Page 34 of Combust
She froze for an instant. Then, to his delight, she said, “Sure.”
Side by side, they walked the length of the porch to the steps leading down into the garden. Cade debated how to say what he wanted.
He was never much of a talker, and this evening had thrown him for a loop. In a good way, but still, he’d actually broken and down and cried like a baby in front of the whole clan. He was feeling a mite raw.
But this private walk wouldn’t last too much longer. He used the porch steps as an excuse to take Maggie’s hand. She didn’t object.
She also didn’t try to reclaim it when they reached the gravel path through the garden. So, he laced his fingers through hers, and they crossed over to her parents’ home.
They came to a halt at her front door. The porch light had been left on. Cade heard the low rumble of Dane’s voice somewhere inside the house, and knew he was almost out of time to say his piece.
Still holding his hand, she turned to him. “I’m glad you liked your cake,” she said, sounding uncharacteristically shy.
He nodded, then blurted, “So, does the birthday boy get another wish?”
Smooth, Cade. Real smooth,he told himself in disgust.
Maggie tilted her head inquiringly. “…maybe?”
“I want to take you out to dinner.” He chewed over adding more, and decided he’d said what needed to be said. No need to embarrass himself if she wasn’t interested.
Her eyes widened in response, and he was certain that she was going to turn him down again.
Then she squeezed his hand. “Okay.”
Victory!His bear wanted to roar with triumph. With an effort of will, Cade restrained him. “How do you feel about barbecue? I hear Justin’s place serves Texas-style brisket and ribs.”
She grinned. “I used to work there when I was in high school. And yes, the food is excellent.”
“It’s a date, then. How about tomorrow evening?”
She pursed her lips. “After the firewood gather? Sure.”
Over dessert, Dane had proposed that the clan go harvest the fire-killed trees from the forest that clung to the slopes above the hill pastures.
She added, “I’m on morning shift at the bakery, so I’ll be done with work by noon. I was planning to head over to the woods to help cut and load wood.”
“Me, too,” Cade agreed.
The next part didn’t require any thought at all. He gathered Maggie in close and bent to claim her lips, gently at first.
She responded with enthusiasm. Her mouth was warm and welcoming as he hungrily deepened the kiss, exploring her as she surrounded his tongue with sweet, slick heat.
His hands roved down the strong column of her back, skimmed over the dip of her waist and ripe curve of her hip, and came to rest on her luscious ass.
In return, her fingers dug into his shoulders. He imagined them clawing at him as he plunged into her and drove them both crazy with pleasure.
A long, pleasurable time later, the kiss finally ended.
Maggie stepped back, and Cade reluctantly released her. It was difficult to force himself to let go. His veins ran with pure fire, and his cock was rock hard and almost painful with wanting her.
He was pleased to see that her cheeks were flushed and her soft lips swollen. Her scent was rich with arousal and her rapid breathing left pale clouds in the cold air.
Well, I’ll be damned. She wants me just as badly as I want her.
“Thank you for the best birthday ever,” he told her with complete truthfulness.
Her smile was radiant, revealing a deep dimple in one cheek.
