Bracing his weight on his arms, Kade gazed into my eyes. “Tell me if I hurt you,” he said softly.

I was more than ready, and the head of his cock slipped easily inside me. I bent my knees, lifting my hips to eagerly take in more of him. Kade pushed forward, sheathing himself inside me, and I gasped. There was the tiniest twinge as my body accommodated his, then it was as though we’d never been apart.

Kade retreated then thrust hard into me, once, twice. That was all it took to send me splintering into a thousand pieces. He stilled inside me as my body gripped his, my orgasm rippling through me as though it were drawn from my toes. Dimly, I heard Kade groan at the sensation. I cried out, tears slipping from the corners of my eyes.

Kade started moving again before I’d even caught my breath. Our eyes locked and I couldn’t look away. I wrapped my legs around his hips as the pressure built inside me once again. I lifted my hips to meet his thrusts, the hard length of him stroking me in just the right spot, as he moved faster. I couldn’t help my eyes slipping shut as I moaned, repeating his name over and over like a litany, until I couldn’t keep up with him. His hands dug into my hips and sweat dripped from his brow. He grew thicker inside me, moved faster, harder, until I couldn’t hold out any longer.

Stars exploded behind my eyes as Kade’s body jerked into mine, guttural moans and gasps filling the space between us. His mouth suddenly covered mine, his tongue sliding inside my mouth the way his cock was deep inside my body, and I clutched him to me as aftershocks rippled through us.

Kade tore his mouth away, gasping for breath as he settled heavily on top of me. He tried to roll away, but I tightened my arms and legs, holding him in place.

“I’m too heavy,” he murmured in my ear.

“I like it,” I whispered back.

He buried his face between my shoulder and neck, kissing me there, his lips moving up to my jaw and cheek. Tightening his arms around my waist, he rolled us over, taking me with him so I lay on top of him. My legs settled between his as I rested on his chest, the feel of his heartbeat strong against the rhythm of mine. His lips brushed the top of my head.

“I don’t know how I thought I could live without you,” he whispered.

I squeezed my eyes shut, gripping him tightly. “You can’t,” I said before glancing up at him. “And don’t you forget it.”

His smile was crooked, and one hand brushed my hair back from my face and over my shoulder. “I won’t.”

I was cold, so Kade rearranged us underneath the covers, my bare bottom nestled against his hips as he cuddled me spoon style. His arm lay in the dip of my waist, his palm pressed to my stomach. That made me self-conscious, thinking of the new bump protruding from my abdomen, and I tried to unobtrusively move his hand higher.

“What’s the matter?” he asked, the low timbre of his voice in my ear sending a delicious shiver through me.

“Nothing,” I hedged, “just adjusting, that’s all.” I laced my fingers through his, drawing his hand upward.

“But I like it down here,” he said, slipping his hand free so it curved over my lower abdomen. “Please tell me you’re not going to get all weird and start thinking you’re fat just because you’re pregnant, are you?”

My cheeks flamed and I didn’t answer because, well, when he put it like that, yeah, it sounded pretty dumb.

Kade suddenly loomed over me. “You know Branna was just being a bitch,” he said. “Hey, look at me.” His fingers tipped my chin up so our eyes met. “You’re beautiful, and your body is gorgeous. You’re creating a whole new life inside you, and there isn’t a damn thing about it that doesn’t amaze me.”

Who would have thought Kade would know just the thing to say to ease all my worries and fears?

I reached up and pulled him down for a kiss, and this time when he pulled me back against his chest and his hand settled on the little bump we’d made, I didn’t move away.

I woke to the sound of the door closing and sat up with a start.

Kade had just walked in and I guess I must have missed his departure, because he was fully dressed and setting two steaming cups and a paper bag down on the wood laminate table in the corner.

“Rise and shine,” he said, hooking his sunglasses on his shirt. “I’ve got coffee.”

It smelled wonderful, but I made myself go into the bathroom first. After brushing my teeth and showering, I came back out.

With one of the thin motel towels wrapped around me, I scurried over to the table for a cup of coffee. Kade had dug out his laptop and was sitting in front of it, a cup at his elbow. He glanced up, eyeing me with a predatory look in his eye.

“You’d better get some clothes on,” he said. “Blane’s on his way over and it’d be real awkward for him to walk in on me eating you for breakfast.”

I think even my ears turned red at that, and I wasted no time grabbing my clothes and hustling back into the bathroom, Kade’s soft laugh following me.

When I emerged again, both Branna and Blane were there. I was about to say something when I was startled by the sound of two people arguing in the room on the other side of us. My eyebrows shot up at some of the expletives hurled back and forth.

“Yeah, walls are pretty thin,” Blane said, turning my attention back to him. “You can hear just about . . . everything.”

Oh God.

Kade ignored him, with his and Branna’s attention focused on the laptop, but I caught the message loud and clear. I swallowed hard, feeling the color leave my face. Blane’s eyes were on mine, but I couldn’t read his expression. While I knew he had come to grips with the fact that I was with Kade, I never intended to throw it in his face as blatantly as it seemed we’d done last night. I wasn’t quiet during sex, never had been. It used to be one of the things Blane had really liked about me. Somehow I doubted he liked it much anymore.

“So go buy some fucking earplugs,” Kade suddenly piped up, swinging around to look at Blane, a hint of challenge in his tone.

“Can we get back on task, please?” Branna broke in. “Lazaroff is definitely a regular member here, and judging by the people going in and out, I’d say he uses it as a base.”

“Then we need to get in there tonight and see what he’s got,” Kade said.

“I think the easiest way is to just walk in the front door,” Branna replied. “Pose as a player, flash some cash, we’re in.”

“Sounds good,” Kade said. “We need to run by the electronics store, pick up a few things—”

“Hold on, wait a second,” Blane interrupted. “You and Branna are just going to go after this guy and, what, leave me and Kathleen here to watch the walls? I don’t think so.”

I was surprised he’d included me, but hey, I wasn’t going to complain.

“Suddenly you want to put Kathleen in harm’s way?” Kade asked in mock disbelief. “That’s not like you.” His derision had Blane’s jaw tightening.

“If you’re implying that I wouldn’t want to keep her safe just because she’s with you now, then you can go to hell,” Blane bit out. “I just know her well enough to get that she’s not going to stay behind while the three of us go to this place.”

Damn straight.

Kade’s eyes narrowed. “Fine. We’ll all go. Happy?”

Of course, I hadn’t realized that apparently the role Branna and I would be filling was as arm candy for Blane and Kade. Well, she obviously had more to offer, given her training and technical skills. I was solely decoration, it seemed.

Blane and Kade had left, returning later with clothes for all of us. Suits for them, dresses for me and Branna. Of course, arm candy couldn’t wear normal dresses.

Branna and I wore identical skintight sheaths that left our shoulders bare and ended right above mid-thigh. Mine was gold, hers silver. The guys had even managed to find matching designer stilettos. I did my hair and makeup to match, then eyed myself critically in the mirror. I looked pretty good, I guess, for what the purpose was tonight. I felt like I was showing way too much skin, but if I pulled the dress up to try and cover more of my boobs, then it just showed more thigh. Another couple of tugs and my vagina would be showing.