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“Come on, the guest bathroom is this way,” Kade said.

His voice drew me back to the present. This was a different time, a different person, and I couldn’t forget that.

I didn’t move. I’d felt like I could handle this compromise, but being anywhere close to Kade was a dangerous idea. I couldn’t come here to his house and shower every day. No way. Not if I wanted to stay strong.

“Actually, I didn’t come here to shower. I’m going to the bunkhouse. Elijah said he fixed the bathroom door, so it won’t be an issue anymore.” I backed up a couple steps.

“Then why’d you bring a bag?” Kade asked, watching me as if he didn’t just read me like a book, but had read me so often that he could quote my opening lines.

“Elijah said he’d fix the problem, so I don’t see the issue.” I was gripping my bag as if he were going to try to take it hostage, even though he looked almost as lost in this space as I was.

Then he said, “Can you use it as a favor to me?” as if it were actually important.

I didn’t know what to say. He sounded so much like the Kade I knew that I was nodding before I could stop myself.

I followed him down a hall and into a guest bedroom that had its own bathroom.

“You can have this one to yourself.” He walked out of the bedroom, shutting the door to the suite.

I looked around at the comfortable room, with a queen bed and pristine white duvet. He’d had this empty bedroom available and put me in the shed to keep me away from him. I couldn’t get soft just because he was having amomentfor whatever reason.

I put my bag down and showered in what seemed like an endless supply of hot water.

I didn’t dry my hair, but twisted it in a bun as I threw my stuff back in my bag to go.

When I walked out, Kade was in the kitchen cooking.

“Thanks,” I said, walking toward the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Hang on.” He took a step in my direction and nodded toward the kitchen. “I made some extra steak if you’re hungry?”

Again, he was trying to throw me off with glimpses of the man I knew. Or thought I’d known.

“No—I mean, thanks, but I’ll grab something at the bunkhouse. Chuck is there cooking.”

He nodded, looking disappointed, but I had to be imagining that. I couldn’t forget who he was now.

Chapter14

Kade

I was sittingon the porch, sipping a beer. The sun had set an hour ago and every movement drew my eye in anticipation. The situation was becoming dire enough that I was calling the one person I shouldn’t. Not because he was a bad guy, but because I’d pay a price for any help I’d get. Unfortunately, he was the only one I felt I could say this to.

I called my brother, who picked up right away.

“What’s up?”

“I’ve got an issue.” I took a long swig of my beer.

Alec’s voice immediately dropped. “What’s wrong?”

He might be a ball buster, but there was no one else I’d call in the middle of the night if I had a shovel in one hand and a bottle of bleach in the other.

“I’m going to tell you something I know I’ll regret.”

“You want to fuck her,” he said.

I let out a soft groan. “Yes.”