by Leanne Banks
“It is,” she insisted. “I wouldn’t have come out here if my car couldn’t have made it.”
“Yeah, well, good luck making it back. The visibility is already shot,” Cade said.
Abby frowned. Now she was dealing with two grumpy old men.
Cade walked past her. “You need some wood? What’s your flashlight and candle situation?” he asked Mr. Henson.
“What’s wrong with you two? I’ve been through blizzards before. I can do it again,” he said.
“But your ankle,” she said.
Cade glanced back at her. “What about his ankle?”
“He sprained and bruised it. I took him to the doctor last week.”
“It’s nothing,” Mr. Henson said. “But the ice and meds helped. I’m fine.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Cade asked.
“You weren’t talking with me,” she retorted. “I’m too young to know anything. Remember?”
Silence fell over the room. They could have heard a pin drop.
“Hmm,” Cade said and turned back to Mr. Henson. “Let’s double-check your supplies, heat and cell phone. I need to make sure Abby gets home okay.”
“I’m good. You get your woman home,” Mr. Henson said.
Abby groaned.
“My woman?” Cade echoed. “She’s not my woman.”
“Well, she would be if you had any sense,” Mr. Henson said. “Do you know what a good cook she is? She’s brought me some meals.”
Cade shrugged his shoulders. “I didn’t know. Glad she’s been feeding you.”
“You know, it’s a mighty fine thing when a woman can cook like she does. That’s part of what makes a good wife. Plus she’s doggone pretty. Have you taken a good look at her? She’s—”
“Mr. Henson,” Abby said, feeling her cheeks blaze with embarrassment. “We really do want to make sure you’re going to be okay during this storm.” She cleared her throat. “Batteries,” she said. “I’ll check the batteries.”
Within a few moments, she and Cade had Mr. Henson armed and prepared for the storm. “Now, you take care and I’ll check on you again. Call if you have any problems,” she said, squeezing the elderly man’s shoulders.
“I won’t have any problems,” he told her.
“Then call for any reason,” she said. “I should go.” Resisting the urge to meet Cade’s gaze, she pulled on her gloves and strode out of the house.
Cade had been telling the truth about the weather. The white stuff was pouring down with a vengeance. She adjusted her cap and swiped the snow out of her eyes as she stomped to her car. Her VW started up with its usual dependability and she flipped on the windshield wipers to the fastest setting. Putting the car into gear, she pushed the accelerator and slowly moved forward.
The visibility was terrible, but Abby figured if she went slow and steady, she would be okay. Fishtailing up Mr. Henson’s driveway didn’t build her confidence, but she soldiered on. It was only about twenty miles between Mr. Henson’s house and her home, she told herself and kept a light foot on the accelerator.
Soon enough, she saw Cade’s SUV in her rearview mirror. Certain she was moving too slowly for him, she opened her window and waved her hand for him to pass, but he didn’t. Of course not, she thought. He had to look after her the same way he would look after his little sister. Having him at her backside just made her more edgy, especially when her little VW pulled left when she was holding the steering wheel straight.
Moving at a snail’s pace, she wrapped her hands around the steering wheel with a death grip. Suddenly another car appeared out of nowhere and headed straight for the driver’s side of her VW. Her heart raced and panic rushed through her. Abby swung the steering wheel to the right and mashed on the accelerator. The snow was so thick she was driving blind. She felt it the second her car lost traction with the road and pitched downward, then collided with something that brought her car to a halt, her seat belt jerking her tightly against her seat. She held her breath and squished her eyes together, waiting for the air bag to slap her.
When it didn’t, she slowly opened her eyes and took a careful breath and did a quick physical evaluation. She jiggled her arms and legs and—
A thump sounded on her window, scaring the bejeezus out of her. Abby looked out the window into Cade’s concerned gaze. Her heart turned over. Blast it.
“Are you okay?” he yelled.
She nodded. “Fine. Really,” she called in return. “I can handle it. I’m okay.”
He shook his head and motioned for her to roll down her window.
“I’m fine. Really,” she repeated as she lowered her window. “I can handle this.”
“You’re in a ditch,” he said.
“Oh,” she said. “Oops.”
“Unlock the door. I’ll help you up to my car,” he said.
She didn’t like the put-upon sound in his voice. “I could call my father,” she said.
“There’s no need for him to come get you when I’m here,” he said.
“I don’t want you to feel obligated,” she said. “You feel obligated to rescue everyone. I don’t want you to feel obligated about me.”
“Open the door,” he said. “It’s damn cold out here.”
“Charming,” she muttered under her breath, but did as he said. He extended his hand and she accepted it, wishing he was reaching for her in entirely different circumstances. That was a dream that wasn’t going to come true anytime soon.
Pulling her hand from his, she climbed up the side of the ditch. She tripped once and he reached out his hand, but she ignored it. She trudged upward and made it to the top where Cade’s SUV blinked its emergency lights at her in an almost mocking way. Abby resisted the urge to stick her tongue out at the vehicle, knowing her attitude was ridiculous.
Cade led the way to the passenger side of his vehicle and opened the door. She stepped inside, reluctantly grateful for the warmth. Cade climbed into the driver’s seat.
“You shouldn’t have gone out to old man Henson’s house in the middle of a blizzard,” he said.
“It wasn’t the middle of a blizzard,” she retorted. “It was the beginning.”
“Same thing,” he said. “Why didn’t you call me?”
“Why should I?” she asked. “You told me I was too young. That means nothing I say is valid.”
“I didn’t say that,” he began.
“Same thing,” she countered and crossed her arms over her chest.
Silence followed, and she refused to fill it, though she wondered if it would kill her. This was going to be the longest ride of her life.
He could smell her perfume. It wasn’t strong, but soft and flowery with a hint of spice. Cade told himself he should ignore it, but his nose must have thought differently because he inhaled more deeply. Lord, she smelled good. He stole a sideways glance at her and immediately caught the stubborn set of her jaw so at odds with her soft, overly full mouth.
Her lips could conjure wicked images in a man’s mind. Not his, of course, he told himself. Abby was the equivalent of his second little sister. Off-limits.
He saw her lick her lips and his gut tightened. Those wicked images began to seep through his brain like smoke through a keyhole. Cade gritted his teeth and focused on the road.
“I would listen to you about Mr. Henson. I know you’ve got a good head on your shoulders,” he said. “Hmmph.”
“Really,” he said. “Look at all you’re doing for the community center and ROOTS. You’re close to graduating.” He paused and took a breath. “You’re an intelligent young woman.”
She shot him a gaze full of doubt.
Cade tore his gaze away from her sexy mouth. “You are,” he insisted and took a deep breath. “You and I just shouldn’t get involved.”
“And why is that? If I’m an intelligent young woman?” she asked in a quiet voice.
“Because—” He bit his tongue to keep from saying she was too young and inexperienced. “Because underneath it
all, I’m a heartless sonovabitch and I’ll hurt you.”
Her shocked silence was so thick he could have cut it with a knife.
“I find that difficult to believe,” she finally said. “I’ve known you for a long time and I don’t know anyone who would call you a heartless sonovabitch.”
“You don’t know anyone I’ve ever fallen in love with, do you?” he challenged, tightening his hands on the steering wheel.
Another silence stretched between them. “Laila,” she finally said.
“No. Laila and I were never in love. I haven’t been capable of love for a long time, Abby. You’re not rough and hard like me. You should have someone who can love as freely as you can.”
Abby didn’t say anything in return as she appeared to digest his words. Instead of talking, she turned on his radio to a classic-rock station and turned up the heat in his SUV a notch.
Aeons later, he pulled into her driveway. Abby turned to him. “You wouldn’t want me to make decisions for you. Don’t make decisions for me,” she said in a soft voice. “And I’m sorry I poured that beer in your lap the other night. It was impulsive, even though you kinda deserved it.” She leaned toward him, close enough to kiss him.
He felt a crazy, wicked expectancy swell inside him and waited. And wanted.
“Thanks,” she whispered, pulling back and getting out of his car. He looked after her, swearing at himself because he was hard with wanting her. Forbidden fruit was a pain in the butt.
He had warned her off. If anyone was advising Abby, they would say to stay away from Cade Pritchett, but her thoughts gravitated toward him despite the fact that she was crazy busy. He should have been the last thing on her mind, but he wasn’t. Abby did her best to make sure he wasn’t the first, but he was right up there.
Even though he’d warned her away from him, she’d seen the way he’d looked at her mouth. He’d almost wanted her to kiss him. Almost. So, he was attracted to her. She had to keep reminding herself because he’d discouraged her every time she’d approached him. Every time she’d tried to seduce him. Which had felt like a joke because she didn’t know anything about seduction. The only thing Abby knew was that she had wanted Cade as long as she could remember.
But she wasn’t sure she could put herself out there again. It was so humiliating wanting him to notice her as a woman, wanting him to want her just half as much as she wanted him. She’d seen the spark, though, and a part of her couldn’t help but hope that spark could turn into a fire between Cade and her. If only the two of them could get together again with no one else around. Just the two of them and maybe, just maybe she would get the chance she’d been waiting for since forever.
Abby waited several more days, hoping she would run into Cade, but that didn’t happen. At this rate, it looked as if she would have to seek him out if she was going to see him before next year. Taking matters into her own hands, she headed for Pritchett & Sons near closing time. Just before 6:00 p.m., she walked into the display area and found Cade putting holiday decorations into the window.
He met her gaze then looked away. “Hey,” he said.
Abby shoved her hands into the pockets of her jacket at his cool tone. She had her work cut out for her. “Hey to you. Bet you’ve been busy lately,” she said and walked toward him.
“Always busy this time of year,” he said, carefully placing a nutcracker on the middle shelf.
She nodded. “Yep.” She bent down and picked up another nutcracker. “My mother loves these. She collects them.”
“I know,” he said.
Of course he knew, she thought. He’d dated Laila for several years that had included several Christmas seasons. “I think there’s something creepy about them.”
He glanced at her in surprise. “Really? Why?”
“I think it’s the combination of inanimate eyes and a jaw that can crack nuts. It reminds me of Chucky in that horror movie Child’s Play.”
“They’re not that spooky,” he said and bent down to put another nutcracker on the shelf.
“Easy for you to say,” she said. “Did one of your older sisters ever whack you on the head with one of them?”
He shot her a sideways glance. “Not Laila,” he said.
“Yes, Miss Perfect Laila,” she said, revealing a bit more bitterness than she intended.
“She’s not perfect,” he said in a mild voice. “That wasn’t why I proposed to her.”
“You proposed because she was the most beautiful woman in Thunder Canyon,” she said.
“Most beautiful is relative. I proposed because I thought she was strong enough to deal with me. You know, despite getting whacked with a nutcracker, you’re lucky you have your family. Especially when the holidays come around.”
“I guess,” she said and picked up an ornament that resembled a snow-covered church. She giggled as she held up the ornament.
“What?” Cade asked.
“Do you remember when Reverend Walker’s mother blew up her kitchen just before Christmas?”
Cade nodded with a smile. “She was making moonshine.”
“My mother didn’t stop talking about that for months,” she said and giggled again. “I love Christmas.”
She felt his gaze on her and looked up at him. He glanced away. “What about you?”
“It’s a mixed bag,” he said with a shrug. “I have some happy memories, but ever since my mother died, it’s hard. Sometimes it’s just a day to get through.”
Abby’s heart twisted at the pain in his voice. “That’s got to be difficult.”
“That’s why I said you’re lucky. You still have your family intact.”
Grabbing hold of her courage, she took a quick breath. “You could have your own family if that was what you really wanted. You just have to reach out for it.”
Cade met her gaze for a long moment, and she saw the hunger in his eyes, the same hunger she felt for him. He leaned toward her and lifted his hand, then pulled back at the last second as if coming to his senses.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m not right for you,” he said.
Frustration roared through her, making her want to stomp her foot and scream, which she suspected wouldn’t help her cause. “Says who? Shouldn’t I get a say in the matter? I’m starting to wonder if you’re afraid of how you feel for me.”
“I’m not afraid,” he said in a low voice, but she saw something different flash through his gaze. A strong flicker of passion she hadn’t seen before. Abby took a step closer, then another and lifted her hand to his arm, sliding it upward to his shoulder. She gently pressed her chest against his and watched him close his eyes and take a quick, sharp breath.
“Doesn’t this feel right?” she whispered and lifted her other hand to his other shoulder.
Moving in achingly slow increments, he slid his hands around her, pulling her into his arms. Her heart pounded in her chest and her lungs refused to work. Cade’s stormy gaze met hers and she could tell he was still fighting his feelings. “I shouldn’t be the one to take your innocence.”
“You won’t be. I’m more grown-up than you think,” she assured him and lifted on tiptoes to press her mouth against his. She slid her tongue over the seam of his lips, and he immediately took her mouth in a hungry kiss.
It was as if a dam inside him broke loose. She felt his hands on her hair, against her back, pushing her into his hard crotch. Breathless, hot and filled with need, she matched him kiss for kiss, caress for caress.
He pulled back slightly and swore. “Are you sure about this?”
“Yes,” she said before he could finish the question.
He took her mouth again in a quick, hard kiss that promised so much more. “I’d better lock the door.”
Chapter Six
Cade cut the lights and led her to a room in the back. “We can have some privacy here,” he said and closed the door behind them. A big sofa faced an old television, and at the far end of the room sat a small table and chairs with
a refrigerator and microwave. “This is where we rest when we’re pulling all-nighters,” he said.
Her heart skipped as he laced his fingers through hers and guided her toward the sofa. She couldn’t help hoping they would be pulling a different kind of all-nighter tonight.
He slid his fingers through her hair and she automatically lifted her mouth to his again. He kissed her deeply, and the fire between them flared again. Now that he was so close, she couldn’t get enough of him fast enough. She tugged at his shirt, pulling the buttons free, dipping her open mouth against his throat to catch a breath. His ragged breathing was music to her ears.
With his assistance, she finally peeled off the layers covering his upper body and slid her hands over his muscular chest. He was all man. She wanted to feel all of him against all of her. She rubbed her chest and mouth over his bare skin and he shuddered.
Unable to fight her impatience, she pulled off her sweater and tossed it over her head. When she reached to remove her bra, his hands replaced hers and that barrier was gone in seconds.
She moaned in pleasure at the sensation of her bare breasts rubbing against his chest. His groan joined hers. “You feel so good.”
“I’m gonna make you feel good, too,” she promised and slid her hands down to unbuckle his belt and undo his jeans. She filled her hands with him and he whispered another oath.
“Where did you learn—”
She pressed her mouth against his and began to stroke him. Now was not the time for questions. Now was the time for pure pleasure. The heat between them built so quickly she would have sworn it was summertime. When he grazed her nipples with his thumbs, she felt a corresponding tug low between her thighs.
She bit her lip at the sensations ripping through her. “I want you.”
“Not too fast,” he said. “Not too—”
She stroked him intimately again and he sucked in another sharp breath. “What are you trying to do to me?”
“The same thing you do to me,” she said. “Fast isn’t fast enough.”