Page 22 of Protective Assignment
Outside her door, she heard Cade arrive, and she quickly checked to make sure the box was hidden out of view under her bed.Even though she had given him no reason to doubt her, she was always paranoid he would catch her doing something out of the normal and ask her questions she didn’t want to answer.The last thing she needed was for him to figure out she was stealing supplies from the lodge and turn her in.They would definitely ask her to leave or, worse, notify the cops and have her taken away.
Taking a deep breath to settle her nerves, she stepped out of her room, and Cade raised his eyebrows when he saw her.
“I thought you were up at the lodge still,” he remarked.
She shook her head.“Sorry, I’m here.”
“No need to apologize,” he replied, as he dropped his bag on the floor next to the couch.
“How was your day?”she asked, biting her lip as she watched him pull off his jacket.When he moved, the muscles beneath his shirt bulged slightly, and she felt a little tingle in her stomach.
“It was good,” he replied, grinning.“I helped do a little gardening out near the edge of the forest.It’s pretty out here this time of year.I also ran into Aaron, the handyman.We chatted a little and checked out the horses.”
She returned his smile.“It really is nice.I heard the horses the other day when I was exploring a little.I actually meant to ask you or Hannah about them.”
“We could walk over and see them sometime and maybe check out one of the trails while we’re at it,” he suggested.
“They do seem pretty quiet this time of year.I think I’d like them.”
“Have you been hiking?”he asked.“Before you came out here, I mean?”
She shook her head.“Not as much as I’d like.”
“So there’s still plenty for you to explore,” he agreed.
She nodded, her teeth resting on her bottom lip as she watched him.She couldn’t help looking at his arms again.They were big, strong.The way they filled out his shirt, she wondered what they’d feel like wrapped around her.
She drew her gaze away from him, cursing herself for making it so obvious.She suddenly felt like a schoolgirl with a crush on a cute boy.She needed to get herself together.She couldn’t just keep hanging around him like this, obsessing over every little moment they had together.
“I’m going to take a shower,” she suddenly announced.She hurried into her room to grab her stuff, slipped into the bathroom and closed the door behind her.
She leaned back against the door and breathed deeply, trying to pull herself together.What was she doing?She needed to snap out of it.She couldn’t let herself get attached to him.Even if he was the first guy to treat her kindly, maybe ever.She knew how much trouble she would be in if she allowed herself to get tied down, when what she needed was to keep her feet moving, keep herself heading toward her end goal.
Undressing, she flicked on the shower to let it warm up.The hot water could be seriously temperamental here, so she never took it for granted.She stepped underneath the rush of water, closing her eyes and tipping her head back, letting all her stress fade away.
See?She could do this.She was fine.She was still planning for what she was going to do next.A few weeks hereto get her feet under her again, to get some decent food and rest.Save up some supplies.Then she could set out and look for her family once more.It might not have been easy, doing it like this, but it was easier than being out on the road with no idea where her next meal was coming from or—
“Ahhhhh!”she exclaimed, shrieking at the top of her lungs as the water suddenly turned from comfortably warm to freezing cold in an instant.She tried to jump back from the water, but bumped into the shower curtain behind her, bringing it crashing down around her.
“River?”Cade called out in a worried voice.She was too shocked and cold to speak.She grabbed the towel off the floor to try and warm herself up so she could tell him what had happened.But before she could answer him, the door flew open.
He looked panicked, his eyes darting around the bathroom and searching every corner before landing on her.
“Are you okay?What happened?”he demanded, catching her by the shoulders and looking into her eyes.“I heard you scream.”
“I… I’m…” she began, but the sight of him like that made it hard for her to speak.He looked as though he was ready to fight whoever or whatever dared to cause her harm, ready to take on the unseen enemy on her behalf.She’d never in her life had someone step forward to defend her in such a way.She was stunned, grateful, excited…too many emotions to sort through in the short span of time.Now, as they stood opposite each other in that tiny bathroom, with Cade’s strong hands gripping her arms, all she could do was stare at him.He was breathing hard, his eyes swirlingwith emotion as they bore into hers, and she suddenly found herself unable to resist.
Before she could stop herself, she leaned forward and kissed him.
His hands were still on her shoulders, but they dropped to her waist as soon as their lips touched, and he drew her in close.Their bodies pressed together, her arms went around his neck as his tongue slid into her mouth.The moment his tongue touched hers, they both moaned and Cade pulled her tighter into his embrace.It felt like time stopped and the only thing that mattered was the two of them, in that moment.Every worry, every doubt vanished instantly.She suddenly couldn’t remember why it was such a bad idea to start something with him.She felt her heart slamming against her ribs, but this time, it wasn’t fear that had caused it—no, it was want, desire, a need for him she had been doing her best to deny all this time.
The towel was the only thing between them, and she thought about tossing it aside.He groaned against her mouth as she tangled her fingers in his hair and pulled him impossibly closer.She sank deeper into him, their bodies pressed together from chest to hips and she still wanted to be closer.It was as though this was what they had both been waiting for since the moment they first laid eyes on one another.
And then, all at once, he pulled back.He was breathing hard, his lips slightly parted, his hands still gripping her waist and his eyes fixed on her, dark with desire.
He took a deep breath, closing his eyes and taking a step back.It felt like there was suddenly an ocean of space between them.
“I’m sorry.”His voice sounded rough, and he forced his gaze from hers.
