my mother and giving her a peck on the cheek. “You must let me steal you away from Cade Senior one day.”
“Oh Thomas, behave,” Mom gushes, giving my father a sideways look. She turns to Noah. “And Doctor Taylor, I’m so pleased you could make it. Your parents are already here.”
“Thank you for inviting us. It’s not often my wife and I get to go out like this now, so we’re making the most of it.”
“Caden told me you had a new baby. I hope all is well?” Mom asks, directing the question at Zoe.
“Yes, thank you. Misha is perfect.”
“Such a pretty name,” my mother replies saccharine sweet, and I struggle not to roll my eyes at the pretense of the situation, knowing full well that my mother doesn’t care if Noah has had a new baby—or if she even remembers that Misha is my goddaughter.
“Is this the lovely Abi?” Thomas asks, turning his attention towards the woman at my side.
“You know it is, TJ,” I reply. He smirks at me before holding out his hand to Abi, lifting her fingers to his mouth, and placing a kiss on her knuckles when she acquiesces.
“Nice to finally meet you, Thomas,” she says.
“You haven’t met my son’s friends yet?” my mother asks inquisitively.
“Unfortunately Thomas and I keep missing each other,” Abi replies, not missing a beat.
Thomas grins and winks at her. “I have a feeling we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other,” he says, earning a knowing laugh from Abi.
My shoulders tense and my jaw tightens instinctively, something Thomas doesn’t seem to miss. “Don’t worry, Cade. I’d never try and steal her away.”
Asshole.
“I think the bar is calling me,” Thomas announces once my parents have made their excuses and moved on to the next guests waiting in line to greet them. “Are you guys coming?” he says to the group.
“Considering you gave us a reprieve from the impending inquisition of my date and our surprise relationship, I think I owe you one.”
He moves to my side and claps me on the back. “You know me—I’m never one to turn down a free drink.”
“It’s an open bar,” Noah adds dryly.
“Even better. My shout then,” Thomas says before turning and making a beeline for the bartender, Noah and Zoe following closely behind him.
I reach down and lace Abi’s fingers in mine, giving her a meaningful squeeze.
“That was intense,” Abi says, walking beside me.
“Welcome to any interaction with a Carsen,” I reply.
“Hey,” she says, stopping both of us in our tracks and turning to face me. She moves in close, wrapping one arm around my back and lifting her hand to my jaw. She sweeps her thumb across my cheek, and my taut muscles instantly relax. How the hell does she do that?
I lift my hands up to her hips and look into her now soft eyes.
“You’re strung so tight it’s a wonder you don’t snap,” she says.
I lean into her touch and drop my forehead to hers, not caring that we probably have an audience. “Chalk and cheese have got nothing on me and this life.”
“I can tell,” she says quietly, wrapping her other arm around my back. “I’m here for you, Cade. Just focus on what happens after the night is over. That’s what I’m doing.”
My lips curl up. “Are you telling me you’re a sure thing?” I ask with a grin.
“No, I’m saying I know I’m gonna get laid because you are. Besides, you owe me at least one orgasm so far.”
“I do, do I?” I ask dryly.
“At least.” Her lips curl up into a sexy smile.
“I always pay my debts,” I murmur, my eyes locked on her lips as my head moves lower.
“I might charge interest,” she adds, her voice sounding the same as it does when I’m building her up to climax—rough, raspy, and hot as hell.
“Now that I can pay.” I drop my mouth to her ear, dragging my hands around her waist, holding her hips against my now very hard cock. “Don’t turn me on when it’s hours until I can get inside you again.”
“Fair’s fair. I’ve been wet since I opened the door and saw you in your tux,” she whispers before nipping my jaw, her hands roaming up my arms and sweeping down the lapels of my jacket. “And I’m looking forward to feeling that stubble against my thighs, too.”
“Fuck,” I groan. I’ll let her have that one. It’s a sweet loss though, one that I know will turn out to be a win