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By the time he stepped outside, he was perspiring and the beads of sweat trickling down his neck had absolutely nothing to do with the ninety-degree heat and everything to do with the ray of sunshine smiling over her shoulder at him.
“Are we walking?” she asked.
“We’re not going far.”
Because she had on killer heels, he took hold of her hand and placed it in the crook of his arm to assist her. The gesture had nothing whatsoever to do with the fact he wanted to touch her smooth skin. Really, it didn’t.
He escorted her around the side of the house beneath a canopy of lattice work, vines and blooming flowers. And, just as he’d requested, there was a table for two set up in the corner, nestled against a backdrop of bright pink bougainvilleas and a trickling waterfall that spilled into a small pond, complete with lily pads.
“We’re eating here?”
Cade smiled at the surprise in her tone. “I know how you love simplicity and I wanted to do something you liked to show you just how grateful I am to you for discovering that resort at such a great price.”
She waved a hand. “Oh, Cade, I was just doing my job. I’ve told you that. But I do appreciate the gesture.”
He took her hand from his arm and guided her across the small, wooden bridge over the pond and led her to her seat.
“I have to admit,” she said with a wide grin as he sat down across from her, “This is probably the nicest thing anyone’s ever done for me.”
What? Cade couldn’t believe that. But all the more reason he was glad he had made these plans for her. She deserved the best of everything.
He smiled. “Had I known, I would’ve done more. This is just a simple dinner.”
She lifted one bare, sexy shoulder. “I’ve been on my own for so long, taking care of my mother and then working to pay off her bills. So, pretty much if I get pampered, it’s of my own doing.”
Cade sat back in his seat, watched as she took the cloth napkin from her plate and placed it in her lap. How on earth had he not seen how hard she was working herself? She didn’t even get out to meet people. Was it any wonder she was still single? The only males she’d been around were him and Brady.
“I’m sorry.” He watched her eyes dart up from her lap where she’d toyed with her napkin. “I’m sorry that we worked you too hard and you couldn’t enjoy life. I guess I just assumed when you left the office you would go out with friends or…I don’t know, do something.”
“Like ride a mechanical bull?” she asked with a smirk and lift of her brows.
Cade laughed, something he didn’t do often. “Not exactly what I’d pictured you doing.” God. Had he thought of her in the off hours before now? Obviously so, seeing as how he’d just admitted as much.
Damn. That’s how slick she was with her…wiles. She’d been in his head for quite a while now. And he wanted nothing more than to call off this wedding and see if he and Abby had anything in common other than real estate dealings and mergers.
But if he called off the wedding, he’d also diminish any hopes of teaming up with the world’s most renowned real estate mogul.
And what the hell would he call off the wedding for? Because he had developed a sudden case of hot pants for his assistant? How cliché and pathetic was that? But there was a niggling feeling deep down that told him this…whatever it was between him and Abby was more.
“What did you picture me doing, Cade?”
Her sweet, yet sultry voice hung in the air, as if mocking him.
Careful. You’re treading on shaky ground.
“Meeting friends for a drink or shopping or going on a date.”
“I can’t recall the last date I had.”
Cade swallowed. “You’re kidding? Do I work you that hard?”
“No, but I’ve always stayed after you and Brady left because I really had nothing to go home to.”
Before he could utter another word, two women wheeled out a cart with several dishes. Once the food was served and they were alone once again, Cade couldn’t get over the fact she’d been alone for so long.
“Surely you do something for fun?”
Abby shoved a fork in a mandarin orange in her salad. “I love to read. Poetry mostly. I also like to surf the web for various destinations. I…”
“What?” he asked when she trailed off.
She stabbed another orange. “It’s silly.”
“I still want to hear it.”
With her fork hovering over her plate, she grinned. “I look for destinations that I’d like to see one day. I love to travel, but the only way I can afford to do it—other than our business trips—is through the Internet.”
