Harlan

 

This man was amazing. With every surprise and every new experience, he proved just how wonderful he was. I had no idea what I was thinking, or why I pushed him away.

“Penny for your thoughts,” Cade said. I was beginning to love that phrase.

“I just can’t believe you did all this for Dil. He’s going to talk about this for the next month.”

“Well,” he said, his voice husky and deep, “I’d never promise to do something with him and not follow through.”

God, he couldn’t possibly be this perfect, could he?

“You made his day. Thank you so much, it was a wonderful surprise.”

“Thank you, for letting me,” he said, still poking at the fire. “I was worried you wouldn’t want him to try all of this. I know cooking over a fire can be intimidating.”

I grinned. “I’m not going to lie, I was worried, and I watched him like a hawk. But I trust you not to do something that would hurt him.”

He was quiet for a few long moments. “I guess we should get ready for bed too.”

“Won’t you need to go home to pack?” I asked. “We have an early flight.”

“No,” he said, standing. “I brought everything I need. We can just wake in the morning and go.”

I looked at the tent and then to Cade. Butterflies filled my gut. I knew I wasn’t sleeping with him alone. But the thought of waking up with him, of getting ready in the morning, and going to the airport together made me strangely giddy.

I stood, and gathered the rest of the food. Crouching down, I placed it in the bag Cade brought with him. When I turned, I ran right into Cade. His chest was like a brick wall, solid and unyielding. I stumbled, but before I could fall, he wrapped his arms around my waist, steadying me. My hands shot to his chest, and all I could think about was how it felt to have his arms around me. He didn’t say anything, but I felt his gaze devour me.

“You okay there, darlin’?” Cade whispered.

When I finally glanced up at him, I was lost in his deep blue depths. Two things occurred to me in that moment, the first was that Cade was amazing. He’d done so much for my son, and for me, and never expected anything in return. He was a great guy with a heart of gold. The second was, I was an idiot.

I couldn’t let one more moment pass. I reached up, put my arms around his neck, and brought Cade’s lips down to meet mine. He responded instantly, sliding one of his hands into my hair while his other arm pulled me tighter against his chest. Cade kissed me slowly, taking his time. He slid his tongue between my lips, tasting me and igniting a fire in my gut. I knew I’d never be able to quench the inferno that was starting inside me. I let out a soft, feminine moan, pulling him tighter and lacing my fingers into his short, soft hair. We moved perfectly together, kissing like we’d been together for years. I was lost in him, in the feeling, and in the perfect night.

“Momma? Where are you?” The moment instantly lost with Dillon’s sweet voice.

I pulled my lips away from Cade’s, breathing deeply. I looked toward the tent. The flashlight was on, dancing around inside.

“I’m coming, baby,” I said, loud enough for Dillon to hear.

“Okay, momma.” Dillon didn’t come out of the tent, he just moved the circle of light around.

I buried my face in Cade’s chest and breathed deeply. He smelled of fire and the outdoors, it was intoxicating. His strong arms tightened around my waist, pulling me tighter to his body. The thud of his heart pulsed under my cheek, belying his usual reserved behavior. Nothing appeared to get to him, but the pounding of his heart told me that perhaps I had, and I loved the courage that gave me.

“Guess we should get to bed,” Cade said, that confident, sexy smirk crossing his incredible lips. The lips that made me feel more than I ever had before.

“Um, yes. We should,” I whispered.

I couldn’t read him, didn’t know what the hell he was thinking. I got the hint when he took my hand, kissed my palm, and said, “Let’s go.”              

Cade held the flap of the tent open for me to climb inside. He climbed in just behind me and settled on the opposite side of Dillon, facing the two of us.

Dillon popped up just a bit from his sleeping bag and grinned. “Hi, momma,” he said tiredly.

“Hi, baby. Let’s go to sleep.”

A huge yawn escaped the little boy before he turned toward me and snuggled into his pillow. His brown eyes drooped just a bit as he watched me kick off my shoes and climb into my sleeping bag. He pulled one arm out and reached out, taking my hand.

“Night, night, momma.”

“Goodnight, baby.”

My gaze found Cade. He laid on top of his sleeping bag, watching us. He didn’t say a word, just held my gaze. His crooked grin displayed the dimple that I loved so much. Contentedness filled me fully. I loved how he made me feel, but it scared me to death. All I knew was I’d never felt the way Cade made me feel. And I wanted more.

***

Every chance he had, Cade touched me in some sweet, innocent way. In the airport, he placed his hand on the small of my back and guided me through the throngs of people waiting for security. He sat next to me on the plane and discretely laced his fingers with mine between us where no one else could see.

He did that a lot, but he never allowed anyone into our private world. He only allowed the briefest touches and passing kisses. That went on for weeks. We snuck moments together, as often as we could, but it was becoming harder and harder to stay away. So, when I found him standing inside my motorhome in Sonoma, I didn’t stop myself. I launched at him, wrapping my arms around his neck.

“Hey, sweetheart. I’m happy to see you too.” He leaned down and kissed me briefly.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, gazing up into his sapphire eyes. “I didn’t expect to see you here today.”

“Thought we could have dinner together.”

“Momma,” Dil shouted, running from the back room of the motorhome. “Cade got pizza.”

“I didn’t have time to cook anythin’,” he said. “I just got done in the garage a little while ago. Pizza seemed easiest.”

I looked at Dillon and Cade confused. “Where’s Margie? How’d you get Dillon?” My grandfather couldn’t make it this trip because of problems with his business, which had become a regular issue. He wasn’t ready to completely step back, and I respected that. Thank goodness Margie volunteered to watch Dillon at the tracks.

“I picked Dil up after I was done in the garage.” Cade’s tone became slightly defensive, he appeared worried. “We thought we’d surprise you with dinner.”

“I helped,” Dil announced proudly. “I paid the pizza man.”

Cade pulled a huge box out of the oven and opened it, releasing the delicious smells of cheese, sauce, and pepperoni. My stomach suddenly rumbled loudly, announcing just how hungry I was.

Cade chuckled. “Sounds like someone is hungry.” Then his grin flattened just a bit. “Seriously, was this okay? I don’t want to overstep.”

I gazed between the happiness in my little boy and the amazing man who had stolen my heart and found I wasn’t upset or worried at all. “It was more than okay,” I said. “I’m thrilled to spend the evening with you and have dinner. Besides, I haven’t eaten all day. Pass the breadsticks.”

Cade prepared a slice of pizza for Dillon and placed him at the table with me. I got an overwhelming sense of happiness as I took in the sight before me. My two guys, seated together, enjoying dinner. This all just felt right—perfect. We ate, talked, and laughed together. It felt like a real family, like the meals I shared with my parents before I lost them.

“I have an idea,” Cade said when everything was cleaned up and put away. “Let’s take a ride.”

“Do you have a car?” I asked. I haven’t left any of the tracks we’ve been to since I started with Turner Racing.

He chuckled again. “Yeah, I rented a car when I got here. Didn’t want to be stranded,” he explained. “I even included a car seat in the rental.”

I quickly changed into shorts and a green tank top while Cade put shoes on Dillon. When I came out of the bedroom area, Cade stood by the door, holding Dil in his arms. The feeling of complete contentment washed over me, making my heart swell. My smile stretched as two words came to mind. My guys.

***

“I want rainbow jimmies,” Dillon announced, giggling and bouncing around in front of the counter as we ordered.

“Okay, baby. Calm down, you can get rainbow jimmies on your ice cream.”

Cade ordered, and we sat at one of the picnic benches surrounding the outdoor ice cream stand next to a playground. Dillon devoured his cone and ran off to play as Cade and I watched.

“How was your day?” I asked.

“You know, race prep is always the same. I’m just hopin’ nothin’ crazy happens at the race. I think I spend more time worryin’ about fallin’ or something than about the actual job.”

“Yes, I always worry myself into a tizzy before a race. I worry about causing a wreck, or getting caught up in one. It’s nerve-wracking.”

He took a bite of his ice cream before continuing. “You’ll be fine. You can’t control other drivers, you can only control yourself.”

I sighed, “Yes. I know.” I turned my attention to Dillon sitting on the swing, trying to make it go.

“He’s such a cool kid,” Cade said. “I’m glad we could do this tonight.”

“Thank you,” I said, sipping on my milkshake. “He’s having so much fun.”

Cade took my hand and squeezed it. “It’s my pleasure. I enjoy spendin’ time with you and Dil.” He paused for a moment and looked out toward Dillon moving his legs in opposite directions on the swing. “Just do me a favor, don’t shut me out again. I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know that I wanna give this a shot with you.” He glanced over at me and stared in my eyes. “Both of you.”

“Cade, come push me,” Dillon shouted from the swings.

“Duty calls,” he said with that sexy smirk.

Cade pushed Dillon higher and higher on the swing. Dillon’s giggles and squeals with each thrust made my heart expand to almost bursting. My two loves. The thought caught me off guard for but a moment as the realization hit me. I was falling in love with Cade. It had only been a couple months, but there was no doubt in my mind that I had started to fall in love with him. It terrified and thrilled me. What if he didn’t feel the same? He obviously was interested, but love?

Could someone fall in love that quickly? I’d heard of love at first sight, but never once believed it. You couldn’t fall in love with someone you didn’t know, but I knew Cade. I knew his heart and his kindness. I also knew his passion and loyalty. Realization hit me hard. I wasn’t falling in love, I was in love with Cade.

“Momma,” Dillon squealed. “Come swing with me!”

Wholly drawn out of my thoughts, my heart swelled as I approached Cade and Dillon. Cade chuckled every time Dillon giggled. Cade’s blue eyes were bright with affection for my son. That look made me fall just a little more. It was there in his eyes, he adored my son.

“Come on, Momma, swing.”

I sat down next to Dillon as he swept back and forth. Just as I was beginning to push myself off and start the climb, strong arms circled my waist and pulled me back. Cade had me in his arms, pressed against his chest. He held me for just a moment before pressing a light kiss to my neck. Without a word, he pulled back and pushed me high into the air. Dillon and I soared back and forth as Cade kept us both flying as high as he could.

Feet back on the ground and the sky turning shades of orange, pink, and purple, we made our way back to the truck.

“Thank you,” I said as we drove down the highway toward the track. I looked back at my son, sound asleep with a smile on his beautiful little face. “You made his day. He adores you.”

“Hopefully he’s not the only one,” Cade murmured, his voice deep with meaning.

Butterflies in my stomach began to build and flutter at an erratic pace. For once I was determined to show my spirit, the audaciousness that carried me around a track at two-hundred miles per hour without fear. I took Cade’s hand, my fingers laced with his, and I glanced his way. His fingers tightened around mine just slightly, giving me the rest of the courage I needed to say the words that were trying to explode from my chest.

“No, he’s not the only one.”