Twenty minutes ago, she’d strolled across her lawn out front to let him know dinner was almost ready and gotten herself another more-than-pleasant surprise.
Cade had been shirtless, his tanned skin glistening in the setting sun with the wonderful display of flexing, bulging, and shifting muscles beneath. The combination had made her heart flutter wildly in her chest. A red-hot shot of lust had struck her low and deep inside and she froze in place.
Unsure how long she’d stood in the dooryard with her mouth hanging open, staring and forgetting to breathe, she’d maintained just enough self-control to keep from blurting out the first thing that came to her mind.
Oh, my God… I was right! He does have awesome abs… and arms, and shoulders, and… She’d sighed like a lovesick teenager.
More embarrassing was the twinkle in his eyes when he’d glanced over and caught her ogling him. Even at that distance, she had felt his gaze travel over her body, making her feel naked and aroused, and a little self-conscious. Increasing heat that had nothing to do with the sun or the warm, summer-like temperature had flooded her veins and crept into her cheeks when he grinned. But she’d refused to act like the young, shy girl she had once been or let the insecurities about her weight affect how she acted with Cade.
“Dinner will be ready shortly,” she’d shouted to him and his smile warmed her further.
“I’ll be down in a few, then,” he’d replied but didn’t move. He’d held her gaze from the barn roof, while she stood, her bare feet rooted to the sparse grass that dotted the edge of her front lawn. Electricity sparked between them, pulling at something inside her. She’d wanted to climb up the ladder, cross the roof, and pull him in for a long, hot kiss.
But that was crazy. She barely knew him. She may joke with her friends—and herself—about how she’d like to touch a man or fool around with one, but she really wasn’t interested in a one—or two—night stand.
Was she?
Somehow breaking the spell he’d placed on her, she had smiled awkwardly and waved before heading back into the house to collect the dinnerware.
Now, she had the table set and had just wrapped a towel around the ceramic dish that held the warmed tortillas she’d heated for their chicken fajitas. Gathering it up, she headed back out the sliding glass door.
She’d taken several steps before acknowledging the sound of water running and splashing behind her. Glancing over her shoulder, she nearly tripped over her suddenly clumsy feet.
Cade stood at the end of the house. Still shirtless, he was bent at the waist, running cool water from the hose over his head and shoulders. Droplets sparkled like tiny diamonds in his short, coffee-colored hair as the clear liquid streamed through to splash onto the grass-covered ground, splattering his dusty boots.
As she took another step, the world around her slowed to a snail’s pace. Cade straightened, flipping his head back, the water spilling from his head to his neck, over his broad shoulders and perfectly chiseled pecs in a cascade of shining glory. The water had crept down his flat abs to soak his faded jeans. The damp denim turned deep blue and was plastered to him from his hips to his knees, showing off the long muscles of his thighs and the perfect form of his cowboy ass. He was a vision of masculine beauty, and Addie’s brain short-circuited.
Abruptly, the world jolted into normal motion. Her mouth went dry and a little squeak escaped her lips as she stumbled. Trying to keep from dropping the hot dish—or herself—onto the ground, she fumbled forward but only made things worse. Letting out a small cry, she landed on her knees, somehow managing to keep from sprawling face-first in the grass. As it was, her bare knees not only ached, but would be grass-stained as well. A lovely greenish-brown to go with my pretty yellow sundress. Great…
Footsteps came up beside her and her breath seized in her throat when Cade’s big hand skated along her back. Her skin warmed and tingled everywhere he touched and she clenched the towel with the warm bowl still in her hands.
“Hey, are you okay?” he asked, his brows drawn together over his concerned blue eyes. “That looked painful.”
She gave a little laugh, hoping it sounded less contrived to him than it did to her ears.
“I’m fine,” she said, moving to get to her feet. “Just clumsy.”
“Let me help,” he said, wrapping a steadying arm around her waist, while his other hand gently gripped her elbow. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah,” she mumbled as he assisted her to stand. She didn’t even mind the moisture of his jeans dampening her dress.
When she was on her feet again, she glanced up at him, ready with a word of gratitude, but it disintegrated when their eyes locked and everything narrowed to just the two of them. That familiar tugging sensation inside her returned in spades and she was surprised not to see steam rising between them.
Nervously, she licked her lips.
His gaze dropped to her mouth, his face softened, and he leaned in a bit.
Oh God, is he going to kiss me?
Her heart rate went crazy, pounding in her ears so loudly, she was sure he would hear it. The air suddenly seemed too thin—she couldn’t get her breath as she stared up at him, completely mesmerized, wondering if his lips were as firm and warm as they looked.
She shivered involuntarily and he pulled back, another frown marring his brow.
Disappointment tightened her chest, but she
