Chapter Three:
Emily:
The last thing I expected to see tonight was Kade prowling my living room as I shine a path for him with my cellphone torch. But here he is. Empty mason jar in his hand, scanning the floor, stepping slow and predatory.
He stops in the center of the room. Goes completely still before his gaze centers on a dark corner. He takes two strides, lowers into a crouch, and slams the upside-down jar on the floorboard in one knifelike swoop. So fast, I feel a surge of adrenaline just from watching.
My light travels to the glass under Kade's fingers, revealing a tiny mouse attempting to dart up the smooth sides.
I'm not sure what's more impressive: Kade's reflexes or the fact he just did that in near-pitch darkness.
"Gotcha, buddy." He slips the lid under the mouth of the jar and tilts it, quickly screwing the lid shut before standing to full height. The mouse squeaks, circling it's glass cage as Kade observes with detached curiosity. "So, this is the little guy that made you scream like a fucking banshee, huh?"
I'm tempted to blind Kade with my phone again. "He's a lot more scream-inducing when he's not inside a jar." I know I sound haughty, bitchiness flowing with surprising ease. I lean against the doorframe separating the living room from the kitchen. "Well, I guess you can leave now. Thanks for the help."
Kade's teeth flash in the shadows. He saunters over and takes my wrist with a warm, calloused grip. The unexpected contact chokes off my breath.
"What are you-"
He places the jar in my hand. "I'm checking your circuit breakers, remember?" He releases my wrist. Squeezes past me to get through the doorway. My breasts inadvertently brush against his chest and despite his casual motion, it triggers a molten heat in my lower belly.
"Um, I haven't got a clue where or what they are," I frown, attempting to smother my jitters, that brief taste of Kade's body against mine. I fold my arms over my chest, nipples hard enough for me to feel awkward despite the dark.
Why do I always happen to not have a bra on when Kade's around? My tits definitely aren't small enough to rock that look.
Kade's lithe back and shoulders face me as he crosses the kitchen, muscle working under rain-damp cotton. I swallow and look away. Glancing at the jar in my palm to see a tiny quivering creature blinking at me. Grey and pink-tailed. It's nose twitches, sniffing nervously as it paws the glass. "It's okay," I whisper. "I'll free you soon."
I set the jar on the counter and follow behind my neighbour. He opens my pantry, disappearing inside for less than five seconds before grunting, "Found it."
Which...is kind of weird because I haven't even shone the torch for him. I step inside, hold my cell up to see what he's seeing. A panel comes into view on the far end of the pantry, which he opens, revealing a board of switches. He clicks them all on.
"Try the lights now." He turns just as I step forward and bumps into me hard, catching my shoulders when I nearly topple over from the impact. "Shit." Strong fingers tighten on me as I gain my bearings. "Sorry, sweetheart."
Somehow I'm more winded from him calling me that than him nearly knocking me on my ass. "It's fine." He's so close to me in this tiny cupboard of a room. I swear his thumbs smooth down my arms for a brief moment before he lets me go, leaving my body buzzing.
Knowing the kitchen lightbulb has burnt out, I escape to the living room. Switch the light on. Yellowy haze replaces shadow.
"They work." My lips twitch before I shift to Kade, now emerging to lean a hip against the kitchen counter. "Thanks again." I clear my throat, grabbing the mouse-laden jar from next to him. He just nods, looking at me with an intensity that has me frazzled.
I carry the jar out to the porch steps slick with rain, releasing the tiny creature in the tall grass. It scampers away. I take a minute to feel the light drizzle on my skin. Watch the moon disappear behind a cloud. A relief from the growing tension inside my cabin.
When I return, Kade's starting a fire in the wood stove. The small pile of cut logs in the corner had only been collecting dust since I arrived. He pulls a lighter from his pocket. Sparks the kindling, flames rising with a crackle.
I keep my distance. Watching in the corner, shoulder pressed against the wall. I don't know what to say to him. Tongue-tied as I admire the strong slope of his shoulders, the fire highlighting his aquiline profile. He stokes the flame before meeting my eyes.
"You didn't have to do that," I murmur, unable to look away. There's a stretch of us just looking. Watching.
Kade's the first one to break, glancing back at the fire. "You must be freezing here at night." He knows right away that I haven't lit the fire myself yet, that I don't know how.
I'm about to ask him to teach me how to make one, but he's done enough for me as it is. I don't want to bother him more than I already have. I shrug instead. "It's been a bit chilly."
We fade into silence again. Kade adds another log to the woodstove. "So...what brings you all the way out to the middle of nowhere?"
I'm not sure how much to relay. How he'll react to my mental breakdown. "Shit hit the fan and I had to get out of that situation as soon as possible." More than I wanted to say. My mouth curls into a grimace as I wait for Kade's reaction.
"I see." He stands. A slow, regal motion. "And what do you plan on doing while you're out here?" He pauses. "Besides fix the place up."
I honestly haven't given it much thought. "I dunno. Read. Draw. Maybe explore the woods. I haven't been on a hike in awhile."
Kade's demeanour shifts in an instant. Casual to dangerous. "A
hike
?"
My brows furrow at the cold look he just gave me. I turn catty in response."Yeah. You ever been on one? You know, pack a lunch, take the afternoon-"
"I wouldn't do that." He's dead serious. Shakes his head, jaw clenched. "Don't do that."
My frown deepens. "I'm pretty sure I can do whatever the hell I want."
Kade chuckles without humour. "No. I'd say in this case, you fucking can't." He takes two steps towards me. A serpentine, agile movement. "Nobody can."
"Excuse me?" Something between a shiver and a heat wave rocks my bones. My senses crossed from this beautiful man inching closer, his controlling words scolding me."You can't tell me what I can or cannot do."
A flicker of hesitation. "No, I guess not." His lips press together before his gaze fills with resolve. "But if you go in there, I'm damn well coming with you."
My mouth parts at his nerve. "Uh, no you won't."
His harsh grin slants. Has me feeling like easy prey again. "Believe me, Red. Nobody goes in the forest alone." His eyes harden. "Nobody has for years."
A flashback of tonight's view of the forest passes in my mind's eye. Black trees swaying. The sensation of being watched from between the branches. "You're making it sound like it's haunted..."
"Can't confirm or deny that." He seals the gap between us. Crowds me until I'm backed into the wall. My breath catches when he presses a palm beside my head. "But I'll tell you this, city girl: if you go in there, all sweet and innocent like you are..." He leans until his words rasp in my ear. "You won't be alone, whether I'm with you or not."
No reply forms, tongue numb. I'm not sure what he means. Not sure if I'm more breathless from his body so close to mine, or his tone holding so much warning.
Then he pulls back an inch to give me a searing once-over and I remember again that I'm not wearing a bra. That, unlike last time, this isn't a baggy shirt. It's also no longer dark in here, the light from the hall streaming into the room. The fire bathing us in warm amber. Kade's lashes lower a fraction, his gaze going languid, sensual. Heat grows in the space between our bodies. My breasts feel heavy. Warmth pools under my navel. Between my thighs.
Then, just as I am a hundred percent positive he's going to kiss me, he pulls away with a strained exhale.
My ego is punctured. A deflating balloon.
"Well, Red." Kade's nostrils flare as he backs up a step. "I'll be keeping an eye on you." He slowly turns for the exit, hand running through that thick dark hair. That tall, lean body moving with a smooth stroll like he didn't just have me cornered. Then he pauses, lingering in the doorway before shooting me a cutting smirk. "Just like you've been keeping an eye on me."
A moment later he's out the front door, and my spine is still flat against the wall. Blood pumping frenetically. Panties flooded. I place a palm over my pounding heart, trying to steady my nerves.
What the fuck was
that
?
*
The next day, Ray comes over. The sun sparkles as we sit on the front patio steps together sipping fresh lemonade. Spiked with whiskey, of course. Seems unlikely I'll be heading to the library after all.
