Gracie's Plan

by Rose Lange

  She nodded. Only then remembering, and marveling that a man could be as sensitive and yet rugged as Kade was. She remembered how he fondly spoke of his mom when they’d been married, and she could only imagine he still missed her.

  They must have stood like that for an eternity, gazing into each other’s eyes, and then both turning to stare up at the mountain. She realized she was losing track of time but didn’t care. She never wanted to leave here, but wanted to remain in this spot with him forever.

  He gently tugged at her hand. “Come, I have to take you to the most amazing view of the mountain.”

  Kade took her to a semi-secluded hilltop near the mountain. Heavy trees and brush surrounded them, and she couldn’t believe how gorgeous the view was. How flawlessly Mother Nature blended sky and mountain, and the air up here smelled sweet and fragrant. The scenery was spectacular and it took her breath away. As though they were the only two here, and everything else just faded away into the background. She’d been here countless times, but had never even known this spot existed. Like a secret that nobody else knew about.

  “This is so beautiful,” she whispered.

  “It sure is.”

  Annabelle turned toward him, not realizing how close he was. He wasn’t focused on the landscape, but on her. Her heart did a pitter pat. She stood nose to nose with him, their breaths intermingled, and suddenly she couldn’t breathe. Like someone knocked all the wind out of her. He was so close and he overwhelmed, yet excited her senses. Without saying a word he cradled her face in his hands and softly kissed her. Not once, but twice, and was after more. She cradled herself in his arms and molded her body to his, putting her arms tightly around him. She got lost in his kiss, and it felt like no other.

  Breaking the kiss, he paused for a moment. “How is it that you can love and hate someone at the same time?” He breathed deeply, his arms still cradling her.

  She gazed into the gentle depths of his dark steel gray eyes, her stomach twisted in knots at his proximity. “I don’t know.”

  He caressed her face with his hands, and then let his hands graze to her neck, to her waist. She breathed in the clean cotton scent of his T-shirt, and relished this intimate moment with Kade.

  “And, how is it, you can desire someone and yet, hate yourself for it?”

  Annabelle looked up into his handsome, strong face. Her lower lip trembled, and she didn’t try to fight the tears gathering in her eyes. “I don’t know.”

  Her insides quivered as he brushed away a tear with his thumb, and his forefinger gently caressed her face. Neither said another word, just merely looked into the other’s eyes and she was at peace with herself. The world was thousands of miles away, and she could only focus on Kade and this moment, the way he was looking at her, and studying her. Holding her like she would fly away at any moment.

  Chapter 10

  Annabelle was exhausted but happy.

  She and Kade spent the rest of the afternoon seeing more of Keystone and the surrounding area, grabbed a bite to eat, but by evening it started to rain. And it was getting heavier as the night progressed. The roads were slippery and she heard thunder rumbling in the midnight dark sky, the lightening splitting it in half.

  “I think we should stop somewhere overnight, these conditions are terrible,” he said, looking for the nearest hotel.

  To busy her hands, she fussed with the radio, attempting to calm her nerves. Although why she was so jittery was beyond her. “That’s fine. It’s a good thing we packed for it.”

  She sighed with relief when he exited the freeway ten minutes later, and pulled into a well-lit hotel parking lot. She was tired and didn’t wish to go further. It had been a long day of sightseeing, and all she wanted was a long hot bath and precious sleep. A nice soft bed she could nestle into with Kade. She shook her head, wondering where that thought had come from. If anything, she was grateful they would have separate rooms. And unlike the cabin, she wouldn’t have a connecting door tempting her.

  She sat down in the hotel lobby and waited while he got the rooms.

  He made his way back to her side within moments, grabbing her bag. “I got us one room. I hope that’s not a problem.”

  She snapped her head up, more surprised than angry. “Why?” she asked, out of sheer curiosity.

  Kade smirked, and it irritated her that his ego was showing itself. “I just didn’t figure we needed two separate rooms, all things considered.”

  “All things considered?”

  “Well yeah, babe, I figured we could share a room instead of paying for two separate ones. No problem with that I hope?” There was a questioning look in his eyes, as though he were challenging her to come up with a rebuttal that sounded plausible.

  She shook her head. Really there was no point. Although she secretly loved the idea she wasn’t about to admit that out-loud.

  “That’s fine,” was all she had the energy to say.

  And when they reached their room, it was hard to stay agitated. A large four-poster bed dominated the room, complete with two bathrobes neatly folded on each side topped off with two long stem red roses. Reaching for one of the robes, she relished in soft the material, and couldn’t wait to put it on after her bath. It would be heavenly against her tired body.

  “What’s all this?” She tried not sound like a kid in a candy store.

  He tossed the bag on the floor next to the bed. “Just because.”

  Annabelle nodded, grinning like a teenager as she began unpacking what few things she had, and noticed how large and plush the bed looked. The comforter and the pillows were feather down and extremely soft, like clouds from the heavens. And could not wait to get into bed and relax tonight. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she caressed the soft material of the comforter back and forth. Closing her eyes she took in the soothing atmosphere, then quickly opened them, feeling foolish, surprised to see Kade sitting right next to her.

  “What are you staring at?”

  He shook his head, his gaze locked on her, then finally he spoke, “At you.”

  “And do you like what you see?”

  He merely took her face in his hands and studied her. “Always.”

  Kade made her dizzy, the slow and erotic way he caressed the planes of her face, slowly rubbing his thumb back and forth on her lower lip. Gazing into her eyes as though he were trying to see into her soul.

  “What is it?” Because his silence was maddening.

  He dropped his hands. “Nothing.”

  She shook her head, deciding it was time for a bath. She was mildly damp and couldn’t wait to get dry and put on her pajamas.

  “I think it’s time to get ready for bed.” She snatched up one of the robes, holding it against her chest.

  “Sounds good to me,” he teased, rubbing his hands together.

  She rolled her eyes, gathering her things as she made her way to the bathroom. And it was just as lovely as the rest of the room. She felt like she’d died and gone to heaven, and feeling kind of happy that the weather had been so miserable.

  The bathroom had a large tub and it appeared to be built for two. She quickly started to fill it, using some of the bath salts provided. They smelled of lavender and chamomile, and she couldn’t wait to jump in, the entire room already filled with the soothing scent. She peeled off her clothing, and set them in a big heap on the floor. Her hair stuck to her back, so she tied it in a ponytail and hopped in, the warm water calmed her frayed senses. She closed her eyes, and allowed her mind to wander as she prepared herself for a good, long, and relaxing soak.

  Annabelle jumped at the sharp knock at the door, and her breath left her body as it flew open. She gave an irritated huff as he walked in, like he owned the place. She looked up at him and frowned.

  “Didn’t anyone ever teach you to knock?”

 
“Just wanted to brush my teeth.” He grinned like a sly cat, and she couldn’t help the warmth that cloaked around her neck as he looked at her, as though he was more than ready to strip down and join her.

  Her mind told her that would be a very bad idea, but her body screamed otherwise.

  She took a deep breath, trying to show indifference. She waved her hand as though to dismiss him. “Fine, do whatever.”

  Annabelle hitched a breath when he suddenly walked to the edge of the tub, and leaned closer, resting his palms on the edge. “What I’d like to do is join you.”

  Her stomach did a little flip at his seductive words. And it didn’t sound like a question but a statement. “Absolutely not.”

  But he wouldn’t let her answer as he quickly began stripping of his clothing, and settled into the warm water with her. If she was dreaming she surely didn’t want to wake up, but if she wasn’t, she couldn’t believe he’d been bold enough and presumptuous enough to just hop right in and join her. Whether she wanted him to or not.

  “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

  He leaned back and smiled. “Relaxing.”

  “Couldn’t you have waited until I was finished?”

  “Nope.”

  “And why is that?”

  He shrugged his shoulders. “I just couldn’t resist I guess.”

  Annabelle dipped herself lower into the water, so it came up to her chin, tickling her jaw line. “Just stay on your side.”

  He quirked an eyebrow. “You expect me to behave myself?”

  “Yes! You weren’t invited so the least you can do is respect my space.” She puckered her lip in annoyance. “What are you anyways, a five-year-old?”

  For a moment he said nothing, which made her all the more suspicious.

  “What?”

  “Nothing, just enjoying the view.”

  Annabelle felt the blush to the roots of her hair, which happened more often than not lately in his presence. Even if she wasn’t in his presence, just thinking about him made her body heat. She hated it. Hated being under his spell and not knowing how to break free, because he was an aphrodisiac and she was his prisoner. She didn’t know what to say so she remained silent.

  She closed her eyes for a moment, and tried to forget he was a few feet away and completely naked, and that she was equally naked and very turned on. Realizing if she wanted to have sex he’d be more than willing. Shaking her head, she frowned as the water shifted. Her eyes popped open, only to find him closer than he’d been before. So intoxicatingly close that her heart threatened to stop beating at any minute. She gulped as her eyes connected with his.

  “What on earth are you . . .?”

  But he wouldn’t let her finish the sentence before he captured her mouth in a searing hot kiss. His mouth teased her, as his tongue outlined her lips, slow and seductive. Her hands came up to hold his face, bringing him closer and deepening the kiss. She fisted her hands in his hair, cocking her head to allow him more access. He leaned into her, bringing his chest against hers, and her nipples puckered at the intimate contact. She kept her thighs together even as her entire being told her the opposite. Even as his erection pressed into her stomach, and as much as the idea of getting carried away in the tub sounded good to her ears, she knew it could only end in disaster like the last time, and she couldn’t let that happen again.

  But then he moved from her lips to her neck, as he scattered moist, open-mouthed kisses along the base of her throat and jawline, and she slowly started to lose her inhibitions.

  Oh my God, does he know how to turn me on. Mmm. This feels so good . . .

  Annabelle attempted to catch a breath, but he’d manage to take it completely away. Until her lungs were dry and sapped of air. As much as she wanted this to continue, because damn it, it sure felt amazing . . . and they were in the nicest suite in the hotel.

  Gathering her senses, she abruptly placed her hands on his chest and pulled away from him.

  “What’s wrong?”

  She shook her head. “I can’t do this. I’m sorry.”

  Annabelle watched as he took a deep breath, backed away from her, and let himself out of the tub. She tried as best she could not to notice his erection, and knew he was going to be just as sexually frustrated as she was, but she needed to be more guarded with her emotions, more importantly with her desires. Even as her body craved his touch, her mind knew better.

  She held her breath as he exited the bathroom, and shut the door behind him. Then she let it out in a big whoosh and leaned back into the lukewarm water. Staring up at the ceiling, she wondered what she’d been thinking. First him joining her in the tub, which was his idea, then him kissing her, and her responding to his kiss. She must have been crazy. She had absolutely no business kissing Kade, but oh how hard it was to resist the man.

  And this atmosphere wasn’t helping any. It was romantic and designed for newlyweds, dammit, not for an ex-wife to shack up with her ex-husband, like some horny teenagers at a drive in movie.

  With these sobering thoughts, she leaned forward and drained the tub. Grabbing a towel she quickly dried off, put on her pajamas, and brushed her teeth. When she opened the door she was greeted with a very nice sight indeed.

  He was clad in his boxers and his hair was slightly mussed. She watched as his skillful fingers drew the covers back, his arm like polished steel and bronze metal, rolled into one. He looked up at her, as though he knew what she was thinking, giving her a quirk of his brow.

  “Ready for bed?” he asked, a devilish look on his face.

  Annabelle cleared her throat. “Yes, by all means,” she stated casually as she walked toward the other side of the bed. She wore her usual, short shorts and a tank top, but couldn’t help notice as his eyes roved over every inch of her as she crawled into bed.

  “Good-night, Annabelle.”

  She turned off the light next to her side of the bed, and stared up at the ceiling for what seemed an eternity before she drifted off to sleep.

  Unfortunately, Annabelle dreamt that night . . .

  She was hiding in the closet in the living room, playing hide and seek with her brother. Smiling and thinking he’d never find her here. She giggled as her mom’s wool coat scratched her cheek, and the vacuum hose jabbed her in the stomach. She futzed with the string that turned the light on and off, and wondered how long it would take for Mike to find her. She prided herself on finding the best hiding places.

  But she could hear her parents shouting and it hurt her sensitive ears. It ruined this fun moment, and sounded like it was coming from the kitchen. Somehow they decided it was a good idea to continue the argument in the living room, as she heard the angry voices coming closer and closer. She tried to drown them out but they were impossibly loud, and she couldn’t. Leaning forward, she saw her parents between the slats of the closet door.

  “You’re a stupid woman and I don’t know why I married you!” her father shouted. His hands looked threatening as they balled into tight fists. Then he shouted more words, harsher ones she knew were bad. Ones you weren’t supposed to say.

  Annabelle could see her mother’s hurt and defeated expression, and it broke her heart. She hated seeing her mother in pain, and hated seeing her father beat her up.

  “I should have listened to my mother, and not married a tyrant like you! You make my life miserable and I wish you’d drop dead!” she shouted back.

  Then, swiftly and without hesitation, her father slapped her mother hard across the face. They’d been standing close enough to the door that she could see the blood on her mother’s face, slowly oozing from the side of her mouth. She held the spot, trying to stop the bleeding, but he didn’t stop there. He roughly grabbed her by the arms and slammed her entire body against the wall. Annabelle flinched at the awful sound of flesh and b
one against hard wall, as it reverberated in her ears. Then, as if she hadn’t had enough, he punched her in the face and shouted more obscenities she’d never heard before.

  Annabelle gasped, putting her hand to her mouth. Then she snapped her eyes shut, not bearing to watch anymore. She tried to silence the tears that managed to escape, and keep her breathing even and low so as not to make any noise. He suddenly stopped, as though he’d heard her from where she was hiding and she held her breath. Then he thankfully walked out of the room, and left her mother lying there, broken and bleeding on the floor.

  Annabelle curled up in the fetal position, as her body became racked with tears.

  She shot up in bed in a cold sweat, the tears rolling freely down her cheeks. She put her hands to her face, and wiped them away. Getting out of bed, she fumbled in the dark to splash cold water on her face. She took a drink of water and inhaled deeply, trying to calm her racing heart. After all these years, that painful time in her life was still a very vivid memory, and they sometimes haunted her dreams.

  Kade was not a sound sleeper, because as she got back into bed, he stirred. Opening his eyes to study her, he put a comforting hand to her back.

  “Are you all right?”

  “I’m fine. Just had a bad dream. Nothing I want to talk about,” she lied, hoping it would keep him at arm’s-length.

  Kade nodded, and either didn’t believe her, or wanted to avoid conflict that would surely arise.

  Several beats of silence passed, then, “What is it Annabelle? Are you sure everything’s okay?”

  Lying back down, she pasted a fake smile on her face. “Everything is fine.”