I’ve become somewhat obsessed with Caden’s past, and have taken to scouring Google, even though I already know he’s a ghost on the internet. It’s fascinating. He’s like a relic from the past. He doesn’t have a smart phone. He’s never even asked for wifi in the cabin where he resides. The only time he appears to use a computer is in his office, and he’s obviously kept his digital life to the barest minimum.
It’s so frustrating. How come you can never find the guy you’re looking for on the internet? What good are all these stalking tools when they don’t give you information on the people you want?
I sigh.
Gabe chuckles. “What’s that for?”
I shrug. “Nothing. Hard week.”
“Want to talk about it?”
I shake my head. “Nope.” I point to the dance floor where the bayou music piped through the speakers has people swaying to the beat. “You want to dance?”
“Sure thing, Kit-Cat.” He calls me by the nickname I’ve had since we were twelve. He grabs my hand. “Let’s help you blow off some steam.”
Yes, that’s what I need, since sex is nowhere in my foreseeable future. That didn’t bother me in the slightest before, but now it’s like a dull ache living inside me. Clearly, I’ll have to supplement. Dancing seems as good a sport as any.
I tap my free hand on the bar and yell over to my uncle. “Don’t let anyone steal our spots.”
My uncle Beau, still good looking and rugged at sixty, grins at me. “Would I let anyone do that, girl?”
No, he wouldn’t. He practically raised us after our father took off to parts unknown. He’d protect us at any cost, and a seat at the bar is no exception.
Hands loosely clasped, Gabe and I push past the crowd make our way onto the floor. He swings me into his arms and pulls me close, before leading me into a two-step.
We’ve been dancing together forever, and we find our rhythm without fail. I do my best to lose myself in the music and forget about the man I can’t seem to shake from my thoughts.
One song turns into two, and then three. We sway and twirl around the floor, and the movement feels good, the heat and sweat like a tonic.
I beam at Gabe, rising to tiptoes to kiss him full on the lips, with a loud smack. “Thank you. You’re the best.”
He grips my waist tight, squeezing me. “You too.”
I point over his shoulder. “That redhead has her eye on you.”
He grins, swinging me around and glancing over my head, which isn’t hard, considering my size. “That she does.”
I laugh. “She’s probably already envisioning all the ginger babies you’d have.”
He shudders. “Bite your tongue, woman.”
Neither of us is worried that people might think we’re together, because everyone knows we’re not. And where Gabe is concerned, nothing but a wedding ring on his finger would stem the flow of available females. Probably not even then.
Off to the side of Gabe’s left shoulder, a flash catches my eye, and I crane my neck around his broad chest, faltering when I see Caden in my empty spot at the bar.
I lose my step completely, sucking in my breath, unable to help it.
Gabe smooths a palm over my back. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” I glance around and realize Gwen and Jackson are here too. The three of them must have come together. Why? Someone, somewhere, must hate me, because every time I try to go out to forget about Caden, he shows up.
I mean, I guess it’s not a total stretch, considering there aren’t many options for a raucous Friday night out. But I want to escape him, and it’s impossible!
“So, it’s like that, is it?” Gabe’s voice rips me from the sight.
My brow furrows, and I feign ignorance. “What do you mean?”
He grins down at me. “You’ve got the hots for him.”
I shake my head. “I do not!”
Under Gabe’s scrutiny, I feel a flush bloom hot on my cheeks.
He laughs. “Oh my God, you do.”
“Shut up. I don’t.” Thankfully the song changes to something slow and moody, and I take the opportunity to blot Caden Landry from my vision. I snuggle in close to Gabe, resting my head on his broad, capable chest and closing my eyes.
“This is adorable. You have a crush.”
I smack his chest, keeping my lids shut tight. “Fuck off.”
He traces the path of my spine with his fingers. “Trying to make him jealous, I see.”