Read He's the One for Free Online Page A

up with?” he asked. He saw her hesitate. “I reckon you're frightened of life,” Cade assessed.
    "That's ridiculous, I run a successful business."
    "I did a bit of research."
    Taylor's jaw dropped, and this time she yanked hard and managed to pull her hand away. “You checked up on me?"
    "Sure thing. Just as you did on me."
    Cade drove the Mustang towards the Harbor Bridge, which spanned from the North Shore to the central city, where the city's fathers had reclaimed land at the waterfront over a hundred years earlier.
    "How long have you been interested in classic cars?"
    Taylor's unexpected question caught Cade off guard. “Good change of topic,” he teased. A tiny smile played on his mouth, but he kept his eyes on the road. It didn't prevent him from reaching for her hand again. This time Taylor didn't resist.
    "As a kid, I used to hang out at the speedway,” Cade said as they bypassed into the traffic passing the container wharves. “My passion is anything fast. When I started making some serious money, I bought an old car and renovated it in my spare time."
    "This one?"
    "Yes, this is the baby of the clan,” he said with obvious pride.
    "There's more than one?"
    "Four to be exact."
    "Impressive."
    "I'll show you them some time."
    A flutter of laughter escaped her lips. “Sounds like your version of etchings."
    Cade wriggled his brows suggestively. “Why don't you come up and see me sometime,” he said in a fake accent.
    "I don't think you're quite right. Wasn't it Mae West who said that?"
    "Oops.” He laughed with her, and his thumb began circling her palm.
    * * * *
    Foreplay.
    It had started.
    Taylor clamped down on her nerves.
    "But if you'd like to see the cars, I'm happy to show you."
    "Thank you. I'd like that. The car is certainly exotic. It must take a long time to restore them."
    "Yeah,” he admitted.
    "Dedication and commitment."
    "That's about it."
    "Yet you're anti-commitment."
    "If you mean marriage, then you're dead right on that score,” he agreed. The change in Cade's tone had been slight, but definitely there.
    "Do you drive them all?"
    "Of course. Cars are for driving, not simply for show. They're machines, just like humans, and meant to be used."
    Taylor remembered the way Cade caressed the car's curves, almost tenderly, blessing its beauty. Would he be as gentle with her? What would his touch really be like?
    "We're here,” he announced as they pulled into a car park along the waterfront.
    Taylor glanced up at the two-story building sited besides the waterfront. Situated in Okahu Bay, one of the city's now exclusive neighborhoods, the building in previous years had been part of the city's control center for wastewater, and more recently converted into a top restaurant.
    Cade switched the engine off and everything went quiet. The tide of nerves in Taylor's stomach performed somersaults.
    He shifted to face her. “There's something I've wanted to do since last night,” he said and without preamble, his mouth covered hers. Gone was the tentative and gentle kiss from last night. This was hot and demanding—breathless.
    He pulled back, eyes darkened and lids hooded. Bedroom eyes, Taylor thought.
    "I couldn't wait.” He smiled down at her with a lopsided grin that tugged at her heart.
    She wanted his kiss, too, but a sad and insidious seep of guilt snaked through Taylor and broke her soul.
    Remember, this is an experiment. To be experienced only once.
    A harsh cry wrenched from her lips. “No.” She wiped the back of her hand across her mouth, trying to erase temptation. She caught Cade's accusing gaze, felt it rest on her mouth and her hand fell away. “I'm sorry. You took me unawares,” she said feeling like the prim woman he thought her.
    "How old are you, Taylor?"
    "Twenty-four."
    "That's what I don't understand. You're very successful, run a thriving business, but in this day and age most women of your age aren't..."
    "Virgins,” she interrupted, blushing madly.
    "Yeah."
    "Well,