Page 42 of Wait in the Truck
“We make sure you keep up appearances. Do nothing to raise any alarms. Rhett mentioned Ridge was supposed to be heading out of town this morning for a week, so that helps.”
“That’s right. He was going to a cattle sale a few hours away. So…” I chew absentmindedly on my lip, considering how long it’ll be before anyone notices my father never showed up at the event or if anyone would even think to question it.
“You act the same as you would have if he had left for the sale this morning. In fact, put it in your head now. He left earlier as far as you know.”
“But what about his truck?”
Kade presses his lips together, giving me a firm nod. “Already taken care of.”
“Really?” I lift a hand, rubbing it over my face. “Maybe I should call him. Every day.”
“If that’s what you normally would do, yes.” Kade lets out a heavy breath. “And I’m guessing you won’t want to hear this, but we should get you back home as soon as possible.”
I suck in a breath. “Just the thought of being back at Lilac Meadows is enough to turn my stomach.”
“I know. That’s why tonight you’re going to stay with me. And when you do go back… I’ll be with you.”
The relief I feel is huge, and I quickly nod, exhaling as I do.
“For now, put it out of your mind. You need sleep.” Kade reaches out a long arm and switches off the bedside lamp, sending us into darkness, then as he resettles, he pulls me closer, and I curl against him, seeking comfort in his strength.
I lie there for interminable minutes, shifting every so often until Kade finally presses a kiss to the top of my head. “Talk to me, Sage.”
Wincing, I let out a disturbed sigh. “I’m sorry. I’m afraid to sleep. Terrified of what I’ll see when I close my eyes.” In the dim light, he gently nudges my chin upward.
“Sage, listen to me,” Kade rasps in a tone that commands my attention and comforts me all at the same time. “You are safe. I may not have been your father’s reaper, but understand this… I won’t hesitate to endanyonewho hurts you.”
SAGE
23
I joltto wakefulness in the dark, a garbled cry falling from my lips as my heart hammers without mercy in my chest. Sweat coats my skin. There’s a heavy hand on my hip, and I immediately seek an escape, shrugging away with a sob as my legs tangle in the sheets. “N-nooo.”
“Whoa, there.” The tone of the voice is meant to soothe, like it would a frightened filly. It’s also familiar and has all the air gusting from my lungs. “Easy there. You’re with me, Wildflower, at Black River Ranch. You’re okay. Breathe.” The mattress shifts as my cowboy readjusts, sitting up and eyeing me carefully.
I nod, pushing myself up as I draw in another deep, cleansing breath, then let it all go. Rubbing my hands over my face I peer carefully over them. In the dark, I can just make out Kade’s eyes staring back at me. Leaning into the man who’d come when I was at my lowest, I rest my foreheadagainst his shoulder and let him pull me close. “Try to sleep, darlin’.”
“No. I can’t.” I ease back, and before I lose my nerve, I murmur, “And I don’t need sleep. Not when horrific dreams are where the monster still lives.” My voice catches in my throat. “There’s only one thing that’ll help me right now. Trust that I know what I need.” I exhale. “Your hands on me.” My eyes slam shut as his head tips to the side.
“You sure?” Kade lets out a sigh full of concern. “I will always want you. But I don’t wanna do anything to hurt you. Not right now. Not so soon after.”
Determination rises within me, and I swallow hard before responding to his worry—worry that is merited but won’t help me. “You couldn’t. There isn’t any worse damage I could sustain than what I’ve already endured.” I wet my lips. “I need you to erase it. Take me away from everything.” I flatten my hands on his torso, then run them over his warm skin, feeling the texture of his chest hair under my fingers as I slide them upward toward his shoulders. I draw in a breath as I press my lips over his heart and inhale the clean scent of him. Letting all things Kade filter into my senses, they take over that part of my brain that needs to stay here with him and not back in my bedroom.
“Fuck, Sage …”
I give a sharp shake of my head, clasping my hands behind his neck and dragging his lips to mine. The secondthey meet, sparks ignite inside me, and I lose myself to the firm coaxing of his mouth.
Kade groans, a long, low sound that rumbles in his chest before breaking the kiss. “Fuck, Wildflower. I could never say no to you.” His tongue darts out, licking over my skin and sending fire through my veins. “You’re so fuckin’ sweet.” His hand threads through my hair, tugging my head back. He takes full advantage of the new angle, his lips trailing downward, nipping at my neck.
Knowing full well what I need, I peel my shirt over my head. The cool air from the ceiling fan teases my skin, and I grasp his hand, bringing it where I want it. Relief surges through me at his touch. Arching my back, I fill his hand with my breast.
“Yesss,” I moan on an exaggerated exhale. My breath comes fast and furious as he flicks his thumb over the taut peak of my nipple. His head lowers, and his hand is replaced by his mouth. My body shudders reflexively with longing, and I squirm to get closer to him.
His rough chuckle joins the sounds of my pleasure as he urges me back on the mattress and skims work-roughened hands over my body. When he encounters the pair of his boxers I’d worn to bed, he hooks his fingers into the waistband before pausing.
My stomach plummets at the feral look in his eyes. There’s no way we’re stopping here. Not when he’s theonly one who can possibly drag me out of the nightmare I’ve been caught in for years. “Do it.”
“Oh, I’m gonna,” he rasps. “As long as you’re sure, I fully intend to discover where else you’re sweet.”
