We enjoyed the delicious pasta and flavorful meatballs in relative silence. For once I didn’t have to prod Lily to stop playing with her food and eat. She gulped the food down greedily and was soon coated from chin to cheeks in tomato sauce. I couldn’t help but steal glances at Alexa throughout the meal, and I remembered that she hadn’t answered my question earlier. I wondered just what, exactly, had prompted her to come over.
“We’re going to need to hose you down out back, Lils,” I chuckled.
She slurped the noodle dangling between her lips and grinned. “No way! I want Lexa to give me my bath tonight.”
A smile tugged at Alexa’s mouth.
“Not tonight, baby doll. It’s too late for a bath.”
Lily pouted but let it drop. Alexa exchanged looks with me across the table, and I could tell she wouldn’t mind helping, but there was no way I was doing that to her. She’d already done too much.
Once we were through and Lily thoroughly wiped down, she escaped to play in her room while Alexa and I lingered at the table.
She tapped her fingers against the wood surface, studying me. “So I take it you weren’t shooting a new film today.”
“Ah, no. I work construction most days. That was just a…stupid mistake.”
“So you don’t do it anymore?” she asked.
“I don’t plan on it, but the money’s damn good. And Lily’s healthcare costs…” I shook my head. “Never mind, I don’t know why I’m telling you all this.”
She tucked her chin down, fiddling with her hands in her lap, not meeting my eyes.
“Are you through?” I nodded toward her plate.
“Yes, thank you.” She folded the napkin and set it on the empty dish.
I took our plates to the kitchen, and after a giving each a quick rinse, loaded them into the dishwasher. Alexa had cleaned as she cooked, because the dishwasher was loaded with the pots and implements she’d used while preparing supper. She leaned against the counter and watched me finish the rest.
“You said it was a mistake, but you did film one video…” Her voice trailed off and her eyes went wide, like she knew she’d been caught snooping.
My breath caught in my throat and my c**k stirred in my jeans. “You’ve seen it?” The idea of her watching me have sex with another woman was… incredibly f**king hot.
Her cheeks flushed crimson and I knew she’d not only seen it, but probably even gotten herself off while watching it. Ah, hell.
Chapter 8
Alexa
Lily’s sudden appearance in the kitchen couldn’t have come at a better time. I needed a heaping dose of shut the hell up. I’d practically admitted to Cade that I’d watched him on video. God, I probably sounded like a creeper. But that wasn’t why I was here. It was this sweet little girl. The fact that her brother made me hotter than hell was beside the point.
I followed her to her room and helped her get undressed, removing her leggings and tunic while she kept one hand on her walker, holding herself up. I could tell that as she got tired, her coordination and muscle control went south. She pointed to the drawer where she kept her jammies, informing me that she wanted the Cinderella ones. I couldn’t help but notice that the drawer also held a few gently worn, adult-sized T-shirts. Cade’s I presumed. Those were probably full-length dresses on her.
I found the pink Cinderella nightgown trimmed in yellow lace and slipped it on over her head. I noted a small puckered scar from a recent surgery and a pronounced dimple where her spine had failed to fuse properly before birth. Poor little thing. I delicately touched the patch of skin, wishing my hands held the power to heal.
I lifted her into bed and secured the covers around her. “Get some rest, sweet pea.” I brushed her blonde curls back from her forehead and leaned in to press a kiss to the center of it. She smiled sleepily up at me, her eyes already beginning to fall closed.
“Night-night, Caden,” she whispered.
I turned and saw his large form filling the open doorway, his expression serious.
Cade remained silent, but his eyes were locked on me. Watching everything I did, my every movement with her. The intensity of his gaze sent a rush skittering along my spine. His look was both curious and possessive.
I crept from the room, and he backed away from the doorway, allowing me to close it behind us. I stood before him in the hallway, which suddenly felt crowded and narrow.
“You probably had better things to do than babysit all afternoon.” His voice was soft, careful.
“No, it’s fine.” I couldn’t believe I’d been here for going on six hours. The truth was it was nice being here, feeling helpful and needed. It was better than sitting alone in my empty apartment, studying.
He stepped in closer and lifted a hand to my cheek, brushing his thumb along the line of my jaw. “Thanks for…taking care of her,” he said, his callused thumb whispering a delicate path along my skin.
I nodded, not trusting my voice to work.
“Do you have to go…or do you have time to stay for a drink?”
I nodded again.
“You have to go?” He dropped his hand.
“No, I can stay.”
A lazy grin tugged at the corner of his lips. “Come on. I have beer, and I think I could even rustle up a bottle of wine.”
“Beer is fine.” Something icy to cool me off would be perfect.
I headed to the living room while he collected two bottles from the fridge and joined me on the couch. The beer was refreshing after such a long day, and I leaned back against the sofa, propping my feet up on the coffee table. He grinned at me, as if in agreement that it was tiring caring for her. I returned his smile, knowing she was worth every second of work.