No Funny Business (The Lennox Brothers Romantic Comedy)

and just enjoying the ride.
Until the day Mom had taken me aside and told me not to make the same mistakes she had.
She’d made me afraid I was trying too hard to please him, and when I tried talking to Kade about it, he’d shut me down. Though he could happily describe all the ways he wanted to make love to me, he’d refused to talk about anything deeper.
Technically, I was the one who’d broken up with him. But it was my heart that had shattered.
“One thing for sure, I won’t be making the same dishes your previous chef cooked.” Kade nodded at the menu board. “Did he deep fry everything?”
I grimaced. “Lee had to keep it simple, but you’re an expert. Cook whatever you like.”
Carlotta pulled out her phone. “I’ll post something online. It’ll be great advertising for the café.”
“But don’t you have a million followers?” I asked, alarmed. “Will they all turn up demanding to be fed?”
“Don’t worry, they won’t all come at once.” Carlotta turned to Kade. “Would you please wipe that dirty mark off Nat’s cheek?”
He stepped forward and swiped his thumb over the curve beneath my glasses. I went completely still, my heart fluttering. Just as he touched me, Carlotta’s phone made a camera shutter noise, but I was so busy staring up at him, I barely registered the sound.
Instead I was drinking in the lines of Kade’s face, wondering how he could look better than ever after nine long years. His gray eyes still held an almost-permanent sparkle, like he was always secretly thinking about something dirty.
He made my pulse race and my legs shake. And every time I looked at him, my brain filled with memories of incredible, life-altering, mind-blowing sex.
Carlotta cleared her throat. “It’s a nice photo. You two look cute.”
I was too busy remembering how magnificent Kade’s naked body was to focus on what Carlotta was saying. But Kade jerked his gaze away from mine.
“Don’t post the picture online. It won’t look good if the café's overrun and we can’t handle the rush.”
“Too late, I’ve posted it.” Carlotta turned to me. “You have an employee who helps with waiting tables when you’re busy, don’t you, Nat?”
I nodded. “I’ve already asked Janice to work tomorrow.”
“I can help out on the front counter as well, if you need me,” she offered.
I took my glasses off to wipe them on my overalls again, feeling overwhelmed. So much had happened all at once, it was difficult to take it all in. Especially the bit about Kade being back in the kitchen of my father’s café. That was the hardest part to process.
Not that I was surprised he’d offer his help. Kade had a big heart, and he’d always been the kind of guy to help people in need. In fact, he’d do anything for anyone, so long as it didn’t involve being vulnerable.
But that was totally okay. Selling the café was the only thing that mattered. And I was incredibly grateful Kade would be in the kitchen tomorrow instead of me.
Sliding my glasses back on, I reached out and put my fingers on his bare forearm. His face jerked down, seemingly surprised that we were suddenly touching.
“Thank you, Kade.” A lump had formed in my throat, making my voice husky.
I’d never understood why he’d wanted to date me. Compared to him, I was awkward, bookish, and scared of everything. I wanted to write, but was too afraid to let anyone read my stories. I was studying journalism, but worried I’d never get a job at any of the papers I wanted to work for. I was too insecure for a guy like him.
“Hey, it’s no big deal, Nat. I’ll head out to get the ingredients I’ll need. When I come back, I’ll start filling your cabinet.”
The suggestive way he said it made my face heat again. And Kade gave me a little smile, like he knew exactly what effect he had on my libido.
Actually, I was pretty sure he did.
One thing I’d realized about Kade, his flirting was his armor. If he charmed everyone around him, they wouldn’t look deeper to discover what might really be underneath.
Problem was, even knowing his tricks didn’t take away their effectiveness. My body still responded to him in exactly the way he intended. And as he sauntered out of the café, I had to sink into a chair and fan my flaming cheeks.

Chapter Four


Natalie
After Kade left to get supplies, Carlotta waited precisely two-point-four nanoseconds before asking, “How long did you and Kade date?”
Her tone was casual but I recognized the gleam in her eyes. Was that why she’d dragged Kade here and convinced him to help?
“Are you matchmaking?” I was already pulling my rubber gloves back on to make sure the cabinet was thoroughly clean.
“Why? Because I’d love it if you hooked up with Mason’s brother and we were sisters-in-law?” She lowered her long eyelashes innocently. “Of course not. I’m just curious. What happened between you two? Why did you break up?”
“Because I was trying not to fall in love with him.” Picking up my bucket, I went to the kitchen to refill it with soapy water.
“But why?” Carlotta asked when I came back. She’d grabbed a clean rag and was wiping down tables.
I put down the bucket. “Because he’s Kade. He’s charming, and funny, and legends have been written about his flirting skills. Whenever he smiles, an angel is born, and every person he meets falls at his feet to worship him.”
She shrugged. “So?”
I rinsed a rag in the soapy water so I could clean the cabinet’s shelves. “It’s all on the surface. I don’t know what’s underneath, because he never let me see anything real. In fact, I’m not sure he lets anyone in.”
Carlotta straightened and swiped her hair off her forehead with the back of her hand. Her expression was thoughtful. “How old were you when you dated Kade?”
“I was twenty-one when we split up. He was twenty.”
“It’s been a long time. Maybe he’s changed?”
I