As soon as the study door was closed, Grace slid her arms around his neck and tried to kiss him, but Kade turned his face away. He caught her hands and eased them from around his neck as he stepped out of her embrace.

“I thought we’d both decided to move on, Grace.”

“You decided, Kade. I thought it was just a misunderstanding. I thought once we were together again, you’d realize your mistake.”

“It wasn’t a mistake, Grace. I’ve moved on, and so should you.”

One of her blond eyebrows went up. “By moved on, you mean you’re sleeping with your cook?” She scoffed. “I thought you had higher ambitions.”

“I don’t have any ambitions when it comes to women. I sleep with whoever I want, as long as that’s what the lady wants too.”

“You could do far better. Surely you can see that.” She reached out and pressed her hand against the fly of his jeans. “We were good together, Kade. Admit it.”

He caught her wrist and moved her hand away. “We had some fun. Now it’s over. I’ll walk you out to your car.”

Her lips thinned. “Fine. If you’re determined to behave like a fool with a woman so clearly beneath you, there’s nothing more to say.” Turning, she huffed across the study, pulled open the door, and marched out into the hall.

She didn’t wait for Kade, who followed her out, just headed back to the kitchen. When she reached the door, she paused to look at Ellie.

“Enjoy him while you can. He’s a great fuck, but he doesn’t really give a damn.” Grace slammed out the door.

Kade’s gaze locked with Ellie’s. “I ended it three months ago. It was never serious.”

“It’s none of my business.” Words she had said last night.

But there was a note of regret in her voice he had never heard before. Kade looked at her, and something tightened in his chest. He strode toward her, pulled her into his arms. When she tried to turn away, he caught her chin, forcing her to look at him.

“Grace was just another woman. She never meant anything to me. Whatever happens between us, you’re special, Ellie. I’ve never met anyone like you.” Bending his head, he kissed her, didn’t stop until her ripe lips softened under his and she was clinging to his shoulders.

He didn’t know what was going on between them, but whatever it was, that was the moment Kade decided it was worth finding out.

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY

ELLIE TOLD HERSELF TO PACK UP AND LEAVE. THERE WAS ALWAYS another job. Quitting would be the smart thing to do. She didn’t trust herself where Kade Logan was concerned, and she didn’t want to risk getting hurt again.