I could pick her up and throw her over my shoulder and cause a big scene.
I could go sit back down at the bar and spend the night without the pleasure of her company.
Or, I could slide right in next to her.
I nod. “Fair ’nough.”
She narrows her gaze, and her fingers tighten on the chair.
I walk over, pick up an empty seat, and swing it to rest beside her, plopping myself down. I smile. “You win.”
“Do I?” Her fingers relax, confirming she’s happy I stayed.
“You’ll have to judge for yourself.” I raise a brow. “But I think we’re off to a good start.
18
Cat
After a long night full of alcohol, good food, and laughter, I’m leaning lazily against the porch column. Somewhere along the way I’ve lost my shoes, and Caden towers over me, all seductive.
I rest my head against the white wood and smile. “That turned out to be more fun than I expected.”
He steps closer, putting a palm on the column right next to my head. “It was fun.” His head dips. “How you feeling, Cat?”
“I’m feeling quite fine.” And I am. I’m the most pleasant kind of drunk—where the world is warm and rosy and anything bad seems a million miles away. I put my hands behind my back, forcing my body forward. “How about you?”
“Can’t complain.”
That low Louisiana drawl I’ve heard my entire life somehow sounds just a little different on him. A little better. Hotter.
I lick my lower lip, and he tracks my movements. “Does anyone ever call you Cade?”
He shakes his head. “Nope.”
“How come?”
He shrugs. “Nobody ever asked.”
My lashes flutter as I look up at him. “Can I call you Cade?”
“Nope.”
My brow pulls. “Why not? You call me Catarina when nobody else does.”
“I like the way Caden falls from your lips.” He leans a little closer. “And I like how your eyes flash silver when I call you Catarina.”
“They do?” I’m hot all over, and I want him so bad.
“They do.” His tongue darts against my lips, soft like a butterfly. “I’ve never met a woman with silver eyes before.”
“My daddy had them. Wyatt and I take after him.” I scrape my teeth over my mouth, which feels swollen and ready. “Jackson takes after our mom.”
“Is that so?”
I nod, falling silent. My gaze meets his.
“Is tonight the night?” he asks, reaching up and twining a big hand around my neck.