Page 28 of Biker's Temptation
“I know who you are.”Shane accepted the handshake, and I noticed the brief flash of discomfort on Cade’s face as Shane gripped him with his strong fingers.Cade had the skilled hands of a surgeon, but they were soft and not used to the rough, hard work of sawing or splitting wood with an ax or carving out intricate designs.“You haven’t answered, Melissa.Why are you here?”
“Well,” Cade withdrew his hand and tried that fake smile again, “can’t say I’m surprised by the less than friendly reception.”Obviously unsettled, he fiddled with his watch band.As long as I’d known him, he had done that when he was in trouble.“I was in town for an interview at UTMB.”
“And?”I asked, already making plans to switch my healthcare to the other side of Texas rather than risk seeing him at the hospital.
“And I thought I’d come by and get your opinion on the area,” Cade said.
I didn’t buy it.This wasn’t an ex trying to be friendly and make nice before a big move.This was something else.“I would think you’d prefer the opinions of your peers.That seemed to be a running them when we were together,” I reminded him.“You not caring what I had to say because one of the brilliant doctors on your service knew better than me.”
His jaw tightened.“That was different.”
“If you say so,” I said, already tired of his presence.Wondering why he was interviewing at UTMB, I asked the obvious question, “Why would you want to leave Duke for UTMB?”
Our hospital on the island was great, and I had always received very good care there.But it wasn’t Duke University Hospital.Cade had fought tooth and nail to get a residency there and his attending position in the orthopedics department.He wouldn’t leave his cushy job there unless...
“I decided I needed a change of pace now that we’re having another baby,” Cade replied with too bright of a smile.“I remembered how fondly you talked of your childhood here.I thought it would be a good place to put down roots with Amy and the kids.”
What a fucking liar!
“I’m shocked Amy would want to drag the kids all the way to Texas when her people are in Raleigh.”As much as I wanted to hate Amy for taking my husband from me, I had long ago learned to forgive and forget.I had gotten the better end of that bargain anyway.Amy, who couldn’t be more than thirty today, had come from a long line of doctors and nurses in the Raleigh, North Carolina area.The idea that she would want to uproot and move here was a joke.
“Well, people change.”Cade’s unnerving gaze bore into mine, and I felt deeply unsettled.
“No, they don’t,” I stated coldly.Beside me, Shane stiffened, just briefly, and I knew he was probably thinking I doubted his ability to change.I didn’t, and I would make sure he knew that once Cade was gone.
“We’ll agree to disagree.”
“Probably the safest bet,” I agreed, wanting him gone.“Listen, we’re on our way out of town so...”
“Oh, well, don’t let me keep you!”Cade grinned, and I wanted to puke right on his Ferragamo loafers.“I’m sure I’ll see you around town.”
“Hope not,” I said, matching his bullshit smile.
His grin faltered.Just for a moment, there was a flash of something menacing in his eyes.“We’ll see.”
“We won’t.”Shane stepped forward, making it clear the conversation and this unwanted visit was over.“This island is plenty big enough to make sure of it.”
Cade started to say something, but he seemed to finally notice what Shane was wearing.He had always been strange like that, ignoring the bigger picture to focus on people’s faces.I suspected it was his way of reading us for weakness, like a predator seeking the softest place to strike.
“You ride with the Calaveras MC,” Cade said, his gaze fixed on the leather cut and the skull patch.Shane didn’t answer one way or the other.Cade nodded slowly as if finally putting the pieces together.“Well, I won’t trouble you any longer.”He backed away and smiled.“Y’all have fun on your trip.”
Shane and I stood side by side as Cade got back into his monstrosity of a vehicle and backed out of my driveway.Shane crouched down and gathered up my dropped mail.He tracked down a couple of glossy mailers that had flown a few feet away.His gaze lingered on one of them before he frowned and stuffed into the pile of mail.
“Let’s go inside, baby.”He put his hand on the small of my back and gently prodded me toward the house.
Still shaken by Cade’s unexpected appearance, I leaned on Shane for support as we went inside.I was suddenly very glad he had insisted on installing the security system and upgrading my front, back and side doors.I didn’t think Cade was stupid enough to come here and try to start trouble.It wasn’t his way of doing things.He preferred menacing and threatening to action.Violence was beneath him.
But I didn’t want to take that chance.
Shane trailed me into the kitchen, tossed the mail on the counter and then boxed me in against the counter.He planted his hands on either side of me, trapping me against the safety of his hot, hard body and dipped his head until I looked into his eyes.“You okay, darlin’?”
“I’m fine.”I placed my hands on his chest and swept my palms over his comforting heat.“Just surprised is all.”
“I can imagine.”Shane exhaled roughly.“I think he’ll be trouble if he moves here.”
“I know he will be.”I swallowed as the reality of my situation hit.I let my hands fall from Shane’s chest.It was easier to do this if we weren’t touching.“Listen, maybe it’s best if we stop—.”
“Nope.”He cut me off sharply.“Don’t even try it, Melissa.”
