“No,” Patton answered. “Cady and I are going to her office party.” He strode toward her, all muscle and confidence. He took her breath away... But his smug little grin doused her appreciation and ignited her temper.
* * *
THE WHOLE NIGHT had been one long exercise in torture. To have her so close, within reach, but not be able to touch her. Hearing his cousins talk about her, seeing Spence’s spark of interest in her—he’d never felt the urge to run before. But he felt unpredictable when it came to Cady. He didn’t want his attachment to her to make him do something he’d regret.
Her conversation with Bianca had left him reeling... First, Bianca was in money trouble. As a cop, he knew that was a pretty strong motive. Was Bianca jumping into this wedding for Zach’s money? It was way past time to look into Bianca Garza’s past. He needed answers—and soon.
Second, who was the guy that had rattled Cady? He knew w
ho he wanted it to be.
As he reached the gate, he saw the tightening of her mouth, the slight narrowing of her eyes and couldn’t help but grin.
“I’ll let you two work out the details then,” Spence offered. “If you think you can get her safely to her car, that is?”
Patton nodded but didn’t take his gaze off Cady. Her temper was so damn sexy. It took everything he had not to crush her against him and bury his hands in her hair.
“I’ll be fine,” she hissed as soon as Spence was out of earshot. “But you might not be so lucky.”
He laughed.
Her eyes went wide, her hands fisting at her sides. “Patton—” She paused, her attention wandering beyond him. To everyone in his family watching them. She pressed her lips together, spun on her little red heels and headed toward her car.
He jogged to catch up then fell in step with her. “About tomorrow—”
“I told you I can handle it.” She glared at him, fumbling in her purse for her keys.
“And I told you I was taking you.” He leaned against her driver door, blocking the handle and lock. “What time?”
“Move, please.” Her words were short, snipped. “I have plans.”
With those three little words his amusement dimmed. “Now?” he asked, staring down the street.
She crossed her arms over her chest and looked at him.
“Okay.” He moved. As hot as she was pissed, he didn’t want to lose this time with her. “What time tomorrow?”
She paused. “You’re really not going to give up?”
“No.”
She looked at him. “Is there something about me that screams damsel in distress?”
He shook his head, searching her face.
“Then what’s the big deal?” she asked. “And what the hell was that?” She waved at his mother’s house.
He knew deep down why it was a big deal...why he’d just made Cady off-limits to the rest of the Ryan men. He cared about her—a lot. More than he’d ever cared for a woman, even the one he’d planned on marrying. Cady fascinated him, captivated him, in a way he couldn’t quite wrap his head around.
The office party was for him, not for her. He needed to see for himself that this Charles guy was as harmless as Cady said he was. He needed to know that Cady was treated with the respect she deserved. She deserved respect. She deserved a man who would take care of her and appreciate her for what she was. Amazing, sexy, untamed and fiercely loyal.
“Patton?” she asked, her eyes searching.
“Why are you so dead set against me taking you?” he asked, deciding evasion was the best course of action.
She sighed, shaking her head. She slid her fingers through her hair, tucking her hair behind her ear. He’d never seen her so rattled. She looked exhausted.
“You okay?” he asked, wanting to touch her so badly he shoved his hands in his pockets.