Southern Romantic-Suspense Boxed Set (Southern Romantic-Suspense Novel Book 0)

by Carmen DeSousa

  Chad parked his F-150 off the side of the road and sprinted around to Cassie’s side of the truck before she could jump out. Luckily, she seemed cautious about the height. She must be afraid of heights, even short ones. Good, where he planned to take her afterward would shatter that fear.

  When he held his hands out to help her, she eyed him suspiciously. “Relax, Cassie. Don’t be so stubborn. I’ll install running boards this week; I promise.”

  ***

  Cassandra stared at Chad as he reached for her. He was calling her Cassie again, and he was planning to install running boards. For her? What was he saying?

  They were going to drive to work together every day. That’s what he was implying. Why was she making more of this than it really was? He certainly didn’t want to keep picking her up; though, he didn’t seem to mind.

  As soon as he set her on the ground, she heard the waterfall. She gazed at the pounding waters as they fell over the rock and hit the stream below. “Wow, this is … so beautiful and so close, right off the road, near our house … amazing.”

  He smiled. “This is nothing, Cassie, hardly anyone even comes here. I’ll show you some waterfalls and trails over the next few weeks that will take your breath away.”

  Cassandra couldn’t contain her smile or the feelings rushing through her veins. He wanted to show her his state. It was beautiful, she realized, and the thought of discovering it with him made it even more exciting. She was certain he was correct about taking her breath away, but she was also sure it wouldn’t just be the waterfalls.

  Chad took her hand again, leading her to the trailhead. He was correct; it was deserted and very quiet. Must be partly because it was Tuesday, kind of nice having a day off in the middle of the week when no one else was around.

  “Okay, Cassie, our lessons begin now,” he stated matter-of-factly. “One of the first questions you will get asked is, ‘What does the name Nantahala mean?’”

  She looked up at him. “What does it mean?”

  “According to Native Americans, Nantahala translates as Land of the Noonday Sun, meaning the sun only reaches the deep gorges and valleys when the sun is directly overhead, midday. Which brings me to another interesting detail … did you know that our little area here in Northwest North Carolina is one of only two rainforests in North America? The other is in the Pacific Northwest.”

  She smiled. “No. Strangely enough, that never came up in law school.”

  A very authentic-looking smile spread across his face. “Smart and a sense of humor. Double threat.” He shook his head and led her farther down the path.

  Even though she teased him, she found herself enthralled with his teachings. When they’d talked yesterday, she found they shared a common interest in reading. The only major difference was that he preferred reading nonfiction, whereas she enjoyed fiction. They debated for nearly twenty minutes on the educational benefits of fiction. He couldn’t see wasting his time. While she insisted, sometimes people could retain facts better when they learned them in a story.

  She further illustrated that one of the most influential people in history used stories to explain His teachings. Chad had tilted his head, she remembered, awaiting her answer. Jesus, she’d explained. He used parables to help His followers better comprehend His words. Chad simply nodded and said, That’s true. He did.

  “The Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest is the oldest part of the rain forest,” Chad continued. “And it is one of the only virgin forests in the country. The trees there grow over a hundred feet tall with some trunks expanding twenty feet around the base. I’ll take you there as well. Incidentally, do you know who Joyce Kilmer was?” He raised a brow in question as if she’d really know the answer.

  She shook her head, stifling a giggle. Though, the name did sound vaguely familiar.

  “Kilmer died during WWI, but he was most widely known for a poem. I couldn’t possibly remember the entire passage, but most people recognize the final line, ‘Poems are made by fools like me, but only God can make a tree.’ ”

  Cassandra looked up at him then, baffled by the man. He was quoting poetry? She had misjudged him when she had said someone like him yesterday. He was strong and compelling, a gentleman, passionate, and undeniably intelligent.

  They continued hiking through what Chad referred to as a Hemlock forest. He pointed out different trees and shrubs, but there was no way she would remember them all. When they were at the bottom of a valley, she understood why the Native Americans called the area Nantahala. Ferns, moss, and air plants filled the underbrush; the smell was sweet and pungent from the constant dampness.

  Once they reached the highest peak of the trail, the summit, he called it, the air was drier, and the colors were amazing.

  “Another frequent question you will be asked, ‘What is the North Carolina State Flower?’” He looked at her for an answer.

  She shrugged her shoulders and giggled. Suddenly, she felt like a little girl again. Chad sounded like her father. He would always fire questions at her about everything. “The world is a classroom,” her father would always say.

  “I can tell you Florida’s,” she offered.

  Chad led her to one of the flowering trees along the path. “That’s very good,” he mused. “And fairly close. Florida’s is the orange blossom … from the orange tree, right? Ours is the dogwood blossom. People come from everywhere to see them bloom in the spring.”

  Ours, he’d said. Had he meant someone other than the two people alone on this mountain, or had he been referring to all people from North Carolina? It shouldn’t matter … there wasn’t an ours … they were simply business partners.

  She focused her eyes on the flowers instead of his hand wrapped around hers and the smell of his skin, which was clean and fresh, even after the short hike. The flowers, she reminded herself. The flowers consisted of four leaves, varying from white to pink on different trees with tiny clusters of yellowish sprigs inside the bud.

  He plucked a blossom and offered it to her. “In the summer, these turn into bright-red fruit.” He pointed to the yellow sprigs. “Native Americans used the tree bark and flowers for everything from reducing fever and colic, to whitening their teeth. Studies even suggest the plant may help malaria patients.”

  Could it help concentration, she wondered. As interesting as her surroundings were, they couldn’t compete with his laughter, his scent, his body, his eyes …

  Chad released her hand to open his backpack. He pulled out a blanket and spread it on the ground. He sat down, crossing his legs at the ankles, and then reached into the pack, removing a couple of protein bars and two water canteens.

  He glanced up at her, patting the spot next to him. “Have a seat, Cassie.” His smooth, southern drawl teased her. “I promise I won’t bite.”

  A bite … She wanted more than a bite. She gulped, suddenly feeling nervous by her own thoughts, but sat down and reached for a water bottle.

  He tore open one of the plastic-wrapped snacks and handed it to her. “I didn’t think ahead to prepare a picnic. Hope this will do.”

  “It’s beautiful,” she said, pulling her eyes off him and glancing around at the scene expanding before her. She could see why he loved the area and had decided to live here.

  “See out there.” He pointed to the western mountains that were much larger than the one they were sitting. “Those are the Smokies. See the mist. They look like they’re on fire, don’t they?”

  She chuckled. “Hence the name.”

  “Exactly,” he said, laughing quietly, resting his hand on hers. It felt good, too good. “You know, Cassandra, there’s an ancient Indian legend in these mountains.” He stared forward at the valley below. “An Indian princess was madly in love with a warrior, but her parents were forcing her to marry another to maintain peace between two rival tribes. When her true love discovered she was marrying another, they decided to run to the highest peak and jump so they would always be together. Right before they planned to jump, the warrior
leaned in for a final kiss, and a gust of wind swept in and carried away the princess. Now he searches the valleys, whispering her name in the wind, hoping they will be brought together for eternity.”

  Chad’s fingers trailed up her arm, causing goosebumps to rise on her flesh. She turned to look at him, and his face was only inches from hers.

  She lowered her head, then whispered, “Is that a true story, Chad?”

  “No … I just made it up. You said you liked stories. I wanted to see if I could cause your skin to react … did it work?”

  “Yes …” she breathed out, her heart rate increasing just from the feather-light stroke of his hand.

  He slid his fingers up her other arm, then wrapped his hand around the back of her neck, resting there. His other hand moved to her face. He simply gazed into her eyes for a second, giving her a chance to say no, but she couldn’t find the power to resist anywhere inside her.

  “You’re beautiful, Cassandra, and so incredibly feminine. I’ve wanted to kiss you from the moment on the riverbank. I hated seeing you shivering. Without even knowing you, my arms ached to comfort you.”

  She gulped, unconsciously licking her lips, not sure if she was supposed to respond to his comment.

  He didn’t wait for a reply. He pulled her head forward while still gently cupping her face. His lips touched hers lightly, retracted for a second to gauge her reaction, and then he pressed his mouth to hers again. His lips were warm and soft as they moved over hers, testing and experimenting with the feeling. His mouth worked wonders, and she found herself opening up to him, allowing his tongue to softly circle hers.

  His hand moved through her hair following her curls down her back, pulling her closer, and then his other hand slowly fell from her face only to follow her arm down to her lap, retrieving her hand and placing it on his shoulder.

  She realized she’d been immobile up to this point, locked in his grasp, like a falcon and its prey. She moved her hand up his neck, entwining her fingers in his hair. As wild as his hair looked, it was soft, incredibly soft.

  A low groan escaped his throat, and then he pulled back unexpectedly, his eyes guilt-ridden. “I’m sorry, Cassandra, I shouldn’t have —”

  “What do you mean?” she interrupted, confused by his statement. She didn’t want him to stop.

  He shook his head, pulling in a deep breath, then releasing it. “Why did it have to be you?” he murmured, turning away and resting his head on his knees.

  She reached for him, touching his shoulder. “I’m confused … what happened? Did I do something wrong?”

  He turned back to her. “Just the opposite. You’re beautiful, engaging, and compassionate. I know you didn’t mean the things you said yesterday. You’re the woman I met on Sunday, who was brave enough to try something she’d never done, that shivered when she fell, that made dinner and breakfast for me, that loves to read, is smart —”

  He abruptly gathered her to his side again. This time his kiss wasn’t as gentle, there was need … desire. He lowered her to the blanket, continuing to kiss her lips, but then worked his way under her jaw and down her neck. His hand continued to stroke her arm as his warm breath caressed her neck.

  “Chad,” she pleaded, not wanting him to stop, but realizing she wasn’t ready for this.

  He moved back to her mouth, kissing off her words.

  “Chad,” she attempted again under his lips. His kisses felt so wonderful, but she knew it was obligatory … she had to stop him. She couldn’t go further, so she had to stop.

  “Yes?” He stopped long enough to whisper his question, then continued kissing her neck.

  “Please, stop,” she managed under his warm lips.

  He pulled back immediately. “I’m sorry … you’re right. We shouldn’t be doing this. Too complicated. We —”

  “No,” she cut him off. “It was wonderful. I just … I can’t,” she spluttered.

  “I wasn’t going to attempt anything other than kiss you, Cassandra. I wouldn’t do that to you, I swear.” His expression turned serious and reassuring.

  She sighed heavily, relieved by his words, but then wondered why. The few other guys she’d dated tried to go further, but she never let them. She always stopped at the kissing. Anything more and it would be leading them on, she figured. A kiss didn’t have to be misleading; it could simply be a kiss.

  But the way Chad had kissed her … For the first time, she wanted more. “Thank you. I’m sorry … I just —”

  He jumped to his feet, offering her his hand. “I want to take you somewhere.”

  Following his lead, she accepted his hand. He was having as difficult of a time as she was, it seemed. Knew they shouldn’t be sprawled out on a blanket … in the middle of nowhere.

  Chad folded the blanket and threw it into his backpack. After packing the items and swinging the pack over his shoulder, he took her hand again and moved swiftly down the path they’d just hiked, pulling her in his wake.

  They made it back to the truck in half the time. It didn’t take nearly as long when he wasn’t teaching the entire distance.

  Like the previous times, he walked to her side of the truck, lifting her inside. No longer uncomfortable by his assistance, she now relished his touch.

  She knew what his embrace felt like and was embarrassed to admit, even to herself, she desired more. She had never experienced anything like this with any man. It was hard to comprehend she could reach twenty-five and never want a man, but it was the truth. She’d dated a few times, but usually she went out with a group or doubled with Karen.

  Her father had drilled the idea into her head. He’d repeatedly said , “It doesn’t just happen; you have to make a conscious decision to be alone with someone and then willingly decide to go further.” The last thing she ever wanted was to get pregnant and disappoint her father. He’d told her that he’d used a condom every time when he’d been with Jasmine, but things happen. Condoms break. He wouldn’t have ever changed having her, he assured her, but he just thought it would be smarter if she graduated and started a career before she had children.

  And now … she was living with a man who she wanted more than any man she’d ever wanted. It wasn’t by choice that she’d moved in with Chad. Her mother had executed this, along with a world that had turned on her at every opportunity. What alternative was there?

  Chapter Nine

  Cassandra stared at her surroundings, wondering where Chad was taking her when he pulled onto a deserted dirt road, canopied by trees and moss.

  After several minutes, he turned down another road, passing a sign indicating it was a service road. To where she wasn’t sure, but he obviously knew where he was going.

  Finally, the road dead-ended, opening up to an expanse of bright sunlight. It was the top of the dam, she realized. Chad jumped out of the truck, making his way around to her door.

  He grinned. “You waited.”

  She looked down out of the truck at his waiting arms. “I figured, why squabble?”

  “Good answer.” He pulled her into his arms, holding her a fraction longer than necessary. She stared up at him, and he set her down without acting on the natural impulses lighting in his eyes.

  Cassandra glanced around. “So, what are we doing?” It was extremely high, and she wasn’t much on heights.

  “We’re jumping!” he chirped.

  “From here … uh … no … I’m not …” She shook her head wildly, assuring him of this fact. Ridiculously, she started trembling. She looked down the abutment. It was a couple hundred feet. So how deep was the reservoir, she wondered?

  He reached for both of her hands. “We’ll walk down and climb back up to the first ledge, not too high above the surface.”

  “You don’t understand …” she mumbled. “I have trouble jumping from the man-made ledge at Adventure Island, and it’s only about six-foot high and drops into a crystal-clear pool.”

  “The water here is crystal clear,” he hedged.

  “It doe
sn’t look like it.”

  “That’s just because it’s so deep.”

  “You’re not helping,” she hissed.

  “Come on, Cassie. You’re not afraid of heights, are you?” he taunted.

  “Actually, I am.”

  “Well, we’ll just walk down and take it one step at a time.”

  He wasn’t just speaking about jumping, she assumed. He also wanted to take each moment as it came, and right now, he was the man she’d met on Sunday … The adventure seeker who wanted her to kayak … climb mountains … and jump off rock ledges. She just wasn’t good at all of that stuff. She was a bookworm. She’d rather read about adventures.

  Not that she had a choice, since he hadn’t released her hand, but she hesitantly followed. She didn’t know why she was apprehensive of heights. Far as she knew, she’d never fallen, but she couldn’t even step out on a balcony, if it was too high, without breaking into cold sweats.

  Once they descended to the bottom of the dam, Chad walked toward the water’s edge, looked back at her, motioning that she join him, and then pulled off his shirt.

  Dear heavens he was gorgeous. His broad shoulders tapered down, accenting his sculpted chest and abs. She lowered her eyes, immediately embarrassed by her ogling. He turned toward the ledge, and she noticed his backside was just as impressive. She could see the strength in his deltoids and lats as he climbed the rocks, this time over the water where he planned to jump.

  He looked over his shoulder at her. “Aren’t you coming?”

  She waved him off. “No thanks. I’ll enjoy watching you,” she responded truthfully.

  “If you’re not in the water by the time I swim back around, I’m pulling you in fully clothed. Then you’ll be shivering the entire way back to the house,” he threatened darkly.

  Cassandra questioned the validity of his warning, calculating her chances of outrunning him. They weren’t good she had to admit, but it might be fun trying to evade him.