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“Blake, you’re cute and smart!” Sandy giggled.
“Gee. Thanks, Sandy,” Blake said sarcastically and shook his head at her.
“Now, don’t get a big ego,” she said, nudging him on the arm.
“Blake!” someone else called from across the room. He dropped his head.
“You’re being summoned again.” Sandy sang and laughed once more.
“Coming.” Blake jogged in the direction of the call. This time, the organizer needed him to help another vendor set up.
When Blake was done, he looked across the room, hoping the backup volunteers had arrived. The fair would be opening in minutes and the lines were now snaking around the corner, as he was told. The vendor thanked him and he shot back across the university’s gymnasium to the other side.
Alana had arrived, and as she’d said, she had seriously rallied the troops. She had at least ten more volunteers with her.
“Alana!” Blake leaned in and wrapped her in a grateful hug.
“Did I do well?” she asked, presenting the folks she brought along with a sweeping gesture.
“You did very well.” Blake was especially appreciative of the fact that she’d brought Cadence along. Blake waved a general greeting to the group but kept his eye on Cadence, flashing his most brilliant smile. “Welcome and thanks, everyone. Just give me a moment and we will get you all set up as fast as we can. Did you all bring laptops?” The crowd collectively affirmed by nodding their heads. Some lifted their laptops in the air. “Great.” Blake clapped his hands together, but before he could show them where they needed to be, he heard his name being called again through the PA system.
The frenzy had heightened. With minutes left, representatives from recruitment companies, other businesses and vendors lined the perimeter of the gymnasium, scurrying to prepare their tables for the throngs of students outside of the double doors.
Blake helped yet another vendor gain access to the university’s Wi-Fi, showed the organizer how to do it for the umpteenth time and headed back to make sure his group was ready to go.
While he was gone, Alana had taken charge finalizing the setup. She had the custodians pull out a few more tables. A total of five six-foot-long tables were lined up in two rows with three volunteers set up at each table. She had also set up table signs that said, Résumé Services Sponsored by the NYAA.
“Let’s do a test run to make sure all of you are connected to the printer correctly.” Alana stood addressing their group as if she were conducting a symphony.
“Thanks, Alana!” Blake pulled her into another friendly hug.
“You know I’ve got your back. Everybody printing okay?” Alana asked.
“I’m getting an error message.” Cadence said.
Before Alana could respond, Blake had run to her side. “Let me help you out.” Once again, with a few clicks, he had her all set up and her test page was sliding out of one of the printers set up behind them.
Blake trotted over to retrieve the printed page and brought it back to her. “There you go,” he said, making a point to graze her hand as he handed it to her. The slight touch sent heat surging through him. He seized her with his eyes and allowed his gaze to linger. Cadence turned away first, but not before Blake made his point. He could tell by the slow way she dipped her eyes that he’d affected her, too.
As Blake walked away, he couldn’t help the quick groan that escaped his throat. He had to remind himself to remain focused, though it would be hard, since he still smelled the sweet scent of her perfume, which now permeated his nostrils. He wished he could capture the way it mixed with her scent and recall it at his will.
Blake looked at his watch. The doors would be opening in less than a minute. “Okay. Is everyone up and running?” The group responded with a collective yes. “Great! We are ready to go.”
Seconds later, the doors opened and students from all backgrounds poured into the gym, filling the space with their wide-eyed excitement. Immediately, all fifteen volunteers were busy helping to proofread, evaluate and rewrite résumés and offer career advice in response to the many questions the eager students asked.
It was quickly determined who served best in certain capacities, and the group made the necessary adjustments to keep the flow of traffic moving. Alana’s hands moved like lightning across the keyboard. She and a few others who typed fast focused on retyping résumés that required major editing. Cadence and Blake were really good at helping the students put their skills into words. They began to help those students who needed assistance with sprucing up their job descriptions.
With so many people seeking their help, the morning blazed by. Blake hadn’t realized how hungry he was until his stomach growled right in the middle of telling a young woman how to reword her administrative skills. Her endearing eyes bore into him the entire time he spoke and she smiled sheepishly when it was time for her to speak. When they were done, he typed in the last of her changes, printed the résumé and bid her good luck with a professional handshake.
As much as he loved the attention from women, he was never one to take advantage of a young starry-eyed girl. Politely he sent her on her way. As she made her way around to the vendors’ tables, she kept looking back at him.
His stomach growled again, reminding him that it was time to eat. He stood before another student took the seat in front of him. “You guys hungry?”
“Yes” rang out at various pitches.
“We can take turns going to get something to eat or I can just run and grab something for all of us.” Blake looked out over the line of folks that never seemed to cease. “Things don’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. How about I go get something for all of us? I could use some fresh air.”
“That’s probably the best idea,” Alana confirmed.
“So what do you say? Pizza? Sandwiches?”
“Pizza is probably easiest,” Cadence said.
When she spoke, it was like music to Blake’s ears. He agreed just because she made the suggestion. “Pizza it is!” he said before anyone else could offer any other suggestion. “I’ll grab a couple of pies with a few different toppings.” Blake paused a moment, not wanting to seem too anxious. “Cadence, would you like to ride with me? I could use some help picking toppings.”
Cadence seemed to stiffen. It took a moment for her to respond. Alana’s back straightened and she turned to see how Cadence would answer. When she finally said yes, Blake realized that he’d been holding his breath.
Chapter 6
Cadence needed Blake to help her climb into his big shiny pickup truck. He handled her so gently she had to tighten her body to keep it from shivering under his touch. She almost couldn’t believe that she had agreed to go with him. Maybe it was because the side of him that she’d witnessed today made her want to get to know him better—even if she didn’t think she was his type. She noticed the special attention he paid to her—the way he held her hand just a bit longer than necessary, the way he softened his tone when he addressed her and the fact that she constantly caught him stealing glances at her.
Before today, Cadence pegged him as just another arrogant lawyer—a gorgeous arrogant lawyer. After watching him in action helping out the organizers and working so diligently with the students, she started to draw new conclusions about him. It took a special person to even volunteer time for a cause such as this. She loved the way he always seemed to have everything under control.
Now Cadence allowed her eyes to follow him as he rounded the truck, after helping her in like a gentleman. As she watched him, she recalled eyeing his beautifully masculine hands as they skillfully moved across the keyboard as he typed out résumés. She remembered the way the muscles in his back strained against his shirt when he leaned over to pick up a box of paper to refill printers. The majestic rise of his chest when he stood to talk to people painted a glorious picture in her psyche. Several times she had to force herself to look away and focus on a student or her laptop in an effort to clear her mind of him. She liked the way he operated. All of it was topped off with an incredible dose of swagger that made her want to swoon.
When he climbed in on the driver’s side, she turned her head to look out the window. Those visuals continued to flood her mind as she sat next to him in his truck. Being so close to him in such a small space made her skin grow warm on the surface. Shifting in her seat, she almost felt as if she couldn’t handle the pressure of sitting near him and having to stare into those dark mysterious eyes of his. Cadence could drown in the abyss of his dimples. She imagined sticking her tongue inside of them. Where did that thought come from? It embarrassed her, as if he could hear what she was thinking. Cadence looked down at her fumbling hands and chuckled.
“Did I miss something?” Blake inquired.
“Huh?” Dang it. Why did he have to speak? The deep sultry purr of his voice gave her pause. She was so lost in the soothing rumble that she hadn’t even heard what he said.
“I thought I heard you laugh. I was wondering if I missed something.”
“Oh. No.”
A beat passed. Then another. Neither of them moved. Cadence was caught in the smoky gaze he cast her way, hooking her like a fish. Then he smiled again, flashing pearly-white teeth lined up in a neat row framed by full beautiful lips. Blake licked his lips, and his smiled curled up on one side. The sexy grin woke up feelings in Cadence that she thought she buried months ago. His dimples sank into his cheeks and once again she felt the urge to stick her tongue in them.
Cadence cleared her throat and sat up straighter in her seat before looking around the interior of the vehicle as if she was taking it all in. “Big truck you have here.” She closed her eyes. Those words didn’t sound right. She tried to think of something else to say. “I wouldn’t have pictured you in a truck like this.”
Blake sniffed out a small laugh. “What makes you say that?” he asked as he put the pickup into gear and backed out of his snug parking spot.
“I don’t know. I just figured you’d be more of a luxury-car kind of guy.”
“Judging me, are you?” he teased.
“No. Not at all.”
Blake grinned. “I can’t fit my bikes into those cars.”
“You ride?” Cadence asked, and regretted the words the second they came out of her mouth.
Instead of answering right away, Blake let her question simmer, looking as if he was trying to suppress a naughty grin. “Why? Do you like riding...” He let his partial inquiry hang in the air. “Bikes?” he finally added.
“Blake!” Cadence called him on the innuendo and they both burst out laughing.
“You set yourself up for that one,” Blake said, still laughing.
“I realized that.” Cadence shook her head. Now that his focus was on the road they swiftly covered, she could steal glances. She paid special attention to the lines of his profile, the neat edge of his goatee and the jut of his strong chin.
“To answer your question, yes. I really enjoy my bikes.”
“Wow! Bikes as in plural, huh?”
“Yeah! My brothers and I are quite the adventurous types. We usually use my truck to haul our bikes, ATVs, Jet Skis, you know. Right now I’ve got my eye on a cruiser.”
Cadence wasn’t quite sure what he meant by a cruiser but just assumed it was another type of motorcycle. Those things were excessively dangerous for her liking. She didn’t miss the gleam in his eyes as he talked about what appeared to be his favorite pastime.
“You ever ride?”
“No!” she practically sang, shaking her head as if the thought of her riding was completely absurd. “I’ve never even been on a scooter.”
“Maybe I could take you for a ride one day.”
“Thanks, but no thanks!”
Blake just laughed. “There’s a pizza shop right up here. What should we order?” he asked as he cut a left on Hempstead Turnpike.
“I think three pies should do it. We can do a cheese pizza, one with pepperoni and one with some kind of veggies,” Cadence said.
“That’s cool. That way, we’ll have everyone’s tastes covered.”
Blake and Cadence continued to make small talk as they ordered and waited for the pies. Once they were back in the truck, a companionable silence settled between them. He managed to get the same prime parking spot next to the entrance of the gymnasium.
Blake turned off the engine, but instead of getting out, he simply sat back. Cadence wondered for a second, trying to figure out why he wasn’t moving.
“Cadence.”
Dang it! Every time that man called her name, it did something inexplicable to her. “Yes?” Her voice was mousy. She cleared her throat and tried again. “What’s up?”
“I’d really like to get your number.”
“Really?” Cadence’s brows scrunched. She knew she was picking up signs, but she really didn’t believe he’d be interested in her for any reasonable length of time. She remembered the sexy women that poured all over him at the mixer. She wasn’t interested in casual sex or other meaningless relationships, so why bother wasting either of their time?
“Why do you seem surprised?”
“I...well...” She paused for a moment, getting her thoughts together. She didn’t want to come across as harsh. “I’ve got a lot on my plate right now and...”
“Do you eat?”
“What?”
“You’re about to tell me about how you don’t have time to go out, but you have to eat, right?”
“Yes.” She let the word out slowly, narrowing her eyes at him. She knew where this was going. Blake wasn’t taking no for an answer. It was obvious that he was probably used to getting his way with women.
“So don’t worry about making time. Just let me treat you to a nice meal.”
Cadence released a sound that started like a grunt but ended like a chuckle.
Blake pulled out his phone tapped the screen a few times before speaking again. “You eat on Fridays, right?”
Cadence nodded her head. “Yes. Blake.”
“Okay. So wait until about eight o’clock next Friday night to have your dinner. I’ll pick you up and bring you right back so you can continue tackling all that stuff you have piled up on this plate you’re talking about. Now, what’s your number?” he said, holding his phone up, waiting to tap in the information.
Cadence obliged, giving him her number.
“See, that wasn’t so hard, was it?” Blake teased. “I’m dialing you so my number will be in your phone. Store it now.”
Cadence shook her head again. “You’re pushy!” she teased back.
“Come on. Let’s get these pizzas inside,” Blake said as if he was giving her an order, before trotting to the passenger side to help her out of the truck.
The same tingling sensation that crept across her skin the first time he touched her returned when he took her hand. Cadence slid down, landing in the small space left for her between the car door and Blake’s body. At first, Blake didn’t move. He kept her there, sandwiched between him and the vehicle. Cadence narrowed her eyes at him and with a sly grin he stepped aside, grabbed the boxes of pizzas from the back and led the way inside.
Cadence knew then that there was no way she’d be able to go to dinner with him next Friday night. There were far too many reasons why she simply shouldn’t. Blake was a playboy and an attorney—two things that she tried her best to avoid at all costs. Most important, she wasn’t about to be caught up with the type of man who casually ran through women. She’d just have to ignore all of the sensations that managed to belie the best of her virtuous intentions when he was around and save herself the heartache.
Chapter 7
Blake stood and stretched his long lean body toward the ceiling and then twisted his torso from one side to the other. The day was finally coming to a close. He and the other volunteers had just helped the last of the remaining students. His mouth was dry and his wrists were sore from typing for the past nine hours. As he looked around, other volunteers were also stretching, twisting and shaking their limbs after hours of sitting. Vendors were packing up their booths, getting ready to hit the road.
The two slices of pizza he had for lunch had long since worked their way through his system and now his stomach rumbled as if there were a wrestling matching going on inside him. He looked over toward where Alana stood chatting with Cadence and smiled. He found himself wondering what they were talking about. Remembering the time he’d had alone with Cadence earlier made him smile. As tired as he was after such a long day, he didn’t want it to end. Actually, he didn’t want to see Cadence go. He now had her number and plans for dinner, but with her scent lingering in his nostrils, he decided he hadn’t had enough of her for today.
Blake shook his head, not believing his own thoughts. Did he want more of Cadence? That truth intrigued him because he couldn’t understand what it was about her that drew him in like a magnet. He was a Barrington brother. They had their pick of women. Many threw themselves at the brothers all the time, so why was it that he couldn’t seem to get this one out of his mind?
Since the first day he laid eyes on her, he’d been absorbed by thoughts about her. Cadence seemed like a challenge, but he’d had women who played hard to get before. Unlike the others, he wasn’t interested in conquering this one as a challenge just to prove that he could before moving on.
Blake heard his name and turned in time to see the organizer heading his way. He wanted to see what the gentleman had to say, but he didn’t want to lose sight of Alana and Cadence.
Jeff shook Blake’s hand. “I can’t thank you enough for all of your help, man.”
Blake nodded. “You’re welcome.”
“Hey, listen, you and your team were great. I’d like to talk with you more about some of our other programs, maybe pull you in to speak to our students sometime.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Blake was sincerely interested in hearing more, but as he looked around, he saw that Cadence had packed up her laptop and slipped her purse onto her shoulder. He didn’t want her to leave before getting another chance to talk to her. Blake turned his attention back to Jeff. “Send me some information. I’d be happy to work something out.”
“Great!” Jeff shook Blake’s hand harder, smiling and nodding his head appreciatively.
Blake looked past him and saw Alana and Cadence heading for the door.
“Jeff, I need to run. Shoot me an email and we’ll set something up.”
Taking off in Cadence’s direction, Blake called out her name. He had to repeat it several times over the noise of chatter, packing tape and tables and chairs being dragged across the floor. Catching up with them right at the door, Blake opened his arms and pulled Alana into a bear hug.
“Thanks for always pulling up the rear.”
“Oh, Blake, please. You know I always come through.”
After squeezing Alana in that friendly embrace, he turned his attention to Cadence. “Thanks for coming with me for the food run earlier.”
“Sure.” Cadence just smiled and nodded.
“I can’t get a hug?” Blake asked, drawing his cheeks down into a pout.
Cadence cast her eyes heavenly, shook her head and stepped into Blake’s waiting arms. When Blake fastened his arms around her, he sucked in a delicate whiff of her natural scent mixed with her floral perfume. Instinctively, his eyes closed and his gut tightened. The soft feel of her cool supple skin was almost intoxicating. After letting his embrace linger, he reluctantly pulled himself away. His earlier thought returned. He wanted more of Cadence.
“Let me take you ladies to dinner. It will be a token of my appreciation for all your hard work today. You have to be hungry. I know I’m starving.”
“Of course you can take me to dinner! I say no to drugs, not food!” Alana said. They all chuckled before turning their attention toward Cadence, who had yet to respond to Blake’s invitation.
Cadence’s response was already etched into her face. Blake could see it. His knotted stomach also felt it. “Not to—”
“Come on, Cadence!” Alana cut into her objection before she could get it all out. “You just said you were hungry,” Alana blurted. Cadence stretched her eyes at Alana and cut her a sharp glare. Alana dismissed Cadence with a wave and turned her attention to Blake. “Where are we going to eat? She didn’t drive, so she’s riding with me.”
Cadence tossed her hands up in defeat. “I guess I’m going to have dinner with you two.” She cut her eyes back toward Alana. “Next time, I’ll bring my own car.”
Alana smiled and winked at Cadence before turning her attention back to Blake. “Don’t mind her. She’s just a homebody. Sometimes I have to practically drag her out of the house.”
“You like Asian fusion?” Blake directed his question toward Cadence.
“Sure,” she said, with mock enthusiasm.
“Let’s go to Asia Moon on Franklin,” Blake suggested. “It’s not too far from here.”
“Oh yes!” Alana said. “I could use one of their martinis.”
“Okay. Let me grab my stuff and close things out over here. I can meet you there in about—” Blake looked down at his watch and mumbled as he calculated “—twenty minutes?” Blake waited for the two of them to nod their approval before turning and jogging back to the table where his laptop still rested. Thankful for Alana’s insistence, he felt like jumping in the air and clicking his heels. Because of her, he’d have another few hours to work his charms on Cadence.
One way or another, he was determined to break through that shell that Cadence had erected around herself. He snickered when he thought scandalously about what he’d find on the inside—all puns intended.
Chapter 8
“Now you owe me!” The words shot out of Cadence’s mouth like cannonballs. She jammed her seat belt into the slot, sat back and folded her arms.
Alana snickered. Cadence glared at her and Alana fell into a fit of laughter as she maneuvered the car out of the lot. “Stop acting like you don’t want to go to dinner with that man—that fine man!” she sang.
“It’s really not a big deal.”
Alana slammed on the brakes, forcing Cadence’s body to jerk forward. “Girl! It’s me! Don’t sit here and act as if you don’t find him attractive. He was all over you today.” Alana shook her head, looked both ways and continued driving.
“No, he wasn’t.” Cadence rolled her eyes, pressing back her smile.
“Please! Cadence wants pizza, we all have to eat pizza,” Alana said, waving a hand in sweeping gestures. “Wanna come with me to get the pizza, Cadence?” she said, pulling her voice down a couple of octaves to mimic Blake. “He looked at you like you were his lunch. Let’s not even mention the hug before we left. I thought he would never let you go.”
Cadence turned her head to face the passenger window so Alana wouldn’t see her blush. “You’re exaggerating,” she finally said, once the burn in her cheeks subsided.
“I don’t know why you are playing games. You haven’t had a man in over half a year and here comes this tall drink of refreshing spring water, flowing from a crystal glacier. No. Scratch that! A fine specimen, complete with multiple degrees and the body of a god. He’s the perfect catch. I can’t believe you want to just toss him back in the water like he’s some ugly catfish!”
Cadence cut her eyes at Alana’s overzealous description of Blake. “If he’s so great, then why don’t you date him?”
“Blake is off-limits. I used to date his brother,” she said matter-of-factly.
“What? You didn’t tell me that. Which one?” Cadence didn’t hide her surprise. “I thought I knew all of your boyfriends.”
“Drew. It wasn’t serious. We went out a couple of times.”
“Oh.” Cadence held her smile on the inside, happy to hear that her friend wouldn’t possibly be interested in Blake. “I don’t like playboys, and besides, I doubt I’m his type. My boobs aren’t large enough to choke me when I lie down, and I don’t speak bimbo.”