41 - Kiss

Cade's head spun as he and Meg discussed her mother's invitation. Her sad face led to an ache deep inside his chest. Her happiness mattered, and he wanted to be the person to make her happy. As long as her parents didn't tear them apart. But why would they ever accept him?

Saved by the vibrating phone, he didn't move away from Meg when he reached for it and answered. The connection of their bodies as she laid against him gave him inner peace.

"Hi Dad."

"Sorry, I couldn't talk last night."

"Were you on a date?"

"I was out with a friend."

"She's not related to the mob is she?"

Meg snickered. Cade rolled his eyes as Dan assured him she was not. "What was it you wanted to ask me?"

"Why didn't you tell me you knew AG Rice?"

Dan chuckled. "It was years ago. I always liked him. We talked about parenting. He grew up wealthy, but he could make a homeless man comfortable." How about the guy dating his daughter? "Why are you asking? You aren't in more trouble?"

"No. His, um, daughter was my alibi. We've been seeing each other." Dan laughed, but Cade frowned. "What's so funny?"

Through his laughter, Dan said, "You kissed her when you were a little tike, possibly still in diapers."

"Are you sure?"

"I remember it as plain as day. You were playing, just going in circles. Brian turned away, and you leaned in and planted one."

Cade smiled. What a coincidence for them to find each other after so many years. She literally bumped into him. "Where?"

"Her lips. Then Leigh told you no, and you cried. Brian turned back as I was lifting you up. I told him you touched her dress. He looked at me holding you and told me I was a lucky man to have a son, as well as a daughter. I knew I was, but hearing him say it felt good."

"I can't believe it. He wants to meet me."

"Tell him. I guess I'm glad he's done well for himself, not that there was any doubt."

"According to Meg, he's been looking out for me and Leigh since, um, my mother's marriage."

"I don't know what she was thinking. She's not the same woman I married."

"I know. She's not the woman who raised me." He didn't like to talk about his mother at all, but definitely not with his father. "Um, I need to go."

"Hey Cade, tell him thanks for watching out for you."

"Okay. Thanks, Dad." Cade slowly put his phone down on the table next to him. He looked at Meg. "That was interesting."

"I couldn't hear. What did he tell you?"

A grin spread across his face. "He lied to your father. I didn't touch your dress. I kissed you."

She giggled. "You what? You really did?"

He nodded. "No wonder Leigh made me cry."

She laughed. "You were a little heartbreaker. Did you kiss girls in kindergarten too?"

Cade shook his head. "I don't think so, but I want to kiss you now."

She giggled again, as he captured her bottom lip and sucked on it before opening her lips with his probing tongue. Her taste was his favorite flavor. He wanted to bottle her scent, but suspected it already came in an expensive bottle.

Their hands took part in the passionate kiss as pieces of clothing one by one littered the floor. Cade groaned. "I want you here, but the condoms are in the bedroom."

She bit her lip. Then she opened her mouth but shut it. "I'll go with you." A shadow crossed her face, as she sighed. "It's not you, it's me."

He nodded. "I get it. You need to be careful, especially since you want your promotion and..."

"You understand me. Although I was concerned because I, um, slept with..."

"I get it. If only things worked out differently." They could have been dating for a half a year already.

"Don't be sad. You kissed me first."

Cade laughed. "And you're with me now." He had to let the past go. Blaming Pacheco wouldn't help him move on from the fear. She faked it with Tyler and Cade proved he could give her the real thing.

Later, Cade's fingers didn't work as he tried to button his shirt. Maybe he was out of practice. He hadn't worn a starched shirt since they sold the business. A lifetime ago, but he liked his new life, if only he could erase the in between.

Cade wanted her parents to like him, only then could he visualize a future with Meg. Another part of him was afraid to get close to her. Self preservation was paramount.

Meg stepped over to him. "Let me help."

He held out his hand, and she nimbly secured the pesky, tiny buttons at the cuff. She continued with the ones he missed up the front. "I'd rather you take it off me."

She laughed. "We spent half the day in bed. Plus, we just showered."

He admired her simple dress. Meg changed personas, as she looked like a hybrid between the day they met and his Meg. "Not quite like your mother."

She smiled. "Nope. I'm changing my style. There will be occasions, but I prefer to look my age."

He smiled. "Twenty-five." The pink hue on her cheeks made him shift his legs. "You still have this." He touched her headband.

"It's my style. My mother wears pearls and I wear preppy headbands."

"You can wear it with nothing on at all."

She pushed his chest. "Come on. Tuck in your shirt. We need to go."

The rain had stopped, but the air felt cold and damp. "We could've run."

She snickered. "No time. We were busy." She was insatiable. No faking, he smiled, but she frowned. "I hope my mother doesn't pull a fast one on us."

His gut tightened. "Fast what?"

"Invite others."

"Who?" He could guess.

"The Hathornes, always the Hathornes."

"I'll just tell Tyler you don't fake it."

She gasped. "You wouldn't!"

"No. I'm a gentleman. Don't worry. I know how to hold a fork."

She squeezed his hand as he sat next to her in the driver's seat. "I know you do. Nothing about you embarrasses me."

"Have you googled my name?"

She smiled. "Yes, Cade Maloney brings up links to how stinking wealthy you are."

He frowned. "Do you think your mother googled me?"

"Without a doubt."

"Does she know?"

Meg frowned. "You are innocent. A victim of the justice system. She'll believe Eli."

"Why would the ADA speak up for me?"

"Why wouldn't he? He's a fair man."

"I'm surprised he didn't ask you out."

Meg laughed. "Tyler might be my best friend, but Eli's like an older brother. I suffered through his disapproval over our night together."

"Nothing is private."

"We are. Our relationship is. Just you and me."

"And Confetti."

Meg smiled. "He's so sweet."

Cade still didn't trust his dog alone, so he was in his crate. He considered cameras to watch him, but he was afraid of them getting hacked. He installed a doorbell camera so he could see who was at his door.

As they approached the Rice's ornate front door, Meg interlocked her fingers with his and squeezed. Cade focused on his father's words about Mr. Rice. She reached out and opened the door and he followed her into a large two-story front hall. In front of him was a curved staircase with a carved wood railing. A large crystal chandelier hung overhead.

He whispered. "Have you seen The Phantom of the Opera?"

Meg laughed uninhibitedly as she looked up. When her amusement stopped she asked, "I'm surprised you have."

He smiled. "I'm cultured. Eden introduced me to musicals."

"I'm looking forward to meeting her."

Cade froze at the sound of footsteps. Meg turned and smiled at her mother. The resemblance was remarkable, perhaps Mrs. Rice didn't look like her sister, but she had aged well, so much better than Cade's mother.

"Meg, he's handsome."

The heat spread up his neck. Meg smirked. "Mom, don't embarrass Cade, although you're right."

He stepped forward and held out his hand. "Mrs. Rice, it's a pleasure to meet you."

She shook his hand gently and smiled. "He's polite." Cade let a laugh escape. The older woman looked at him. "Manners show how someone was raised."

"I apologize. As you assessed me, I thought of a similar yet different scene."

Meg bit her lip. "What scene?"

"I don't mean this the way it will sound, but when I was at the humane shelter choosing a dog, I just put my foot in my mouth."

Meg let out her beautiful laugh. "I assure you Cade is housebroken."

But I can be skittish.

"I see your sense of humor is like my daughters. Come in."

She led the way to a large living room with richly colored wallpaper and furnishings. No one Cade knew had wallpaper on their walls, although there was an ugly pattern in the kitchen in Vinnie's apartment. His thoughts ended as a man taller than him stepped into the room from a different door.

He smiled warmly. "You look like your father. Daniel is a good man."

"He certainly is, sir." Cade grasped his host's extended hand.

"Sir. Please Brian is fine, after all. I knew you when you were three."

Meg giggled. "Dad, Cade's father lied to you."

Brian's eyebrows raised. "About what?"

"Me, touching Meg's dress."

"How's that?"

The blush moved into his cheeks while Meg smiled like a Cheshire Cat. "He kissed me."

Brian laughed, sharing his daughter's humor.

Shannon looked surprised. "At age three."

Cade nodded. "I must have known she was special." He looked into Meg's eyes and their gaze connected.

Brian said, "Our daughter never looked at Tyler like that. I'll pour drinks. Whisky?"

Cade nodded. He and Joe sipped the aged malt occasionally. Brian poured two glasses of wine without asking his wife or daughter. Cade weighed if he was presumptive or thoughtful. Didn't women complain about men who didn't know their likes or dislikes? Women should always have their own opinions, although Leigh relied on him to order takeout for her. Maybe it was like him knowing his sister liked pan fried dumplings and lo mein. Unfortunately, he didn't know Meg's wine preference.

Brian handed the women glasses of white wine, before giving Cade the weighted glass. The older man raised his glass. "To Cade who gave Meggy her first kiss."

And hopefully her last. Cade corralled his wayward thoughts, and leaned over to Meg. "So white is your favorite?"

She bit her lip and shook her head. "My mother's. It's just easier since a bottle is always open."

"So I should buy you a bottle of red." She continued to bite her lip and nodded. If her parents weren't there, he would kiss her. He was just like his three-year-old self.

Little Cade! Thanks for voting ⭐️