She wriggled backward and tugged harder on his hand, as if making sure he wouldn’t leave her again.
And he wasn’t even tempted.
* * * *
“Bacon?”
Sofia looked over from where she stood in front of the stove.“I figured you had a lot of work to do today and would appreciate a cooked meal.I hope that’s okay?”
Jesus.
He’d awakened suddenly a few minutes ago, slightly disoriented.Part of him had known he wasn’t supposed to be alone in the bed, but since he’d never had a woman sleep with him, it had taken a while for reality and dreams to merge.
Memories had bowled into him.Sofia’s arrival yesterday, her foray into submission in the barn, the storm, the image of her in the turret window, the way he’d thoroughly dominated her, the late night discussion in his study, the tender sex in his bed and the trusting way she’d pressed herself to him in the early morning hours.
He’d wondered if she’d left, and he’d gone to the window to look.A stupid grin had plastered itself to his face when he’d seen that her SUV was still there, covered in leaves, oleander blossoms, twigs, water.
The scent of food had permeated the air in a way it hadn’t since his mother had moved out.He’d been taken aback to realize how much he appreciated it.
He’d gone into his closet.His most loyal companion had abandoned him.Traitor.
Cade had dressed in his oldest jeans and a pair of old boots.With the amount of work he had ahead of him, it promised to be a hell of a long day.He’d barely taken time to drag on a long-sleeved shirt before heading down the stairs.
What a sight.
Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail and she was wearing tight blue jeans and a black T-shirt.Better still, she wore his Texas apron.She’d had to wrap the cloth strings around her twice.And he couldn’t think of anything more appealing.Loopy sat near her feet, gazing up hopefully.She never even looked at him.
“I brewed coffee.I figured that’s what you drink since the pot’s the size of my apartment.”
“I enjoy a cup in the morning.”
“A cup?”
“Or a gallon.”
He filled a mug while she transferred the bacon to a platter.She scooped scrambled eggs into a bowl.A few seconds later, the toaster sent bread flying into the air.
“Need to get that fixed.”
“I’d say.”She’d grabbed one but missed the other.
“Loopy’s,” he said, shaking his head.“Coffee for you?”
“I’ve had tea.Thanks.”
He realized she’d set two places at the bar.
His phone signaled a message and he checked it.“The guys are working on the tree removal.”
“Good.I already let my mother know I’ll be there later today.I checked the highway conditions and all the roads that were closed have been reopened.”
She placed the food on the bar then hopped up on a stool.
He joined her.“Thanks for this.It wasn’t necessary.”
“Honestly?I needed something to do.”
“Everything okay?”
