Hometown Star - By Joleen James Page 0,66
bath, a bath he’d wanted to join her in, but he wasn’t sure he’d be welcome. He’d tried to be happy for her when Frank gave her the promotion, but he’d failed. She’d seen right through his words. He’d been so disappointed.
The back door creaked. Ron came down the stairs, pulling up a chair beside him.
“Hey,” Ron said. “Things are looking good.”
“I didn’t know you were here.”
“In and out,” Ron said, leaning back in the chair. “Trudy sent me for Emma’s pink blanket. I’m heading right back.”
“Kiss the kids for me.”
“I will.” Ron smiled. “Trudy is tickled with the remodel.”
“I’m glad she likes it,” Cade said. “It’s too red for my taste.”
Ron shrugged. “I don’t care what color it is. If Trudy’s happy, I’m happy.”
When Cade didn’t comment, Ron said. “What’s up? You look like you just lost your best friend.”
“Star got promoted.” Cade frowned. “She leaves for Canada as soon as this show is in the can.”
“It’s what she wants, right?” Ron asked.
Cade nodded.
“You’ve really fallen for her, haven’t you?”
Cade sighed. “Yeah.”
Ron smiled. “It’s always been her, hasn’t it?”
“Yep.”
“You need to fight for Star,” Ron said. “Find a way to make it work.”
“How?” Cade held up his hands. “My work is here, hers is there. Then there’s the issue of kids. Star doesn’t want any. I have three. The woman I’m with needs to want my kids. They’ve already had a mother they couldn’t count on. I won’t do that to them again.”
“Star’s family phobic,” Ron said. “Trudy told me. Star’s afraid to care too much. She’s taken a beating when it comes to responsibility. She’s tired of being the glue that holds everything together. You’ve got to be her glue, Cade. Get it?”
“Her glue?” Cade asked, thinking his brother was becoming more like Trudy every day.
“Show her what teamwork’s all about. She wouldn’t have to raise the kids alone. You’re there for her, man. We all are.”
Cade stood. “You didn’t really come here for the blanket, did you?”
Ron shrugged. “You have the place to yourself tonight and tomorrow night, after that she’ll be gone. Figure things out, bro.” Ron patted Cade’s shoulder before rising. “See you tomorrow.”
“Yeah, tomorrow.” Cade waited until he heard the sound of Ron’s truck starting before he went inside. He wanted to be with Star, wanted to show her he could be her glue.
When he reached Star’s room, he let himself in. The bed was empty, the room quiet. Light came from the adjoining bathroom.
Cade walked to the bathroom. In the doorway, he stopped. Star was in the tub, up to her neck in bubbles. She had all her hair pinned up on her head. Her eyes were closed.
She looked like an angel.
She sensed him, her eyes opening.
“I knocked,” he said.
She reached up, and with a bubbled covered hand she pulled the ear buds from her ears. “What?”
“I said, I knocked, but obviously you didn’t hear me.”
She tossed the ear buds on a nearby chair, where they landed near her iPod. “Is everyone gone?”
Cade nodded. They needed to talk, but seeing her in the tub made him switch gears. More than anything, he wanted to crawl into that big claw footed tub with her. They could talk later.
Cade pulled his shirt up over his head and tossed it on the chair.
Star’s eyes widened.
He unbuckled his belt, and unbuttoned his jeans.
Star smiled.
Cade sat on the edge of the chair and pulled his boots off, then his socks. He stood, facing her, and pushed his jeans down, stepping out of them.
“I guess you’re happy to see me.” Star laughed softly.
Cade already had his boxers off. “I guess I am.”
She sat up, making room for him as he got in the tub with her, sliding in behind her.
Cade leaned back in the tub, his head on the rim. Star settled back against him, her head on his chest, her back against his stomach. Cade’s arms went around her, his hands finding her breasts.
The water was cold and all over the floor when Cade finished loving Star.
It was a bath neither of them would ever forget.
Chapter Nineteen
Cramps woke Star. The kind of cramps that could only mean one thing—she had her period. Yet, she didn’t move, not right away.
Beside her, Cade slept and having him in bed with her made a reality of every fantasy she’d ever had. The morning light played over his features, and she resisted the urge to touch the delicate skin above his upper lip, trace his cheek, kiss his mouth.
Last night had been