“Yeah. He lived two houses down. In fact, when my business picked up, I hired Zane. We still do things together.” He stopped short. “Well, we used to. Before...”
Meg suddenly sat up and turned around. “And you will again. Don’t worry. I know you, and you’re determined to solve this. You’ll get your life back. I know it.”
Her eyes showed her conviction, and Cade was moved by her faith in him. He’d never met anyone like Meg. She was spunky and self-assured, yet there was a softer side to her. His gaze traveled down to her lips. He shouldn’t be thinking about what he was thinking about, but he couldn’t help himself. And before he knew it, he was drawing closer to her.
The moment his lips touched hers, he knew he’d made a mistake. The tender way she placed her hand on his cheek and moved nearer to him told him she’d been wanting this as much as he had. And the explosion of sensations washing over him sent him over the edge. He knew he wouldn’t do the right thing and pull back.
Meg’s lips were silky smooth, and tasting them was like heaven. Everything about her made him weak. He needed her. He had no idea why, or when things had changed, but he knew he couldn’t live the rest of his life without her. The truck lurched and they broke apart.
Meg laughed and held onto him tighter. “Is it terrible that I’ve been wanting to do that ever since you saved me from that stupid raccoon?”
Cade smiled. “It might have been a little longer for me.”
She nuzzled his neck and sat so close to him, she was almost on his lap. “I think I’m falling for you.”
She said it so quietly, Cade had almost not heard it. His heart warmed until he realized what a mess of everything he’d made. He was supposed to be in prison. And that’s where he would go back to if he was caught. He couldn’t give Meg any kind of life she deserved.
He couldn’t fall in love and couldn’t start a relationship. He shouldn’t even be with her right now. He was putting her in danger. His heart sank, and a hollow feeling spread through his chest.
He wasn’t sure what he was going to say now, after messing up even more. Now that he’d kissed her, and she’d confessed to having feelings for him, he couldn’t go back. He couldn’t tell her he didn’t feel anything for her either. That wouldn’t be fair to her. And it wasn’t true.
Thankfully, before he could think of what to say in return, the truck stopped, and Meg pulled away from him. “This is a good sign, isn’t it?”
Cade nodded. It had felt like they’d been on the road a while. They had to be in another city, right? A bright light filled the space as the driver lifted the rolling door and climbed in. He and Meg pressed close together in the small space behind the boxes. Cade held his breath as the man looked for what he needed. Luckily, he found it near the back and hopped off the truck.
“Now. Let’s run.” Cade grabbed Meg’s hand, shouldering his duffle bag as they sprinted to the back of the truck, jumped down and hid. They were in an alley behind another convenience store. He motioned to Meg and she nodded. They took off down the gravel toward traffic. When they got to the street, Cade took in the scene. They were near the interstate. No cops were there waiting for them. They were in the clear.
But it wouldn’t be long before their photos were on every television screen in the country, if they weren’t already. They needed a car so they could get to Omaha. That was the only way he could fix all of this. Then maybe, just maybe, he could have a chance with Meg.
Chapter 14
Meg parted the curtainsand peeked out at the hotel parking lot for the tenth time. Still no cops. She could barely believe it. They’d found an old Toyota someone was selling off their front lawn for two thousand dollars, and now they were somewhere in the middle of South Dakota. At least the cheap hotel looked clean.
“Stop looking outside. You’re going to stress yourself out.” Cade walked out of the bathroom and toward the bed closest to the wall. He was buttoning up his pajamas.
Meg had left behind all her clothes, so she wore a T-shirt and sweats they’d picked up at a discount store along the way. “I know. I just can’t believe they’re not after us.”
