It was almost nine that night when Nora heard a soft knock at her door. She’d taken a shower and blown dry her hair, but all she had on was her short silk robe as she peeked out of the bathroom door. Who could be here so late?
Her heart raced. It had to be either Cade stopping by to cash in on that rain check, or the pig and the goat hoping to come in to watch an episode of The Bachelor. She hoped it was Cade, since the last time she’d let Otis and Tiny in, they’d hogged all the popcorn.
Her mouth went dry as she opened the door to the tall hunk of hot cowboy standing on the porch. He must have just taken a shower too because he smelled like soap and shampoo and the ends of his hair curled damply at his neck. “Hey,” she said, practically sighing out the word.
“Hey.” He held his hand up, palm facing the sky. “I know it’s kind of late, but I thought I felt a little rain comin’ on.”
She couldn’t hold back her grin as she took a step back. “You better come in then. I wouldn’t want you to get caught in a storm.”
He sauntered into the room, kicking the door shut behind him before he reached for her and pulled her to his chest. He dipped his head and pressed a warm kiss to that spot right below her ear, the spot that had her knees threatening to buckle. His voice was low as he spoke against her neck. “I’m not afraid of a little rain.”
She’d read historical romances where the heroines had been said to swoon, and she’d never really gotten the definition of the word. Until now. Until she felt like melting into the arms of this man. And all he’d done was kiss her neck. Lord help her if he chose to kiss another part of her.
Dear Lord, please let him choose to kiss another part.
He laid another soft kiss on her neck, then another on the line of her jaw, before finally taking her mouth. His hands held her face as if she were a delicate flower as he tasted and sampled her lips. Those kisses, the ones that started out sweet, quickly changed to a hard onslaught of desire as his hands made their way down to her waist and pulled her tightly against him.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back, her body keenly aware of the fact that all she had on was a tiny robe that barely covered her lady bits. Her nipples tightened against the slick fabric, the only barrier between them and Cade’s T-shirt.
So much had happened over the last few days, and this was the first time he’d really kissed her again after their time at the cabin. But all her indecision, her doubts about if she truly cared about him, fell away as she lost herself in his touch.
His hands felt so good as they moved over her, clutching and caressing as they traveled along her curves. His tongue sought and explored her mouth, then his lips were back on her neck, his breath hot even as it sent shivers of pleasure across her skin.
She clung to him, afraid her knees would buckle and she would sink to the floor if she let go. With how liquid her body felt, she might just slip through the cracks of the floorboards. This man turned her inside out, stealing her thoughts and her inhibitions as she was considering dropping her robe and letting him take her against the kitchen counter.
She squeezed his shoulder, trying to regain some control. “I can’t catch my breath.”
He kissed her again, softer this time, capturing her words on his lips. “Breathing’s overrated.”
She laughed, a small puff of air, but it was enough to break the spell. He pulled back, still holding her in his arms but releasing his claim on her mouth. He peered down at her as his thumb grazed over her swollen bottom lip. “You have some kind of hold on me. I can’t seem to think straight when I’m around you. Especially when all I can think about is how your skin feels under that itty-bitty robe you’re barely wearing.”
She swallowed. “I was thinking about that too. I mean how you’d feel against my skin. But I need a minute. Otherwise I might drag you down onto the floor and have my way with you, and that floor hasn’t been swept in days.”
He laughed this time, but it came out as more of a roguish chuckle. “I’m not afraid of getting a little dirty.”
“I wasn’t thinking about getting just a little dirty.”
“Damn,” he whispered and she heard the click in his throat as he swallowed. “You do surprise me, Nora Fisher. In all the best possible ways.”
She was kind of surprising herself. Since when had she been able to toss out naughty comments like that? Since Cade, apparently. Since being with a man who made her feel sexy and brazen and smart and confident.
Cade dropped his hands to around her waist, still keeping her in his arms as he leaned back against the counter of the kitchen island. His eyes went dark as he studied her. “I can’t quite figure you out. Sometimes you act like you’re unsure of yourself and your decisions, then other times you charge forward swinging a sword with the confidence of a gladiator.”
“Huh. I have never been compared to a gladiator before,” she said, tilting her head as if considering the idea. “I think I like it.”
“I’m serious. The way you took on Diana, even when she was being such a snot to you was really something. I wanted to thank you again for what you did today. For Allie. And for me.”
She let out a sigh. “Don’t thank me. I did it for Allie, but I also did it for my own selfish reasons.”
“I doubt that. I haven’t seen you do a single selfish thing since I’ve met you.”
“It’s true.” She dropped her gaze to his chest. “I want Allie to stay, for her and for you, but also because if Allie leaves, then my job is over.”
“Hey, don’t worry about that. We arranged this for a set period, and we’d pay you for the whole time, no matter what happened.”
Her eyes went round, and she swatted at his chest. “I don’t care about the money. I mean, I do care about money, but that’s not what I’m talking about. If Allie left the ranch, then I would have to leave too. And I’m not ready to walk away from this place.”
“Just this place?” He pulled her closer as his voice lowered. “Is that all you don’t want to leave?”
She stared at the pocket of his T-shirt, not quite able to meet his eye. It somehow felt easier to make bold, flirty comments than to admit her feelings for him. “No,” she whispered. He lifted her chin, forcing her to look into his eyes. She took a deep breath, then blurted, “That’s not all. I’m not ready to leave you, dammit.”
His lips curved in a wicked grin. “I love it when you swear at me.”
A soft laugh escaped her as she rested a hand on his cheek. “I love it when you kiss me as if your life depends on it.”
His expression sobered. He lifted a lock of her hair and twisted a curl around his finger. “I feel a little bit that way. My life has changed so much since you and Allie have come into it. I find myself dreaming and hoping for things I haven’t let myself hope for in a long time.”
“Why not?”
He huffed. “Because I know that a woman like you deserves a man so much better than me. Even though you make me want to be better. And I swear I’ve felt different since you and Allie have been here. I’ve felt happier than I have in a long time. And I’ve made an effort in so many ways when before I would have just given up or not bothered. But in my heart, where it counts, I know it’s not enough. I know what kind of man I am. And I have no business letting myself get involved with you.”
She stroked her finger down his cheek. “I know what kind of man you are too. And there’s a million reasons why I shouldn’t let myself get involved with you. And another million why this thing between us will never work.”
“That’s a lot of millions. How many reasons are there for you to stay?”
“Only one.” Captured by the intensity of his blue eyes, she let the words tumble from her lips. “Because I’m falling in love with you.”
He didn’t say anything but his eyes widened, and she felt his grip tighten at her waist.
She let out a soft gasp and covered her mouth with her hand. “I can’t believe I said that.” She turned her head away, heat warming her cheeks. “This is what I always do. I feel too much. I jump in without ever checking to see if there’s enough water to catch me.”
He bent down, bringing his arm behind her knees and swept her up into his arms. Cradling her to his chest, he peered down at her, his eyes intense as his voice lowered to almost a growl. “Don’t worry. I’ll catch you.”
She buried her face in his chest, inhaling the scent of him, as she fought back tears. His statement was delivered with such passion, his words so sincere, they seared through her chest and went straight to her heart. She couldn’t speak. But it didn’t matter. The time for words was over. The way to show him how she felt now was through her actions, her touch.
He carried her into the bedroom and yanked back the covers before setting her gently on the bed. The sheets were cool against her heated skin, but his body was warm as he lay down next to her. The front folds of her robe gaped open, barely covering her breasts.
Cade’s gaze drifted over her body, pausing to appreciate the glimpses of bare skin. He brushed the back of his fingers down her neck, then across the exposed area of her chest. Skimming over the silky fabric, he stopped at the tied sash and gazed back up into her eyes. “I don’t have a very good track record when it comes to relationships. I’m not very good at sticking around. But for the first time, I’ve found something I want to stay for. Something I want to fight for. Being with you and Allie makes me feel good, like I finally have a chance to be the man I’ve always wanted to be.”
His words touched something in her. She’d felt a connection with him from the first day she’d met him. But she’d thought she’d felt connections before. Although none had ever been as strong as the pull she had with Cade. And that intense pull is what terrified her.
“I’m scared,” she whispered.
“I am too. I’m in all new territory. And I have no idea what’s going to happen tomorrow or next week, but we’re here together right now. And I want you—all of you, and with everything in me. I also know this is all a little intense, so if you’re not ready for all of this, you can tell me. I can stop.”
He started to pull his hand away, but she grabbed it and pressed it back to the bow of her belt. “Don’t you dare stop.”
He smiled at her, the curve of his grin making promises she couldn’t wait for him to keep.
His fingers wrapped around the end of the material, and he slowly pulled at one side of the belt. She felt vulnerable, exposed, and yet a deep desire raced through her, and she wanted his hands on her. All of her.
The only sound in the room was the whisper of silk as the bow loosened and the silk fell away.
In the same moment, a shiver ran through her, and both she and her robe came undone.
***
Nora’s limbs felt liquid as she pulled on pajama pants and a soft T-shirt an hour later. Cade had just left, and she’d been tempted to crawl naked back under the sheets just to feel the cool cotton against her skin but knew her brain would never let her fall right to sleep.
She pushed her feet into a pair of slippers and padded into the kitchen in search of an icy glass of the lemonade she’d made earlier. Before she made it to the refrigerator, she heard a frantic knocking at her front door and Cade’s voice calling her.
She hurried to let him in. “What’s wrong?”
He swept into the room, his eyes wild. “Allie’s gone.”
“Gone? What do you mean?”
He dragged his hand through his hair, leaving tufts of it sticking up. “I mean she’s gone. She’s not in her bedroom. Or the bathroom. It’s not that big of a freakin’ place. She’s not there.”
“It’s okay. We’ll find her. Was she upset when you left?”
“No. She was totally fine. I made her some hot chocolate, and when I left she was buried in a pile of pillows on her bed with the dog, the cat, and that stack of books Jillian brought her. Now she’s gone, and so is the dog. Her bed is empty.”
“Did you call her cell phone?”
“Good idea.” He pulled his phone from his jeans pocket and tapped the screen, then held the phone to his ear. He shook his head. “Straight to voicemail.” He shoved the phone back into his pocket. “Do you think she changed her mind about staying? Or do you think Diana came back for her? She wouldn’t leave without saying goodbye. Would she? What if she ran away?”
Nora took his hands and held them firmly in his. “Cade. She did not run away. And I can’t imagine she called Diana to come get her.”
“But what if Diana came back on her own and convinced her to leave the ranch with her?”
“Allie wouldn’t leave like that without telling you. Take a breath, and let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” She grabbed a sweatshirt from one of the hooks by the door. “Have you checked Bryn’s house or the barn? Maybe she just took a walk or went to check on the new horses.”
“No, but that’s good thinking.” He hung his head. “I just panicked when I saw she was gone. I’m responsible for her now. And the last time I wasn’t paying attention, she got hurt.”
“This is not like last time. And she’s a teenager now. You’re not expected to watch her every minute.” She opened the front door and led him outside. Peering around, she spotted the barn door open and a light inside. “Look, there’s a light on in the barn.”
Cade sprinted toward the barn. She ran after him and almost smashed into his back as he came to an abrupt halt at the door. His shoulders relaxed, and he took her hand and squeezed it as he nodded to the scene inside.
Allie had brought her pillow and one of her blankets outside and fashioned a cozy nest of hay bales and gunny sacks outside the gate of Daisy’s stall. Her voice filled the space of the barn as she read aloud from a book in her lap, her hand absently stroking the various animals surrounding her.
She looked like a teenaged Mother Goose with the puppy in her lap, the cat curled along one side of her legs, and the pig curled around the other. Shamus had somehow gotten out again and was standing behind her as if looking over her shoulder and reading along. Otis was sprawled out near her feet but appeared to be more interested in sneaking bites of hay than listening to the story.
Daisy was standing in her stall, her head leaning forward and her ears bent back as if she were listening intently. Beauty, Prince, and Mack stood at the gate of the corral, and the two new horses both hung their heads over the gates of their stalls, as if they were all enchanted with the teenager and enthralled with the story she was reading.
Allie must have heard them at the door because she looked up and smiled. “Hey, guys.”
“Hey, kid,” Cade said, dropping Nora’s hand as he took a step inside the barn. His voice was low. Nora wasn’t sure if that was because he didn’t want to startle the animals or because he was overcome with the emotion of finding her.
Allie’s brow furrowed. “Everything okay?”
Cade nodded. “Yeah, everything’s good. You weren’t in your bed, and I guess I got scared that you’d left.”
“Left? How could I leave these guys?” She giggled softly as she reached to pat Shamus’s head, and he leaned forward and snuffled her neck.
“They do tend to grow on you.” He scratched the nose of one of the horses. “Mind if we listen for a bit?”
Allie shrugged. “Sure. If you want. I’m still in chapter two. This book is about a girl who grew up in foster homes, but she just turned fifteen and found out she’s a princess. One of the queen’s guards just picked her up and brought her to the palace.”
Cade held up his hand. “Stop. You had me at princess.”
The grin he gave his daughter had Nora’s insides melting like goo. Cade grabbed a couple of horse blankets and put them on the ground in front of some of the hay bales. He sat down and patted the spot next to him. Nora sat down and stretched her legs out in front of her. Otis gave her slipper a quick sniff, and the pig shuffled over and rested her head on Nora’s leg.
Allie smiled at her, then bent her head and continued reading. “‘Julianna…’” She paused. “That’s the princess,” she explained before continuing. “‘Julianna wandered through the rooms of the palace, feeling both in awe and at peace as she munched on the most delicious shortbread she’d ever had in her life. Brushing a buttery crumb from her sleeve, she tried not to let herself get excited about this new adventure in her life. She wanted it. All of it. The new home, the chance at finally having a family of her own. But it all seemed too good to be true—like it could be ripped away at any second and she’d be back in her old life, but this time with the knowledge of the life she could have had. She knew if she let herself believe she belonged here, she would only get hurt. As she took another bite of the flaky biscuit, she contemplated if she should just get out now—dump the rest of the tray of shortbread into her pocket and make a run for it, before she let herself believe this was a life she could truly have.’”
Nora blinked back the tears that sprung to her eyes. It was as if Allie were tearing a page from Nora’s own life and reading it aloud. She might not have any delicious shortbread, but she understood all too well the feeling of need and fear and wanting to make a run for it before she got hurt.