Page 35 of Gorgeous

He sure did.

And for that reason, I make a zipping motion against my lips, offering him my silence for the rest of the walk into the store.

He rolls his eyes again.

The local market in Madison is super small. Like really, really small, maybe about ten aisles total. Getting everything you need generally comes from visiting several stores within the county, but to keep Major Grumpy happy, I’m going to substitute where I can so I don’t have to ask to go to another store.

We split up, Cade taking the cart since he said he needed to get bottled drinks. I weave through the crowded market and grab as many things as I can, folding up my t-shirt and using it as a bag. When I can’t possibly hold anything else without flashing my boobs from the weighted groceries, I seek out Cade to empty my finds into his cart.

I spot his big head easily since he is by far the biggest man in the entire store. He’s towering over the produce section, some girl giggling with her hand on his chest. Pausing, I watch the scene unfold a little more before I approach them. The last thing I want to do is interrupt homegirl’s game and ruin Cade’s potential booty call, but then Cade flinches and his entire body goes rigid. Whatever the girl just said, she made him uncomfortable.

Damn it.

What am I supposed to do?

Does he want me to help him?

Or do I go back to the cereal aisle and pretend I didn’t see them?

Fuck, I can’t leave him like that.

I start toward him, a million questions running through my head. What if he barks at me and embarrasses me for interrupting him?

The girl talking to Cade runs her fingers through his hair, and the look on his face breaks my fucking heart. I know exactly what I need to do.

I saw Theo do it at the wedding.

I have to get this girl away from him.

Pronto.

I hurry toward Cade, but before I reach them, I say loudly, grabbing their attention, “Babe. They didn’t have that low-fat crap you wanted, but I figured you could splurge. A little fat won’t kill you.”

I reach them and dump all the stuff from my shirt into Cade’s cart. Then I turn and wedge myself right up next to him, looping an arm around his waist, staking my claim. His body is unforgiving with all the hard muscles against my … well, not so hard muscles. No love handles on this man.

He’s so solid.

He’s … stiff.

I realize my proximity has made Cade uncomfortable so I take a step back.

Oops. I was so worried about the crazy girl in front of him that I forgot about the crazy girl inside me.

I offer an awkward smile, and after a couple of seconds, Cade reaches around and pulls me closer to his side. “I think I can indulge you tonight,” he returns after a beat, shocking the shit out of me.

I try not to swoon over the fact he’s playing along. The way he said indulge felt more like an innuendo instead of calorie counts but I know he didn’t mean it. This is all a ruse, but it puts a stupid smile on my face when I glace up at the chick hitting on my major.

“Hi,” I say with fake cheer before standing on my tippy toes and speaking loud enough so dumb-dumb gets the message. “Since we’re indulging, did you want wine with dinner?”

Cade grins and nods his head slowly. “Nothing dry. I’m in the mood for something sweet tonight.”

I return his knowing smile and squeeze his side. And bless the dumbass hitting on him because he fucking squeezes me back.

“It was good seeing you, Samantha,” he says, taking a step back. I playalong and send Samantha on her way with a cocky grin of my own.

She smiles at Cade, confusion clear on her face. “You too, Cade.” Then she scampers off without a backwards glance, and I let go of Cade quickly.

“Uh …” I take a step back. “I still have a few more things to get.”

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