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“You feel incredible,” she whispered, moistening her lips.
He eased a bit closer, and her heart raced. His hand turned and cupped her hip and waistline. His palms were large and manly, working man hands. They could encompass her entire waist with no effort. She felt safe around him and thrilled by his touch, his proximity, and an understated yearning in his green eyes.
“You don’t mince words, do you?”
She smiled at that, setting her glass on the counter beside her. She wanted her hands free … in case these undeniable sparks between them grew. “Usually I am prim and proper.”
He grinned. “I’m sure you are. Now you’re recalling that prim and proper lady?”
She laughed. “I don’t particularly want to at the moment. I don’t know if I’d like her very much.”
She thought the teasing would pull them apart, but he only moved closer. His chest brushed against her shoulder and a warm tremor ran through her body.
“I think I’d like her,” he said. “If I had a chance to get to know her.”
Her body thrummed with anticipation. She wanted to get to know him—his past, his future, his talents, hopes, and dreams. Wanted to know what his arms around her would feel like. What his lips fused with hers would feel like.
“Do you believe you will be rewarded with that opportunity?” she whispered, not wanting to break the moment.
He dropped the bag of ice behind her on the counter and cupped her jawline with his hand, his other sliding around to her lower back and urging her closer. “Only if heaven above grants me that blessing.”
“Initiate your prayers of gratitude, cowboy,” she teased, and then she arched up toward him. She had no idea who she was, but she wasn’t going to miss an opportunity to kiss this mesmerizing cowboy.
The sound of a vehicle rumbling over the gravel driveway had Cade yanking away from her. “Apologies,” he said, glancing out the window, then back at her. “I got … caught up in the moment.”
All the warmth and anticipation faded and disappointment filled her. This hot cowboy regretted their almost kiss and her only regret was that it hadn’t occurred.
Truck doors opened and shut, and her feelings shifted like lightning.
The fear returned, and she knew … somebody was after her and they were depraved and murderous. The witch would torture Cade to manipulate her into being obedient. She loathed being obedient. She abhorred the thought of this magnificent cowboy beaten or cut with knives, killed right in front of her to make her do … something.
Cut with knives? Killed? Was she customarily this morbid?
“Please.” She grabbed Cade’s hand. “We need to hide. She cannot find us.”
Cade’s eyes widened. Footsteps crunched on the gravel drive. They’d reach the porch soon and be able to see inside. He pointed at the laundry room.
She dashed across the open space and into the dark room, banging her hip into the washing machine. She bit back of cry of pain and listened as loud clops, possibly boots worn by large men, came across the porch, followed by a loud rap on the door. Why hadn’t Cade followed her? He was in danger.
“Cade!” a male voice called.
She eased along the washer and found another door. Slipping inside, she felt a wall and then a porcelain sink. She carefully shut the door and sank down to a cool tile floor, leaning against the door. The sounds in the main area were muffled. Cade! What if they killed him, tortured him?
She should’ve explained to Cade the danger she was putting him in, but how? She didn’t know exactly what that danger was. Were the men good or evil? Were they in the witch’s employ? Her mind was cloudy, all smoky and forbidding, except for that plastic witch face and blue eyes. With Cade around, her fears and the hole in her mind had been pushed to the back burner.
Would Cade expose her? The witch’s men would capture her, and he would put himself in grave danger. Should she dash to his side? Something told her that making her presence known would hurt him instead of help.
She closed her eyes and prayed. Please help him. Please help me.
It felt familiar and comforting.
Prayer was the only thing besides Cade that was solid, real, and wouldn’t hurt her.
Chapter
Four
Cade was a mess. That refined and sassy lady had gotten under his skin quick. When she’d been close and especially when he’d touched her, he felt protective of her and unreasonably drawn to her. He loved the way she spoke, and her blue eyes captured him completely.
