Not bothering with shoes, I glance one last time in the mirror and head downstairs.
I can see Cade in the kitchen and it looks like he’s made more of an effort as well. He’s obviously shaved again and is dressed in black slacks and a deep green shirt. He’s one sexy guy. My heart’s pounding.
I walk toward him, anticipating the moment when he sees me.
Cade
I’m trying to prepare dinner for Rona, and Jake if he ever shows up, but my mind is on our guest. My mind has been on her since the minute I spotted her sitting alone in the coffee shop. It won’t let up. I have a craving for her that I’m not sure I’m going to be able to do anything about, and it’s tearing me up inside.
Shaking my head to get her out of it, I turn to grab the wine off the worktop, and stop dead. Rona is walking toward me in a dress that highlights all her curves and doesn’t really leave anything to the imagination. She takes my breath away.
I can’t look away. As she walks around the breakfast bar, I find my legs moving toward her. Reaching out, I take hold of her arms in a caress.
“Wow, you look . . . wow.” I’m acting like an idiot, but she does leave me speechless.
Moving my hands slowly up her arms and over her shoulders, I smooth my thumbs along her collarbone and feel her pulse throbbing, which probably matches the rhythm of mine.
Finally resting my hands lightly against her neck, I bring her into me for the sweetest of kisses. This isn’t about sex. It’s a tender moment with the woman with whom I’m falling in love.
Rona
Cade’s kiss is so tender as I realize I’m really falling in love with him. He makes me feel as though I’m the only woman in the world. Not even Nick made me feel this way.
Ending the kiss, Cade caresses my neck with his thumbs as he rests his forehead against mine. “I needed that,” he whispers against my lips.
I smile. “Me, too.”
Reaching up, I kiss his cheek and step out of his reach.
A few seconds later, Cade turns back to the dinner he’s preparing while I hop up on a stool at the breakfast bar.
He turns to me. “So, Rona, if you don’t mind me asking, why did you pick Jackson Hole for your vacation? I would have thought somewhere with plenty of sun, sea and sand.”
I wince at his question, but decide to be honest about the man I thought I wanted to marry. “I actually wanted to go to the Maldives, but Nick said there was no way he wanted to lounge around on a beach. He couldn’t think of anything more boring! I guess I should have realized what a mistake I was making then and there, but I didn’t. He was really selfish, he wouldn’t even compromise.”
Without pause, Cade says, “If it were me, I would take you to the ends of the earth if you asked.” He walks closer, taking my face in his hands with a look on his face I haven’t seen on anyone before . . . at least directed at me.
Leaning into him, I kiss his palm before moving away to pour a glass of deep red burgundy with unsteady hands. It isn’t really what I want to do, but we can’t do what I’d rather be doing.
“Let’s eat,” Cade announces. “The meal is going to be dried out if we wait any longer for Jake.”
As I take my seat at the dining table, Cade places a dish of beef casserole with rice in front of me. It smells divine.
We eat in silence, but I’m aware of Cade sitting opposite. How can I not be when my every breath pulls his scent into my body? I’m not sure what aftershave he’s wearing, but mixed with his unique scent, it’s making me crazy.
Finally laying my cutlery down, I chance a look at Cade and see the same lust in his face I’m sure is reflected on mine. But the mood is broken when Jake walks through the backdoor looking exhausted and limping slightly.
“I hope you saved me some of whatever that was.” Jake rubs his stomach.
“Of course, you have a plate in the microwave.” Cade pauses as his eyes narrow on Jake. “Have you overdone it?”
“No, I’m fine.” He takes another step with his limp even more pronounced. “Okay. Maybe a little bit, but I’ll be fine after a warm shower and some food.”
“Why don’t you eat now, and then shower before going to bed. It might relax you more,” Cade suggests.
Jake pauses.
It’s obvious to anyone watching how much it’s hurting Cade to see his son in pain. It’s clear that Cade is trying so hard not to jump up and help him.
Without a word, Jake limps over to the table and drops into a seat.
Jumping up, I caress Cade on the back to keep him in his seat.
I smile at Jake. “I’ll go and warm your food.”
“Shit, Rona. You’re a guest here.”
“Oh, stop. It’s the least I can do.” I dash off to the kitchen before he can complain.
As I fiddle with the dial on the microwave, Cade and Jake talk softly while Jake rubs his hip.
I wish there was something I could do to help him. He’s been so kind to me and watching him in pain makes my heart bleed for him. Being a guy, he probably wouldn’t accept help if offered.
The microwave pings just as I’m pouring a glass of water for Jake. Removing his plate with a towel, I take it back into the dining area. “Here you go.” I lay the plate in front of Jake.
“God, that smells good. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Walking behind Cade’s seat to get to mine, I press my hand against his back—out of view of Jake—in an effort to comfort him.
I’m delighted when I hear his quiet gasp. It’s good to know that I affect him as much as he does me.
I glance at Cade as I take my seat, but have to look away when I see the hunger shining back at me.
I need to change the direction of my thoughts, so I turn to Jake and catch the wince that crosses his face. I find I can’t stay silent anymore. “Jake, can I get you something for the pain?”
He stops eating, wipes his mouth on a napkin and after a drink of water, he says, “I have meds in my room. I’ll be good.” He drains the glass. “Thanks for asking.” He smiles.
In the silence that follows my offer, I get the feeling Jake wants to talk to his father so I decide to excuse myself. “That was a wonderful meal, but if you’ll excuse me, I hear my bed calling.”
“Are you sure you won’t join us for coffee?” Cade asks.
“I’m sure.” I stand and offer a smile. “Thank you for a lovely meal and company. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, and you’re welcome,” Cade replies.
Jake sounds tired as he says, “Night, Rona.”
“Night, Jake.”
“I’ll see you around eleven tomorrow to take you into town,” Jake adds as I head toward the stairs and my room.
Chapter 4
Rona
At eleven, I find myself running downstairs to meet Jake for our outing into town and I can’t wait. I’m excited if truth be told. My only wish is that Cade was free to come with us. We spent yesterday afternoon together so I know he has work to catch up on, but I have a feeling he’s going to be distracted with me being out with his son. I don’t believe Jake is really attracted to me. I’m more like a distraction from his troubles, I think. Cade most know this as well.
Like yesterday, I meet Cade at the bottom of the stairs and a bolt of longing shoots through me. My heart melts as he smiles and wraps the same purple-colored scarf around my neck. This time, he pulls me against him. I tip my head back as his lips descend on mine for a brief, but very possessive kiss.
“Mmm, I’m becoming addicted to you,” he whispers against my lips as he breaks from the kiss.
Reaching up, I wrap my arms around his neck, and sigh in pleasure when he returns my embrace, not an inch between our bodies. I’m so glad I haven’t slipped my jacket on yet. I can feel him against me.
I caress over his earlobe with my tongue and I’m rewarded when he shudders against me, his dick hardening between us.
“I’m already addicted to you.” I suck his lobe
into my mouth before quickly releasing it.
Cade clenches me against him as he softly growls in my ear.
Hearing footsteps approaching, we step away from each other, but keep our eyes locked together.
Glancing down, I see the noticeable bulge in Cade’s jeans so I quickly turn to grab my coat from the stand by the front door as embarrassment heats my cheeks. I just know I’m a lovely shade of pink right now. It’s not like me to be embarrassed so easily, but knowing Jake is approaching and might realize what we were doing a few seconds ago sends a slight blush along my cheekbones. I know this without even looking through a mirror.
Slipping my arms into my jacket, I turn back around and see Cade sitting on the stairs with a wry smile directed at me.
“So Rona.” Jake grabs my attention. “Are you ready to spend today with me?” He grins, unaware of the tension buzzing in the air between his father and me.
“I am.”
“Let’s go then.” He turns to his father, and frowns before saying, “I’ll see you later.”
Jake opens the front door and indicates for me to go first. I turn for one last glimpse of Cade this morning. “Bye.”
“Bye. Hope you both have fun.”
Settled in Jake’s truck, I suddenly realize that he isn’t limping this morning, which means he must have had a good night’s rest. Either that or he’s taking strong medication.
Driving through the cottonwoods, Jake keeps glancing in my direction with a grin on his face.
What’s he up to?
“So, how do you feel about cable cars?” he asks.
My stomach rolls at the image of a cable car swinging over a chasm, only a wire keeping it from plummeting to the ground below. I have no doubt the views are worth it but the thought of being in one is terrifying.
“Um, you serious?”
He glances at me, then back to the road. “Yes, they have one in Jackson called ‘Big Red.’ It’s actually an aerial tram and you’ll love it. It holds a lot of people and takes about fifteen minutes to get to the top of Rendezvous Mountain and then you can experience the best waffles you will ever taste at Corbet’s Cabin. Not to mention you can see all the way down to Jackson Hole, Snake Valley River, and Grand Teton National Park. Absolutely amazing.”
I can’t help laughing. “You sound like an advertisement!”
“Sorry, a friend of mine used to work at the ski school and he was always using the tourist spiel to get the girls to go up with him,” Jake says in amusement.
I smile at him. “Did you?”
“Maybe.” His laugh is warm and easy.
“I think I need to warn you the last time I went up in a cable car, I was terrified. It was really windy and the car was swaying a lot. Horrid experience.” I shudder.
“Not to worry, I’ll take care of you.”
“Hmm. I guess I can give it a try.”
After arriving at the base of ‘Big Red,’ Jake leaves me to purchase the tickets while I use the restroom.
On approach to one of the waiting cable cars, I have butterflies in my stomach as I realize this is a really bad idea. Jake doesn’t realize just how nervous I am when he grabs my hand and pulls me inside.
There are about ten people already on board and as the doors shut, I start taking deep breaths to stay calm.
I really do hate these, and I’m not sure what possessed me to go along with this. Actually, I do. I wanted to see the views for myself.
All of a sudden, Jake is in front of me, dragging me into his arms. “Hey, it’s okay, everything will be all right. Just keep taking deep breaths and I promise, I won’t let you go until we get to the top.”
Burrowing into his coat, I hang on for dear life as we continue up the mountain.
With Jake’s arms around me, I feel secure, and eventually my breathing starts to return to normal, although I can’t quite get rid of the fear.
After the longest fifteen minutes of my life, Jake leads me out of the tram on wobbly legs. I so do not want to get off this mountain the same way.
“Can we go and sit down for a minute?”
“Yeah, sure, c’mon. We’ll go and have waffles. You can have a coffee to bring some life back into you. You look a bit pale.”
Once inside Corbet’s, I feel much better. Sitting down with Jake, I take in the view from the window while munching on a waffle Jake has ordered for me.
“You are right, these waffles are great! I just hope they stay in my stomach on the way back down.”
Seeing the panic on Jake’s face, I start laughing. “Just kidding.”
He’s so cute and I’m dying to know more about him. Although he’s been friendly toward me, this is the first time I’ve felt comfortable enough with him to ask a personal question.
“So tell me, why don’t you have a girlfriend?”
He’s momentarily stunned by my question, and then his lips start to twitch, showing me his dimples. No doubt the look usually gets him what—or who—he has in his sights. “I’m trying to remedy that.”
I smirk before becoming serious again. “No seriously, is there no one around here? You’re a nice, friendly, good-looking guy. I can’t believe you don’t have a girlfriend waiting in the wings for your safe return.”
Looking away for a few seconds, he turns back to me. “Not any more. I did have a girlfriend. Elise. From as young as I can remember, I wanted to be a Marine, so when the time came and I signed on the dotted line things started to . . . not go so well. Eventually, when I left for Paris Island, I broke up with her. Seven years ago.” He sighs. “I didn’t want her to be left alone if something happened to me.”
“You still love her, don’t you?”
His emotions are written all over his face.
“She’s the only girl that’s ever made it to my heart, and yeah, she’s still there.”
I reach out and touch his arm. “Why don’t you go and talk to her, and find out how she still feels?”
Sadness tightens his lips and he looks so heartbroken. I want to hug him and chase all the pain away. “It doesn’t matter. She’s getting married in a couple of months.”
I wasn’t expecting that, but I guess seven years is a long time.
“How long were you together?”
He starts to his feet and offers me a wry smile. “Close to three years.”
“Wow.”
“C’mon. I want to show you the view from here so you can take some photographs before we head back.” Jake changes the subject—a skill the Matthews men seem to have down well.
“Okay. I might as well make it worth my fear of cable cars.”
Jake leads me outside to a spot that has breathtaking views of the valley below and the snow-covered mountains in the distance. It’s beautiful. I take lots of photographs.
I can’t wait to get back to the house and load them onto my iPad via my MacBook Air for a larger view of the shots I’ve taken.
Cade
Sitting in the living room as I wait for Rona and Jake to arrive home is playing hell with my concentration. I must have read the same page repeatedly for the past hour. I managed to get what paperwork was waiting for me out of the way earlier, and instead of heading down to the stables, as I would normally have done, I decided to wait.
After thirty excruciating minutes, I finally hear the sound of Jake’s SUV pull up outside. Standing, I drop my book to the table, and head toward the front door just as Rona enters. She looks really happy, which makes me smile.
“Hi, I guess by your smile that you had a good day with Jake?”
She has a slight blush. “I did have a good day, but my smile was actually for you. I’m glad you’re here. I missed you.”
“I missed you, too.” She looks lovely with color in her cheeks and windswept hair.
“Let me take your jacket.” I stand behind her as she slips her arms out.
She mumbles, “Thanks,” unwinding the scarf and hooking it over her jacket on the stand.
“Can I get you a c
offee?” I offer.
“Yes, please. Can you give me five minutes, though? I want to upload the photographs I took today to my iPad so I can show them to you.”
“I’d like that. I’ll make us some coffee and wait for you in the living room.”
Just as she turns to go upstairs, I ask, “Is Jake coming in?”
She turns back to me. “No, he said he’s going to call down to the stables, something about the feed being delivered.”
“Okay. Thanks, Rona. I’ll see you in a few minutes then.”
I watch from the bottom of the stairs until Rona is no longer in view.
Sighing, I head into the kitchen to make some coffee, and while it’s brewing, I stare out of the back window as deer forage at the edge of the trees.
My mind wanders—as it has since I met Rona—wondering what the hell I’m going to do about her. I can honestly say I can’t remember the last time I took something for myself, regardless of how I thought everything would turn out. How I’m supposed to stay away from her, I have no idea. She’s everywhere. In my home. In my head. And I have a feeling she’s already in my heart.
A friend of mine, Declan, met his wife one day, and day two they were married. Twenty-two years later, they are still as happily married as they were back then.
The gurgle of the coffee machine pulls me out of my wayward thoughts and I pull two mugs out of the cupboard.
After pouring the coffee, I take both mugs to the living room. I sit on the sofa this time, hoping to have Rona in my arms, at least for a short while before I come back to my senses, and start to struggle again with the twenty-one year age gap.
I find I don’t have long to wait for Rona, and watch her jog downstairs. She’s changed into sweats and a long-sleeved tee shirt, which we both seem to favor, with thick socks on her feet.
“I managed to get them all on and they look pretty good.” She doesn’t even hesitate to join me on the sofa. Sitting down, she snuggles into my side and looks up at me. “Hi.” She moves her hands to my chest, and stretches to kiss my lips.
From This Moment Page 5