He pulled her against him, cupping her hips and pressing himself against her soft curves. She gasped, her head falling back as his mouth sealed across hers. His tongue stroked deep once, pushing his control to the limits. He tore his mouth from hers. “You make me crazy, wanting you.”
“You’re right, this is...crazy.” She slipped from his hold, drawing in deep shuddering breaths before she managed. “You can’t always have what you want.” She shook her head. “What is it they say about anticipation heightening sensation?”
He didn’t know whether he should laugh or drag her farther into the gardens. She wouldn’t say no, she didn’t want to. She craved him as much as he wanted her, and they both knew it.
“There you are.” Bianca appeared. “You two ready?”
He was impressed with Cady’s quick recovery. “Yes, Patton was kind enough to wait for me to finish talking to Charles.”
“I still say Charles has the hots for you,” Bianca sighed. “Is he cute? Any potential there? It might actually be a good idea, considering how much time you spend working.”
Bianca’s words were like a cold shower. For the second time he reminded himself he had no right to feel this way. It was natural for other men to want Cady. He glanced at her. But he didn’t want to think about that—or her wanting someone else.
“He’s fine, I guess. No potential,” Cady argued. “He’s just so...so incompetent. I swear we go over and over the same thing, and he still has the same questions.”
“Exactly,” Bianca said, taking Cady’s hand. “If he gets it, he won’t have any excuse to call and text you whenever he wants. And you always said his dad adores you, calls you the daughter he should have had. Makes sense that Charles, who has a daddy complex, would try to win you over.”
Patton followed them, considering Bianca’s take on things. He had never met Charles, so he didn’t know how sharp this guy was. But Bianca had a point.
“Does he have any relevant experience or training?” Patton asked.
Cady glanced back at him. “He has an MBA. I think his bachelor’s degree is in business. So, even if he did take a computer class or two, he really doesn’t understand coding or database management or security programming.”
He didn’t say much as Bianca led them out of the main buildin
g of the Botanical Gardens. He was too busy grappling with jealousy—serious jealousy. And it was something he’d never experienced before. Not that he had a reason to be jealous.
He paused then. What would she say if he asked her out on a real date? Was he seriously thinking about asking her out? Now? When the only thing he needed to be thinking about was work and his brother’s disaster of a wedding. No, this wasn’t the time. First things first.
He followed the women outside, toward a field with a dramatic stone arch that led into a fanciful stone temple.
“What do you think?” Bianca asked. “It’s like a mini Parthenon? Can’t you just see it, wrapped in vines and flowers—and some pretty candles?”
Cady ran a hand along one of the carved stone pillars, her eyes sweeping along the curved ceiling of the structure. She nodded. “It’s very you.”
“It is, isn’t it? But GG thinks a wedding should be inside. She always goes on about some friends’ wedding. It was outside and it rained so there was mud all over. She’s very anti-outdoor wedding.”
Carolina jumped in then. “Sadly, this is the only space we have available for at least eighteen months.”
Zach slid his arms around Bianca from behind. “I’ll make sure there’s no rain on our wedding day.”
Patton glanced at Cady and noticed the calculating way she was inspecting his brother. He stiffened, ready to defend Zach. But then he relaxed. She didn’t need to like his little brother. All she needed to do was help him break this up... And spend every nonworking, nonplotting second naked in his bed.
6
CHARLES HEMBRECHT THANKED Cady for the hundredth time then surprised her by asking, “I was hoping I could take you to dinner?”
She shook her head. “You don’t have to—”
“But I want to,” he countered then cleared his throat. “I was hoping you’d come to the annual office party with me.”
“Charles.” She wasn’t about to get involved with the boss’s son, but she sure as hell didn’t want to piss anyone off. “I have a strict policy. I don’t date people I work with. And...I have a date for the party already. But thank you.” She didn’t have a date—but she’d get one. Since Mr. Hembrecht had asked her to do a security presentation, she couldn’t really skip it.
“That’s a good policy.” He nodded, clearly disappointed.
Her phone barked, her text sound for Bianca. “That’s my ride.” She let out a slow, relieved breath.
“Interesting ringtone.” He grinned. “Have a nice night.”