Cade was laughing as he pulled her hands away from her face. “He was never going to participate, not directly. He was here for security, in case anyone came by the house while we were in the basement, or if I needed an extra set of eyes on you.”

She blinked. “He was never going to be in the scene?”

“He wasn’t comfortable with the CNC, but he wanted to help out.”

“Oh. That’s so sweet,” she said, then closed her eyes in despair. “And I kicked him in the balls.”

“Trust you to go off script,” he said, clearly amused, and she opened her eyes to glare at him.

“How am I supposed to ever look Amanda in the eye again? I broke her husband!”

“I promise, he’ll survive to fuck another day.”

“I feel terrible,” she grumbled, burrowing her face into his neck as he gathered her in.

“You shouldn’t. It worked perfectly with the scene, James is going to be just fine, and now the rest of us have something to razz him about.”

“You promise?”

“I swear, we are absolutely going to give him shit about this for the rest of his life.”

She pulled back to look at him, and he grinned at her unrepentantly. “I meant, do you promise he isn’t broken?”

“I promise, he isn’t broken.”

“I still feel bad,” she sighed.

“Aw,” he murmured, and brushed a kiss over her cheek. “I should make you feel better.”

She squirmed when he nibbled on her jaw. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.” He kissed his way down her neck, his beard soft against her skin. He pushed aside the sweatshirt to get to her collarbone. “Much better.”

“Mmm.” Her eyes drifted closed as sensation swam in, warm and sweet and unrushed. “What did you have in mind?”

She felt his lips curve against her skin in a slow smile, and her breath hitched as she waited for his answer. But the slamming of the back door brought him up with a jerk.

“Filho, where are you?” a lightly accented voice boomed.

“Oh, God,” he groaned, and dropped his head to her neck.

“Cade?” Olivia pushed at his shoulder, but he didn’t budge. “Who is that?”

“I brought you some leftovers, since you couldn’t be bothered to come to dinner. At least this way I know you won’t starve.”

“Is that your mother?” Olivia whispered, horrified.

“Yes,” he sighed, and lifted his head. “Apparently she didn’t believe me when I said I had plans tonight.”

“You have to get off me.” She planted both hands on his chest and shoved hard. He didn’t budge. “Cade, she’s going to come in here.”

“I know.” He sounded mournful, but there was a glimmer of mischief in his eyes. “Maybe if we’re making out, she’ll get the hint and go away.”