Page 26 of Force of Nature

Chapter Nine

It’s hard to believeit’s been almost two weeks that I’ve been home. I’m not sure whether I should be worried or relieved that time seems to be slipping by so quickly. Of course, it’s not hard to pass the time when I have someone as attractive as Thad around to day dream about.

It’s become somewhat of a game between the two of us. I’ll stare at him while he’s grease covered working on a vehicle or hauling bales of hay into the barn on his back. And I’ll catch his eyes on me while I’m working in the garden with Mom or tending to the horses.

It’s like I sense his eyes on me before I even know he’s there. One minute everything feels normal and then the next the air around me charges. I can’t deny the attraction. There’s no point in even trying. I can however make sure that I don’t let it go any further than that–no matter how much I’d like it to.

Tonight’s the night of Brylan’s party and I’m actually excited to get away. Being around Thad all day every day is starting to wear me down. I feel hyper aware all the time and it’s as trying as it is exciting.

Thad, or rather getting a break from Thad is the main reason why I gave in to go to this party. Seeing old friends is nice, but getting away from the tempting man right outside is even more of a reason. So here I stand, in front of the mirror in a pair of fashionably ripped skinny jeans and a fitted black tank top. Never mind the fact that this is the tenth outfit I’ve tried on. I felt like each one I put on before now screamed that I was trying too hard. So I settled for simple.

Knowing it’s not really warm enough for a tank top just yet, I grab a black cardigan out of my closet and drape it over my forearm.

Having opted to keep my hair down and straight and my makeup natural. Again, I didn’t want to seem like I was trying too hard. Though I’m not really all that sure why I care so much.

Slipping on a pair of black flats, I quickly slide out of my bedroom, coming to an abrupt halt when I come face to face with Thad the moment I step into the hallway.

“Hey.” I force a smile, letting my eyes travel the length of him. He’s dressed casually in faded jeans and a dark blue t-shirt–his messy hair hidden beneath a backward baseball cap that makes him look so damn yummy I almost whimper.

His piercing light eyes find mine and I suck in a sharp breath, not sure why my heart suddenly feels like it’s somewhere in my stomach.

“What are you doing up here?” I question, maybe a tad accusatory.

Thad has done a very good job at avoiding being alone with me since the night I fell asleep in his camper. At first I was offended, feeling like maybe I had done something wrong. Now I’m curious, because the way I catch him looking at me tells me it’s more likely that I’ve done something right and that excites me more than anything else.

“I came up to see if you’re ready.”

“For?” I question, not trying to hide my confusion.

“The party,” he says like it should be obvious.

“You’re going?” I squeak out, a little too high pitched.

“I am.” He nods. His expression is straight but his eyes twinkle with humor.

“Oh, okay. I didn’t realize,” I say, turning to pull my bedroom door shut.

“I wasn’t planning on it, but Chris has been riding my ass about getting out more. Thought I’d give it a go.” He shrugs, gesturing for me to go ahead of him.

I feel his eyes on my back all the way down the stairwell, my skin prickling under the heat of his gaze.

“Where is Chris anyway?” I question when we step onto the back porch and I see his truck isn’t in the driveway.

“He and Ben ran into town to pick up a few things. I told him I’d drive you.”

“Oh.” My cheeks heat at the thought of getting to be alone with him again.

“Come on.” He takes off toward my dad’s old pickup truck, which he seems to use more than my dad does.

Taking a deep breath, I quickly follow him, doing a shit job of not staring at his ass as I do. What can I say? He makes it really hard on a girl.

“You have to crawl across. The passenger door is jammed,” he says, opening the driver’s side door before gesturing for me to get in.

“You mean to tell me my father still hasn’t had that door fixed?” I shake my head, walking straight past Thad to hop up in the truck before shimmying my way over to the passenger side.

“I’ve tried messing with it but I’m not great with body work. Engines I can do all day long. But I’m afraid I’ll just make it worse,” He tells me as he settles into the driver’s seat next to me.

“Yeah, it’s been that way since before I moved to California. I’m guessing my father’s not all that worried about it.”

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