Chapter Eight #2
He rose from his chair. “We don’t connect.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t know. You’ll have to ask her.”
“Maybe you should ask her.”
Wade pointed a finger at her. “Mind your own business, Meadows. You’re not a medical professional. You’re the help.”
Meredith bristled at the insult.
“I’m sorry,” he said, instantly contrite. “That was a shitty thing to say.”
She leaned back against the sink. “I’m okay to look at, but I’m not important enough to give advice. Is that it?”
“You’re a lot better than okay.”
She shook her head in disgust.
“Let’s backtrack a few steps,” he said. “You brought up this subject to avoid personal questions, and because your attraction to me is making you uncomfortable.”
“My attraction to you?” she sputtered. “You’re imagining things.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Oh, are you a mind reader?”
His gaze dipped to her breasts. “I can read body language.”
She watched him close the distance between them. “Read my lips, Hendricks. I’m not—”
The words cut off as his mouth covered hers.
He kissed away her protest with the same gentle firmness he’d used to massage her sore muscles.
And she responded the same way, melting at the first touch.
She couldn’t stop her body from straining toward him, or her lips from parting under his.
He took full advantage, pressing himself against her and kissing her with a hot, open mouth.
His tongue explored hers in languid strokes, as if they had all the time in the world.
She braced her palms against his chest, but she didn’t push him away.
He wrapped his arms around her waist. A moan emerged from her throat as she surrendered to sensation.
He kept kissing her, plundering deeper. He tasted like chamomile and honey and smelled like the cedar soap from Wynona’s bathroom.
Before she knew it, her hands were threaded into his thick hair, and his were sliding under the hem of her tank top.
They were right back where he’d been at the end of the massage, with his fingertips dancing over her bare skin, and her nipples standing at attention.
Her breasts plumped against the hard wall of his chest, and he groaned into her mouth.
She became aware of the sink’s edge at her back, and the growing length of his erection at her front.
Meredith felt a well of panic, because this was too much, too soon. She removed her hands from his hair and braced them against his chest. He took the hint and broke the kiss, but he didn’t release her. They stayed locked together, breathing hard.
“You were saying?” he asked.
“I’m not…” She tried to put her jumbled thoughts together. “Going to sleep with you.”
“Because of your period?”
“Because it’s not a good idea.”
“I disagree.”
She gave him a light shove. He backed away from her, cursing under his breath. She was intensely aware of his aroused state, though she didn’t look down as he adjusted the waistband of his sweatpants.
“Why didn’t you encourage Stacy?”
His brow furrowed with confusion.
“You could’ve gone out with her.”
“I didn’t want her.”
“Why not?”
“Is this a serious question?”
“Are you bored by women who make themselves easily available?”
“No. I’m bored by women who say terrific a thousand times a day.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “You’ve described yourself as a fierce competitor. You’re excited by the chase. The challenge.”
His eyes searched hers. “What are you saying? That I’ll lose interest if you give in?”
“Maybe.”
“How will you test this theory?”
“I can’t.”
“That’s convenient.”
She went quiet, because he sounded offended by her low estimation of him.
She wasn’t afraid of his anger, the way she’d been afraid of Tripp, but she couldn’t afford to antagonize him.
He had the power to turn her life upside down.
He was a deputy sheriff. If he discovered her true identity, she’d have to go on the run again.
“You’re wrong about why I’m attracted to you,” Wade said flatly.
“It’s not about the chase, or the challenge.
It’s not even about your looks, not entirely.
If I had to give a reason, I’d say it’s because I like your spirit, and your sense of humor.
Your laughter does something to me I can’t explain. ”
Her breath caught in her throat.
“On the other hand, I find it incredibly irritating when you lie to my face, and I can’t stand users or enablers.” He gave a curt nod of acknowledgment. “So thank you for reminding me not to get involved with a woman who boozes it up with my mother and refuses to tell the truth about herself.”
Meredith was torn between hating him for calling her a liar and adoring him for appreciating her other qualities. She didn’t bother to dispute his accusations.
She lifted her chin. “You’re welcome.”
He stared at her for several seconds. “I don’t like your dogs, either.”
“Leave them out of this.”
To her surprise, Wade chuckled at her response.
She felt her own lips twitch with amusement, because she couldn’t resist his laugh, either.
His smile was a goddamn beacon. His teeth flashed white against his suntanned skin, and warmth radiated from him.
He had an uncanny ability to lighten the mood, and to turn a situation to his favor.
She pulled her gaze away from him, because she knew he was aware of her admiration. She wasn’t saying no due to a lack of desire.
It was fear, pure and simple.
“Good night, Mary,” he said and went out the door.
She sighed, shaking her head. Wade Hendricks was a problem she couldn’t solve.
He was way too charming and seductive. He’d made her a nice cup of tea and given her a massage.
Then she’d started an argument with him.
What was wrong with her? What was wrong with him, for that matter?
He didn’t seem dissuaded by her bizarre behavior and outright lies.
There must be some truth to the idea that he liked difficult women.
The man was clearly unhinged.
She washed the teacups and returned to her bedroom.
She crawled back under the covers, her mind reeling.
Memories of her years with Tripp assailed her.
She’d escaped his fortress, but she still wasn’t free.
Getting involved with any man was a risky proposition.
Hooking up with a man like Wade was impossible.
She had to do a better job of keeping her distance.
She squeezed her eyes shut and tried to relax.
An hour passed, and then another. When her alarm buzzed, she groaned and shut it off.
The house was still quiet in the early dawn.
She tiptoed around the kitchen, making coffee and a light breakfast. Her stomach felt fine again.
Chico emerged from his preferred sleeping area, a padded basket in the corner of the room.
She dressed in work clothes and slipped out the door.
King woofed a greeting as she approached the dog run.
Chico trotted at her heels. After all three dogs ate bowls of kibble, she shooed them away from the house so they didn’t disturb Wade.
They liked to accompany her on the morning rounds.
She fed the chickens first, then the goats.
The goat pen needed to be cleaned, so she spent the next hour with a pitchfork, removing soiled hay.
Physical work calmed her frayed nerves. By the time she was finished, her cheeks were flushed from exertion, and her anxious mood had settled.
The goats seemed appreciative of her efforts. Wynona had bought them from a neighbor on Valentine’s Day and named them Bonnie and Clyde. Bonnie had produced milk for several months, but she was currently taking a break. Meredith figured she’d be pregnant soon, judging by Clyde’s amorous attentions.
She transferred the soiled hay by wheelbarrow to a growing pile at the edge of the property. Another neighbor hauled it away once a month and actually paid for the privilege. He used the material as fill and fertilizer.
When she returned to the goat pen, Wade Hendricks was standing there, leaning his elbows against the fence railing.
He wore his sheriff uniform and cowboy hat.
The dogs must be getting used to him, because not a single one had alerted her of his presence.
King stood sentry on higher ground, his nose lifted to sniff the air.
Chico was napping in a sunny spot by the barn.
The only hint of Daisy’s presence was a slobbery tennis ball at Wade’s feet.
“Mornin’,” he said.
She repeated the greeting.
“How are you feeling?”
“Better,” she said, removing her leather gloves.
“This is hard labor.”
Meredith didn’t disagree.
“What does my mother pay you?”
“Why do you care?”
He gestured at the nearby flower garden. “Who did that?”
“Me.”
“It looks good.”
She warmed at the praise against her will. Then she whistled for the dogs and started down the path toward the house. Wade followed her.
“What are you growing?” he asked.
“Flowers.”
“What kind?”
“Rock rose, garden verbena, wisteria, and lavender.”
“Do you sell them?”
“They’re ingredients in Wynona’s soap products.”
“She makes money from that?”
Meredith shrugged. She didn’t get involved in the financial side of things, but orders for the all-natural soaps were steadily increasing.
Wade gave her a closer study. “You enjoy this kind of work.”
“Yes.”
“Do you have ranching experience?”
“I grew up on a farm, like I said.”
“You said you couldn’t wait to escape.”
“This is different.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s my choice to be here. I can leave whenever I want.”
He glanced around, his expression dubious. “It’s remote.”
“It’s peaceful,” she countered, and stopped in her tracks. “Speaking of jobs, don’t you have one to go to?”
He smirked at her brush-off, as if he knew the reason behind it.
He’d hit the nail on the head last night.
She was uncomfortable with personal questions, and uneasy about the attraction between them.
The kiss they’d shared loomed at the forefront of her mind.
She remembered the feel of his mouth on hers, his strong hands on her body, and the way she’d responded to his touch.
She imagined he was thinking about it, too.
His eyes glowed like pale amber in the morning light.
“Bye, now,” she said.
“Bye,” he said gruffly.
She watched him walk toward the house, her heart racing. Then she retreated to the garden to water the plants. She cranked the spigot and let the cool water flow from the hose. When he was no longer in sight, she drew in a calming breath, but her pulse didn’t slow down, not for a long time.