Hometown Star - By Joleen James Page 0,20

understood lust and longing.

Star inched closer to him, her hands splaying against his chest, so solid and firm under her palms. So male. So different from her.

Cade’s mouth left her lips to explore her neck. Star moaned. His lips brushed over her chin, back to her mouth, and he whispered, “I always wanted to kiss you. That was a long time coming.”

His words feathered across her skin, dissolving the rest of her doubts about this new improved Cade. She pulled back in an effort to gather her wits. Her heart pounded in her chest. Every nerve ending in her body sizzled.

He touched his forehead to hers. “I want you, Star. Maybe I always have.”

Was this about sex? Did he want to have sex with her? “No, that’s not happening.”

“Why?” he asked.

Cade was a dead–end, for so many reasons. “I’m leaving soon.”

“So?” he said, his eyes smoldering with intent. “We’re grownups.”

“Meaning?” she asked.

“Meaning we’re free agents. We can make love without guilt.”

Star turned out of his embrace, cold where she’d been hot seconds before. “Maybe you can, but I can’t. I’m not a one–night stand kind of girl. We’re not a good fit, you and I. You’re the all–American outdoorsman. I’m a city girl. We are worlds apart.”

“Come on, Star,” Cade said, taking her hands. “I’m talking about sex, no strings. I know you don’t fit in here. If you were going to be here longer, well, who knows, but you’re not. I’m just being realistic.”

“I think the kiss was a bad idea.” With a heavy heart, Star pulled her hands free and stepped through the open doorway. “I’m not looking for a one–night stand.” She smiled sadly.

Cade took a step toward her. “Star.”

Star held both hands up. “I’m sorry. I can’t.” She closed the door. She waited, half expecting him to knock, a part of her hoping he would, but he didn’t. When she finally got up the nerve to look out the window, he was gone, leaving her to come to the conclusion that it really wasn’t her he wanted, it was sex.

And sex was something she just wasn’t good at, something she didn’t know how to give, something she didn’t understand. Maybe he could be casual about sex, but she couldn’t. She needed the promise of something more than a casual affair to give her virginity away. She hadn’t held on to her virginity all these years to give it away on a one–night stand to a man she didn’t want a future with.

For years she’d watched her mother sleep with man after man. Star didn’t want that. No wonder she didn’t believe in happy endings. Relationships didn’t last. They burned out. Love faded. Marriages dissolved.

There was no way she was going to turn into her mother, five times divorced, brokenhearted, and always searching for a man to make her feel better.

No, she was better off alone.

Cade O’Brien was a dead end road for her and from now on, she planned to stay far, far away from him.

* * *

Evan Jenson was exactly what Star had expected: a devilishly handsome rogue, dressed in a beige and navy plaid shirt he’d probably ordered from REI, and jeans that hugged his butt in a way that said they were his favorite pair. He wore his blond hair long, the layered strands brushing the tops of his shoulders. The look worked for him. Why someone hadn’t snapped him up before now, Star had no idea.

She took the cup of coffee he offered her, her second, and set it in front of her on the table. “Are you okay with everything we’ve talked about so far?”

He slid into the seat opposite her. “So far, so good, pretty lady.”

He had gorgeous eyes, eyes the color of rich brown velvet. Star had to admit he was even better looking in person. And charming. She was certain he’d charmed the panties off of dozens of women, maybe hundreds. He was definitely the type of guy she stayed far away from.

Star took a sip of her coffee, trying to ignore all the testosterone in the room. This was business. She had to stay in control. “You’re okay with us setting up the tent out front?”

“Fine.” His stare bored into her.

“Any questions about the design?” she asked, glancing up from her notes.

He shook his head, as if breaking free from a trance. “Yeah. I do have a couple of questions.”

“I can have Vivienne call you,” Star suggested.

“She’s the French girl, right?” Evan grinned. “Yeah, have her call