Page 47 of Long Shot

“Why don’t you want to work as a chef, Reese?” Cade’s quiet, steady tone almost has me spilling my guts.

I don’t want him to hate me. I don’t want him to feel sorry for me. I just want to escape what happened.

“I told you.” I manage to squeeze the words out through my constricted throat. “I needed a change.”

He nods and doesn’t press me.

Jack pauses to lift his leg on a fire hydrant and we wait for him silently, then continue our walk in more silence.

I do want Conquistadors to serve good food. Why do I even care, though? It’s just the place I work. For now. And dammit, I had fun creating those new dishes. I was in heaven at Food Depot. Ideas flooded into my head, things I’m itching to try. Dying to taste. And craving the appreciation I get when people eat and enjoy and praise my cooking.

I screwed up big time, getting too involved in things. I should never have done that.

Cade isn’t saying anything. He isn’t pressing me to talk. He isn’t pushing me to agree to take over their kitchen. He’s just a big, solid presence next to me as we walk.

“I’ll carry him into your house,” Cade says as we arrive at my place.

“You’ll get all sandy.”

“I was in the water. I have to shower, anyway.”

“Okay.” I unlock the door as Cade scoops up Jack. Inside, I lead the way to my bathroom. It’s a tiny space and Cade’s a big man who takes up a lot of room. I hover at the door as he sets Jack in the tub and reaches for the detachable shower head.

“I’ll grab Jack’s towel.” I have a big old beach towel I use for him, and I pull it out of the linen closet in the hall. When I return, Cade is hosing off Jack.

“Good boy,” Cade murmurs. “Does he have shampoo?”

“Yes. I’ll get that, too.”

Jack stands patiently as Cade shampoos and rinses him.

“You have to cover his ears,” I offer. “To make sure no water gets in them.”

“You do it.”

He’s seated on the toilet, leaning over the tub. I edge past his big knees and bend down to put my hands over Jack’s ears. Cade shifts and my breasts are nearly in his face.

The air in the room goes electric, awareness making my skin tingle everywhere. The tension in Cade’s body tells me he feels it, too.

Oh, God. My nipples tighten and my breasts ache. Imagining Cade burying his face there . . . no, God, no, I can’t think of that. That’s crazy.

“There.” Cade cranks off the water. “I think he’s good.”

His husky tone makes me think of a dark bedroom and cool sheets and his mouth . . .

Damn.

I straighten with a jerky movement and grab the towel from the vanity. I drape it over Jack and rub him, then Cade takes over to wrap it around him and lift him out.

“He’s going to . . . aaaaah!” We both get drenched as Jack shakes, the towel flying off him.

Our eyes meet with a near electric shock and then we both burst out laughing.

Taking advantage of our distraction, Jack bolts.

“No!” My eyes widen. “Jack! Get back here!” I sprint out of the bathroom and catch him just before he jumps up on my couch. Still wet, he soaks my T-shirt and I sigh. “Dammit, Jack.”

Cade follows with the towel, his eyes dancing. “Here. Give him to me.”

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