He's the One Read Online Free Page A

me?"
    "Enough,” she said succinctly.
    "Enough to trust me?"
    Taylor hesitated. “Not quite,” she admitted, and then smiled a little shyly. “But ... soon."
    "That's good."
    "I'm sorry if I put you on the spot tonight."
    "Don't worry about it."
    "So you get propositioned all the time?"
    Cade shrugged. “Goes with the job."
    She unlocked the door and pushed it open.
    "One more thing.” Cade's hand touched her bare shoulder and sparks flew. Her breath stalled in her lungs. She turned back to him, but when he cupped her face in an almost tender embrace, its gentleness sucked everything from her.
    Then he kissed her.
    Taylor gasped and inhaled his scent. The physicality of him. Pure sex. Pure male. It almost sent her over the edge, to a place she didn't know. She kissed him back.
    He teased her mouth, grazing her bottom lip with the scrape of his teeth and once again, Taylor began to drown.
    "You can't bury yourself in your fantasy weddings, Taylor Sullivan.” His voice almost purred against her cheek.
    But Taylor's brain had shut down to everything but the taste of him, and the aching need that swelled deep down inside her.
    "This is our fantasy. Is this what you want?” he asked.
    Definitely. But Taylor didn't say so. She couldn't admit it. Not out loud. Not even to herself, really. She pulled away and grappled for oxygen. She needed to breathe. But oh, how she needed Cade's kiss to go on forever.
    Nothing is forever.
    With shaking fingers she battled for control, fumbling in her purse. She refused look at the condoms. “Here's my card. If you..."
    "I haven't changed my mind.” Cade's gentle touch caressed her cheek. He looked directly at her, dark eyes earnest. “It's still yes, Taylor."
    The card slipped from her fingers. “It is?"
    "Uh huh. So what's next?"
    "I don't know."
    "It's your call. You're the boss, Taylor.” But Cade saw her hesitation. “What? You thought you'd just jump my bones and get it over with tonight?"
    Taylor swallowed her embarrassment. Yes, that was exactly what she'd thought. Businesslike. Organized. Get it over with and get on with life.
    He lifted her hand in his, turning it over, then back again as if he tried to read her palm. He smiled then—slow and sweet. It made Taylor want to reach up and trace his mouth, to feel his smile.
    "Sorry, no can do."
    "Why not?” God, did she actually ask that?
    "Because, call me old fashioned, but I think we need to take it slow, let it smolder, heat up and get in the mood. Making love isn't wham bam thank you, ma'am, it's an art."
    Mood? An art form? Lord. She was in the mood now . One kiss and her body burned for him. She had to get out of here before she did exactly what he said and jumped his bones.
    "Well, thank you for being a ... gentleman."
    "No problem. When would you like to meet again?"
    How about ten minutes time , her subconscious offered.
    "Um ... maybe tomorrow. I've got to check my diary."
    "Of course. Business before pleasure."
    Taylor's head jerked up. She caught Cade's amused grin. Those dimples sure were a temptation.
    "Business is what pays the bills."
    "And love is what the makes the world go round, or so they say."
    "This isn't about love."
    Cade's grin slipped. “No, it's not. It's about giving you some experience. Don't worry; I'll phone you."
    And with that, Taylor realized she'd been summarily dismissed. Thrusting the car door open, she jack-knifed out as fast as her trembling legs allowed, and although she bent down to say thanks, Cade didn't give her time. He gunned his hot car and, with a squeal of tires, sped off into the night.
    "Just like a knight in shining armor,” Taylor murmured as she watched the retreating vehicle.
    Trouble was she wasn't sure she could handle being rescued by Mr. Harper.
    * * * *
    The Mustang's revs vibrated as Cade drove up Mt. Victoria. He didn't have a clue why he headed there, except he wasn't ready to go back to the bar and face the curious glances or his sister's interrogation. Katie