Page 40 of Family Affair

“This is Frank,” she spoke without turning, her finger gently touching the little figure on the photograph. She didn’t know if her skin rippled from awareness because of Cade standing so close or because she was looking at Frank’s sullen face and his deep, troubled eyes. “I’m so sorry for your family’s loss. I can only imagine what it’s like to lose a brother.”

“Thank you. For a dead man, he can still annoy the hell out of the living.”

His caustic reply made her turn around in surprise. “Why do you say that?”

“He was an artist, like you,” Cade said in a flat tone, “Painted pictures and stuff. He was also a forger. A good one. He got caught eventually, and his dealings caused our family a lot of heartburn. We remember him every day of our lives. And by the way, he hated being pitied."

Disconcerted, Coco digested that. "I wish it ended differently for all of you."

"You only give him the benefit of your attention because he was an artist," Cade said mildly, his hoarse baritone sending shivers down Coco’s back.

"True. It does strike a chord."

They were standing barely a foot apart, his bare toes almost touching the pointy leather of her pumps. She looked at Cade’s tanned throat above the snug neck of his shirt and pictured the body underneath in vivid detail, every ridge of muscle, every scar. She wanted to know more.

She wanted to know what he smelled like. His smell would be the strongest there, underneath his jaw. If she could only find an excuse to rub her nose against his neck…

“Your five minutes are up.” His soft words glided to her on a puff of air as he spoke. She could almost smell his breath, imagined it smelled of almonds, his lips tasted of almonds...

The sound of the garage door sliding open caused Coco to drop her portfolio. She was still in the process of picking it up when Dan rushed through the door.

“The traffic is ridiculous! Jeez.” He gave her a brief hug with one arm.

“I got it. I was just about to leave.” She tilted the heavy binder up to show him.

“Good, good. My only saving grace is that I brought you lunch. You have a minute to stay and eat?” He produced a bag imprinted with the logo of a fancy and very expensive restaurant. Dan felt guilty indeed.

“No, unfortunately, I don’t.” She snatched the bag from him. “But thanks, I’ll consume it in my car, dripping the dressing all over my shirt.” She turned to leave.

“Hold on, here is your coffee, too.”

She tried to get the paper cup from him but the bag and the portfolio had her hands full.

Dan laughed. “Let me help you out or your shirt will be messed up before you reach your car.”

On her way out, she risked a glance in Cade’s direction and immediately ducked her head, afraid of his newfound effect on her. “Bye, Cade. See you later,” she mumbled.

“Bye, Coco. Take care.” He had such a raspy, sexy voice…

Dan helped her carry the coffee to the car and waited until she was situated behind the wheel.

“Is everything all right?” Dan was giving her an intent look. “I mean, besides me screwing up your schedule?”

How could anything be all right when her emotions sloshed around like milk in a dropped jug?

“Yes. I don’t want to be late, that’s all.”

“Of course. Drive safely. Call me after you’re done with Rosa. And don’t forget, Friday at seven.”

“I won’t miss it.”

“I’m counting on it. And Coco?”

“Yes?”

“I am sorry about your portfolio.”

“You should be.”

He smiled, and his eyes crinkled at the corners.

Dan had beautiful eyes. The eyes that failed to mesmerize her. The eyes that never pulled her in.