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I curse as I glance at the clock and take note of how much time I’ve wasted checking my messages. Grabbing a towel, I race for the bathroom to have a quick shower. The fastest one in history, I’m sure. With a towel wrapped around my body, I stand in front of the closet and sift through the limited amount of clothing I brought with me.
Pulling a dress out of the closet, I hang it on the door, and with a quick glance, decide it will do. It isn’t really posh or special, but it’s comfortable and I want Cade to see me in something other than jeans. The soft knit fabric is a delicate shade of lilac and it falls perfectly against my curves. I can’t wait to see Cade’s face when he sees me in it.
Once my hair is nearly dry, I wiggle into the dress and smooth it down my body, hoping Cade will like its feminine lines. I fiddle with the sweetheart neckline and capped sleeves before I turn at the mirror and admire how it hangs from the back.
Not bothering with shoes, I glance one last time in the mirror and head downstairs.
I can see Cade in the kitchen and it looks like he’s made more of an effort as well. He’s obviously shaved again and is dressed in black slacks and a deep green shirt. He’s one sexy guy. My heart’s pounding.
I walk toward him, anticipating the moment when he sees me.
Cade
I’m trying to prepare dinner for Rona, and Jake if he ever shows up, but my mind is on our guest. My mind has been on her since the minute I spotted her sitting alone in the coffee shop. It won’t let up. I have a craving for her that I’m not sure I’m going to be able to do anything about, and it’s tearing me up inside.
Shaking my head to get her out of it, I turn to grab the wine off the worktop, and stop dead. Rona is walking toward me in a dress that highlights all her curves and doesn’t really leave anything to the imagination. She takes my breath away.
I can’t look away. As she walks around the breakfast bar, I find my legs moving toward her. Reaching out, I take hold of her arms in a caress.
“Wow, you look . . . wow.” I’m acting like an idiot, but she does leave me speechless.
Moving my hands slowly up her arms and over her shoulders, I smooth my thumbs along her collarbone and feel her pulse throbbing, which probably matches the rhythm of mine.
Finally resting my hands lightly against her neck, I bring her into me for the sweetest of kisses. This isn’t about sex. It’s a tender moment with the woman with whom I’m falling in love.
Rona
Cade’s kiss is so tender as I realize I’m really falling in love with him. He makes me feel as though I’m the only woman in the world. Not even Nick made me feel this way.
Ending the kiss, Cade caresses my neck with his thumbs as he rests his forehead against mine. “I needed that,” he whispers against my lips.
I smile. “Me, too.”
Reaching up, I kiss his cheek and step out of his reach.
A few seconds later, Cade turns back to the dinner he’s preparing while I hop up on a stool at the breakfast bar.
He turns to me. “So, Rona, if you don’t mind me asking, why did you pick Jackson Hole for your vacation? I would have thought somewhere with plenty of sun, sea and sand.”
I wince at his question, but decide to be honest about the man I thought I wanted to marry. “I actually wanted to go to the Maldives, but Nick said there was no way he wanted to lounge around on a beach. He couldn’t think of anything more boring! I guess I should have realized what a mistake I was making then and there, but I didn’t. He was really selfish, he wouldn’t even compromise.”
Without pause, Cade says, “If it were me, I would take you to the ends of the earth if you asked.” He walks closer, taking my face in his hands with a look on his face I haven’t seen on anyone before . . . at least directed at me.
Leaning into him, I kiss his palm before moving away to pour a glass of deep red burgundy with unsteady hands. It isn’t really what I want to do, but we can’t do what I’d rather be doing.
“Let’s eat,” Cade announces. “The meal is going to be dried out if we wait any longer for Jake.”
As I take my seat at the dining table, Cade places a dish of beef casserole with rice in front of me. It smells divine.
We eat in silence, but I’m aware of Cade sitting opposite. How can I not be when my every breath pulls his scent into my body? I’m not sure what aftershave he’s wearing, but mixed with his unique scent, it’s making me crazy.
Finally laying my cutlery down, I chance a look at Cade and see the same lust in his face I’m sure is reflected on mine. But the mood is broken when Jake walks through the backdoor looking exhausted and limping slightly.
“I hope you saved me some of whatever that was.” Jake rubs his stomach.
“Of course, you have a plate in the microwave.” Cade pauses as his eyes narrow on Jake. “Have you overdone it?”
“No, I’m fine.” He takes another step with his limp even more pronounced. “Okay. Maybe a little bit, but I’ll be fine after a warm shower and some food.”
