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Since my doctor’soffice is in the city, I agreed to let Cade pick me up at the Kings offices and drive us over, rather than backtracking to get him in Kroydon Hills and then needing to double back into the city. So I’m not surprised when Connor tells me Mr. St. James is here to see me.
He’s early.
Seeing him Friday night was confusing. The attraction between us is visceral. It always was. So it’s no wonder we got together in Vegas when finally given the opportunity. The pull to him is as powerful now as it was when we were teenagers. But I’m stronger now.
I stand from my chair and smooth my hands down my black cigar pants as Connor escorts Cade into my office. “Thanks, Connor. We’ll be leaving in a few minutes. I’m not sure what time I’ll be back.”
“No problem, Scarlet.” He looks between Cade and me and smiles. “I cleared your schedule for the afternoon.”
I scrutinize his face. “I thought I had a four o’clock?”
“Nope. You’re good for the rest of the day.” He shuts the door behind him, and I can’t help but wonder what’s going on. “Well, okay then. Just give me a minute, and I’ll be ready to leave.” I sit back down and finish the email I was sending, albeit a little slower than I usually would because my eyes keep straying to Cade.
He’s wearing gray and white workout pants that taper to the ankle and another Crucible shirt. Today’s is red. And right now, he’s perusing the credenza along the wall of my office. It’s filled with pictures. One of the last games we were all at together, as a family, before Lenny’s mom died and she ran off to England. One of all of us as little kids in matching Kings jerseys. Dad and Grandpa together when the new stadium was built. And my most favorite recent one of Max, Becks, me, and Lenny with her fiancé, Sebastian, after he played in and won our most recent championship game.
He may not be married to Lenny yet, but he’s already part of the family. There was something extraordinary about having a family member playing in that game.
“There’s a whole lot of history on these shelves, Scarlet.” Cade picks up a frame and turns it so I can see it. “But I think this is my favorite.” It’s a picture of Max, Becks, and me as teenagers in our jerseys.
There’s absolutely nothing special about that one. “Really?”
“Yup. This is the you that was mine.” And damn, if the sexy as sin smile that accompanies that statement doesn’t make my panties damp.
“Okay, Romeo.” I hit send on my email, close my laptop, and add it to my bag in case I don’t want to come back today. Working from home is always an option.
A few minutes later, the two of us are in Cade’s truck, taking the ten-minute drive to the doctor’s office, the tension in the air blanketing both of us. It’s not until Cade parks and we get out of the truck that one of us finally breaks the silence. “How have you been feeling, Scarlet?”
I don’t get a chance to answer him before his phone rings. “You can take that. I’m going to go get signed in.”
Luckily, I’m called back immediately and let the nurse know that Cade will join us in just a minute. After I’ve peed in a cup and been weighed like a prized pig, I’m escorted to one of the exam rooms. My blood pressure is taken, and I’m told to sit on the table. The doctor should be right in.
“Wait. Don’t I have to get changed?” I mean, where’s the itchy pink paper gown?
The older woman smiles warmly at me. “First baby, honey?”
I hate being called “honey.” “Yes. I guess it’s obvious?” Okay. That was the polite answer. It may have taken more energy than I had to give, but I was nice. What I wanted to say was, “Could you answer my fucking question instead of asking me another one?” But no need to piss off the people I’m going to need over the next few months.
My nerves are fried, and the exam hasn’t even started.
Just as she’s leaving, I hear Cade’s voice before he enters the room. “Sorry about that. Imogen picked Brynlee up from school today and was just letting me know her teacher pulled her aside to talk to her.” He leans against the wall and crosses his ankles and then his arms over his chest.
“Everything okay with Brynlee?”
“Well, let’s see. She called a little boy a ‘fucknut.’” He rolls both his lips in, keeping his laughter murmured.
I, however, laugh out loud. “Oh my God. No. Where did she hear that?”
“Let’s just say I’m going to make your brother clean the bathrooms at the gym for a fucking month.” He crosses the room and leans a hip next to me on the table. “It’s good to see you laugh, duchess.” His fingers run through my hair as the door opens, and Dr. Esher walks in.
“Hi, Scarlet.” She looks over at Cade. “And Mr...?”
Cade doesn’t answer right away though. He looks to me for permission first, then offers her his hand. “Cade St. James. I’m the baby’s father.”
Dr. Esher tosses her hair over her shoulder and smiles before offering him her hand. “Very nice to meet you, Mr. St. James.” If she’s flirting with him, I might actually strangle her with the stethoscope around her neck. “How are you feeling, Scarlet?” I never really thought about it before, but Dr. Esher looks like she can’t be any older than I am. How many babies could she have possibly delivered? Shit. Maybe I need to find a new doctor.
“I feel great.” I plaster my best PR smile on my face and sit tall until Cade clears his throat. One look his way, and I know I’m about to get ratted out. Damnit. “Well, I feel pretty good, but I guess I’ve been tired.”
She sits down on her wheelie stool and scans what’s on the computer, then rolls over to me. “Okay, let’s get a quick look and listen, shall we? First, I need you to lie back. Then unbutton your pants and pull them down a bit.”
