Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
Veda
Jolene and I talked as if we had known each other for years instead of mere hours.
I was drawn in by her warm personality and infectious laughter, her love for seeing the beauty in things, and for adding some ideas I wouldn’t have thought of to the vision board.
We sat at the patio table on the back porch with our notebooks and cups of coffee spread out before us.
As we talked and worked together, Caden walked by the porch several times, each time glancing my way with a smirk on his face.
I ignored his flirty ways, but nothing could stop the way my body reacted inside, my legs squeezing together underneath the table on impulse.
There weren’t any apple trees in the backyard, so I doubted he needed to be walking by.
“Why the hell does my brother keep walking back and forth back here?” Jolene muttered to herself, but I heard every word.
“I was wondering the same thing.”
Jolene looked at me funny before she burst into laughter, one hand covering her mouth.
“Did something happen between you two?”
I reciprocated the funny look back at her.
“Like what?”
She shrugged.
“He’s acting strange around you. Usually, when he’s working, I hardly see him. He buries himself deep in the orchard and emerges hours later, his crazy dog at his side. But to keep walking back here? I know he isn’t looking for me.” Jolene lifted one side of her mouth up in a smirk.
“I met him yesterday. I dropped my phone, and he brought it to me. That’s really it.”
“Hmm. I don’t know what’s up with him, then. Anyway, for the photo booth, I was thinking?—”
Boom!
A loud crack of thunder erupted from the sky, and I jumped.
“Shit. Where did that come from?”
Jolene looked up and shook her head.
“I didn’t see a storm in the forecast.” She pointed toward a part of the sky growing dark with clouds.
“Looks like one is coming.” She reached for her phone and opened the screen, her fingers tapping quickly.
“Storm warning issued five minutes ago—an impending storm is on its way after it quickly changed paths. With it comes high winds, torrential downpours, and possible hail. Seek shelter immediately and hunker down until further notice.”
My stomach flipped.
“That doesn’t sound good.”
“No, it doesn’t. We’ll finish this up later. Hopefully, the storm passes quickly.” Jolene threw her pen and notebook in her bag, and I cleaned up as well.
“Where are you staying? Close to here?”
“Yeah, not too far. Less than a ten-minute drive.”
“You’re not going anywhere, Veda.” Caden’s deep voice washed over me.
He jogged up the porch steps with his dog in front of him, Cash and Sammy following.
I looked over at him.
“What?”
“I live right down the street. You’re coming with me. Jolene, I’ll drop you off on the way.” Caden snapped his fingers, and his dog sat beside him, wagging his tail.
“Stay safe, guys. I’m going to get Sammy inside.” Cash clapped Caden on the shoulder and smiled at the rest of us before disappearing inside.
“My car is here, Caden. You don’t have to drive me.” Jolene tossed her bag over her shoulder and grabbed her car keys from the table.
“I didn’t ask, did I?”
She rolled her eyes.
“You’re annoying.”
“Thank you for the offer, but I can make it to my place. The sooner, the better.” I glanced at the ever-darkening sky before fishing my keys from my bag.
“Have a good night, guys.” I turned to go when a hand wrapped around my arm, stopping me in my tracks.
“Veda, I’m not kidding. It’s too dangerous.”
I faced him and searched his eyes, but all I saw reflected at me was warmth and protection.
“I don’t live far,” I insisted even though every part of me was dying to go home with him.
To be near him, to see where he lived, to spend time with him…
Stop.
Bad idea.
I couldn’t entertain whatever the hell this was between us, infatuation or not.
He was way too young, for one, and for two, I wasn’t here to stay.
The attraction between us was just that— attraction.
Nothing more, nothing less.
“I don’t care. I want to know you’re safe.”
“There’s no point in arguing, Veda. He’s a good dude. C’mon, let’s go before the rain starts.” Jolene nodded toward the stairs.
“Let’s go, Sir Barksalot.”
The dog took off down the stairs, and a second later, an even louder thunder sound cracked through the sky.
I shrieked in surprise, and Caden chuckled.
Just then, the sky opened, and the rain poured down.
Caden took my hand in his, and we ran.
We made it to the car, both Jolene and the dog in the back seat, looking a lot drier than we were.
He didn’t hesitate to walk around to the passenger side and open the door for me, all while getting more soaked.
When I slid inside, Jolene giggled.
As I turned to ask her what was so funny, Caden slipped inside and started the engine.
“Fuck, it’s coming down. Glad you two missed it.”
“Seriously, or the car would stink like a wet dog right now,” Jolene said as she ruffled the dog’s fur.
Caden started the engine and pulled out into the road.
Despite his headlights and windshield wipers, it was hard to see because the rain was coming down in sheets.
A bolt of lightning lit up the sky, and suddenly, a branch crashed into the road.
He slammed on the brakes just in time, stopping inches from hitting the large branch.
“Fuck!”
“Damn. I guess you were right.” I pulled my sweater around me tighter.
“Yeah, these storms get bad fast,” Caden said as he expertly steered the car around the fallen branch.
A few minutes later, we stopped in front of a small, cozy cabin.
“Hunker down, Sis, and call me later, okay?” Caden said to Jolene.
“I will. Stay safe, you two. Bye!” Jolene kissed Sir Barksalot on the head and hopped out of the car, making a beeline for her front door.
She was inside a few seconds later as another bolt of lightning lit up the sky.
“Damn, Mother Nature isn’t happy today.” Caden’s voice captivated me, and a shiver ran down my spine.
“Apparently not.” I chewed on the inside of my cheek and shifted in my seat.
My cheeks flushed with the way he kept glancing at me, and suddenly, it was as if all the air in the car had been sucked right out.
My pulse quickened, and my chest tightened.
If it weren’t for the downpour outside, I’d roll my window down and gulp the fresh air.
I pictured Caden carrying me inside, tossing me down on the bed and having his way with me, and a little moan escaped my mouth.
“What was that?”
Shit!
Control yourself, woman.
“What was what?” I feigned innocence as I desperately tried to wipe the fantasy from my head.
He looked at me curiously and pulled to a stop in front of a beautiful log cabin, complete with a wraparound porch.
There were even hanging baskets of flowers and a well-tended garden.
Did he hire someone?
“Gorgeous, right? I work hard at keeping my garden. Kind of a green thumb I have and a passion for flowers.”
I swooned.
Was this man for real?
Sir Barksalot barked and licked my ear, and I laughed.
“Hey, mister. Don’t violate her like that. Only I can.” Caden winked, and I nearly melted into a puddle right there on his seat.
“I doubt this rain is gonna let up anytime soon. Ready to book it?”
“Yes.”
Caden opened his door and let the dog out before running over to my side.
Yet he didn’t step back so I could get out.
No, this man scooped me up into his strong arms, kicked the door shut with his foot, and sprinted inside.
I was done for.
“I know you don’t have anything with you, but if you want to take a warm shower and get out of those wet clothes, I can give you a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt?” Caden set me down gently once we were inside and closed the door behind him.
“Yes, please.” I shivered in my wet clothes.
“Here, let me show you around. First, I need to let Sir Barksalot outside to pee. He has a covered pen for when the weather is crappy.” Caden led me from the foyer into the living room, which opened into the kitchen with a bar top separating the two.
The open floor plan was nice and spacious, and a sliding glass door led out to a back porch and the dog’s pen.
Once he let the dog out, he led me through the kitchen to a hallway with a bathroom, a small exercise room, and finally, a large bedroom.
Caden went straight for his dresser, where he pulled out some clothes and set them on the bed.
He then went to the hall closet and grabbed a towel that he handed to me.
“I’ll be in the kitchen. I need to dry the dog off and figure out something for lunch. Are you hungry?”
I nodded even though I hadn’t thought about food once since he demanded I come home with him.
“Okay, if you need anything, just shout.”
“Thanks.”
I stared at his ass while he walked away, another dirty fantasy making its way into my head.