Chapter 10 #2
“No kidding. I hope none of you drank for a while after that.”
“Well, we were only fourteen, so we did wait a bit. But…we were also kids with a lot of time on our hands. Sometime during our senior year, I think we started sneaking it out again. Or we had another friend who’d use his brother’s ID and go buy it.
” He flashes a sheepish grin. “We were trouble back in the day.”
“And now?” I ask, grinning from ear to ear because I know what’s coming.
“Now? We’re perfect, model citizens, Oaklee.”
I bark out a laugh as we come to a stop at a clearing in the trees. There’s a large stump left from a tree long cut down, wide enough for someone to sit and watch the stream of water pass by. “Wow.”
“Yeah,” he says, escorting me to the stump. “Have a seat.”
I do as instructed, and even though it’s not a huge stump, there’s enough room for both of us to sit. Of course, we’re very close, but I don’t think either of us mind. In fact, I rather enjoy having his arm and hip pressed against mine.
“Do you fish?” I find myself asking as we watch the water swirl around downed tree limbs and large rocks.
“Here? No, but I do at my buddy Wyatt’s place.” Something crosses his features as he looks out at the water. There’s pure happiness reflecting in his eyes with just the mention of his friend’s house.
“Your favorite place,” I deduce, realizing he said this was one of his favorite places.
“Yeah. I spend a lot of time there. We four-wheel, fish, camp, and just hang out. He has acres and acres of land, including lots of farm ground and pastures, so it’s not all play. We work a lot too, even if it’s just keeping up with fencing and chopping down trees.”
“Sounds nice.” I try to picture it based on what’s in front of me.
“It is,” he says, his eyes moving from the stream in front of us and settling on me. “Wanna see it?”
“Now?”
“No, but we could if you really wanted to. Saturday. Wyatt’s having a fish fry in the afternoon and a bonfire afterward. It’s likely to last all evening. You should come.”
“Oh, I don’t want to impose,” I say, just as a very light breeze sweeps through the trees, picking up my hair and sweeping a bit across my face.
Cade reaches over and moves it, gliding his big, rough fingertips across my flesh.
A shiver rakes through me, but not because I’m cold.
His touch does that to me, causes an instant reaction.
One I can’t explain nor have experienced before.
But it’s all-consuming and makes me hyperaware of how close we are.
“You wouldn’t be,” he insists quietly. “Wyatt is all about people. The more, the merrier. And it would give you an opportunity to meet a few more people your age in town. Plus, I’d get to show off my new gal friend.
” He gives me one of his big, gorgeous grins that makes my clit throb between my legs.
“I don’t know,” I start, but he cuts me off before I can say anything else.
“I know. It’ll be fun. After the fish fry, I’ll take you around the farm and show you all my favorite spots.”
I watch him out of my peripheral vision, catching the flash of eagerness on his handsome face. I know I shouldn’t, but what else will I be doing on Saturday afternoon? The clinic is open until noon on Saturdays, though I don’t work every one. Allison and I rotate, and this weekend is mine.
I shift where I’m sitting, my hip bumping against his. I can feel the heat of his body radiating through me. “Can I let you know?”
“You have my number,” he replies with a wink. He seems to do that a lot, and I can see why. He’s so charismatic, like a magnet drawing me in.
We sit in silence for a few more minutes, the sun continuing to drop behind the trees, taking the temperatures with it. After another shiver hits me, Cade stands up and extends his hand. “Come on, beautiful. Time to take you home.”
We make our way back to the lot where his truck is parked, stopping before we reach the back end.
Our line of sight is drawn to the pond across the lot, where a father and son are wrapping up their fishing expedition.
The little guy reels with everything he has, the dad giving instructions as the fish on the line reaches the surface.
It pops up and the little guy hollers, jumping up and down as the dad pulls the line up and shows the fish to the boy.
“Have you ever fished?” he asks, startling me away from the scene before us.
“No.”
“I’ll take you fishing soon,” he vows, smiling as he too watches the father and son. The dad takes out his phone and snaps a quick photo of the boy holding the line up high, proudly displaying his catch.
When the dad takes it off the line and they throw it back in the water, the little boy waves goodbye to the fish and they start to gather up their equipment.
“Come on, show’s over.” Cade opens the passenger door and waits for me to climb inside.
As we pull from the parking lot and continue through the park, I find myself looking around and taking it all in. “There seems to be a lot of activity here. It’s safe, right?” I ask, thinking about walking through the park.
He nods. “It is. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of an issue here.” He glances over at me quickly before returning his eyes to the road. “Cooper Town is relatively safe.”
“Not that Cincinnati isn’t safe, but I suppose it just depends on your neighborhood. And bad things can happen anywhere.”
“They can,” he confirms. “Occasionally, there’s some petty theft that happens or a fight breaks out and someone gets severely injured, but we don’t have high crime. If you are thinking about walking though, I’d suggest doing it with someone. You’re safer in pairs.”
I nod in agreement, wondering if Allison would be interested in a walk or two a week. It’s such a pretty area, and it wouldn’t take too long to get there from my rental.
Before I know it, Cade is pulling up to my house. This time, he pulls into the driveway, stopping near the front sidewalk. He jumps out before I do, making his way around and opening the door for me. “Thanks,” I tell him, climbing from the truck cab.
His hand wraps around mine as we make our way to my front door. I pull out the key and slip it in the knob, pushing open the door before turning to face Cade. “Thank you. For dinner and taking me to the park.”
“You’re very welcome. I had a great time,” he says, moving closer. He stands directly in front of me, so close I can smell the soap on his skin and the detergent on his clothes.
I gaze up, my eyes clashing with his blue ones, and feel air lodging in my throat.
“Good night, beautiful,” he murmurs, leaning forward enough to press his lips to mine.
No, not to my lips.
He kisses my cheek. Well, that spot right where my cheek and the corner of my lips meet. It’s very…sensual and exciting. When he rises to his full height once more, he gives me a boyish grin. “Just a simple good night between friends, sweet Oaklee.”
Then, with his hands shoved in the pockets of his blue jeans, he turns and heads away, walking down the steps and back to his truck.
I stand here in the doorway, watching as he pulls from my driveway.
He honks as he continues on his way, leaving me standing here long after he’s gone.
After a few minutes, I finally go inside and lock the door.
My heart is tapping a happy little beat in my chest as I practically run through every part of my evening with Cade.
The truth is, being with him just felt…easy.
Like I could be myself for what feels like the first time in a very long time.
I want to get to know him. I’m completely attracted to him, more so than I ever expected, especially for a woman who just left a long-term relationship very recently.
But he makes me feel alive and wanted, and that’s a damn good feeling.
I take a deep breath and pull out my cell phone. I tap on his name and let my fingers do the rest. When I reread the message and smile, I tap send and set the phone on the counter. My heart is pounding, but only because the anticipation is overwhelming.
Cade doesn’t want a relationship, and that’s okay, because that’s not what I need. I need someone to show me a good time. To help me get over the betrayal I feel when I think about my time with Lance. To prove to me I’m worthy and more than capable of having a little fun.
And something tells me Cade is exactly the person to do that.
My phone chimes with his reply, and I glance at the screen.
Me
I’d love to go Saturday.
Cade
Here’s where to meet me. Wear something you’re OK getting dirty. Maybe bring a change of clothes for the bonfire.
Cade
And Oaklee? I can’t wait to see you again.
I fan my face.
Yeah, I’m in big trouble with this one.