Rona
Waking up on the descent into Jackson Hole, I find myself looking straight into Cade’s eyes, filled with amusement and mere inches away from mine. I must have somehow cuddled up to him during the flight, and ended up practically lying in his lap.
“Gosh, I’m sorry.” I scramble to get back into my seat all embarrassed, especially with his eyes on me. “I hadn’t realized I was sleeping on you.”
My embarrassment shoots up a notch when I accidentally put my hand on his groin and feel just how much he obviously liked having me asleep on him.
Cade inhales, sharply. “Don’t worry,” he says, sounding rather strangled, sitting up straighter in his seat.
Clearing his throat, Cade meets my gaze and asks, “So, Rona, can we offer you a lift into town?” He looks nervous as he waits my response.
Is he reluctant to end our time together?
I feel the same reluctance, and offer him a smile of assurance. “I’d love a lift, although I’m not sure where to, yet.”
Jake interrupts. “We won’t leave you until we have you hooked up with some accommodation.” His grin shows his dimples, which I’m sure makes many girls swoon.
“Thanks, guys.”
The plane shudders as it comes to a complete stop at the gate. Before I can say anything else, the cabin hums with the energy of all the weary travelers as they start gathering their luggage from the overhead bins.
Once we disembark, Cade and Jake lead the way to collect our luggage before guiding me toward the exit.
I’m relieved that my journey, for now, is finally over. It’s taken me nearly twenty hours to arrive here in Jackson Hole.
Jake stops us, saying, “I’ll go and find the truck.” He focuses on his dad. “Pass me the keys. I’ll pull up at the doors if you want to wait inside. I shouldn’t be too long.”
“The truck’s location is written on the back of the ticket.” Cade passes both keys and ticket over to his son.
“Okay, I’ve got this.” Jake turns to me. “I’ll give Lucy a call at the bed and breakfast and see if they have a room for you.”
I sigh in a strange mixture of regret and relief. “Thanks, Jake.” And I really am thankful, but I can’t help wondering whether or not I’ll see both Cade and Jake again after they drop me off.
Jake disappears as Cade takes my elbow. “Let’s wait outside for Jake, and get some fresh air. After spending time in airports and on planes, I need to breathe again, and I bet you feel the same way.”
“I do, and I’d like that.”
As we walk outside its rather windy so Cade directs me toward the end of the car pickup area to take shelter in an alcove, facing away from the road and the wind.
It causes butterflies in my stomach being alone with Cade, because of how much I want to feel his lips against mine. He really is a handsome man, and I can’t get over the fact that he’s twenty-one years older. He seems to be attracted to me, but knowing his age, well, I guess he would be more interested in someone from his own generation even though I haven’t mistaken his reaction to me.
He turns to face me and I find myself transfixed by his blazing, green eyes.
“Is it far to your house?” I try to fill in the silence.
He doesn’t answer, but continues to look at me as he takes a step closer. He reaches up and places one of his hands to the side of my face.
My heart thuds with anticipation.
“Your skin is like silk.” He caresses my cheek. “I’ve been wondering how you would feel against my hands since the moment I laid eyes on you.”
I turn my face slightly into his touch and kiss his palm wanting so much more from this man. This is crazy considering how long we’ve known each other.
Sucking in his breath, he moves even closer to me.
“You need to let Jake show you around and introduce you to his friends,” he says, as though he’s in pain, while I continue to burrow into his hand.
“Why not you?” I whisper against