Desire (Montana Dreams Book 3) (11 page)

Matt choked on his coffee. It spurted on his arm and the floor.

“Heck Sis,” Bradley grinned. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you said that so Matt would send you to your room.”

“Worked for you with Mom and Dad.” Trina beamed. “Me, I wasn’t so lucky.”

“Figured you’d have better luck with me?” Matt wiggled his eyebrows.

“Yes.”

“I don’t blame the woman. I can’t stand cheaters.” Cadence mother’s infidelities gnawed at her conscious.

Trina and Matt’s odd exchange had Cadence’s back straightening. “What’s up?”

“You need to go to your room.” Matt ordered Trina.

“On it.” She waddled out of the room, with her husband tagging along like a puppy dog.

“We should go.” Travis tucked the box of ferrets under his arm, bracing it against his side and reached out to his fiancée. She picked up Hopper and accepted his hand.

As the last of their friends fled, Cadence narrowed her eyes on Bradley. He leaned against the counter with arms folded across his chest, ankles crossed, looking hot and totally edible, yet guilty as sin. “What just happened?”

****

Bradley had danced around the subject long enough. He eyed Cadence from under the brim of his hat. No telling what kind of reaction she’d have. He hadn’t cheated, but she despised anyone who had. She would probably blow a gasket when he confessed he’d had a fling with a married woman. “Promise me you’ll listen to everything I say before you react.”

She leaned forward, plopped her elbows on the table and folded her arms, each hand clasped around her bicep. That position didn’t bother him. The tilt of her head and the clenching of her jaw, mixed with distrust in her gaze, did. “Go.”

“Backstory first.”

“Just spill.”

They’d come a long way since he first arrived at Divine. To have a setback would throw all hope to the wind. “Cadence, promise me you’ll stay quiet.”

She tapped her fingers against her arms. “Okay.”

“Jesus Christ, give me a break. You don’t know anything yet and you’ve already condemned me.”

“I’m scared of what you might say.” She rubbed her lips together and stilled her hands. “I haven’t condemned you. Please, tell me.”

“I’m gonna be honest here, and what I’m about to say is no way your fault. You need to understand how I got to the point where I did something I’m not proud of.”

On her head nod, he fixed his gaze out the window. Looking at her would only slow the inevitable conversation; every reaction put him in knots. He’d get it out and wait for the backlash. The mountains in the horizon faded as his mind flashed back to the hospital. He’d arrived at the hospital eager to declare his love… He blew out a hard breath as the memory of her harsh reaction washed over him. She had dismissed him. Said they would never work and asked him to leave. Knowing her reasons now didn’t lessen the stab of pain that hit whenever he pictured that scene.

“You had dumped me. Trina was still in the hospital. My parents cruelly sent her best friend away, a man I started to rely on. His brother was cross-country doing his search and rescue thing. No one was there to talk me out of doing what would hurt my father most, not that anyone could have made me see reason. His continuous accusations that I didn’t know my own head from a hole in the wall pushed me over the edge. I wanted to shame him.” His eyes burned. How he let his anger get the best of him and do something out of character was beyond him, but he had. “I’m flawed Cadence. I was weak.” Not looking at her became impossible. Tears welled in her eyes, and her grip tightened on her arms. “I wanted to hurt him so fucking bad and knock him off his high horse. Let him know he didn’t control the universe, and he didn’t control his children. We were not game pieces for him to maneuver. So, I had an affair with his partner. I learned later she was married.”

For a long stretch of time, she studied him, as if she waited for more. “That’s it?” Her head rocked back and forth, and her eyes darted around as if she tried to digest everything he said. “Did it work? Did you put your asshat of a father in his place?”

“I got disinherited.”

Her lips twitched and a muffled noise escaped her.
She’s laughing?
“I don’t like what you did, but I wholeheartedly understand. He was unbearable! He tried to kick me out of Trina’s life! Remember?”

Yeah, he’d never forget their incredible night. “Maybe in some odd way, I owe them something.” He paused, recalling their first time together. No way would he give his parents any credit for bringing them together. “No, that was all us. Somehow, we would have gotten together.” He wished he didn’t let his parents get to him. “I’m weak, Cadence.”

She bolted out of the chair, tugged his arms until he no longer crossed them, and leaned into him, clasping both sides of his face and bored those delightful green eyes into his. “You are not weak. You did what you did to get revenge, and it went against your character. I will never condone sleeping with someone’s spouse, but calling yourself weak, no—bad judgment, yes.

“You’re not upset with me?”

“No, I’m not.”

He released a breath, and the bricks that pressed down on his shoulders lifted.

“If you felt the pain half as much as I did for turning you away, then you weren’t thinking clearly. With your parents sticking it to Trina and you every chance they got, they drove you to desperate measures. How are you holding up not having their money?”

He shrugged. “I don’t miss it. It was always a burden. Though Trina is holding seeing the baby over their head until they put me back in the will.”

“Is that what you want?”

“I don’t much care, yet I understand her motives. She is getting control back where they are concerned. I got mine.”

“Do you? Do you really?”

“I do.”

She slid her hands down his chest and pressed her lips to his. “I love you, Bradley.”

His heart swelled, blew up like a hot air balloon ready to lift off. He wrapped his arms around her and lifted her until she straddled his waist, knocking his hat off.

“I want you, only you.” Her sexy kitten voice sung to his heart as her hips rocked into him.

He didn’t want to make to love with her against a wall or on a kitchen counter, not yet. Their first time together in this new, hope-to-be-permanent relationship, would stand out at a unique location. One she’d never forget. “Soon.”

“Soon!” She slipped her hand between his legs and grasped his killer erection. “I think soon is now.”

“Engagement party in one hour!” Trina boomed before a door banged shut.

“Our warning,” Cadence said.

He groaned and kissed the sweet, tender skin under her neck. She whimpered and arched her back, thrusting her breasts forward. Resisting took more willpower than he possessed. He’d get a nibble to hold him over until tonight. Her fingers dug into his back as he tugged the yoke of her cotton shirt down, exposing the swells of her breasts. He kissed one then the other and pressed his face into her cleavage.

Blood pounded through his veins; his heart thumped a happy beat. He kissed the spot, tugged her shirt back in place, and brought his mouth down on hers. They connected hard and fast. His body was on fire. It had been since he arrived. Just when he got rid of blue balls, he’d see her and boom! They grew to the size of coconuts.

“Party in fifteen!”
No way did time pass that quickly.
Matt’s heavy footsteps echoed over the wooden floor. “Cadence, Trina has your dress,” he said a second before he appeared in the doorway between the family room and kitchen.

Bradley released his grip on her butt and she lowered to the floor, every soft inch clinging against him, begging him not to let her go. “Let’s take Thor for a ride.”

“What? Now?” When she declared moments ago how she felt about him, only him, he planned to carry out what he’d been dreaming of for the last week. The idea put him on a tight time schedule, but he didn’t care. This would happen today. “Trust me when I say I want to, but there are a few things I have to take care of before the party. Afterwards?”

Her eyes widened and shone as her mouth tipped up and spread into a gorgeous smile. “Got lots and lots of condoms?”

“You do know it’s snowing,” Matt interrupted.

“All the better.” Cadence brushed her lips across Bradley’s, winked at Matt, and scooted toward Trina’s bedroom.

Bradley eyed the microwave clock. “What the hell? You lied about the time?”

“The sounds you two were making…” Matt touched a finger to his suited chest. “I had no choice but to lie. My kitchen, Trina and I are the only ones allowed to have sex in here.”

Point taken. To change the subject from his sister and brother-in-law doing the deed, he said, “Nice monkey suit.”

“Trina picked yours up. She figured you’d forget. It’s in the spare room.”

Bradley swiped a hand down his face and retrieved his hat from the counter. “I did.”

Chapter Six

Cadence stared into the cheval mirror in the bedroom her and Bradley had shared. He’d chosen to get ready for the engagement party in the room that he’d stayed in the first night at his sister’s house. Just as well, she needed the time to think. She slid a hand over the sequined, lace bodice to the ruched material at the right side. The misty lavender color brought out her green eyes and offset her dark hair. Trina said she bought the cocktail dress ages ago. Cadence had her doubts. This dress had her name written all over it. When they had lived together, she pulled the same stunt on Trina. She’d tossed a skirt at her, saying she’d had it forever, when in fact she bought it for Trina in hopes it would drive Matt crazy.

This afternoon Bradley and her relationship would change. Exactly how much, she wasn’t sure. She loved him more than she’d ever loved anyone in her life. He understood her, fought for her, and gave her incredible support. And most importantly, he’d been her best friend, her confidant for years. She loved being near him, hanging out and talking about a bunch of nothing. Trina was right when she’d said Cadence didn’t have her missing part, the one she didn’t know she was missing.

With time to spare before the party started, she walked into the hall, noticed Bradley’s door open, and headed downstairs. She grasped onto the railing. The steep steps didn’t bide well with her four-inch heels.

A loud whistle brought her attention to Bradley standing at the foot of the steps, a hand in his pocket and the other one stretched out toward her, looking more dapper than ever. He wore a dark suit with a white silk shirt underneath and a lavender tie. “Let me guess, Trina picked out your clothes?”

“Did my matching tie give it away?” His smile brightened his eyes. “Miss America,” he belted out as she stepped beside him. “You’re stunning!”

“And you can sing.”

“One of my many talents.” He grasped her hand and pulled her into his arms. “Later, I’ll show you more.” He brought her close and held her hand against his chest, over his heart.

She didn’t want to wait. “Do we have to go to the party?”

“I like how you think.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “Let’s make an appearance, chat a little while, and then take Thor out. You’ve done remarkable things with your stallion. He rides smooth as silk.” Bradley’s gorgeous eyes captured hers and his pupils darkened, revealing where his unspoken thoughts went…to their next time together.

As much as she loved her horse, there was only one person she wanted to bend to her will. “You broke me ages ago,” Bradley said, as if he read her mind. A sexy-growl-like groan escaped him as he thrust his hands in her hair and settled his lips over her mouth. She closed her eyes and leaned into him.

Their body heat increased, and her breathing grew heavy. She eased back. If they didn’t stop, they’d end up in bed, naked and missing the party. “We better hurry.”

“Roger that.” Coughing, he squirmed as if he adjusted the long length that had deliciously pressed against her. “Here, Trina left this coat for you.” He held it up for her to slip on.

“Thank you.”

He donned a dark, masculine dress coat, probably Matt’s. They stepped outside into the cool, crisp air. Beautiful white flakes fell from gray clouds, reminding her how in touch she was with nature, and how her life compared—the snow wiped away the past, leaving a brighter future. The same with her. With Bradley’s help, she grasped the reins of her life that had dangled out of reach since the accident. Taking control, she gave herself a future to look forward to.

Bradley entwined their fingers, bringing her attention to the shoveled path that led to the parking lot. Inside the cab, he started the car and turned up the heat. “Check your pockets.”

Cadence moved her hands from in front of the truck’s vents and snatched the fuzzy-lined gloves. “I love that woman.”

He chuckled. “Me, too. I didn’t get great parents, but I did get an exceptional sister.”

“She feels the same about you.” Cadence loved how well the two siblings got along.

In no time, they pulled into Travis and Autumn’s driveway and parked in one of the only vacant plowed spots near the house. The falling snow sparkled from the party lights outlining the front porch. “You know, I didn’t get just an exceptional sister, I was gifted with an outstanding friend.”

“Matt’s a sweetheart. Travis, too. You hit the jackpot coming to Bluebird Valley. Divine is perfect.” A place she’d love being a part of. “This land is worth more than any horse plantation. The people make it priceless. You’re lucky, Bradley. You have great friends.”

He touched her hand. “They’re not who I’m talking about.” He kissed her, a type of kiss that said belonging. “We better go in before the cavalry yells the time again.”

Inside, someone dressed in a mid-length black dress took their coats, and gloves. Partygoers filled the large living room. Lights from the electric candelabras bounced off the hardwood floor. On the outside wall, fire danced against the brick, making her itch to run a finger over the beautiful hand carved mantel. A leather couch and loveseat, warm and inviting, filled a quarter of the room. In the far corner, Hopper reined in the attention. Stylish in white bowtie, and stretched out on a couch just his size, he peered at the people sticking their fingers through the cage trying to touch him. The ferret cage hanging from the ceiling not only kept unwanted peeps from petting him, but prevented him from breaking bad on people by doing his war dance. Travis’ dog Rufus sat at attention beneath it, acting as a bouncer.

Autumn smiled and flowed though the crowd. Side braids fastened her beautiful brown hair at the crown of her head, acting as a halo. Her satiny blue dress highlighted her electrifying gray eyes. The rainbow necklace she always wore hung around her neck. “Wow, she’s gorgeous.”

“She is and still doesn’t hold a candle to you,” Bradley whispered in her ear.

Cadence wanted to tell him to stop, that this was Autumn’s moment, but nah, let him dish out the compliments. It felt good, real good to have his full attention. Bradley lifted two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter.

“Everyone!” Matt’s voice boomed. “Now, that everyone is here.” Matt gave Bradley a knowing glance and faced his brother and future sister-in-law. “I want to give the toast before I celebrate too much and become too mushy.”

“Big bad military man, mushy?” Travis teased. “Nah.”

“Never.” Bradley joked.

“I owe this man a lot.” Matt’s voice wobbled and went serious. “He wasn’t only my big brother. He was my father, my mother, and my best friend. He looked out for me and went out of his way more than I think most parents do for their children.”

A man with graying hair stood next to a woman who resembled Autumn, not only in hair coloring, but in figure. He cleared his throat and lowered his chin.

“Is that her parents?” From her waist, Cadence pointed to the couple standing close to the guest of honors.

“I believe so. I don’t know the particulars, but they both were released from jail recently, an appeal or something.”

She should have known about Autumn’s parents rather than Bradley having to explain. Before the accident, Trina would have filled her in on everything. “Why were they in there?” This wasn’t the time for her to ask these questions, but now that the fog had lifted and she was back, she wanted to catch up on everyone’s lives. That, and curiosity got the best of her.

“A case of road rage ending badly. Her father shot the man who came after him and his wife,” Bradley whispered next to her ear. “Since her mother brought the gun to the scene she was charged, something like that.”

“Oh,” she said as Matt swiped a hand over his cheek and Trina moved closer to him, wrapping an arm around her guy. The love between the couples emitted throughout the room, picking up momentum. Cadence slid an arm around Bradley at the same time he gripped her shoulder and tugged her close.

“Travis,” the shaky voice of the older man she’d just talked about boomed over the microphone. “I can’t express enough how lucky you are to have found a wonderful woman like our Autumn.”

“You don’t have to tell me, sir. I know.”

“That, son, I believe.”

Tears slid down Autumn’s face. Cadence had never seen her cry. Her chest tightened for her friend and she wanted to hug her.

A loud choked sob escaped, and all eyes flew to Trina who buried her face into her husband’s chest
. Ugh!
How was Cadence supposed to hold it together when everyone around her fell apart? Hormones had a pregnant Trina crying over everything, but she understood why her friend was upset. Matt and Travis lost both their parents in their teens, one a few years after the other. With Bradley and Trina’s father being an ass, Matt would never have the relationship that it appeared Travis would be getting.

“Autumn Pearl,” Autumn’s father said. Her new friend’s eyes grew wide as she touched her chest. She looked as if the words knocked her over with a feather. If it hadn’t been for Travis’ arm tightening behind Autumn’s back, she probably would have tipped. “I’m sorry your mother and I let you down.” Autumn’s mother nodded. “I’d like to make a toast to the woman who gave you strength and love when your mother and I weren’t able, and had the insight to set in motion a path for you to meet this incredible man. Here’s to Bebe Fries, a wonderful, wonderful woman.”

Cheers went up and champagne sipped.

“We love you, baby girl.”

****

Elated that these men he’d called friends were happy, Bradley thought how Travis’ demeanor had stunk months before he met Autumn, and how brokenhearted Matt had been before Trina arrived. He glanced at Cadence, smiling and looking radiant, as she listened to the speeches. Warmth spread through him. For the first time, he felt whole. His chosen profession as a horse trainer didn’t seem a coward’s way out after all. His father’s negativity no longer haunted him, and he owed it to the woman standing beside him. She may have been depressed, but she gave him something no one else had. Her undying faith.

“Well, that does it. I have to go to Autumn.” Starting now, she wouldn’t lose another chance to become better friends with Trina’s future sister-in-law and passed off her glass to Bradley. passed off her glass to Bradley. “I’ll be right back.” She pushed through the crowd, caught up to Trina, and his two favorite women engulfed their friend into a hug.

“Some party.” Jace came up next to him with Garth in tow. Since the bar scene, he’d seen Jace but not his side kick Garth. For the most part, the guys didn’t go anywhere without the other.

“It is. It’s great. You two shovel the walks?”

“You know it.” Jace nodded.

“Thanks. I know everyone here appreciates your hard work and not falling on their asses.”

The guys chuckled. “We’ll have the other stuff taking care of shortly,” Jace informed.

Bradley glanced around, checking to see where Cadence stood. Surrounded by people, no way she heard. “Thanks, I appreciate it.”

Phil and Pete, Travis’ good friends from Venture Seekers in New York, stood off to the corner of the room chatting up the petite, blonde party planner Trina had hired to organize the engagement party. “Excuse me. I’m gonna touch base with Travis’ buddies then head out.”

“See ya soon,” Jace said, and followed Garth out of the room.

After a brief conversation with them, he moved over to where the group stood. Trina, Matt, Travis, and Autumn grinned as he approached. Time grew near to put forth his plan. Until now, his nerves had stayed clear but sliding his hand into Cadence’s, they made their presence known. From Trina’s wink, he knew she sensed his nervousness.

“Let’s go,” he said to Cadence before one of his grinning friends slipped with his surprise.

At Trina and Matt’s, Cadence and Bradley had changed into warm clothes, heavy coats, and gloves. Now, they rode bareback, her back to his front, through the snow-covered field toward Apple’s Peak, the mountain in the back of Travis’ property. Large flakes and cool air hit them in the face. The sun peeked through the clouds occasionally. Soon it would disappear completely under the cover of night. Bradley tightened an arm around her waist, snuggled her to him while holding Thor’s reins in the other, and wished their heavy coats didn’t separate them.

Cadence sighed and nestled closer. “This I like.” He breathed her in as Thor walked the trail up Apple’s Peak, a different one than what their friends would use.

“As compared to what?”

“As compared to anything else.”

“Speaking of which…” With her gloved hands clutching his thighs, she leaned her back into his chest and swung a leg over Thor’s neck to sit sideways. Then with a hand gripping the waistband of his jeans and the other still latched onto his thigh, she swung the other leg over, and planted her sweet ass on top of his erection and gripped his shoulders to steady herself. “Better.”

He grasped her butt with a hand, holding her in position. “Glad the lessons in horse trick riding have come in handy.”

“We’ll know soon.” She smiled. “It’s the last thing on my bucket list.”

The last thing?
He went over her list in his head: have sex on a horse, feel good about herself, and to forgive herself. She set out to conquer her weakness and did it.

“I realize I shouldn’t have blamed myself. I couldn’t predict the future.” She shrugged. “Hind sight’s twenty-twenty.”