“But you’re injured.”
Cade’s frown had Lucy wishing she hadn’t said that.
Crap. What if he just walked with a limp, like a birth defect or the remnants of an old football or war injury or something?
“It’s not a big deal.” He ran a hand through his shiny black hair. “I’ll be better in a few days.”
“Well, then let’s take my car just to be safe.” She smiled. “I don’t want you doing anything to mess up your healing.”
Like she was a freaking nurse. He was the one in scrubs here. Lucy motioned to her car to give herself something to do besides catalog Cade’s incredible features.
“You can drive if you’d like.”
She had no idea where that had come from. But honestly, if it was only a few blocks, it wasn’t a big deal to have a stranger driving her Rogue.
Not this stranger, anyway.
Geez, what was wrong with her? She could appreciate beauty, sure. But when had she turned into a pervy letch?
“You sure?” He cocked his head to the side.
“Sure.” She shrugged. “I mean, I don’t even know where this cafe is. It’ll be easier if you just drive us.”
And then he wouldn’t be on that bum leg of his.
“Okay.” He held out his hand again and Lucy set her keys in his palm. He chuckled, offering her his other one. “I’d like to walk you to the car.”
Even though they were literally standing near the back of her SUV, Lucy took Cade’s hand, ignoring the thrill of anticipation uncoiling in her belly as she let him escort her to the passenger’s side. There was something about this guy, something different than the others. Sure, his colleagues had seemed nice, and they were handsome in their own way, but Cade was a league of his own.
Well, what do you know, he was a gentleman too.
Cade held the door for her, offering his own arm as support, while Lucy climbed in. And then he surprised the heck out of her by leaning into the car and buckling her seatbelt for her. No one had done that since she’d been a child, but something about the gesture was endearing. And hot.
“Gotta be safe, right?” Cade smiled, his eyes bright and his face so close she could almost kiss him.
Lucy fought back the urge, returning his smile and thanking him for his chivalry. Wow, the men in this town were actually nice.
Cade grinned at her as he adjusted the seat and Lucy got the feeling he was looking forward to having coffee together.
She smiled back, wondering if he was seeing anyone. Had to be. A handsome man like that was sure to have a special someone. Or someones.
Going by how suave he was, he was probably a total player.
As Cade drove them the few blocks to the cafe, Lucy thought about the guys who’d come out to help with the dog last night. There had to be something in the water here in Pine Haven Falls. Every man she’d met so far could be on a calendar. The smutty kind the local fire department made every year as a fundraiser. She let her mind wander, wondering what Cade’s chest looked like underneath those green scrubs. No doubt it’d be as spectacular as the rest of him.
“Let me get your door.” He smiled, turning off the engine.
Lucy could only nod and smile back. There was something compelling about Cade. She waited patiently in the car, holding his intense gaze as he hobbled around the grill. Damn, he was sexy, even with that limp. When he opened the door, she realized she’d been so enamored with his commanding azure gaze she hadn’t even unbuckled and she fumbled for the latch.
“Allow me.” Cade said softly, leaning in and reaching across her lap.
Lucy couldn’t tell if his voice had dropped lower or if she’d just imagined it, but she loved the way his hand grazed her hip as he released the seatbelt. She felt herself flush as she imagined that hand skimming along her body while he guided the seatbelt back to its starting point.
He hadn’t touched her, but a girl could dream, right?
Cade stepped back, holding the door while offering her his free hand. Lucy felt a frisson of delight throughout her body as she took it and let him help her out of the car.
God, she needed to get a handle on herself. He was just a nice guy, guiding her to the coffee shop. There was no reason for her nipples to be peaked from such minimal contact. No reason to enjoy the way he kept hold of her hand as he guided her.
