Yum, she could already taste it. “Yeah.”
“I’ll only be a second here. Have a seat a minute. Better dust it off first.” He tossed her a rag then sat down at his computer.
“You look hot in those black-framed glasses.”
Wade peered up at her and chuckled but directed his eyes back at the computer screen.
Her gaze began at his shoulder then down his muscular arm. They’ve moved so fast up to this point. It was time to settle down and enjoy getting to know each other, minus the heated sexual yearnings. She lifted her eyes. He peered at her. Sophie warmed and smiled. Wade stood and leaned over his desk. He tipped her chin again and leaned in. “I’m glad you stopped by. Let’s get out of here,” he whispered before kissing her lips, then he closed the computer.
Sophie took his arm on the way out of the office. “Need help here? If you want to go on home, I’ll call then pick up the food.”
“All right, I’ll get a shower while waiting.” Wade glanced past her shoulder. “Let me check the horses’ water first. I’ll have almond chicken, the combo. Mmm, I love that.” He scrolled through his phone and held the number up so she could add it. “You have good clothes on and are lookin’ mighty fine in them, by the way. I’ll take care of this while you call.”
Sophie drew him into her arms. “I miss you.”
“I’m right here.”
“I know. But I miss you when you aren’t.”
He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and held her. “I’m glad you understood about today.”
She laughed. “Never the bride? Oh, I get what you meant, but you do have women hanging on you. Deny it if you dare.”
“Don’t turn into a wise-ass on me now. Let me finish up here.” Wade headed toward the first stall.
She ran after him and smacked him on the ass. “I’ll call in the order.”
Wade turned and grabbed her hands. “Ah ha, you’re an ass woman, huh?”
“What’s an ass woman?” She laughed heartily. “I have one.” She smacked her own.
Wade had a devilish look in his sparkling eyes. “You sure do, and it’s perfect. You’ve never heard of an ass or a breast man? Well, I’ve been around long enough to know it works two ways.”
“I like your ass if that’s what you mean.” She wriggled away from him, but he caught her and lifted her off her feet. “Where you going?”
Sophie laughed until her eyes teared. “If you want to eat, let me go.”
Wade stood her on her feet. “I didn’t know you were so wild.”
“I think you did.” Sophie half shrugged then turned her back on him to make the call. “I’m starved, but I don’t know if it’s safe to eat with you again after our picnic at the trailhead.”
“I like almond chicken too much to waste it.” He squinted. “Any comment?”
Sophie turned her nose up. “Not as long as I don’t have food stains when I leave.”
“That’s debatable, babe. That might become a you-and-me thing.”
***
After an uneventful dinner, Wade invited Sophie into the great room. “Have a seat. I know you can’t stay long.” He dropped beside her on the couch.
She had a notification on her phone, smiling after reading the text. “It’s from Emmett. He said hi. Do you want another horse picture?”
“I’ll have whatever he wants to draw.” Wade stretched then slipped his left arm around her.
She set her phone down and scooted closer. “I bet he’s already drawing it.” Sophie leaned her head on his shoulder and placed her palm against his chest. “Do you mind if I ask you something?”
Today was the last thing he wanted to talk about. Her body became rigid as if she’d been afraid of asking. He removed his arm. “If it’s about today, I’d rather forget it happened.”
“What’s become of your parents?”
He knew this day would come, but he hadn’t wanted it to be now. No one had asked before. Cynthia had assumed they lived in a different state, yet never bothered to find out for sure. He stood and went toward the kitchen. “I don’t like to talk about it.”
She followed. “You know I can ask someone else, like Brenna for instance. I’d rather hear it from you.”
“I’ll be right down.” He took two steps at a time to his bedroom to grab deodorant and a clean t-shirt. Instead of taking a shower when he’d arrived home, he fed his own horses then the food showed up. On the way down, he asked, “Why do you want to know? I’m just me, okay? You ask a lot of questions, girl.”
“For one thing, I’ve worked hard to be labeled woman.” She stood in front of him. “It’s the same as what you said to me. Your past makes you who you are today. You said you don’t get drunk. That surprised me, because I see you drink wine and beer—”
“In moderation. My parents and Heath were alcoholics. It’s the last thing I wanted to turn into, so I avoid the opportunity. I like the taste of beer too much. If I let myself go, I fear it wouldn’t take much to push me over the edge, and I can’t smell Scotch without wanting it. I stay away from the hard stuff now for that reason. I’m not against anyone else getting drunk, except maybe your brother when he wants to knock your head off. I keep it in the house for company.” The knowing look on her face wasn’t what he’d expected. “Listen, I don’t need a Q and A about my past.”
She gripped his shoulders and tried to shake him. “Maybe I do.”
Wade removed her hands and held them. This, and her questions, made him uncomfortable. To be truthful, he didn’t know how to talk about it. “It’s none of your business.”
She touched his back when he moved away. “It is if you want a relationship with me.”
Hell no. He wasn’t going there. “Are you saying telling my life story is a condition?”
“Of course not. I-I want to know about the man who changed my life on a beach at sundown.”
Wade extended his hand toward the couch. Sophie sat. He observed her sitting there all lady-like and pretty, looking up at him in that damn tank top—the neckline low enough to show a lot of cleavage. He took in a breath and blew it out as he sat beside her. Her not being like others he dated is what attracted him to her. He sighed. “It was quite a scandal. You can find the articles in the Gazette archives. From what the authorities said from their investigations, they passed out drunk with candles burning near the window…and curtains. End of story.”
Sophie gasped and put her arm loosely around his shoulder. “How sad for you. They died… They died in the fire?”
“The good thing about it was they never knew. Smoke inhalation took their lives. I was away at college.” He folded his right leg over his left knee and straightened the hem of his jeans. “That’s why I never finished. The house was right here on this land.” Wade nodded toward the back of his property. “Before I’d gone to college my dad put my name on the deed, so the house was mine. Well, before it burned down.
“Everything was willed to me to do with as I please, where Heath was concerned too. It sounds stupid, but I gave him a lump sum. I didn’t want to be responsible for dishing out money when he needed it in case he couldn’t get a hold of me if he truly had to have it. Surprisingly, he didn’t blow it all on drugs, women, and who knows what else. It helped to cover his last expenses.” He stood abruptly, stuck his hands into his pockets, and paced around the great room. “Does that answer your question? Is there something in that whole revelation that shows who I am today?”
She spoke softly, “More than you know. You’re responsible. You don’t abuse drugs and alcohol. You have a caring heart. These are all fantastic traits.”
She was right about the man of today. In high school and even during his freshmen year of college, he was a wild one. He and Dane had many run-ins with the sheriff. “I wasn’t an angel back in the day. It came down to me going into the Army like my buddy Dane did by choice, go to college, or go to jail. Luckily, Sheriff Thompson, well, he was a deputy then, but he saved our asses more times than I can
count on two hands.” Wade took a seat beside her again, same leg over knee position. Sophie laid her hand on his thigh.
“The sheriff at the time caught us drunked-up after rolling it up with a couple other guys from the valley, and he gave us the ultimatum after about the hundredth time. Otherwise, the sheriff and the judge would’ve come down hard on us. In other words, he’d said to get the hell out of his county. Your brother reminds me of me. I wasn’t going to jail or into the Army.”
“So, you chose college.”
“That’s about it. I don’t like answering questions, but it’s fair before you find it out from someone else. I wasn’t the guy you would’ve taken home to meet your mama in high school.”
“You’re right, but I would’ve been crushing on you, a bad boy, big time.”
Wade laughed and ran his fingertip over the showing flesh of her gorgeous breasts. “You’d a been sorry. I would’ve taken advantage of you, sweetheart, in more ways than one. I’m ashamed to admit that.”
“You would’ve…” She wrinkled her nose as she must’ve pictured something that left a bad taste in her mouth. “You would’ve—”
“No, I wouldn’t have forced you… Not even back then. Damn, Sophie.”
“Just like you didn’t have to force me upstairs the other night. Hmm?”
“You almost begged for it.” He snickered. “That isn’t who I am anymore. I told you…” Wade sat back a moment to calm himself from memories that left him rattled. He had a sudden urge to pour a shot of tequila, which is the exact reason he wouldn’t.
“A part of that person still lingers inside of you. It sounds like you’ve changed, but that damn cocky charm is left over from those bad boy days. I see it in Dane too.”
“No, you don’t.” He laughed. “Turning into an Army Ranger fit him to a tee. I’d never do anything to you that you didn’t want me to do. And I wouldn’t back then though I would’ve given it my best shot begging for it. The girls I hung out with weren’t girls you’d associate with. They aren’t my type anymore. You are.”
“I had a secret weakness for guys like you, but my brother would kick their asses or died trying.”
“Good thing he and I never walked down the same backstreet. I’m a sensible adult with a good head on my shoulders. Is that enough for you?”
“It’s more than I could’ve asked for, but you’re forgetting one thing. You’re a fantastic lover.” She glanced upstairs.
Too bad that wasn’t all it took in life. He followed her gaze and smiled inside at the memory of her naked beauty against him in bed and arousal engulfed his body. Their gazes connected and they both smiled.
“I better be getting home. Can we do this again soon without the Q and A?”
“The next time might be my turn for questions. Then what will you do, missy?” He pulled her into his arms then onto his lap. “Huh? Will you answer my questions?”
“Maybe.” She slid her hands around his neck to run her fingers through his hair. “I’m crazy about you.”
“That’s good,” he said lowering his eyes. “Let’s get your leftovers out of the fridge before I rip this sexy top off your body. How about dinner in Friday night? Bring Emmett. I’ll get my video games out and set it up in the loft. Does he have a friend he could bring? We’ll have fun while they’re playing games.”
She widened her eyes.
“We’ll watch a movie. I’ll turn the AC down so we can get under a cover.” Wade grinned. He followed Sophie into the kitchen where she removed her leftovers instead of her purple top.
She smiled. “Under a blanket? You and me? It’s a date.” Sophie picked up her purse. He walked out with her. At her car, he opened the door and she set her stuff inside. She faced him and put her arms around him. “This was nice. Thank you for—”
“Don’t mention it, but keep in mind I’m a private person. Like I said earlier, tell Bambi about us so she stops texting me.” He laughed.
“Don’t worry about her, my man. We can meet after school in my parking lot if you really want to rub it in.”
“I don’t want to rub it in. It isn’t about that. It was a bad date is all.”
“Today after you left, she didn’t get a chance to drill me. Do you know any bad boys we can fix her up—”
“Hell. No.”
Sophie chuckled. “I’m kidding. Come here.” She pulled him in. “I’m giving you a good night kiss you’ll remember in the morning.”
“If you do I won’t sleep all night, and you won’t get out of here without me loving up all over you.” He set his hat on top of her truck, tilted his head, and grinned. “Let’s get started with that kiss. We could always roll it up in my bed.”
She gave a cunning grin. “Next time, sweetheart.”
“Watch it, woman, you aren’t outta here yet.”
***
Sophie had been right last night. Her kiss was the first thing he thought of upon waking. She’d never kissed him with that much assertiveness. Whoa, he’d come close to taking her upstairs, but he vowed to enjoy her without jumping into bed again, for now. He sent a text: Good morning.
She replied: I just stepped out of the shower. I’m dripping.
He called, saying when she answered, “You had to give me that visual?”
Sophie laughed. “Good morning. How did you sleep?”
Wade walked downstairs chuckling. “On and off. Up and down.” Her little gasp made him smile. “I’m getting coffee. Have a good day, hon.”
“You too. Can you bring me lunch?”
He filled the coffee pot with water. “Are you serious? You haven’t forgotten what happened yesterday, have you?”
“Not at all.”
“I’m staying away from that place for now. I still shudder thinking it could happen again. Hell, I didn’t even know Kay had a kid.”
“Aw, you poor thing. The kid with her looked too old to be your child—”
“Don’t! I never slept with her,” he snapped through gritted teeth.
“It was only a tease. I’m sorry for not thinking before speaking. All right about lunch then.” Sophie paused. “Can I call you later?”
“I’d be hurt if you didn’t. Have a good one.”
“I’m truly sorry.”
He hung up and turned on the coffee pot then went into the bathroom to shave. Damn, why the hell had she said something so irrational…and hurtful? Her jealousy better get reined in quick-like. For the hell of it, he texted Brenna: Don’t forget to take the medicine to school today.
She replied: I heard what happened. I’m sorry. Jase got a kick out of it.
Had she heard the story from Sophie or Bambi? Wade replied with a text: Tell Jase he’s a smartass.
With his luck, the news would appear in today’s Gazette. Cynthia had sent him a text late last night, but he didn’t reply. There was nothing left for them to say. If she had contacted him after coming home from deployment, he might’ve had coffee with her before she left for Nevada, but she’d waited too long. He was glad to hear she’d come back safe. Knowing what he did about her, she’d be off on another assignment as soon as she could. The military was her life as much as it had been his best friend’s, until…until it didn’t.
***
Sophie had called on her way home from work. Her dad had invited her brother to dinner, and she wanted to make it special. She’d invited him, but he wasn’t prepared to sit across from Clay at a dinner table after their confrontation on the road. Wade declined and Sophie understood. At home that evening, Wade saddled Abacus and brought Bender along for a short ride to exercise his horses before dark.
He walked part way back through the Sonoran for exercise, and even took a minute to stop and watch the sun set. With chores done in his stable, he went inside to lift weights for a half hour, then he took a shower. He ate Chinese leftovers in front of the TV and ESPN.
Wade thought of the demanding questions Sophie had asked. More so, he reflected on answering them. The woman was frightened a
bout loss in her life again. He understood, but would she ever feel secure with him? With anyone?
He had his own fears and wasn’t sure he trusted himself to fall for her after so many failed relationships. Like an idiot, he’d already let his feelings go too far too fast. Her words came back to him about looking in all the wrong places. It wasn’t true. He never looked. She’d assumed. Women found him and relationships began…and ended.
He smiled when his phone rang. “Hey, Soph.”
High heels or boots sounded on a tiled floor. “My brother is on the warpath again. My dad kicked him out. He’s so drunk, I’m worried. It’s good you didn’t come for dinner.”
“Is he driving?
“Yeah, we couldn’t stop him.”
Wade went upstairs for a shirt. He put the phone on speaker while he buttoned it. “Where do you think he’d go?”
“Probably his usual dive outside of town Canyon Junction way. If he makes it that far. The last time he was there he got his ass kicked.”
“Sophie, there isn’t anything you can do. He has to help himself.”
“That doesn’t make me worry any less. He’ll give my dad a heart attack if this keeps up. He had one a few years ago.”
“Oh, you never told me. I’m sorry. Is there anything I can do?” He pulled his boots on.
“No, I called because I needed someone to listen.”
Wade went out his backdoor and glimpsed a shooting star in the dark sky. “I’d do more than listen if I was there. Want me to come over and put my arm around you?”
“Uh uh. Um…”
Wade waited. He’d heard that ‘um’ before. “Sophie?”
“Um, I’m not ready to bring another person into this chaos. Look at me. I’m calling you to basically cry on your shoulder.”
“What’s wrong with that? My shoulders are big enough. Let me come over.”
“Don’t. I can’t do this right now.”
He stood straighter and shoved one hand into his pocket. “Wait. Do what? Me?” Shit. “You can’t do me? You’re quitting. Well, damn.”
“I have to go. Emmett’s getting ready for bed. I shooed him into the bedroom. He needs me right now.”
Hooked By Sundown (Canyon Junction: Hearts In Love Book 3) Page 13
