Chapter seventeen.

The two girls watched the smoke billowing from the oven for a few minutes in silence.

'Eh, Hails, did we do that?' Blair turned to her friend awkwardly.

They stared at the oven again and Hailey darted forward turning it off at the knob. Suddenly both girls burst into uncontrollable laughter. It had to be the third thing they'd tried that had failed miserably.

'I don't understand Hails, we're not bad cooks. I cook dinner all the time,' Blair said between gasps of laughter.

'It's like we're cursed or something tonight?' Hailey giggled, fanning the smoke with a tea towel.

'MM, dinner smells good girls,' Cade spoke from the doorway with a slight grin. 'How did you know I felt like chargrilled chicken tonight?'

'Piss off,' the girls chorused rolling their eyes. Only they could make fun of the mess that was their dinner party.

Once Cade had left the kitchen, heading upstairs the girls started laughing again, 'Oh man, tonight is going to be such a disaster.'

'No, maybe not,' Hailey argued still smiling as she fanned the smoke. 'We have the bruschetta ready and we'd hardly stuff that up. All we did was chop tomatoes, spring onions and herbs and have to toast the bread lightly tonight. And you're making desert, which I know will be amazing.'

Blair smiled, 'That's true, actually I'd better start that now. It takes forever to make.'

It was a well-known fact among the household members that Blair was an excellent pastry chef. She made the most amazing deserts and treats when she had the time to and continued to wow and surprise Jane each time. What she hadn't told anyone was her father had taught her the tricks. Even though he was a business executive in a top end firm, when she was younger he'd take hours out of his weekend to cook to relax. He'd always let Blair tag along and be his helper in the kitchen, and Blair being who she was picked up the art very quickly.

Tonight she was making crème brulee, and decided to leave the disastrous main course for Hailey to worry about.

It was three hours later when Hailey decided they'd done all they could do in the time and needed to get ready. 'Come on B, please let me dress you?' She wheedled with her best friend as they headed upstairs to Hailey's room. 'You let me for that party the other week and you looked fantastic, everyone said so!'

Blair paused and pretended to think about it, because that's what a normal Blair would do. Instead in her mind she'd already agreed to it. Why pass up the opportunity to look that great again? But she knew if she agreed too easily Hailey would be suspicious.

'Well ok, one last time,' Blair said grudgingly as Hailey squealed in delight. 'Not too skanky though,' she warned seriously. It was only a dinner between friends.

'Of course, it's not like you're trying to impress anyone,' Hailey said nonchalantly. 'I just think we have so much fun getting ready together, I miss doing this.'

Blair felt that familiar tug of guilt again and smiled at her friend, 'You're right this is fun. Now lets put on some music and tear apart your wardrobe, ok?'

The girls did just that.

While dancing around the room to a Britney mix, Hailey managed to choose the perfect dress for her friend. It was a pale pink, silky shift dress that hung down her form in a flattering way. The colour was so light and shimmery it made her skin practically glow. Yet the dress was sitting just above her knees making her look more sophisticated than the tight number she'd wore to the party.

'I love it,' Blair whispered looking into the floor length mirror. After she let Hailey straighten her hair they put on their makeup together putting the finishing touches on the outfits.

'So I'll run down and put the bread on,' Blair said to Hailey who was barely paying attention. 'Do you need to do anything with the main course?'

Hailey shook her head, 'Nope it's all ready to go. Just sitting in the oven to keep warm.'

'Cool,' Blair said turning around and pattering bare foot down the stairs to the kitchen. She had placed the tray of freshly cut bread with a sprinkling of garlic butter over them into the grill with satisfaction. The starters and desert would be amazing no doubt.

'Well well, don't you scrub up nicely.'

'Is that your way of saying I look amazing?' Blair rolled her eyes at Cade but feeling slightly self-conscious. As much as she loved Hailey's dress it did kind of remind her of a nightdress.

'If you say so,' he smiled at her walking to the fridge and pouring himself a glass of juice.

Cade was dressed casually and effortlessly. In a simple pair of dark jeans and a red V-neck shirt, he looked and smelt fantastic.

'You're in a good mood,' Blair commented lightly. It was true, he'd hadn't made one teasing comment to her at all today.

'Am I?' Cade's eyes twinkled in amusement as he eyed her up and down making her shiver under his gaze. 'I don't feel particularly in a good mood, I must have been in some fowl moods for you to think this of me.

Blair nodded, 'Yeah you sure have.'

He laughed and leant against the counter.

'See, you're laughing. You hardly ever laugh you always have a huge scowl on your face,' Blair pointed out.

His smile widened, 'Ok maybe I am in a good mood.'

Now it was her turn to smile, 'I knew it. How come?'

'Always with the questions aren't you?' He asked tilting his head to stare at her.

'Always changing the subject aren't you?' She retorted.

He laughed, 'You have a smart mouth on you today Blair.'

The way he said her name sent shivers shooting down her spine. Her entire mood shifted to one of apprehension. She was annoyed at herself for getting on the back foot with him. Once again Cade held all the control in their little relationship, all because she couldn't help turning to mush whenever he said something remotely deemed sexual.

He said your name Blair, I'd hardly call that dirty talk, she told herself rolling her eyes inwardly.

'Hey Cade,' Hailey said entering the room looking amazing as usual. Her beautiful blonde hair tied to the side in a long plait, wearing a simple flowing maxi dress making her eyes stand out in the colour. 'I told you to dress up you know,' she said rolling her eyes at his jeans and shirt.

'He looks fine,' Blair said before she could stop herself.

Two sets of eyes stared at her in surprise, and Blair tried to cover her tracks awkwardly. 'I mean...I like that shirt...it's a nice colour?'

'O-o-ok,' Hailey laughed slightly confused. 'Whatever B, did you take out the bread?'

Blair's eyes widened and she swore loudly, tearing herself away from yet another awkward situation to take out the only slightly burnt bread. 'It's all good, I think we saved it.'

Hailey giggled, 'Oh man tonight is going to be interesting.'

The doorbell ringing saved Blair and she darted for it leaving the other two in the kitchen.

'Hey Blair,' Jacob said leaning forward to give her a hug. He held the most beautiful bunch of flowers with a large pink bow across them.

'Are these for me?' Blair joked with a grin nodding at the flowers as Jacob good-naturedly shook his head.

'I'm sorry these are for my girl,' he replied making Blair swoon slightly and left wondering why she couldn't have a functional relationship. She watched Jacob give the flowers to a delighted Hailey, greeting Cade with a friendly shake of the hand settling into an animated conversation with the usually sullen boy.

She briefly wondered if and when she had started wanting a relationship? If and when this casual friends with benefits thing with Cade wasn't enough for her.

Brady and his new beau at the door tore those melancholy thoughts out of her head as Hailey and Blair were genuinely excited to meet the boy who had finally got Brady to settle down. Brady was hardly a slut around school, of course it would be hard when there were only a hand full of guys actually out of the closet and none in the same attractiveness scale as Brady. But he'd also never talked about boys or dated any, so this was big news.

'Easy now,' Brady warned them when they opened the door and their faces nearly fell off with excitement. 'Wes, these are my two best mates Hailey and Blair. Girls, this is Wes,' he introduced them almost reluctantly.

Blair felt her eyes widen considerably at the sight of Wes.

He was gorgeous.

His features were not only sharp, angular and manly; but he had a light stubble on his chin and was dressed effortlessly in a designer grey suit. He was just slightly taller than Brady, roughly the same size as him and for once Blair actually found a guy who could match Brady in the looks department. No wonder Brady wasn't interested in the boys around their school, he liked men.

'Hi,' Wes said sounding warm leaning forward and kissing Blair and Hailey on the cheek. 'Nice to meet you guys, Brady's told me lots about you.'

'Has he now?' Blair said shaking her head slightly in amusement. 'All good I hope.'

'Of course,' Wes grinned at her.

The only question flashing through Blair's mind was hold old was he? He definitely wasn't in high school, he looked much too sophisticated and well dressed for a high school boy.

The girls led them inside to meet Cade and Jacob. Immediately you could see the two younger boys seizing him up interestedly.

'So Wes, how did you guys meet?' Hailey asked as they sat down at the table to dig in to the starters.

Wes shrugged and shot Brady a wink, 'It's not a very interesting story. Basically I caught him trying to buy this shirt I wanted. Literally he had it in hand, heading up to the cashier and I tried to talk him out of it.'

The girls laughed and sighed, 'Then what happened?'

'He tried to tell me it wouldn't suit my skin colour,' Brady laughed, as though the idea absurd. 'So I told him that I hadn't asked for his opinion.'

'He was quite rude about it too,' Wes interrupted him shooting Brady a grin. 'I was only trying to do the right thing. Anyway to cut a boring story short, Brady bought my shirt and I convinced him to meet me for dinner that night and to wear the shirt so we could both enjoy it...'

'Aw,' Blair sighed exchanged delighted smiles with Hailey. 'That is so cute.'

'Shut up,' Brady groaned at them rolling his eyes appealing for help from the other two boys. They shrugged at him not really sure what to say.

The night continued on like this, silly banter, gentle teasing and Brady and Wes being ridiculously cute.

Blair could hardly believe Brady. He was not the usual no-nonsense Brady she knew and loved. He was being affectionate and cute, Blair even caught them stealing a quick make out session in the kitchen when they went to get a drink.

'Hails, this desert is amazing,' Cade said as he finished the little cup and placed it back down on the table.

'I know,' Jacob agreed patting his tummy smiling. 'I'm so full guys, that was awesome.'

'Actually Blair made the desert,' Hailey piped up to Cade nodding. 'She's our little pastry chef you know.'

Blair felt a slight blush as everyone congratulated her and she chanced a look over at Cade who was sitting back in his seat staring at her with a mixture of surprise and something else. She didn't know what.

'It's very nice Blair,' he murmured from across the table. She quickly looked down at her plate blushing wildly.

She definitely heard him though, saying her name with that same low growl in his voice. She swallowed slowly and stood up, 'Er, thanks.' She collected some plates and made a beeline for the kitchen eager to get away from her sweaty palms and feelings of awkwardness.

'Hey.'

Startled, she heard him from the doorway, her back was against him and she accidentally dropped the dishes into the sink sending a loud crash over the kitchen.

'B, is everything ok?' Hailey called out in between laughter at something Brady was saying.

'Yeah...uh...f-fine,' she stammered turning around to see an amused Cade walking over to her.

'You continue to surprise me Blair.'

She tried to ignore the feelings bubbling inside her suggesting she should kiss him again... That she had to kiss him again. 'Is that a good thing?' She barely whispered it.

'Come here,' he murmured again in a low tone making Blair sigh out loud.

'We can't in here,' she said shaking her head but still taking that small step toward him and hating herself for it.

He grinned wolfishly at her, 'Yeah ok,' as though he were humouring her.

She felt his arms slide around her, down her back slowly. She felt electric shocks race through her and practically melted into his hold.

'Ok,' she whispered already giving in and leaning up to him.

'I've been wanting to do this all night,' he said in between rough, hard kisses down her neck and back up to her mouth.

Blair moaned out loud, she barely registered what he was saying.

'I think,' Cade pulled away from her. 'That we have a big problem.'

Blair felt herself blush and looked down, had he really just said that out loud! How embarrassing!

Cade's eyes widened, 'Easy tiger, I didn't mean it that way!' His eyes darted around the room, focused on the door leading back to the room where the others sat finishing their deserts. 'Our problem is how to disappear upstairs without anyone noticing...'

'Cade, we can't now! There's like four people out there, they will definitely notice us missing,' Blair rolled her eyes astounded at his cheek. Although she wasn't going to lie, disappearing upstairs for a while sounded pretty good.

'You're right,' he agreed finally with a sigh. Then his eyes lit up with mischief. 'We'll have to make do with what we have.'

Blair's eyes narrowed at him, 'What do yo-'

Before she could even finish her sentence he was dragging her into the pantry closing the door behind them and pushing her up against the shelves. 'I want you now.' His eyes were burning through hers, black with desire.

Blair's breath caught in her throat and all she could do was nod. Let's do this.

'Blair? Cade? Where are you guys?'

They froze in the pantry at the sound of Hailey's voice, not even two seconds after closing the door.

'Maybe they went outside to the bins,' they heard Brady suggest mildly to Hailey who must have agreed because the next thing they heard was the backdoor opening and shutting as Hailey went to look for them.

Blair peeked out the door and saw Brady standing in the kitchen eyeing the pantry with amusement, 'The coast is clear guys.'

She walked out sheepishly, definitely embarrassed.

She was astounded to see Cade laughing. 'That was close!' He joked with Brady slapping his shoulder in a friendly gesture.

She rolled her eyes at him, he could be so immature she thought furiously storming back into the dining area annoyed with him. But if she going to be honest, she was probably more annoyed they were interrupted...

...