by Beth Walker
"Hey, Nat."
She glanced at Kale and replied, "Hi, Cade."
Chapter Seven
"Is everything okay over there?" Cade asked and she had to shake her head.
"Of course. Why wouldn't it be?"
"I wanted to check in with you. Is Kale there?"
"Yes, Cade, he is. We're sitting here on the couch."
"Doin' what?"
"None of your business, mister."
"Well, I—"
"Give me the phone a sec," Kale said, taking the receiver from her hand. "Cade? I didn't butt in with your time with Natalie, so quit butting into mine."
She smiled, shaking her head and glancing down at her hands where they lay in her lap.
"She's in perfectly good hands with me, and put it this way, I won't do anything you didn't do. Nighty-night." He shut off the phone, stood up, and unplugged it from the wall. "The hospital has your cell phone number right?"
"Yes."
"Good. Cade doesn't, does he?"
The laughter in her chest just about burst free. "No."
"Perfect."
"You." She chuckled. "Unplugged." The giggle turned into a full-blown laugh. "The phone."
One of his eyebrows shot up and she couldn't help it. Her stomach hurt from laughing and she doubled over.
"I didn't think it was that funny."
"I'm sorry, Kale," she gasped. "It's not. But the jealousy on your face is."
"Jealous? I'm not jealous. I've never been jealous of Cade."
When her giggles finally calmed, she said, "How do you feel knowing I had sex with Cade before you?"
"Before? Are you saying you plan to have sex with me?"
"Answer my question."
"All right, yeah. It bugs me some, but I'm willing to forget about it. But you have to be willing to give me the same chances."
"I'm here with you tonight aren't I?"
"Yeah."
"Then you have the same chances he had. You can woo me, love me, and sweep me off my feet, too. I have to warn you though. You have your work cut out for you."
"Why?"
"Sit down and I'll tell you about some of my past relationships."
"Okay."
Once he took his place next to her on the couch, she said, "I dated my ex for a couple of years. His name is Steven. He's the father of one of my students—well, he used to be. I haven't had his daughter in my class in two years."
"Awkward."
"At first, yes. He asked me to dinner, and I tried to explain to him I didn't date my students' parents."
"Persistent, wasn't he?"
"Very much so. I finally agreed to have dinner with him. One thing led to another, and we ended up sleeping together the first night, which I don't normally do."
"But you slept with Cade last night on your first date."
"Thanks for reminding me."
"Sorry."
"Anyway, he became my whole world. I loved his daughter as if she was my own. We moved in together, and I thought everything in my life had come together. I loved my job. I loved him, and I thought he loved me, until I went to a conference in Seattle. The conference ended earlier than expected, so I came home a day before he expected me. I wanted to surprise him, but I got the surprise of my life when I walked in on him with another woman, in our bed."
"Wow."
"Yeah."
"What did he say?"
"He didn't make excuses. He said he had wanted out of the relationship for a while. I wasn't what he wanted in a wife."
"What the hell did he want?"
"Someone younger, skinner, and prettier. The woman in our bed was a new partner in his law firm. She recently joined them straight out of law school."
"He's an idiot."
A dry chuckle left her mouth. "Cade said the same thing."
"We agree on one thing then." He kissed her nose. "I think you are a very special woman, Natalie, and I'm thrilled to be here with you tonight. If something happens between us, then so be it. I'm not pushing. Would I like to make love to you? You're damned straight, but it’ll happen when and where we choose and not before."
"I appreciate you giving me time."
A frown crossed his face. "Are you going to sleep with Cade again?"
"He doesn't know it yet, but no. I need to figure out what is between you and me, and me and him, before I sleep with him again. It's not fair to put that kind of pressure on a budding relationship."
"I'm glad to hear you say those words." He wrapped one arm around her shoulders and pulled her to his side. "I don't want to have to kill my best friend."
"Oh, stop it, will you," she said, punching him in the side.
"Ouch."
"Pleeaassee. I did not hurt you."
"My pride," he pouted then laughed. "Shall we watch a movie or go to the bar?"
"How about we go to the bar for a little while then come back here and watch a movie. It's still early."
"Sounds good to me." He brought her to her feet with him, shooing her to get her purse and a coat.
Snow fell in big flakes, coating their hair and jackets. The bar was only three blocks from her grandmother's house, and since it wasn't too frigid outside, they decided to walk. Hand-in-hand, they strolled down the sidewalk, taking in the sights. Christmas lights adorned almost every house. Big, inflated Santa Claus', twinkling lights of every color, nativity scenes in every size and shape, and some decorations so elaborate, they took your breath away, graced yard after yard. Christmas happened to be her favorite holiday. She frowned as she wondered if grandma would even decorate this year with grandpa gone.
"What do you want for Christmas?" Kale asked, bringing her thoughts back to him.
"Oh, I don't know. I love the holidays. It's my favorite time of year. I love to decorate, bake, and have a big family dinner on Christmas Day. You know all those family type things."
He tugged her close to his side. "Sounds like a great Christmas to me. I hope you'll still be here."
"I probably will with everything going on, and I really don't have anything to go back to Oregon for, except my parents and sister."
"All the more reason to stay here."
Within fifteen minutes, they stood outside the big double doors of the Saddle Club as loud music waved and ebbed every time the doors opened.
"Shall we?" Kale asked, holding one for her.
The band's attempt at God Bless The Broken Road by Rascal Flatts wasn't too bad, but it wasn't like the original either.
"They aren't terrible, huh?" hollering over the music as he nodded toward the stage.
"Not terrible, no, but the original band is much better."
The soft chuckle next to her ear sent shivers down her back. "I'm sure they are, but those big bands, like Rascal Flatts, don't come to Red Rock."
"Maybe someday they will."
"Let's dance," he said, pulling her toward the dance floor.
Several sets of eyes followed their path, making the hair on her arms stand on end. Kale put both hands on her hips and pulled her in close. She laid one on his chest while the other went around his neck.
"Damn, I love the way you smell," he murmured, his lips pressing to the soft skin beneath her ear.
"Lavender."
"Mmm."
"Cade and I—" His head came up so fast, he about knocked her unconscious, and she immediately apologized. "I'm sorry, Kale. I didn't mean to bring him up while with you."
Two fingers pressed against her lips. "Shh. Don't worry about it. You spent most of today with him. It's understandable to relate things that happened today with his presence."
She kissed his fingers then pulled them away from her mouth. "It's not fair to you. I promise, I won't bring him up again tonight. All right?"
The beat changed into a two-step with a fast rhythm, keeping them scooting across the floor. Kale twirled her and brought her back into his arms as he set their steps into motion. The bass guitar and the beat of the drums, thumped to the beat of h
er heart. Sweat tickled along her scalp. It had been some time since she danced like this, and the exertion had her breathing a little hard, or was it the man holding her?
"You're a pretty good dancer."
"Even two-steppin'? I haven't done this in ages."
"They don't two-step in Oregon?"
"Not much. You can find a few country bars, but not too many, and I'm not usually the bar-hopper type. I do like a beer now and again though, and the atmosphere of the honky-tonk is kinda cool sometimes."
"My kind of girl."
She bit the inside of her lip as his words seeped in. The uneasiness she felt in continuing to encourage this thing with Kale, made her feel like a heel. Decisions. Decisions. Choosing between the two of them got harder and harder with each passing day and every moment spent with them. Maybe it would be better if she went back to Oregon. If her grandmother had a live in caregiver, she wouldn't need to stay. Her ordinary, lonely life back home awaited her, but somehow, the thought wasn't comforting at all.
"You're thinking too hard," he whispered in her ear.
"Sorry."
"What's the frown for?"
"Can we sit? Or maybe it would be better if we went back to my grandmother's house."
"If you'd rather, its fine with me," he replied as they stopped dancing.
"Yeah. I think so. I think some alone time would be good."
"I'm all for alone time." A small chuckle left his mouth before he leaned down, brushing his lips against hers. "Let's go."
A few moments later, they stepped outside to see the snow coming down in a heavy blanket of white.
"Wow. It's really snowing now."
"How about I call a cab to take us back to the house?"
"No, let's walk. It's not very far," she replied, taking his hand and pulling him into the snow. "Besides, it makes it better to warm up when we get back. A nice fire, a little hot chocolate or coffee, soft music, and some snuggle time."
"Sounds like the perfect way to warm up after a walk in the snow. Besides, by then, my hands will be like icicles, and I'll need somewhere to warm them up. Along your hot body comes to mind."
"Hot, huh?"
"Oh hell yeah," he said with a wicked grin. He tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow as a saucy whistle left his lips. She couldn't help the smile on her mouth. His easygoing personality and take no shit attitude seemed to be just what she needed right now.
Once they reached the house, she unlocked the door and flipped the light on. "How about you build the fire back up and I'll get the coffee started. I think there's even some apple pie in the refrigerator."
"Apple pie? With ice cream?"
She shook her head, smiling at his little boy enthusiasm. "Yes, with ice cream."
"You gotta a deal, babe."
With the coffee finished and the pie dished up, she balanced the plates in one hand and the mugs in the other as she pushed the swinging door between the kitchen and living room with her butt. The crackle and pop of the fire seemed cheerful and bright. Kale had returned to the couch, but when she came through the door, he jumped to his feet to help her.
"Let me get those," he said, grabbing the coffee mugs.
"Great fire."
"It helps having good kindling and dry wood."
"I can imagine. I don't know the last time I had a real fire. My parents' place has a gas fireplace."
"Gas is for sissies."
Her laugh sounded dry and brittle. "Yeah. It's not the same as a log fire."
"With the snow falling outside, a warm cup of coffee, and some awesome apple pie? I'm in heaven here."
She kicked off her shoes and tucked her feet underneath her. "How's the pie taste?" The groan and satisfied smile on his mouth gave her the answer. "I guess that means good?"
"I haven't had pie this good since I went home last."
"How long ago was that?" she asked, slipping a bite into her mouth.
"Two days ago."
She laughed so hard, the plate jiggled in her fingers. "You are so busted. I'm so going to call your mother." The frown lines settling between his eyebrows and the fake frown on his lips made her laugh harder. "Typical man. Afraid of his mother."
"You're damned right. My father knows who tows the line in their home and it's not him," he replied with a deep chuckle. The sound sent shivers down her arms. She loved his laugh.
"So tell me. What kind of woman are you looking for?"
"Well, let's see. My ex came from money, and she expected us to live as her parents did. She didn't quite get that it takes time to establish one's self and have money coming in regularly. I had the jobs, but they weren't steady. I supplemented our income with breaking horses. She hated the lifestyle, hated living so far out of town. I didn't want to hobnob with the social circles in Red Rock and she did."
"I find myself more of a homebody, too. I like going to movies sometimes, at the theatre, or going out for coffee because I can, but it's not a normal thing. I don't go out a lot," she replied.
"I would love to find a woman who is comfortable with herself enough not to worry about going to the store without makeup on, someone happy in jeans and a t-shirt, who likes riding horses, dancing, and enjoys going to barbeques. A woman that doesn't mind if I hang out with the guys sometimes and can find happiness in the little things—the laughter of a child, the snow falling, the wind in the trees, the sparkle of the sun on the lake, or the freedom of the wild horses running across the open plains."
"You are a hopeless romantic, Kale."
His cheeks flushed pink, and he dropped his gaze to the pie in his hands.
"You're blushing."
"I can't help it. I don't take compliments well. Never have."
The warmth of his skin under her palm felt good. The crisp, dark hair on his forearm, tickled her hand. "Well let me tell you. You're one special guy."
"Special enough you could fall in love with?"
* * * *
What the hell am I doin'? Scaring the hell out of her, that's what! Disgusted with himself over his behavior, he slid his plate onto the coffee table and grasped her hand in his.
"I'm sorry, Natalie. I shouldn't have said something so personal or pressure you in such a way. It's not fair to you." Her hair felt like silk between his fingers when he tucked a stray curl behind her ear.
"No, it's not, Kale. I'm having a hard enough time dating both of you, but I forgive you. You are kind of at a disadvantage since Cade and I already had sex."
"Thanks for bringing that up."
"Crap. I'm sorry now. I shouldn't have brought it up again."
"I know he's already made love to you, and I want to more than anything in the world, but I think we need to take some time to get to know each other better. Rushing isn't my style. Of course, I don't have six months to woo you either."
"Six months?"
"Yeah. I don’t sleep with a lady unless I've known her for a few months." The softness of her skin under his fingers made him want to stroke every inch of her, from the top of her head to the toes on her feet. Desire raced down his back, settling in his balls.
"Really?"
"I'm not much into one-night stands, Nat. It's not the way I am. Some guys can sleep with a woman without any kind of emotional ties—not me. I need to feel something for her before I sleep with her."
"I've heard men can have sex without emotion where women tend to need the emotional closeness."
"I'm fine with kissing you and holding you right now. Don't mistake it for not wanting you beneath me." Their eyes met and held. The green of her gaze appeared intense, hot, and full of emotion. "I want nothing more than to feel your heat wrapped around me, but I'll wait for the right time."
And for some reason, I don't want to discuss a threesome including Cade right at this moment. The thought irritates the hell out of me.
"How about a movie? I picked one out earlier and popped it into the DVD player, but since we ended up doing something different, I left it alone."
> "Sounds like a great idea to me. What did you pick?" she asked, snuggling into his arms and throwing one leg over his.
"Die Hard."
She sat up with a start, her eyes wide with shock. "My grandmother had Die Hard?"
The look on her face made him laugh. "Yes, she did. Every last one of them too. We could have a Die Hard marathon tonight."
"There's what? Four of them, right?"
"Yep."
"At approximately two hours each, so that makes eight hours of movies with no pee breaks, no food breaks—um, I think I'll pass."
"All right. How about two of them tonight. It's six thirty now and four hours of movies would make it ten thirty."
"Sounds good, but I'm going to need sustenance. I'll have to check the kitchen for snacks."
"We had dinner about an hour ago, besides the pie and ice cream, so I should be good for a bit. How about we watch the first one and then worry about snacks."
"Works for me," she replied, snuggling into his arms again as he switched on the television and DVD player.
The roar of the opening credits filled the room with sound drowning out anything and everything but the hum. Action flicks were his favorite, like any guy he knew. Chick flicks tied women in knots, but he did give into those occasionally, depending on the woman. For Nat, he would watch a chick flick.
A soft lavender smell reached his nose, and he inhaled her scent, holding it inside, and savoring it for a while. Stray strands of her hair tickled the underside of his chin. The pillow softness of her breast molded to his chest where she lay against his side. Her hand rested on his stomach and he fought the groan rumbling inside. If she moved her hand just a little, she would brush against the achy fullness behind the fly of his jeans. The need to have her cup his cock and stroke it about drove him insane. Her warm thigh pressed against his. His fingers slipped from her shoulder, down her arm, and back. The silkiness of her skin made him ache to taste and take pleasure in everything about her.
"You okay?" she murmured.
The warmth of her breath skipped over his skin. He wanted her lips. Everywhere. He cleared his throat and squeaked, "Uh. Yeah."
"You don't sound okay," she replied, tipping her head back.