Cupcake Overload (Cupcakes 2)

I shook my head and swallowed, then said, “Nah, I kind of believe him when he says he didn’t kill her. What reason would he have, when it’s Tony that owed him. I thought maybe he’d done it to get revenge, or as collateral, or something, but my gut tells me that he’s telling the truth. I’m afraid I’m back at square one, and have nothing to clear Sledge.”

“We’ll figure it out,” Cade said as he loosened my hair. “Now, let’s talk about you going into a place like that without backup.”

“Carmen was there,” I explained warily, my eyes focusing on his throat instead of looking him in the eyes.

“I mean me.”

“Hey, Amy May wants to know if we want to go tubing this weekend,” I said, hoping he’d let my abrupt change of subject slide.

“Lila,” he began, then sighed when I looked up at him pleadingly. “Where?”

I smiled brightly at him and replied, “The river.”

“Babe, I don’t do rivers.”

“What, you don’t have a bathing suit? We can get you one … or are you afraid of the water?”

“I grew up on an island, darlin’. I grew up in the ocean, and practically lived in my shorts. I surf, sail, scuba, snorkel, and jet ski. What I don’t do is sit in a filthy river and float.” He made a face like I’d suggested he tube through a body of shit.

“Please,” I begged, offering him a bite of my cupcake to show how sincerely I wanted this. “Jason is dying to see you, and the kids love tubing. It’ll just be a few hours, and I’ll bring plenty of beer to pull behind us. Plus, I’ll be in a bikini…”

His eyes narrowed at the promise of a bikini, but when Cade still didn’t agree I racked my brain to try and come up with something else to sweeten the pot.

“I want you and the kids to come with me to Hawaii,” Cade said suddenly, and his rapid change of subject had me blinking.

“What?”

“The kids are out of school at the end of the month, and my mom’s been bugging me to come out. She really wants to meet you and the kids.”

“But, I’m just getting the business up and running…” I stuttered, grasping as I tried to get a handle of the nerves that threatened to drown me at the thought of meeting Cade’s family.

“You can make sure your cases are closed, then have Carmen or someone on stand-by in case of an emergency.”

“What if I’m not done with Sledge’s case by then?”

“We’ll work together, together, with Bea and Carmen; we should get this shit closed in no time. I found a pretty good deal on flights, and wanted to make sure you were cool before I booked them.”

I had always wanted to go to Hawaii, but meeting Cade’s parents? Am I ready for that? Are Elin and Elena?

Who am I kidding, Elin and Elena would be crazy excited, and I do want to see where Cade is from, and meet the people who mean so much to him.

I brought my eyes up to Cade’s face to see him watching me closely, probably guessing at the questions running through my head.

“I’ve never brought anyone home to see where I’m from, or to meet my family,” Cade said quietly, making all of my worries evaporate.

“I’d love to.”

Cade’s face brightened as he smiled at me, causing my breath to catch. God, he was gorgeous. Inside and out. And, this gorgeous, protective, supportive, amazing man wanted me to meet his family.

How lucky could one woman get?

His face went from bright to wicked when he lowered his voice and said, “Now, let’s talk about what happened at the bar…”

“Am I about to be punished?” I asked hopefully.

“Absolutely,” Cade replied.

“Spanked?” I asked softly, looking up at him from under my lashes.