Read Online Marrying Cade by Sally Clements - Free Book Online Page A

given you my answer.” She lowered her voice not wanting to publicly humiliate him, even though he sure deserved it. “And my answer is no. I would not like to dance with you.”
    “ Va bene. La vostra perdita .”
    He spoke Italian in blatant rudeness, then spun on a heel and strode away.
    “What did he say?” Cade’s fists were clenched at his sides and his body tensed as he watched the other man leave.
    “He said your loss .” Melo grinned.
    The guy had such a huge ego, he probably believed it too. “Nothing to punch him out for.” She schooled her face into a polite mask. “Now, what did you want to talk to me about?”
    Cade folded his arms. His body relaxed, as if the threat had been neutralized. He reached out and casually smoothed a lock of hair back from her face, and her heart fluttered wildly. “I didn’t have anything to talk to you about. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
    “Of course I was okay. Didn’t I look okay?” Melo frowned.
    She was in the process of being bored to death, that was all. Something easily remedied by walking away.
    “You looked interested.” Cade’s top lip curled as if he’d eaten something unpleasant. “And that guy…” He crossed his arms over his chest and scowled.
    “What are you, my brother? I’m more than capable of choosing who I want to be interested in, Cade. I don’t need your help.” She stuck out her chin and stared him down.
    This was ridiculous. He didn’t want her, but was trying to make sure she didn’t make any foolish choices. Anger heated her blood.
    Cade reached out and captured her hand. “Stop being angry.”
    That sure didn’t help. She started to pull her hand away, but he gripped tighter.
    His face softened and a “play with me” smile teased his lips. “Come on, Melo. Stop being angry.”
    He’d teased her when they were kids. Had always been able to get around her. To her frustration, he still could.
    “Huh.” Her mouth pouted, but her hand stayed in his.
    “I didn’t like you looking at him like that. Didn’t want you to be interested,” Cade confessed. “I want you to be interested in me. Only me.” He pulled her close, and whispered in her ear. “Now, will you dance with me?”
    The band was playing a slow ballad as they walked out onto the dance floor. Couples swirled past under the chandelier’s soft light. Cade’s hand slid around her waist, and she moved close against him like an obedient sleepwalker.
    “I remember being here, before.” His warm breath feathered over her ear as their bodies fused in perfect time. “When we were kids.”
    It had been a day she’d never forgotten. Rosa and Adam were off somewhere, and when Cade arrived at the villa, she suggested they go and look at the roman ruins unearthed in the field on the outskirts of Signora Bettina’s land. The climb to the site was strenuous, and she’d almost fallen a couple of times on the rough pebbles of the track. Cade had held her hand. And her heart had almost burst with happiness.
    “I remember.” She trembled at the feel of his fingers splayed against her spine. Her nipples tightened as they brushed against his chest. They were in public, but she couldn’t resist pushing her body closer against him.
    She pulled in a deep breath, and thought back to that time, long ago. Standing in the ruins watching the archaeologists excavate the past was thrilling. And when they’d unearthed an intact bowl, Cade’s excitement had matched her own. They sat on a rock, gazing out to sea, and talked for hours.
    “You talked about how the echoes of people long ago fuse into the earth.”
    She glanced up at his shadowed jaw line. Even after all these years he remembered her fanciful girlish notions. The realization stunned and thrilled in equal measure.
    “I didn’t think you’d remember,” she whispered.
    “How could I forget? I’d felt it too.” His mouth dusted the top of her head, and she gave in to the temptation to rest her head