“Not even close,” Cade bit out.
“He’s looking for a wife, and he would make a good husband.” Point two.
“He’s a hound dog that wouldn’t know fidelity if it bit his ass,” Cade snarled.
“He’s well respected—”
“By the women he beds, or his business partners. No one else.” Cade was growing coldly furious.
“Who else would matter?” Sam chuckled, his male wit out of control. “Oh come one, Cade. He just wants to see her. Marly’s a big girl now. A woman. Let her decide.”
Marly watched as Cade paled when Sam said those words.
“He’s too old for her,” he sneered. “He’s older than I am.”
“Just by two years.” Sam lifted his shoulders in unconcern. “He’s mature. She doesn’t want a kid, Cade.” His eyes sliced to Greg. “No offense intended, kid.”
Greg choked on laughter or anger, Marly wasn’t certain.
“None taken,” he assured Sam tightly. Maybe it was anger, Marly thought.
“Marly?” She jumped as Cade’s voice boomed through the room. “Tell Sam to cancel it. I won’t have you going out with that pervert. It’s hard telling what diseases he’s packing with him.”
Marly opened her eyes wide; affecting what she hoped was pure amazement.
“You won’t have me?” She asked him carefully. If he would have her, they wouldn’t be having this problem. “Cade, you’re forgetting, I decide who I go out with and who I don’t. And since you obviously want to treat me like a child, I think it would be nice to be treated as a woman instead.”
Silence, complete and overwhelming rippled through the room. Sam watched Cade carefully, while Cade glared at Marly. Greg was nervous, his Adam’s apple bobbing frantically. Marly appeared calm, but her stomach was in violent protest. Brock was sitting back in his chair watching it all as though it were some strange movie he had to figure out the plot to.
“Dillon Carlyle’s out of your league, Marly,” he bit out.
“Out of my league?” she asked him curiously. “I was unaware I was in one, or that you would know what it was if I were.”
Ouch. Cade’s brows drew together sharply, the muscle in his jaw flexing in fury as he watched her.
“So, it’s okay if he shows up?” Sam asked Marly as though Cade weren’t even there. “He seemed really interested in seeing you.”
“I think it would be fun.” She smiled merrily though she could still feel Cade watching her, a thick cloud of fury hovering over her. “When’s he supposed to be here?”
“Tonight.” Sam leaned back in his chair with a grin. “Better wear jeans though, I think he’s bringing that new Harley he bought. He’s a grinning fool over that machine.”
Cade rose suddenly from the table and stalked from the room. Sam smiled in contentment as he heard the door to Cade’s study slam shut with a vicious sound.
“Act one completed,” he breathed in satisfaction. “If I were you, I’d stalk right in there and ask him what the hell his problem is.”
Marly widened her eyes in complete amazement.
“Are you crazy, Sam? He’s completely furious. You know what he would do,” she told him as adrenaline surged through her at the thought.
“Aw, he won’t hurt you, Marly.” Sam shook his head. “He’s not pissed enough to yell at you yet. He’s mad at me. He thinks you’re an innocent bystander.” Sam laughed at this. “Man. He has no clue.”
“Dangerous game the two of you are playing,” Brock suddenly spoke up quietly, reflectively. “I wouldn’t push Cade so far so fast if I were you. Especially after yesterday. Whether you two are aware of it or not, Cade’s staked his claim on her. He won’t let another man have her, and anyone else is only going to get hurt.”
Marly, Sam and Greg glanced at him in surprise.
“Only a blind man wouldn’t see what you’re up to, Marly. All of you.” He shook his head at them. “Fortunately for you, Cade is real damned blind right now. Push him too far, and when he opens his eyes, it might be more than you can handle.”
“What would you suggest?” Sam frowned angrily. “He treated her like shit, Brock.”