Hometown Star - By Joleen James Page 0,19

look for?” Trudy asked.

“Good architecture. Good family stories.”

“What a glamorous job,” Trudy said wistfully.

“Are you hinting that your life’s not glamorous?” Ron asked with a grin.

Trudy laughed. “I wouldn’t say my life is glamorous, but I like it just fine.” She reached for Ron’s hand. “I have you. You’re all I want.”

Envy moved through Star. Until now, she’d never missed having a close relationship with a man, but being here, watching Brandi and Bud, and now, Ron and Trudy, she couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to have someone care about her that much, to have a partner to help her wade through life.

“You’re based in Seattle, right?” Ron asked.

“That’s right. I just bought a brand new condo in the city. My very own dream house.”

Trudy sighed. “Lucky girl.”

Yes, lucky girl. Beside her, Cade shifted, the pressure of his thigh to hers increasing. A tiny flutter of sexual awareness sparked inside her.

Disturbed by her attraction to Cade, she said, “It’s getting late. I should get home.” Star stood, eager to put some distance between herself and Cade.

“I’ll walk you,” Cade insisted. “It’s not safe this late. There’s a pair of bears in the area. I wouldn’t want you to come upon them alone, especially without your gun.” He winked at her.

She didn’t want to come upon the bears either. “Okay.” She was pretty sure being alone with him was a bad idea, especially with her wine enhanced feelings, but she ignored the warning voice in her head and said, “Can I help you with anything before I go, Trudy?”

“I’ll help her,” Ron said, rising. “You two go on.”

“Good night then.” She waved to Brad. “See you tomorrow?” Brad was coming over tomorrow afternoon to help her move boxes—part of his punishment for getting caught drinking and vandalizing the night before.

“Yep,” he said, his attention back on the television, his fingers working the remote control.

“Okay then.” Star left the room, Cade behind her.

“I really can make it home on my own,” Star said to him. “I did it last night. It’s not like I’ve never seen a bear before.”

“It wasn’t as late last night.” Cade opened the door for her. “You’re an independent, career woman. I get that. But I can use the fresh air. Let me walk you, Star.”

They left the house, crossed the driveway, and started down the path that would take them from Cade’s to Patsy’s.

Star walked ahead of Cade. Knowing he watched her made her skin tingle, made her feel alive in a way she didn’t quite understand or want to acknowledge.

When they reached the mobile home, Star went up the steps. “Hey,” she said, when she noticed the broken window had been boarded up. “Did you do that?”

“I sent Brad over,” Cade said. “Part of his punishment.”

“Thanks.” The unexpected kindness warmed her. “Thanks for dinner. And thanks for walking me.”

Cade reached around her and opened the door.

For once, Star wished for darkness. Was he going to kiss her? No, that would be too weird. Her cheeks heated. Instinctively, Star back–stepped.

Cade reached for her, his hands closing around her upper arms. “Cold?” He rubbed her arms.

Was he kidding? If anything, her skin was heating up. “No.”

“Me, either,” he said, the double meaning clear. “Do I scare you, Star?”

“Not exactly. Well, maybe a little.”

A shadow crossed his features. “I want to apologize again for the way I treated you when we were kids. I can’t tell you how much I regret hurting and embarrassing you.”

His hands slid up and down her upper arms, his touch gentle, sensual. He looked her straight in the eyes and Star saw sincerity and regret.

“Let’s not talk about the past anymore,” she said, unable to think of anything else to say. In fact, she was having trouble thinking at all as Cade’s hands moved to her shoulders. “Let’s just agree that we both had it rough and move on.”

“Deal.” His hands cupped her face. Slowly, his fingers passed over her cheeks and into her hair.

No one had ever touched her like this, with such tenderness. Desire shot through Star. She felt like a piece of chocolate left too long in the sun, melted and delicious. Unable to help herself, Star swayed toward him.

His mouth took hers.

And heaven help her, Star kissed him back. He held her head in his large hands, making her a willing captive. She didn’t want to escape. She wanted more. His tongue touched hers. Liquid heat pooled deep in her belly. For the first time she