Page 144 of Silk Sheets

I offered to help her instead, and soon, the guys all came back inside.

They settled in the living room, and I didn’t miss the little glances Kaden stole of me.Was he upset, or was that just a different kind of frustration?I hadn’t really touched him since we got here, so I couldn’t blame him.Iwas even starting to get withdrawals fromhim.

He sat back—legs spread—resting his hand on the armrest while the other held a glass with an amber colored liquid.

Heat grew in my core as my eyes trailed up his perfectly sculptured body.

His long legs, tight abs, muscular arms, broad shoulders, and thick fingers that were currently wrapped around the glass. He brought the glass to his lips and took a sip—not breaking eye contact with me.

My lips slightly parted as his tongue came out to swipe some alcohol off his bottom lip. I immediately looked away, heavily exhaling as I turned toward the sink.Not the time, Dakota!

“Darlin’ this one’s yours,” Susanna said and Kaden approached us. She groaned, lifting and handing him a huge pot, and he easily took it from her.

She gave his bicep a quick squeeze which Logan caught, only to shoot her a look of disapproval.

Feigning innocence, she shrugged. “I was only making sure it’s real.”

I held back a laugh because haven’t I done that a million times too. Logan merely shook his head and Susanna grinned, stepping closer to my side. “Don’t be afraid to smack him upside the head every now and then,” she leaned over to whisper, both of us watching the men in the dining room and I chuckled.

“Yes ma’am.”

Susanna headed over as well, placing a bunch of plates on the table.

She said something to Kaden, and he nodded, approaching me. My heart raced and my palms turned sweaty.

“And the wooden spoon on the counter,” she called out from behind him.

I stepped aside, and he opened the drawer beside me. He grabbed a bunch of forks in one hand before closing the drawer.

I kept my eyes focused on the salad in front of me and he pretended to pass behind me, quickly pushing his hips into my ass and I let out a soft gasp as I turned, seeing him walk around the island with a grin on his face.

I shook my head at him before carrying the salad bowl to the table.

We all gathered around and found our places. I sat between Kaden and Logan, and it was Austin’s turn to say grace. We held hands, and when everyone’s eyes were closed, Kaden pressed a light kiss to the back of my hand.

* * *

The guys took over cleaning up after dinner, so Susanna and I plopped down on the couch.

“You enjoy dinner?” she asked with her glass of wine, and I nodded, nervously clutching my hands on my lap. She’d been so good to me since I’d gotten here, but that didn’t change the fact that she was Logan’s mother, and I really wanted her to like me.

“Yeah, you’re a great cook,” I quickly added before my nerves made me forget to remind her.

“I just follow what my mother used to teach me,” she smiled over at me, and suddenly, I missed my mother. I still wasn’t keen on keeping this secret from her, but I had no choice.

Susanna’s hand rested on top of mine, and my head snapped up. A warm smile stretched across her face. “Don’t be nervous, sweetheart.”

My chest burned, and slowly, I exhaled in relief. I returned the smile, and suddenly, the anxious ball in my stomach disappeared.

After the guys were done, the night continued, and Kaden and I couldn’t stop looking at each other to the point where he needed to leave to get some fresh air. So, of course when Austin headed to the bathroom and Susanna went to the kitchen, I followed Kaden.

“Fresh air?” I quoted him as I wrapped my arms around his waist. He looked back at me over his shoulder and smiled, stealing a quick kiss.

“You’re driving me crazy,” he admitted, and I let go, moving in front of him. “And you’re sleeping in my bed tonight.”

“Well…” I trailed off with fake uncertainty. “I was actually going to sleep with Chase tonight,” I sucked air through my teeth, and I could’ve sworn the muscle under his right eye twitched.

“Dakota,” he warned, and I broke out in a smile. “Of course I’m sleeping in your bed tonight,” I gripped his shirt, stepping closer to him.