I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction.
I’ve always been this way. There never was a dare I wouldn’t rise to or a challenge I wouldn’t meet head on.
Something that got me into trouble more than once, but it also makes me a good athlete.
“Whatever,” I mumble, lacking a better response.
His only response is an indulgent smile like I’m adorable and kissing my nose before he pulls back and continues, “Anyway, once Jerry clears the driveway we can go to town and have breakfast.”
My eyes widen at the suggestion. I didn’t expect this. I’m shocked he’d want to go into town with me. To be seen with me by everyone. After all, he’s spent the last five weeks hating me, and I’m sure he hasn’t hidden his opinion from the townspeople either.
His expression darkens as he takes in my reaction. “Are you serious?” he asks, sounding pissed off.
“What?” I try to feign ignorance.
“Are you seriously balking at the idea of being seen with me?” His heated question catches me off guard. But it also shows just how similar we are in our thought patterns.
“What? No,” I explain with vehemence. “I was surprised you’d want everyone in town to see us have breakfast together.”
“Oh.” His body loses the tension, and he looks confused for a second. “We’re kinda messed up, aren’t we?”
“Sure looks like it.” I can’t help but smile at his chagrined expression, knowing mine mirrors his.
“Well, I don’t care what everyone else is going to think seeing us have breakfast. So how about it?”
I don’t hesitate with my answer, “Let me get dressed.” I have no doubt this will cause rumors to spread through town, but if my past has taught me anything, it’s not to care. Rumors will always circulate, people will always talk about you, be it good or bad, that will never stop. Plus, they’re already talking about me, we might as well give them something new to talk about.
Kade pulls me harder against his body; I can hear my breath hitch at the proximity and his overwhelmingly masculine smell. I can already feel myself get aroused again.
His eyes travel from my eyes my mouth and the lip I pulled between my teeth. “I think I’m in the mood for an appetizer before we head into town.” I watch his lips lift into his trademark mischievous smile that promises so many pleasurable hours yet to come.
And I can’t wait.
Just like yesterday, without warning or waiting for an answer, he throws me over his shoulder and nearly sprints to the bedroom, causing me to squeal with laughter.
***
After another hour of pleasure where Kade took his time with my body, bringing me to the brink multiple times before he let me come, we wash up with the cold water still in the bathtub. Not something I enjoyed, but it was the only source of water for now and I’m glad Kade thought of not draining it last night.
Once we’re as presentable as we’re going to get, we are on our way down the valley to town. I’m glad Wayne employs ranch hands who take care of all the livestock, because I wouldn’t enjoy going out into the cold and check all the they have water and food. I never realized how much work goes into ranching and caring for all the animals until recently.
The road is treacherous despite being freshly plowed. I’m not sure when Jerry did it, as I didn’t hear him turn around at the end of the driveway, but I’m glad he plowed this road first.
“Where are we going to eat breakfast?” I ask halfway to town, slightly distracted as I message Dakota to check in. I don’t tell her what happened though, that’s not something I want to explain via text. The snow is piled high on both sides of the road, and the trees are heavy with more of the white stuff. It’s beautiful, but I can see how this would have been dangerous to navigate yesterday while it was still snowing.
“I thought we could go to the little café next to the police station.”
“Do you mean Willow’s Café?”
He glances at me quickly before he concentrates on the road again. “Yes.”
“I remember going there with Wayne when I was a child. They make the best pecan pie in the county from what I remember.”
“They do.”
“Awesome.” My mouth is already watering at the thought of the best pie I ever had. I’ve tried to find a pecan pie that equals Willow’s in taste. With no luck.
I’m daydreaming about a piece of pie and staring out the window, so preoccupied with my own thoughts I don’t realize Kade’s gone quiet and pensive.
He captures my attention when he clears his throat like he’s uncomfortable. Something I’ve never seen him do since I’ve known him. It seems so unlike him to be unsure of himself.
“Mon, what happened seven—” he starts to ask when something darts across the streets, and he has to brake unexpectedly not to hit it.
I fly forward into my seat belt, bracing a hand against the dashboard as I stare after the two wolves crossing the road.
“Are those wolves?” I whisper in awe. I know any farmer around here hates that wolf packs roam Montana, but they’re beautiful creatures if you ask me. As long as they don’t attack my father’s livestock.
“Yeah, they don’t usually come up this way, though.” I feel Kade place a hand on my thigh, and I reach down to cover it with my own without thought. He turns his hand to interlace our fingers, and a sudden warm feeling spreads through my
