Hometown Star - By Joleen James Page 0,41
than necessary. Star loved the way his fingers felt against her skin. It was almost worth the blisters to have him touch her.
Her injured feet fought with the boots, but Cade managed to get the boots back on without dislodging the moleskin.
“Thanks,” she said.
His eyes met hers. “You’re welcome.”
Star stared into his eyes, wanted to drown in the crystal blueness. In his eyes she saw his want, his need for her. He didn’t attempt to hide his emotions, and the intensity both thrilled and frightened her.
Finn and Emma had wandered back to them, taking a seat on either side of Star, breaking the sexual current that seemed to pass between her and Cade each time they were close.
Brad remained up–trail, sprawled out on another fallen log. He hadn’t wanted to go hiking with them and had spent most of the day sulking.
Star exchanged a look with Emma. The little girl shook her head sadly.
“Okay,” Cade said. “Let’s get you up.” He pulled Star to her feet. “How do you feel?” He kept his hands locked around her forearms, steadying her.
Star tested her weight on her feet. “Better. Thanks.”
Cade took her arm. “Let’s go. We’re almost there.”
Each step Star took felt like fire, even with the moleskin on, but she ignored her pain and kept walking. A definite limp accompanied her steps.
Cade kept pace with her, his arm going around her for support. They walked together, almost as one, their sides bumping. Star’s internal inferno rose and kept rising.
“Stop,” Cade said.
“Why?” She wanted to reach the end of the trail as quickly as possible and put an end to whatever it was that was happening between them.
“Put your arms around my neck.” Cade held his arms out to her.
“Excuse me?”
“Do it, Star.”
Realization dawned. He wanted to carry her. “No way, O’Brien. I can make it.”
He came at her, lifting Star off her feet, leaving her no choice but to throw her arms around his neck.
“Put me down.” His face was too close to hers, his arms too intimate around her. To her distress, her long dormant hormones roared to life and she prayed he couldn’t hear the rapid tempo of her heart.
“It’s only a quarter of a mile more.” He started forward.
“I’m too heavy.”
“No, you’re not.” Cade charged ahead. “You don’t weigh anything at all.”
Star had no choice but to let him carry her. And in truth, it felt wonderful to take the weight off her aching feet. Beyond them, the kids walked, Finn and Emma pausing every now and again to admire a bird or a pretty flower. The heady scent of earth and warmed spruce and wild berries filled Star’s head. But it was Cade’s scent that nearly did her in. He smelled of fresh air and sweat and something else, fabric softener? The combination put butterflies in Star’s stomach. His hair tickled the back of her hand and she resisted the urge to let her fingers creep up into the softness.
“Relax,” he whispered, his lips near her ear, the word a caress on her skin.
How could she? Her body tensed. She couldn’t relax. She couldn’t draw air.
When they exited the path, Star sighed. She didn’t miss Cade’s amused smile. The twins and Brad waited at the truck.
Cade set her down, and Star used him to steady herself. “Thank you.”
Cade grinned. “My pleasure.”
For a second they didn’t move, then Emma said, “Open the truck, Dad.”
Cade glanced away. He let the kids into the truck before helping Star into the passenger seat, passing each of them a cold bottle of water. They made the ride home in silence. Finn slept, soft snores coming from his slack mouth. Emma’s head leaned against the window, then she too, slept. Brad’s eyes were closed, his ear buds in his ears, his iPod cranked up.
The hum of the engine relaxed Star. She let the purr pull her under and the next thing she knew they were in the O’Briens’ driveway.
Cade cut the engine.
Brad exited the truck, the action waking Finn and Emma. The little girl yawned.
Cade helped the kids out of the truck.
Star opened her own door.
Cade rounded the truck. “Scoot to me.”
“I can walk to the house.” Star swiveled her legs toward the open truck door. “My feet aren’t that bad.”
Brad, Emma, and Finn headed for the house. All three kids looked as wiped out as Star felt. Hiking, while fun, was exercise, and she’d had more than her share today. She ached all over but in a good way.
“I disagree,” Cade said.