Maddie wavered, then smiled at Max, completely ignoring Cade. “I had a good time today, Max.”
“Me too, Tink.” He tapped her nose with his index finger. “Run along like your mother said.”
Sky watched through the kitchen window as Maddie entered the house, then turned back to the two men. “What do you want, Cade?”
Max didn’t miss the strain in her voice or the tenseness in her stance, which heightened his protective instincts.
“To talk to you in private,” he snapped. “This is the third time I’ve been by since you got off. Where have you been?”
She ignored his question. “Anything you have to say to me can be said here.”
Cade stepped forward, and like flipping a switch, a charming man replaced the irritated one. He smiled and reached toward her. “I’ve got it set up for us to go to the dance next Saturday night.”
What the hell?
“I told you I have to work.”
“I got Louise to work for you.”
His self-satisfied grin made Max grind his teeth.
“You what? I have to work.”
The sharp edge in her normally soft speech surprised Max.
Apparently, Cade, too, because he flinched.
“You said you couldn’t go because you had to work. I got her to work for you, so now we can go.”
Max watched Sky’s transformation with a heady mixture of delight and desire. Face awash with color, eyes shooting daggers at Cade, her chest rose and fell rapidly as she struggled for control.
It was hot. And entertaining as hell.
“How dare you.” Sky took a step forward, hands fisted at her side. “You had no right to do that.”
Cade flashed his trademark smirk. “You need some fun in your life, babe, instead of being tied down with the kid and work all the time.”
Max almost felt sorry for the self-centered imbecile as he dug the hole deeper. Almost.
Cade reached for her hand, his timbre low and seductive. “Come on, babe. Stop with the games. You know you want to go out with me.”
She jerked back. “I am not your babe,” she hissed, “and my daughter is not a burden.” She took a breath. “And do not EVER interfere in my life again.”
“I was—”
“This is the last time we’re having this conversation, Cade. I’m not going to that dance or anywhere else with you. I told you before. I don’t date.”
Cade’s furious scowl settled on Max. “What about him?”
“None of your business.”
Max moved closer. Time for this asshole to hit the road. “I think the lady’s made her wishes clear. You can leave now.”
Cade focused on Sky, his face an unhealthy red, one purple vein pulsing at his temple. “I told you before. Getting involved with him is a mistake.”
“Good night, Cade.”
Sky’s voice trembled, whether with anger or fear, Max couldn’t tell.
“You heard her, Jackson. Leave. Now.”
Cade stiffened, hands fisted at his side, as he turned cold, dead eyes on Max. “Loser Logan,” he sneered. “You still don’t get it, do you? You’re not good enough for her or anyone else. You never were.” He jerked open the door. “And you never will be.”
It took a great deal of willpower not to follow through on the urge to plant his fist in Cade’s face as the man stormed outside.
“I’ve never encouraged him.” Sky grabbed up one of the plastic sacks and roughly stuffed it inside another. “I don’t know why he persists in asking me out.”
“You turned him down. That’s encouragement enough.”
Her back to him, Sky stopped and hung her head. “He sees Maddie as a burden.”
“He’s an asshole.” The knife-sharp words were out before he could stop them.
Her light laugh eased some of the tension in the room. “He is that.” She finished with the empty sacks and turned around. “These make handy liners for bathroom trash cans and trash bags for the car.”
Who puts liners in a bathroom trash can? “Good to know. Thanks.”
Those intoxicating, soul-searching eyes locked on his. “He’s wrong you know.”
