Claimed by the Hero Read online

  “Alright. Good. Now that we’ve seen each other, we can put this in the past where it belongs,” she said. She began walking toward the door, but Caden wasn’t letting her leave that easily, not after what they’d shared. She wasn’t that good of an actress. He’d been her first.

  He reached the door before her and placed his palm against it.

  “Caden, please, let me leave.”

  There it was, a catch in her voice that betrayed her true feelings. She felt something. She was just fighting it. He would prove that what they had shared was real.

  Circling his arms around her waist felt like coming home, and he spun her around to face him. Tears glistened in her eyes, and when she glanced up at him, her eyes were filled with trepidation and, was that, wonder? Caden was lost in a cacophony of emotions. Feelings he hadn’t felt in … well, in twelve years.

  It felt natural and right to have Savannah in his arms again. Caden cupped her cheek and without thinking of his actions, he closed his eyes and touched his lips to hers. Her lips were soft and pliant, melding to his with ease. Warmth trailed up his spine, and fireworks went off in his head. He threaded his fingers through her hair and leaned in, bringing her body closer. Then he slipped his tongue inside her mouth and stroked it against his. He tangled with her tongue until the roar of his own blood was the only thing he could hear.

  Caden couldn’t believe this long-held fantasy had turned into reality and was shredding all the years away. He could kiss Savannah for eons and never tire. Her honeyed taste brought him back to a moment in time where being with Savannah pervaded his life, his days, his every waking breath.

  When he lifted his head a fraction, his body revolted, demanding satisfaction. Did Savannah feel the same way? She’d trembled in his arms, her mouth was swollen from his kisses, and her eyes were hazy and drugged. Surely, she wouldn’t deny what they once had?

  Savannah stepped away from Caden while she could, but he wasn’t far. His woodsy, clean scent, mixed with a hint of spicy boldness, followed him even though she was a few feet away. This man was so richly seductive in his exquisitely cut black tuxedo jacket, which accentuated his broad shoulders, black pants molding to powerful thighs, which she’d felt when he’d pressed boldly against her sex, and white shirt with black bow tie.

  Caden Mitchell was a catch.

  Savannah knew he could get any woman he wanted. Tonight, she’d seen the hordes of women lining up for a chance to talk to him. Young and old. They were all drawn to him. Not just to his inherent good looks, but to the ease, confidence, and swagger he wore like a badge of honor. She’d been powerless to resist him twelve years ago, and clearly time hadn’t changed a thing.

  “You shouldn’t have done that,” she finally said.

  His brow rose incredulously. “Kiss you?” He snorted. “What I should do is throw you over my knee and throttle you. Kissing you was the better option.”

  “Caden.”

  He didn’t listen to the worry in her voice. Instead, he stepped forward and his hands came around to rest on her waist as if testing their fit. They fit perfectly as they always had, and Savannah’s breath left her in a whoosh.

  He bent his head and breathed words into her temple. “You’re not getting away from me, Savi, not again.”

  She placed her hands on his chest and was rewarded with powerfully packed muscles. She tried unsuccessfully to move away.

  “Stop fighting this,” Caden urged.

  He smoothed his hands over her shoulders and gently but persuasively kissed her on the mouth again. Savannah hesitated. She didn’t want to give in, but he kept kissing her until she was damn near breathless. She was losing the battle.

  She wanted Caden badly. He was in her system like a virus she couldn’t seem to recover from. The more she tried to fight it, the more electricity arced, setting them both ablaze.

  Thank God the door opened and a hotel staff member walked into the room. Savannah jumped away from Caden and dashed for the door. She didn’t look behind her. If she did, she would have caught the hurt look in Caden’s eyes.

  Caden returned to the ballroom and was thankful the evening was winding down because he was in a daze. After over a decade, he’d come face-to-face with Savannah, the woman he’d lusted after for three glorious months only to be slapped in the face with a disappearing act. And guess what? She’d done it again. She’d used the distraction of being interrupted to rush from his arms and out of the room.

  Where did that leave him?

  Back in the same place he was in before, this time with more questions than answers. Although the years had passed and she should feel like a stranger, she hadn’t. The beautiful, graceful woman he’d once known intimately still wanted him, which made Caden know one thing for certain: It wasn’t over between them.

  “Where have you been?” His grandfather accosted him as soon as he spotted him in the ballroom.

  “Sorry. Nature called.”

  Carter rolled his eyes. “C’mon.” He grasped him by the shoulders. “There are a few folks I want you to meet.” Caden followed alongside him but couldn’t help glancing at the door wondering about Savannah, where she was, and who she was with.

  Nearly an hour later, the party finally wrapped. There were only a handful of stragglers Camilla was saying goodbye to. Professionally speaking, Caden’s campaign war chest had been bolstered and he’d made the right connections. Now, he, Jack, his father, and grandfather were standing around having a nightcap before heading up to their rooms. The entire team had booked rooms on the upper floor of the Four Seasons so they could enjoy the evening and not have to worry about drinking and driving home.

  “All in all, I think that went well,” Jack said as he sipped his drink.

  “It was a good start,” Carter stated. “But you could have been more focused.”

  “I knew all the salient points,” Caden responded to his grandfather.

  “You were distracted,” Carter replied, “especially near the end of the night. If you intend on going the distance on this campaign, you need to keep your stamina up.”

  “His stamina is just fine.” Jack spoke up for him. “Caden met the right people and was knowledgeable on the issues. I couldn’t ask for a better candidate.”

  “Please don’t tell me you’re an ass-kisser, Wyatt.” Carter snorted. “Doesn’t sit well with me.”

  “Never have and never will be, sir,” Jack responded.

  “I, for one, am very proud of you, son.” Cal patted Caden on the back. “Keep up the good work.”

  “Darling,” Camilla said, walking toward them with Natalee in tow. She slid her arm through Caden’s. “Would you be a dear and run Natalee home?”

  “I don’t have my car, Mother.”

  “I don’t want to be any trouble,” Natalee said, speaking up. “I can just take a taxi.”

  “Hogwash. My son will drive you,” Camilla stated.

  “Use my driver,” Carter said. “I’ll call him now. Caden shouldn’t be driving after drinking tonight.”

  “Grandfather—,” Caden replied, but the old man was already walking away from him and pulling out his phone. He didn’t appreciate his mother ambushing him and pushing the woman she felt he should date in his path.

  Minutes later, much to his chagrin, Caden was walking down the hall with Natalee to the lobby, where a driver awaited. Upon their arrival, Caden opened the door and allowed Natalee to proceed him before he jumped in himself.

  “I’m sorry your mother put up a fuss,” Natalee said as the car pulled away from the hotel. “It wasn’t my intention to be a bother.”

  Caden shook his head as he leaned back against the plush seats of his grandfather’s Bentley. “It’s fine.” His mother had taught him good breeding. “Did you enjoy the event?”

  Natalee smiled, and Caden had to admit that when she did, it lit up her whole face.
She was a beautiful looking woman. She just wasn’t Savannah.

  “It was eye-opening. I’ve never been involved in a political campaign before, so I look forward to using my PR chops to help you.”

  “Don’t feel like you have to. I know my mother probably twisted your arm.”

  Natalee touched his hand. “Caden, I’m looking forward to it and to getting to know you better.”

  Caden turned to face her. “Natalee … I don’t know what my mother’s been telling you.”

  “Camilla hasn’t revealed any deep, dark family secrets.” Natalee chuckled. “She only told me you’re single and I’m single …” Her words trailed off, leaving it to Caden to fill in the blanks.

  “I’m not looking to get involved with anyone right now.”

  “That’s too bad because I think something serious is exactly what you need,” she said. She patted his thigh while looking at him so intently there was no mistaking her thoughts.

  The car stopped, and Caden was grateful. If she’d made a pass at him, he would have had to let her down gently. As it was, he walked her to the lobby of her apartment building and said goodnight. He was sure Natalee was hoping he’d ask to come upstairs for a bit, and maybe if he hadn’t seen Savannah tonight, he would have gone up, but not now.

  Now, he was on a mission.

  A mission to find Savannah.

  Chapter 6

  From her desk outside the ICU wing, Savannah stared off into space. She was recalling last night. When she had returned home, thankfully Charlotte had been exhausted from taking care of both Liam and her abuela. So Charlotte had told Savannah they would dish today during lunch, giving Savannah a respite.

  Savannah had been unable to sleep. Tossing and turning, she’d recalled the instant she’d been up close and personal with Caden Mitchell. After all these years, he looked the same. No. Better than he’d been back then because his features were more developed and he was all swagger, which made for one sexy combination. She should have steered clear and watched from a distance.

  She’d never meant for him to see her and when he had, she’d run and hidden in the ladies’ room, but Caden waited and confronted her. Her mind wandered to the moment when he’d backed her up against the door of the unused ballroom and kissed her until she couldn’t remember her own name, let alone that she was supposed to be keeping her distance. What had disturbed her sleep and kept her up half the night was the rightness of that kiss. It had made her feel as if she’d come home after a long time away. It showed Savannah she’d been right to be afraid of Caden’s hold over her because it was real.

  But hadn’t it always been Caden? He was the reason she’d been unable to move on. Would it have been different if she’d stayed and allowed them to fall apart as they would most assuredly have because he’d have blamed her for loading him down with a wife and kid? Would she have had closure then?

  Because this—how she was feeling—was madness. How could it be possible to still have such strong feelings for a man she hadn’t seen in twelve years? And apparently, she wasn’t the only one. The way Caden had kissed her, held her to him—oh! She’d felt his erection, had become moist between her thighs at knowing she could still make him lust after her.

  But there was no way forward for them. Over a decade ago, Camilla Mitchell had intimidated her and made it very clear that what was best for Caden was Savannah exiting his life. And at present, the situation was no different. Caden was poised for a run for governor. His reputation was squeaky clean and beyond reproach. Savannah refused to give any opponent fodder against him. No, it was best that she leave well enough alone.

  She was certain he’d already forgotten about her.

  Caden couldn’t stop thinking about Savannah Grace Vasquez. Memories of her had invaded his sleep. He doubted he’d slept a wink last night, and now she was permeating his thoughts in the daylight.

  “Earth to Caden,” Jack interrupted his musings.

  After his duties as mayor were complete, he’d come to his campaign office late Saturday morning and they’d worked through much of the afternoon, stopping only for lunch.

  Caden blinked and focused on Jack’s amused expression. “I’m sorry. What were you saying?”

  “What’s on your mind, Caden? You’ve been preoccupied today, and though I hate to admit it, Carter was right last night. As the evening progressed, your mind was elsewhere. What gives?”

  Caden shook his head. “It’s personal.”

  “Personal?” Jack threw back his head and laughed. “You don’t get to have a personal life when you’re running for public office. Your life has to be an open book. Beyond reproach.”

  “Have you seen our president?” Caden laughed. “He’s far from beyond reproach. In fact, I’d say he’s the exact opposite.”

  “C’mon. In the words of Michelle Obama, ‘When they go low, we go high.’”

  Caden smiled. He knew how much Jack admired the former first lady. “Yeah well, this has nothing to do with the campaign. It’s just a problem I need to solve.”

  “Maybe I can help.”

  “I doubt that.”

  “Try me.”

  Caden stared into Jack’s brown eyes. He had known Savannah back in New York. Knew how into her Caden had been. Perhaps Caden could confide in him. “I saw someone last night. A blast from the past, if you will, and it’s knocked the wind out of me.”

  “Who was it?”

  “Savannah.”

  Jack’s eyes grew large. “The Savannah you dated at West Point who disappeared without a trace?”

  “The same.”

  “Well? What happened? What did you say to her?”

  “I wanted to give her a piece of my mind.”

  “Did you?”

  “Yes. Then I kissed her. And I have to tell you, Jack, I haven’t felt that spark of attraction in a long time.”

  Jack shook his head. “This is not good. I don’t think I need to tell you this, but you can’t have a distraction like this when you’re gearing up to run a big campaign like the governor’s race. It’s political suicide.”

  Caden rose from his chair. “Don’t you think I know that? But yet, I can’t seem to get her out of my mind. There’s just too much unfinished business between us. I have to know why she left me all those years ago.”

  “She didn’t tell you last night?”

  Caden turned and gave him a wry smile. “We didn’t get very far in the conversation.”

  Jack laughed. “I can see that. And what do you want to do now?”

  “Talk to her.”

  Jack shot him an incredulous look. “C’mon, Caden, it’s me. I remember how you were with her. I doubt talking is all that you want.”

  “It is for right now. I need to find her. And that’s where you come in.”

  “Me?”

  “You offered to help. Remember? And I’m asking you to use your resources to find out where Savannah is. She has to be local if she was able to make my fundraising party. Find her.”

  “You don’t want much, do you?”

  “Just your undying loyalty. I don’t want this to get out, especially not to my family.”

  “If I do this,” Jack said, rising to look Caden in the eye, “will you promise you won’t let it affect the campaign?”

  “Scout’s honor.” Caden held up two fingers.

  “So,” Charlotte said after she and Savannah set their trays down in the hospital cafeteria at a two-seater table, “I’m dying to hear about the party last night. How’d it go?”

  Savannah sighed. She’d known this inquisition was coming. There was no avoiding it. “It was great.”

  “Just great?” Charlotte raised an eyebrow. “What was it like to rub shoulders with the rich and famous? How were they dressed? Did you see any celebrities?”

  Savannah regaled Charlotte with a
ll the gossip she’d heard and all the fashion-forward outfits she’d seen. She left out the part where she’d run into her old flame, Liam’s father, and that he’d smothered her with passionate kisses.

  Charlotte appeared plenty titillated, but then she paused after Savannah recounted her night. “If you had such an amazing night, why are you looking like such a sourpuss today? I would have thought I earned a smile today after doing you a solid and giving you those tickets.”

  “I’m sorry, Charlotte. I’m not ungrateful. It was a wonderful evening. It’s just that—”

  “What? What is it?”

  Savannah didn’t get the opportunity to respond because Charlotte’s pager went off.

  “I’m sorry. I have to go,” Charlotte said, rising to her feet, “but this conversation is to be continued.”

  “Of course.” Savannah gave a half-hearted smile. In her heart, she knew she wasn’t going to spill out her guts to Charlotte. It was best she keep her feelings on the inside where they could stay hidden just like they had for the last twelve years.

  Knock, knock.

  Caden glanced up from his computer in his campaign headquarters on Monday to find Natalee Pierce standing in the doorway. She was wearing a pleated long-sleeve sweater dress that hit just above the knee along with some stiletto boots that nearly reached her thighs. Her long, dark hair was swooped over one shoulder, and she was in full makeup. She looked killer, and she knew it.

  “Natalee, what are you doing here?”

  “I hope you don’t mind me stopping by unannounced. Your mother told me you’re putting in long hours and was hoping to persuade you to eat.” She held up two brown paper bags with the name of his favorite Thai restaurant emblazoned across them. “Might I tempt you to stop working?”

  “I was going to work awhile longer,” Caden said, but then his stomach grumbled loudly, giving him away. He glanced at his watch. It was after seven p.m. He could use a break. “Alright. Thank you.”

  Natalee smiled and came forward to the table across from his desk. She began setting up the food as well as paper plates and plastic utensils while he closed out of the speech he’d been working on. When he was finished, he closed his laptop and joined Natalee at the table. Along with the cartons of Thai food, she’d brought a bottle of red wine and two plastic cups.