Page 70 of Off-Limits Bad Boy
Two years later
Can they tell? Are they going to figure out my secret?
I catch Kade’s gaze on me, and my cheeks burn white-hot.
The clang of silverware and the soft sounds of conversation fill the dining room as we all settle in our seats. This moment takes me back - sitting around the table at mom’s house, all of us together, talking and eating.
The smell of roast and the rich, earthy scent of mom's famous gravy waft through the air, tugging at my senses. I glance around the table, at Alex's animated face as he recounts his latest escapade, Lila's gentle smile as she tends to her bustling toddlers, and there's Mom, her eyes soft with contentment as she watches her children and grandchildren.
I’d come up with a plan - with Kade’s help, of course - to save the club without the help of a loan shark. Alex and I had discussed it and now the club is turning a profit, and we’re making money hand over fist. Which is great, because I’ll need a vacation before too long.
I almost don't notice Kade's hand sliding under the table until his hand rubs over my thigh and his fingers entwine with mine. The touch sends a jolt straight to my heart, and I throw a quick glance at him, loving the heat and hunger in his eyes.
It's been years since we first sat down like this, yet his touch ignites the same wild pulse within me, like time hasn't dulled any of the heat or spark between us. I know I never feel like I can get enough of him, and he seems to feel the same way.
“Pass the bread, would you?” Kade's voice, low and husky, breaks through my thoughts and sends goosebumps up and down my arms and across my chest. His other hand reaches out across the table, but his eyes lock on mine, dark and warning me what he’s going to do to me later. I can hardly wait, but I don’t think a quickie would be possible here at mom’s house. We’d almost certainly get caught and I don’t want that. But his look speaks volumes, it tells me that he's still just as affected by me as I am by him.
“Here,” I say, handing him the basket of still-hot rolls, our fingers brushing in the process. A shiver runs down my spine, and I pull back quickly, hoping no one notices the electric connection that seems to crackle in the air between us like we’ve rubbed wool socks on carpet until everything we touch sparks - but it only happens when we touch each other.
“Everything tastes amazing, Mom,” I say, trying to sound casual, even though my voice has a slight tremble, and Kade’s intense gaze has my cheeks flushing.
“Thank you, darling,” Mom says, unaware of the silent exchange happening right under her nose. “It's always special when we're all together.” There’s a sad note in her voice, as if this doesn’t happen enough, and I make a mental note to talk to my siblings about doing dinners more often.
“I’ll be right back,” I say in a calm tone, standing up and leaving the table. I head to the bathroom, feeling emotional at how much my life has changed in a few years. I think about how I’d gone from thinking I’d die in this house to half-owning a business with my brother and having my own place.
I feel like I’ve grown up, which is good, because life is happening fast, and I don’t want to miss even a second. Finishing up, I wash my hands, meeting my gaze in the mirror. I look... happy. Overheated. Maybe there’s a sparkle in my eyes that betrays how Kade riles me up.
A knock at the door has me speaking up. “Just a second.”
“Everything okay?” Kade asks, and I can’t hold back a smile.
“Yes, everything is perfect,” I say, opening the door and stepping out into his embrace. He holds me close, his heartbeat offering me a chance to relax and calm the wild slamming of my own.
“Come on,” he whispers, putting an arm around my shoulders and guiding me to the dining room once more.
The second we re-enter the room, all eyes are on us - except Lila’s kids, who have much better things to do than look at the adults. The attention and Kade’s touch have my cheeks burning. I’m sure they’ve all guessed already, but no one says anything as Kade leads me to my seat.
He gives my shoulders a gentle squeeze, grounding me, reminding me that among the chaos of family life, our bond remains a secret thrill.
The cool evening air brushes against my skin as we step out of my mother's house. The kids are running around the yard, acting mad and racing for the swing set mom had gotten just for them.
Kade's hand lingers on the small of my back, a touch that sets off fireworks beneath my flesh.
“Did you have a good time?” he asks, his voice low and intimate in the hush of twilight.
“Always,” I say, looking up into his dark eyes.
We're alone by his car, away from the scrutiny of family eyes, and the pent-up longing in me grows and expands until I’m not sure I can contain it. His hand comes up to cup my cheek, his thumb brushing lightly across my skin and sending my pulse racing.
“Emma,” he says. There’s an undercurrent of emotion in that single word that tightens something deep within me.
“Kade.” My voice is barely a whisper, but he hears it all the same, his dark eyes capturing mine in a gaze that makes me squirm and double check that no one is watching us.
“Your cheeks are flushed,” he says, his eyes tracing my skin before his gaze ticks to mine, his face inching closer to me.
“It's your fault,” I whisper softly, though the accusation holds no weight. It's true – the mere proximity of him stirs a warmth in me that I've never felt for anyone else. And I wouldn't want to. What we share, it’s... perfect.
“Guilty,” he says, the corner of his mouth lifting in that half-smirk that has always done strange things to my insides. “But you can't say you don't like it.”