He smirks. “You would be home if you still lived here.”
I sigh. “You and I both know this is a much better arrangement. You need your bed, and I need…”
His brows draw together with concern, and he closes the distance between us so fast that I take a step back.
“What’s going on, Bree?”
I knew this would be difficult, but wow, am I in trouble. If I share the latest in the Chase Files drama, there’s no telling what Wade would do, considering how much he hates him, a detail I’m fully cognizant of now. But I have to tell him something.
“Nothing I can’t handle, okay?”
“Is it the job? Rebecca seems like she’d be amazing to work closely with. Is it Zach? I don’t interact with him much, but if he?—”
“It’s not Zach.” Realizing at his shocked expression that I raised my voice, I take a deep breath. “I love my job. It’s great. No complaints whatsoever.”
He brushes my hair back, something he’s done many a time, but the urge to push my face into his palm nearly makes my eyes close with a desire I’ve never felt toward him before, until now.
“Do you miss Texas?” His caring tone pushes me to the edge of spilling everything.
Miss Texas? Not on your life, but maybe I can use that as a shield. “Not really, but I miss your nana, and her wanting to sell the ranch makes my heart ache.”
All true, but not the reason I’m cracking apart. Nana would have my hide for fibbing, too, but I brush that thought away because sometimes a girl has to do what a girl has to do.
He cringes. “Piper told you?”
I nod.
Watching his reaction is like looking in a mirror. He sinks onto a stool in front of the kitchen island, then drags his hands through his hair, appearing utterly bereft.
With slow, measured steps, I move closer until I’m standing next to him, placing my hand on his shoulder. Just the light touch sends my pulse into a spin, but when he lifts his tortured eyes to mine, every cell in my body buzzes with a longing I’ve never felt before.
Normally, he would be the one to pull me into a comforting hug, but this time, I do it. I slip an arm around his shoulders as he pulls me closer, and hold his head against my chest with my other hand.
“I didn’t see this coming.” His warm breath seeps through my shirt, warming the spot right over my heart.
“I know.” I run my fingers through his hair above his ear, relishing the gesture of touching him in such a familiar way.
He lifts his chin to look at me. “I know you do.”
Our eyes connect, and I swear I can almost hear the snap of sparks. Only Wade truly understands the heartbreak I experienced when, first, my parents divorced and then sold our farm—the loss of my past and my future.
His irises expand as his gaze drops to my mouth, and I do the same. Has he always found me attractive? Or is this new for him, too?
As if I’m not in control of my body, I lower my face until our lips touch. He stiffens, and a reality switch flips in me.
What have I done?
But before I can pull away, he pulls me against him as he stands, moving his lips over mine with a demand for more. And I want that, too, which blows my mind because I never pictured this between us.
He intensifies the kiss, greedy and demanding. At first, I match his fervor and cling to him, but then the reality of who I’m kissing rushes over me like a bucket of cold water.
He must read my body language because he shifts to something gentle, more pleading, yearning, then draws back. His curious eyes rove over me, greener than I’ve ever seen them.
And filled with questions.
But I don’t know if I have the answers to any of them.
Chapter Twenty
