received the invitation to attend, especially when it had seemed to come out of the blue.

  Cade was willing to bet Peyton had no idea Brearley was his maternal grandmother’s maiden name. That his family had founded the school more than fifty years ago. And that Cecelia had sat on the Board of Trustees for years and continued to do so.

  Yes, Jess belonged at Brearley Academy. But it was his aunt who had ensured that happened.

  He hadn’t talked to Cecelia since confronting her about what had happened with Peyton. He’d have to face her again eventually, but he wasn’t ready to do it yet.

  And while he appreciated Cecelia making sure his daughter had a place in the prestigious school, she should’ve also made sure Peyton didn’t have to kill herself to pay for it.

  But he would see to that himself, starting today. He already had his business manager on it.

  This evening, they were shooting one of the last scenes for the “Echo” video.

  The documentary film had been finished for a while. He didn’t miss having the cameras following him around, but he certainly missed Peyton being part of that crew. She was excellent at her job—making sure they got the shots they needed while trying to be as unobtrusive as possible. Sometimes coming up with new ideas off the cuff. Everyone respected her and recognized her talent.

  She was so professional and hard working. And Cade. . .well, he generally wanted to throw her down on the nearest horizontal surface and lick all that professionalism right off of her.

  Everett caught him as he was walking in the door of the offices they’d turned into a mini- studio.

  “You looking for Peyton? She’s back in the editing suite.”

  “No. I’ll let her work. I just stopped by to pick up my Luna. We’re going to use it tonight for the shoot, but I wanted to practice for a couple hours first.” Maybe he could get Jess one of his favorite brand guitars too. Maybe they made a smaller version. Hell, she was barely big enough to play a ukulele.

  He smiled, then winced at the pinch in his neck from that damned couch.

  Everett gave him the once over. “You doing okay? You’re looking a little rough.”

  Cade sighed. “Sore neck from Peyton’s couch. But yeah, being on watch for the boogeyman all the time takes a toll.”

  Everett slapped him on the shoulder. “Why don’t you take a little time in the writing cave? I’m sure Mark can find somebody to watch Peyton and Jess.”

  Cade shook his head. “Not right now, man. I don’t have any words right now. I know there’s a lot of stuff going on and all the angst, but the truth is, I’m happy. Happiness doesn’t mix well with songwriting, I guess.”

  That wasn’t actually true. Cade had all sorts of words floating around in his mind right now. Some of the best stuff he’d thought of in years. And for the first time, the words were coming from a place of joy rather than pain and loneliness. But he wasn’t ready to share it yet. Not with Everett, definitely not with Lance and the label.

  He would eventually, but not yet.

  “Damn happiness. Gets in the way of everything.” Everett gave a melodramatic sigh, shaking his head.

  Cade would take it. “You can say that again.”

  “Speaking of getting in the way, I was talking to Lowell Thaxton. Evidently, some ‘Echo’ footage leaked online a few days ago—I’m sure we all know we can blame Lance for that—and Thaxton nearly wet himself he was so excited about what he saw.”

  Lowell Thaxton was a country artist. He and Cade had a friendly rivalry. Cade generally liked the guy, although he was definitely a player. Or as he liked to call himself after one of his songs, Country Boy Casanova.

  “Figures.”

  “When he heard it was an unknown director, he called me wanting all the details. I knew a video for Thaxton could be a huge step in Peyton’s career if she wanted to continue this work, so I told him about her.”

  Cade didn’t like the thought of Peyton working with Nashville’s most notorious playboy, but Everett was right. This could be a huge boost for the start of her career.

  “Okay.” Cade forced a smile. “Yeah, that’s really a good idea. Thank you. When I see Peyton tonight, I’ll mention it. She’s too good not to be working in the business.”

  “Oh, you wanted to tell her about it? I’m sorry.”

  Cade shook his head. “Did you already tell her? That’s fine.”

  “No, Thaxton was passing through town, so I invited him over, and I think he’s talking to Peyton in the editing room right now.”

  “I’ve got to go.”

  Cade didn’t care if he sounded like a jealous high schooler.

  Because, damn it, he felt like a jealous high schooler.

  As he got closer to the tiny office/editing suite and heard Peyton giggle, Cade wasn’t sure he wasn’t going to totally lose his cool like he’d tended to in high school. And Baby wasn’t here to neutralize the situation this time.

  He opened the cracked door as he knocked. “Everything going okay in here?”

  Startled, Peyton jerked in front of the large television screen and keyboard and spun around to face Cade.

  Thaxton, who had his fucking arm resting over the top of Peyton’s chair, was much more collected.

  “Cade, how are you? I was doing some early season skiing in Jackson Hole when I saw the new footage of your song. Had to get my ass right over here to try to rope whatever talent was responsible for that.”

  Cade raised an eyebrow. “Is that so?”

  Thaxton may be a player, but he was also smart. He could already sniff Cade’s possessiveness over Peyton. Cade hated that he was so obvious, but he couldn’t have stopped those feelings if he tried.

  “That’s very definitely so. I never dreamed it would be a filly like Peyton. She’s something to behold—been showing me a little of the documentary. I’m so glad that footage leaked.” The bastard had the nerve to give Cade a little smile as he leaned in closer to Peyton. “So glad.”

  Peyton’s eyes expanded. “I didn’t leak it. I promise.”

  For all her talents, she had no idea how this business really worked. “I know you didn’t, Peaches. It was probably Lance or someone else with the label. Whetting appetites.”

  Thaxton winked at Peyton. “Mine is most definitely whetted.”

  It was taking all of Cade self-control to not punch the asshole in the face.

  “Thaxton, why don’t we go into town, and I’ll buy you a beer. Peyton has work to do.”

  For a second, Cade thought Thaxton was going to refuse, but then he stood, offering Peyton his hand. “Miss Ward, it was a pleasure to meet you. I feel certain you’re going to have a number of offers coming in once this full video goes live, but I hope you’ll place mine at the top of the list.”

  She reached out to shake his hand, but he took it and brought her hand to his lips instead.

  Cade forced himself to take three deep breaths, squashing the urge to leap over the chairs and pull them apart.

  Thaxton knew exactly what he was doing and was enjoying every second of it.

  “We still on for the re-shoots this evening?” Cade asked Peyton when she smiled at Thaxton. “Or are you wasting so much time we’ll have to reschedule?”

  They both turned to him. Peyton’s eyes narrowed. Thaxton’s grin grew.

  Fuck.

  “I’ll be there on time,” she bit out..

  “Beer sounds awesome, Cade.” Thaxton clapped him on the shoulder.

  Cade ignored the tension in Peyton’s shoulders as she turned back to the screen. All he could think about was getting Thaxton out of here.

  Away from her.

  Of course, people were going to want her to make all sorts of creative pieces for them once they realized what she could do—videos, movies. She was just getting started.

  But he’d be damned if he was going to sit here and watch Lowell Thaxton hit on her right in front of him. “Yeah, a beer sounds good. Let’s go”

  Chapter 24

  Peyton set up and tested the lighting for the reshoot they were doing tonight. There was a team that could do this, but she’d sent them all home.

  No one, including Silas, had been happy about that, but the fact of the matter was Peyton had creative control over this project, and she could do whatever she wanted.

  Right now, she wanted to tell Cade O’Conner that he’d better get his head out of his ass.

  Being here alone in the warehouse was actually a little bit of a relief. She’d appreciated having him around and that he’d even been willing to sleep on her couch even though neither of them really wanted him out there. Had appreciated the time and effort he was putting into his daughter and the fact that he wanted to keep them safe.

 

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