Caiden (A MacLaughlin Family Novella Book 2) Read Free

her, his knees grazing hers as situated himself. “Glad you made it. I was worried you might have changed your mind.”
    “No, I’m so sorry I was late. I didn’t me—”
    He waved a hand to stop her apology. “You don’t owe me an apology, sugar. I’m the lucky one who gets to eat dinner with a beautiful woman.”
    Sugar? Sugar was what her dad called her. But, it took on a whole new meaning coming from Caiden MacLaughlin’s lips. With everything going on in her life right now, that label coming from him should feel invasive, but it didn’t. She liked it. She wanted to move to his side and sit next to him, tucked against his broad chest, and feel protected by his strong arms.
    Heat rushed to her cheeks and she glanced down at the table. It wasn’t fair. Not to her or to Caiden. She couldn’t get attached or lead him on. Luke would make his life miserable.
    “What’s bothering you? I can see the wheels turning in those big brown eyes.”
    She shook her head. “It’s nothing. I just want to forget it and enjoy the evening with you.”
    He was out of his seat and sliding onto the bench next to her before she could open her mouth to object. He smelled so good. His aftershave was piney and clean. A moment later he’d wrapped an arm around her and was hugging her tightly. She stiffened in surprise, but relaxed quickly.
    “You looked like you needed a hug. I hope it was okay.” His voice rumbled up from his chest and she sighed as he pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head.
    “I did need one. Thank you,” she whispered into his chest.
    “You’re welcome.”
    “Good evening, are you two love birds celebrating anything special?” An overly perky voice broke the moment and Lina quickly put a little space between herself and Caiden.
    “I…no…”
    “Been a long day, ma’am,” he answered, “Can you bring us two bowls of the lobster ravioli and some fresh bread?”
    “Of course. Would you like anything to drink besides water?” The waitress asked, filling the two goblets already sitting on the table.
    “A glass of chardonnay, please,” Lina said, finally finding her voice.
    “Ice tea for me, thank you.”
    “My name is Kayce, let me know if you need anything else and I’ll get that right out for you.” She scurried away.
    Caiden nodded and then turned. Lina’s core warmed under his stare and she raised her gaze to meet his. He was looking at her like she was the last woman alive on the planet. Would they even make it through the dinner before she was begging him to come back to her hotel room? She’d never even considered sleeping with someone so quickly, but she couldn’t fathom not spending the night with this man who could heat her body with a mere look. He squeezed the top of her thigh under the tablecloth.
    A shudder ran up her spine and she licked her lips. Maybe she imagined it, but she was pretty sure she heard him groan. Who needed to eat food when a delectable buffet of gorgeous guy sat only a few inches away?
    He turned for a second and took a quick sip of water from one of the goblets on the table. She glanced around the room and sighed. Pinned between him and a half stone wall-divider was nice. Nobody was going to bother her with him blocking out the world.
    “So tell me about your family.”
    “My family?”
    “Family is what shapes a person. It’s the core of who we are.”
    “I don’t have much. It’s just my dad and me. Mom died of cancer when I was five. I don’t remember her much, but Dad says I look just like her.”
    “I’m so sorry. I understand losing a parent, but not at such a young age. My father passed away almost six years ago. My brothers and I were all grown and my sister was a senior in high school. It was the worst year of our lives, but at least we have memories of him.”
    “Dad has home movies of her and I watch those a lot to keep the memories I do have present. I remember her playing with me in the yard, and cooking together. She loved to make