You'll Think of Me

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You’ll Think of Me ISBN # 978-0-85715-341-8 ©Copyright Wendi Zwaduk 2010 Cover Art by Lyn Taylor ©Copyright November 2010 Edited by Jess Bimberg Total-E-Bound Publishing This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Total-E-Bound Publishing. Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Total-E-Bound Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution. The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork. Published in 2010 by Total-E-Bound Publishing, Think Tank, Ruston Way, Lincoln, LN6 7FL, United Kingdom.

Warning: This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has been rated Total-e-burning.

YOU’LL THINK OF ME Wendi Zwaduk

Dedication To CM and the girls from GIW for the endless hours of critiquing. For Kevin, so I owe you another one… To JPZ, You’ll Think of Me as long as I’m thinking about you—forever.

Trademarks Acknowledgement The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction: Formica: The Diller Corporation Lear: Bombardier Aerospace Hallmark : Hallmark Cards, Inc. NASCAR: NASCAR Diet Coke: The Coca-Cola Company

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Chapter One

“I’m still his housemate, not his personal chauffeur.” Melanie Roberts waited by the ticket counter at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport for her friends to arrive. Waiting by the gates ensured she’d see them faster than if she waited on the lower level by the baggage claims. She mumbled to herself as she gazed at the empty gateway. “I don’t know why I let him talk me into this.” A woman turned, glaring at Melanie who shrugged. “Who am I kidding? I can’t wait for Cade to return.” The air in the terminal enveloped her in a personal sauna. What happened to the highdollar air-conditioning system mentioned in the local newspaper? She fanned herself, trying to remember whether she put on deodorant this morning. Beads of sweat trickled between her breasts and dampened her bra. She blew out a puff of air and tucked her humidityfrizzed hair back under her hat. An announcer interrupted her private sweltering. “Flight two-two-three-three from Dulles is on a thirty-minute delay due to heavy thunderstorms. Repeat, flight two-two-threethree from Dulles is on a thirty-minute delay.” Melanie removed her ball cap. She ran a shaky hand through her hair. Her ruby ring caught on a few strands and she cursed under her breath. She replaced the tattered hat and tucked her hair under the frayed edges. Her heart thudded, making it hard to breathe. Her boys, Cade and Rhett, weren’t on that particular flight. She checked the nearby screen. Flight one-five-two-seven from JFK International Airport—their flight—was already on the ground and in the process of debarking. Any time now, guys… In the distance, someone’s cell phone played an old country tune, ‘He Loved Me’, and took her back to a time when things had been much simpler and her heart hadn’t been broken. She hummed a few bars and scanned the crowd once more. The image of Cade and the words to the song stuck fast in her mind. If he hadn’t cheated, he’d still be mine… She fidgeted with the ruby ring and fought off the anxiousness that

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naturally came when she waited for him to return from a deployment. Nervous energy sizzled through her veins as she cracked her knuckles. She didn’t know what else to do with her hands when she couldn’t watch the world through the safety of her camera lens. Where were they? A barrage of laughter rang in Melanie’s ears and a shimmer of excitement slipped through her. She knew that baritone—Staff Sergeant Rhett Ione. “Give me sugar, Melanie!” Opening her arms, she turned. “Rhett! How’s my guy?” Crushing her in his grasp, he whirled her around. “You make coming home a blast, little girl!” When he plopped her back onto her feet, she continued to clutch his biceps. “I missed you, but where is Cade? I thought you got leave together?” Rhett tucked a loose lock of hair behind her ear. “Leave, yes. The same flight, no. Cade flew out of Germany and I came straight from the Gulf.” Embarrassed by her lack of tact, she averted her gaze. Rhett tipped her chin. “Hey, I know you missed me, but you have a thing for him. But I’m still one of your best friends and only passing through. Chill. He’s due to land—” he glanced at his all-weather watch, “—in a moment or two.” Melanie sighed. She opened her mouth to speak, when a voice from behind interrupted her. “Excuse me?” Ginnifer Larkin stood a foot away and narrowed her green eyes. “Are you here to give them a ride?” She folded her arms and shifted her weight. The pale yellow sundress clung to her slender figure and accentuated her pert breasts. Her silky caramel-coloured hair fell around her shoulders. Why the hell did Cade’s fuck-friend have to show up? Melanie forced a smile to her lips. “I’m taking them home, yes.” Speaking under her breath so no one but Rhett would hear, she mumbled. “Just like an ex would…” Ginnifer chewed her ruby-red bottom lip. “We never broke up, you know.” Her eyes lit up and a smile brightened her heart-shaped face. “You’re home!”

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When Melanie tried to turn, a pair of strong arms enfolded her and restricted her movement. Warm breath tickled her cheek and the scratch of day-old whiskers abraded her neck. While her legs turned to jelly, her heart raced. Desire pooled low in her belly. “I missed you, Melly.” Melanie shivered and let his bass voice rumble in her ears. Every nerve ending in her body stood at attention as his woodsy scent wrapped around her. She turned to stare into the most intense set of chocolate brown eyes. She’d wait an entire lifetime for this picture-perfect man. “Cade Nicholson,” she whispered. Someone taped Melanie on the shoulder. “Excuse me.” Melanie recognised the voice and ignored Ginnifer. She was too lost in Cade to care. He cupped her jaw, giving her his famous crooked grin that never failed to make her blood pressure surge and her nipples harden. “How’s my girl?” Shoving between Cade and Melanie, Ginnifer planted crimson lip prints all over his cheek. “I’m fine, Cade. I missed you, too. I’m so glad you’re safe.” As he caught Ginnifer in a one-armed hug, Cade never took his eyes off Melanie. He clenched his jaw. “Hi, Ginn. You didn’t need to drive all the way out here to see us, but I’m glad you did.” “Heather James said she heard you’d be coming home.” Ginnifer giggled. Her voice came out in the high-pitched squeak of a child. “I wanted to see you. The newspapers said you were nearly killed.” Stepping back, Cade released Ginnifer. His brows wrinkled. He wiped his cheek with the heel of his hand. “But, Ginny, we split over a year ago. You told me you couldn’t love a man in uniform. Did you change your mind?” Tears moistened her cheeks. Ginnifer fluttered her hand in the air. “It just scares me when you go away. I’m afraid you’ll be hurt or killed and I’ll never see you again.” Melanie groaned. Ginn would have to show up expecting immediate attention. Damn the man’s need for so many lovers. Rhett sauntered up to Cade. “I heard you tell him those exact words, Ginn. I thought you two were over.” Ginnifer smoothed her hair away from her face as she pressed her lips together and stepped up to Cade. She shoved her breasts out, rubbing her turgid nipples on his chest.

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“Well, I didn’t mean it. But why didn’t you tell Melanie we’re patching things up? I mean, she drove all the way out here for nothing.” Cade exchanged a confused glance with Rhett, who gripped Melanie in a tight hug. “I wasn’t sure if we were getting back together. I’m sorry.” Rhett kissed Melanie’s temple and whispered, “Ignore her.” How? Melanie clamped her mouth shut. If she said anything, it’d be something she’d regret. But ignoring Ginnifer-I’ll-screw-anything-in-pants-Larkin wouldn’t happen. Inching towards her, Cade clasped Melanie’s hand. “Ginny, how was I to know your feelings, unless you told me? I planned to spend time with Melanie and Rhett.” As she backed away, Ginnifer dropped her hands. “Well, when you’re ready to come back to me, I might be there, but then again, I might not be. Who knows?” She flipped her highlighted tresses over her shoulder, spun on her heel and strode away. Cade closed his eyes and scrubbed a hand over his face. “I’m sorry you witnessed that, Melanie. Although I’m not sure why she showed up. We had some good times, but nothing too thrilling.” Melanie wriggled from Rhett’s grasp. She wrapped her arms around Cade’s waist. “She keeps calling and looking for you. I sort of expected her to butt in.” Rhett folded his arms. “Ginnifer has shitty timing, Cade. What you saw in her, I’ll never know.” Cade stroked Melanie’s jaw with the pad of his thumb. “Look, I’ve had a long ride home. I’m whipped and don’t feel like dealing with much of anything. Let’s head home.” Melanie grasped his T-shirt. “You’re right. We should get moving. I have a big surprise for you.” “So let’s put the truck into drive.” Rhett’s muscle-corded arms curled around her, pressing her tightly into Cade’s solid chest. “I haven’t had a good threesome in years. You, me and Mel. What do you say?” Without thinking, Melanie spoke “Since you asked, good idea.” Cade’s lips hovered mere millimetres from hers and his breath feathered over her skin. “Good idea, indeed. But you never wanted to before. It’s not a joke if you offer.” “Why don’t we talk about something else?” Melanie shifted so she could switch her gaze between Cade and Rhett to cool her fevered thoughts. Now wasn’t the time to discuss

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her true desires. Joke or not, she didn’t really want to share her affections. “I missed you guys!” “I got two weeks of R&R, Mel. I don’t know about Cade, but by God, I’m ready to celebrate with a country girl before I head out to Kansas for my next assignment!” When Rhett kissed her temple, his permanent stubble chafed her skin, but she didn’t mind. Twisting from the collective embrace, she eyeballed each man. Rhett could stop traffic with his rugged boy-next-door good looks, well-placed tattoos and electric blue eyes. None of that mattered. Cade commanded her full attention. His six-foot frame towered over her, though she never felt threatened. From his spiky black hair to his toned legs, he was her hero. If he only knew how wet she was with nothing more than a hug and husky words grazing her ear. Melanie stood on her tippy-toes. She slid her hands along Cade’s body to cup the back of his head, partially to hug him, but more to make sure her Airman was real. Three months back, the national television news had reported brutal attacks, including the bombing which took their good friend Dell’s life. After seeing the frontline footage, Melanie wondered how anyone made it through the incident without major injury. She thanked God each day no one came to her door to tell her Cade or Rhett were hurt. Although Cade stopped writing over three months ago, Rhett’s letters kept her up-to-date on the extent of Cade’s injuries and the progress of his recovery from the second bombing. Still, seeing Cade in the flesh reassured her more than all Rhett’s written words. “It looks like you want a private moment, so I’ll go get the bags. Meet you here in five?” Rhett waved his hand before Melanie’s eyes. “Miss me when I’m gone?” “Get moving, drama queen,” Cade muttered as Rhett ambled away. “Where were we?” Melanie cocked her head and considered Cade a moment. The jovial light, which normally sparkled in his eyes, seemed dim. Maybe he was just tired and needed a long rest. His arms laced tightly around her body, sending another hot rush along her nerve endings. Tears pricked her eyes. She wasn’t sure if she should smother him with kisses, belt him on the arm or a combination of both. Why not tell him how she felt? She licked her lips and swallowed hard to buy a moment to think. “Am I your girl? I doubt I’m enough to satisfy you.”

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Cade shifted. His expression was stark. She chewed her bottom lip for a moment. She couldn’t quite pinpoint the problem, but something about Cade wasn’t right. He seemed stiff and despondent as he stared at the ground. Did he see something in Afghanistan he couldn’t shake? Or someone? She shoved the thought aside. “Cade, am I your only girl for this furlough?” Although a sly grin curled the corner of his mouth, his gaze slid to the bank of windows to the left. “I could be convinced.” Despite his odd behaviour, her heart skipped a beat. Melanie forged ahead with a revised version of her plan and tugged Cade and Rhett through the airport foyer. “I have an excellent idea on what we can do to celebrate, but I want to tell you both in the parking lot.” He stopped moving and pulled her into an embrace. “So what’s this great surprise?” The tips of her ears burned. “Wait until we get to the truck.” “Did you want to go home and veg out like old times? Just me and you and one of your sappy black and white movies?” He smoothed his hands all over her back, sending shivers all over her skin. “I promise to stay awake through the whole thing and let you use my stomach for a pillow. I want to hear all about the pictures you’re working on. Tomorrow, we can goof around in the dark room and you can show me one more time how to—” he wiggled his brows, “—develop negatives.” Hugging him closer, Melanie rubbed her cheek on his chest and inhaled his spicy scent. He’d changed, but in many ways, he was still the same rugged man with a healthy sex drive. She leant back in his embrace and traced the faded inch-long scar on his jaw with her index finger. “Black and white movies? Photograph developing? You always did know how to win my heart, Cade Nicholson.” But you owned it to begin with… With the crook of his brow, a bit of the light returned to his eyes. “Well, then let’s put it in gear and get home.” “You said it.” Melanie nudged him towards the steps. She laced her fingers with Cade’s and strolled out of the terminal. Although it felt like old times, he wasn’t acting the same. “I know you’re wiped out, but you can talk to me. Tell me what’s on your mind. Is it Ginnifer? Or am I sweeping you off your feet with my beauty?” Cade cleared his throat and nudged her forward. “We’ll discuss things later. I have a better idea what I’d like to do tonight—you.”

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Her arms fell limp at her sides. “I see.” So maybe he wasn’t interested in taking the relationship further than the physical level. Although the thought crossed her mind to say the hell with it, she refused to back down. As if to break the tension, Rhett strolled through the terminal doors. “What’s going on?” He shoved a bag into Cade’s arms and chuckled. “This is supposed to be a happy time, you two. I want to see smiles and I want to see them now!” Melanie fiddled with the hoops in her earlobes. She’d love to know what went on in Cade’s mind, if he’d only let her in. She shrugged. “We’re fine. No worries, no cares.” Rhett narrowed his eyes, clearly not buying her statement. “Right… Did you bring his truck?” Whirling around, she clasped both hands over her mouth. Ah, leave it to Rhett to change the mood. She feigned shock. “I was supposed to drive here? Oh…well, we might have a problem.” “You aren’t forgetful,” Rhett chided. Lacing her fingers in front of her lips, Melanie tried hard to bite back the announcement teetering on the tip of her tongue. Her heart soared within her chest. “Then I suppose I have one hell of a surprise for the both of you.”

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Chapter Two

When he stepped out of the building, Cade took a deep breath of the crisp air. The tangy scents of jet fuel, perspiration, and something else floated on the breeze. What? He directed his gaze to Melanie. Her vanilla scent rolled over him and wrapped around him like a blanket. When she peeked over her shoulder, he bit back the grin curling his lips. With little effort, she exuded sensuality and innocence. He couldn’t look away if he tried. To add to his troubles, for a fleeting moment, the sweet taste of her kiss lingered on his tongue. “So you have a surprise. Where’s the truck, Melly?” Instead, he fumbled in his duffle bag for his sunglasses and held back a few steps so she wouldn’t see him limp. “There in spot four-oh-three.” She fisted her hands on her hips and nodded to a black extended cab Chevy about twenty parking spots ahead. Rhett dropped his bag and let out a high whistle. “You bought the truck Cade drooled over at Hyndman’s and souped it up with a lift kit and racing stripes! Awesome!” As Cade saw the truck in question, he bit back a growl. He’d intended to purchase the exact vehicle when he came home. Not now. It appeared the plans he’d made for his return were about to fall into the garbage heap. She’d even remembered the lift kit! When Melanie stepped up to the fender and patted it, he paused. She looked damn sexy next to his—well, her truck. She always did like rusty trucks over girly cars. Damn Sexy. Like a model in those muscle car magazines. The mental image of her lying naked on the hood, waiting for him sent a jolt to his cock. His muscles twitched to throw her on the hood and pump into her until they both screamed. God, he needed to get his brain out of sex mode. Melanie held up the keys. “Either of you want to drive my baby? I put her through her paces the other day out on Biddle Road on Hanson’s makeshift dirt track. The four wheel drive is a blast in mud.” Rhett jumped forward, ripping the keys from her fingers. “Cade’s test driven this thing so many times, he should own it, but since he dicked around, I can’t give him the satisfaction.”

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The slight breeze made Melanie’s skirt flutter around her thighs, giving Cade tantalising glimpses of her smooth, tanned flesh. Like he’d won the ultimate prize, Rhett pumped his fist and sprinted to the driver’s side door. Melanie slipped her hand into Cade’s, making his heart surge. “Cade, I know there’s stuff on your mind and this isn’t the place to discuss it, but I’m here for you.” Her low voice weakened his thick defences. Gaining strength from her touch, he squeezed her hand. “Like I said, we’ll talk—later.” She stared at the ground and let her fingers slip away from his. “You’re a good man who will make a lucky woman very happy.” She paused and watched a jet take off in the distance. “I can’t be just friends. Maybe you and Ginny can be happy together.” Cade wobbled on his feet. Can’t be friends? That had to mean something more than… He squinted as she walked away with her head still down. Did they have a chance? He didn’t want to share her with Rhett, but if it showed her the trust and desire she needed, maybe she’d come back to him. Despite his earlier comments, Ginnifer Larkin was the furthest person from his mind. He moved his feet to catch up to her, knowing their conversation was far from over. “Are we going home, or fighting on the parking garage roof?” Rhett called. “I only got two weeks before I go to Kansas and I don’t want to spend it keeping you two from throttling each other.” Melanie squared her shoulders and took a deep breath. “Toss your bags in the backseat, boys. I happen to know there’s enough room for all three of us up front.” She yanked open the driver’s side door and slid across to the middle of the bench seat. Cade stayed close to the hood as he limped around the vehicle. When he looked into the cab, Rhett proceeded to show Melanie his new tattoo of a viper curling around his bulging bicep. She giggled and traced the design with her index finger. Even so, he felt her probing gaze like a branding iron. Cade didn’t deserve her compassion although she gave it free of charge. With a grunt, Cade opened the truck door. He stepped up onto the side pipes, slid into the truck and slammed the door. When Melanie shifted to buckle her seatbelt, her gaze lingered along his body. Light and desire smouldered in her eyes. The sudden pink staining her cheeks told him exactly what she thought.

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Innocence be damned; she still wanted him. The image of her flushed body writhing between him and Rhett sent a rush of heat straight to his dick. She’d been a naughty girl when they had made love before. He yearned to toss her in the back seat and fuck her senseless, or at least until she confessed her undying devotion. He took a deep breath and tried to clear his mind before he did something stupid. Damn his hormones. He’d made love to her plenty of times in the past. Hell, he loved sex with her. Because of her, he’d given up the ménage lifestyle. Since she left him, he’d been with other women, but without emotions involved. Could he bring emotion into the equation and be the man she needed? Rhett backed out of the space and sped through the parking garage. “She’s got great horsepower. I like this. Friday afternoon traffic shouldn’t be too tough yet.” He paid the small fee and headed out onto the freeway. “Here we go!” Cade laced his fingers with Melanie’s. He wondered if she still wore the tiny ruby ring he’d bought for her on their second date. As she patted Rhett’s thigh, Cade saw the jewellery in question decorating the ring finger of her left hand. Maybe there was hope for them yet. His cock strained behind his jeans. Lust like he’d never known skated through his veins. He curled his hand into a fist and closed his eyes. The memory of her gazing up at him while he made love to her mouth drove him insane with desire. God, he needed to take her. To clear his head of the lust thoughts, Cade opened his eyes and stared at the landscape. Anything to help distract how her body made him feel. Feelings—who really put stock in emotions? He tried to ignore their small talk about truck accessories. Cade knew the gizmos on the truck. Hell, he’d coveted the damn thing for a year. As he glanced at the endless cornfields billowing outside his window, his mind drifted to the night he met Melanie. A smile curled his lips as a memory of her smooth body swathed in moonlight flicked across his mind. Could he regain the love they once shared? He wasn’t sure. Until he told her the truth, the next few days would be torture, plain and simple. What if his confessions made her run? Their life as sex partners was off the charts. Why ruin something so good? He’d be alone and nothing would change. But, what if she understood his private hell? He couldn’t be so lucky. Dammit.

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**** Two hours later, Rhett pulled into the driveway of the house twenty minutes from the base, over in Butler. He parked the vehicle in front of the garage, next to Cade’s rusty maroon Chevy three-quarter-ton truck. Rhett opened the door and paused before he glanced over his shoulder. “You have company.” “Oh?” Melanie climbed across the seat and perched in Cade’s lap as she peered through the open window. Her skirt shifted high on her thigh, yet her modesty remained intact. Cade caressed the smooth skin, needing to touch her everywhere. The light scent of her vanilla body spray tickled his nose and made his mouth water. As she peered out the window, she placed his hand back on the seat, yet made no move to shift and cover her own body. “That’s the Heather James Ginnifer mentioned. I promised her I’d find out what happened to her older brother. I’m supposed to do a photo essay on him for the Gazette. Did they recover Senior Airman Lance James yet? Or is he still missing?” Swallowing past the lump in his throat, he cupped her cheek. How should he put this? Lance was closest to the bomb and there’s nothing left but twisted scrap metal and lumber? No. We can’t find him because we aren’t sure which body parts were his? Hell. His guts twisted. “He was part of a roadside bombing and he’s still listed as missing. I can’t tell you anymore. I wasn’t there.” He chided himself. How could he feel so turned on by her one moment, and so depressed the next? Great, now he couldn’t get in the mood without destroying it. A sense of self-loathing and pity coiled low in his belly. Melanie chewed the corner of her mouth and nodded like she understood way more than she let on. “I suspected as much.” “Well, what do we do about her?” Rhett huffed. “I wasn’t in the mood for a foursome, but, to use Cade’s words, I could be convinced.” Rolling her eyes, Melanie kissed Cade’s nose. “Gotta love Rhett’s sense of self preservation. Always thinking with his dick.” Clicking her tongue, she opened the door and slid out of the vehicle. “I’ll talk to her. Go inside and get cleaned up. Pizza will be here in an hour and I still want to tell you both my news!”

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She waved her hand and strolled off in the direction of the porch. Missing her warmth immediately, Cade watched her and marvelled at her concern for others and the sexy way her ass wiggled when she walked. Closing his eyes, he thought back to the last time they had sex. She’d screamed his name and vowed her undying love. If he remembered right, she’d damn near shredded his back with her nails—not that he cared— and had allowed him to take pictures of her nude body, which he’d used to maintain his sanity every moment he spent away from her. He sighed, wanting to kick himself for turning the once emotional relationship into just sex all those years ago. He felt a punch on his biceps and winced, not from the physical pain. On the driver’s side of the truck, Rhett folded his arms and leaned on the hood “Stop looking at her with puppy dog eyes. Someone might get the impression you love her.” As Cade eased out of the truck, he glanced at Melanie as she embraced Heather. He wanted those arms wrapped around him. He wanted to hear Melanie’s soothing voice as she told him his shambled life would find order once more. His heart broke. “I think she wants me, but she doesn’t love me.” “Who? Heather?” Rhett slammed the truck door. “You’re right. She probably thinks you’re an old fogey. To that sweet little girl, your thirty-three is ancient.” “Shut up, wise-ass. The little girl you refer to is twenty-six. You and I are only a year older than her brother Lance. That doesn’t make us decrepit, but our fifteen years of service in the Air Force does. We’ve been all over the world, stationed in more states than I can count, been with more women than we deserve, and what do we have to show for it?” Cade grabbed his bag. He sure as hell felt like an old fogey. His skin itched where the shrapnel scars continued to heal. The bombing played in slow motion in his mind, making it hard to deal with life in the present. “Maybe we don’t have the prerequisite wife, three kids and a house in the ‘burbs, but not everyone needs a stereotypical dream to be happy. Scars don’t matter when someone loves you. Give Melanie her credit and level with her. I think you’ll be surprised. Although she’s a lover, she’s also a fighter with one mean adventurous streak.” Cade slammed his door and started after Rhett. “Adventurous streak? Wait.” His heart pounded. What the hell did Rhett know about her adventurous streak? Shit, they needed to talk—and fast. “Did you have sex with her?”

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With a grin, Rhett shrugged out of his hold. “I guess you have to figure it out.”

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Chapter Three

Cade replayed Melanie’s statements and Rhett’s cryptic advice in his mind for the next half an hour. He thought about Melanie’s perfect form as he scrubbed in the shower. Later, as he dressed, he gazed at her picture on his dresser. In the shot, she wore a green sequined gown and she smiled over her shoulder, reminding him of a sexy angel. He groaned. The image of her licking and sucking his cock the night she’d presented him with the self-portrait sent a shiver of desire coursing through his veins. Yeah, he wanted her now as much as he needed her back then. Maybe more. After he kicked the door shut, he flopped down onto his bed. Hell yes, he used her picture to get off. With a Cheshire grin, he retrieved one of the nude shots of Melanie out of his duffle bag. She lay draped across a chaise bench with one arm over her head and the other cupping her breast as a silent offering. His mouth watered as he visually groped her soft curves. Closing his eyes, he remembered when he’d met her eight years back in Georgia while on leave visiting Rhett. A wry grin tugged the corners of his mouth and he began to stroke his cock through his jogging pants. At the time, he had wanted to leave the stupid bonfire. Rhett lay passed out on the banks of Liddell Creek, after way too many beers. As Cade decided what to do with the drunkard, he saw Melanie. Her pale skin glowed in the bright moonlight. Straw-coloured tresses cascaded around her shoulders like a halo. And that body! Gentle dips and swells in all the exact places a woman should be curvy. Cade licked his dry lips and tugged his pants down to massage his engorged dick. Ignoring the noises in the hallway, he continued the daydream. What did this beautiful creature in the sundress taste like? What secrets did she hide? He needed to know—now and not with Rhett as backup. When she sat with her friend on the edge of the dock and kicked her bare feet in the water, he fell head over heels. He jumped fully clothed into the creek to cool his fevered body. Before he could speak to her, a drunken reveller shoved her into the

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chilly water. Cade snagged her up in his embrace and damn if she didn’t feel good there. She wrapped her arms around him and pressed her lips to his. My hero. The waves of the self-made orgasm crashed within his body. “Melanie!” After a moment, he opened his eyes. His skin tingled and his nerve endings sizzled. Even thinking about her could make him come. How the hell could he get her back into his arms for good? While he stared at her risqué picture, he remembered their parting words when he left for the Middle East for the first time. Seven years ago, tears wetted her cheeks, but she stayed strong. I’ll always think of you. Promise me you’ll think of me. And he did. Every day, many times a day until the never-ending nightmare came. Then he could hardly close his eyes without seeing the darkness. Dammit. Once he stood, he grabbed the discarded towel to clean himself off. As he tossed it into the clothesbasket, he felt an odd kinship with it. He felt just as unwanted. Why couldn’t he rid the devastation from his mind? He shoved the nude picture under his pillow for later. After he crossed the room, he stopped and caressed the frame of her self-portrait. The same question played on a continuous loop in his head—why? Then there was their last night together three years prior. He’d remember her parting words for the rest of his life. I thought you loved me. I thought you wanted only me for the rest of your life. No. You slept with the slut. I thought I knew you, but I had no idea. He could still see her chin quivering as she tried to hold her emotions in check. You want sex? Fine. You want my heart? Not until hell freezes over and your dick falls off! Point made, she’d slammed the door. Cade clenched his fist and pounded it on the dull oak surface of the bureau. He shook with anger and unshed tears. Yes, he enjoyed threesomes because he didn’t have to think or feel. He got the release and then went on his merry way, but to cheat? No way in hell. He never slept with Anna. Never wanted to. Though he’d spent time with Ginnifer, she was no more than arm candy for a couple of lousy dates. He refused to sleep with anyone other than the woman he loved. Shit. And he still couldn’t find the words to tell Melanie how he felt. She’d never accept his wounded spirit and broken body, especially if he couldn’t handle his scars. Twisting the knob to open the door, Rhett appeared in the doorway, clad in nothing more than a low-slung terry-cloth towel. “Are you mooning over her again?”

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“Don’t you know how to knock?” Cade unclenched his hand. The anger ebbed and embarrassment took over. He glanced at his friend. Girls went crazy for Rhett’s aloof attitude. He could easily draw any woman, including Melanie, with his good looks. If Cade were her, he’d choose the man without scars, a man whole in body and spirit. She deserved so much more than Cade could give her. “I heard you shout.” With a shrug, Rhett shifted his feet. Water dripped onto the carpet leaving dark little maroon circles. “What’s up with you?” Cade narrowed his eyes. ”There’s nothing up with me. I…I’m thinking about Melanie. She’s—” “What am I?” Both men turned to see Melanie standing in the hallway, obviously eavesdropping on their conversation. A broad smile kinked her coral lips. “So? What am I?” Her whiskycoloured eyes flashed with mischief as she poked Rhett’s chest. “As long as it’s all good, I can’t wait to find out.” As Rhett put his hands up, he dipped his head. “This was a testosterone conversation, Miss Nosy.” Cade pinched the bridge of his nose with his index finger and thumb. Maybe now would be the time to snag her and have the conversation they needed to get things headed in the right direction. “Melly—” Laughing, she folded her arms. “When you decide my place here, tell me. But until then, get dressed and meet me downstairs. The pizza’s here.” She slipped under Rhett’s outstretched arm and left them alone. Cade waited until he heard her footsteps fade down the stairs. His shoulders slumped. Too many raw emotions floated around in his system. He couldn’t think about food when all he wanted was to curl Melanie against him all evening long and bury himself in her sweet heat. Rhett nodded at Cade. “You’re wearing jogging pants and a T-shirt. Aren’t you going to tell her about your wounds?” Cade shook his head. Just looking at the damage to his own body made him want to puke. Melanie would probably run away or, worse, laugh. “I thought I’d keep it to myself as long as possible. She doesn’t need to know what happened.”

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A frown marred Rhett’s face. “You mean the honourable discharge or the scars? You earned your discharge for bravery, which makes you great in my book. Plus, she’s going to love having you around, once you tell her you’re permanently home. That might salvage the relationship.” “What I did wasn’t great.” Cade dropped his gaze to the floor. “I should’ve done something more.” As much as he wanted to forget, the afternoon of the bombing at the base and the harried expressions of his men as they’d gotten into defensive positions. He forced the raw emotions down to the pit of his stomach. He pounded his fist into his thigh. I don’t deserve to be home alive when they perished. Real men didn’t cry or talk about immature feelings, did they? But if he didn’t talk to someone soon, he’d have an ulcer. Rhett sighed. “Look, I don’t know how you feel. I’ll never understand because the bombing didn’t happen to me. I wasn’t there. But I know ignoring the aftershocks won’t make it go away. You’ll have to deal with it eventually. She’ll understand and support you, and I have your back.” To change the subject, Cade tossed a shirt at Rhett. He didn’t need any more greeting card advice or damned pity. “What do you suppose the surprise is?” “You mean other than the truck?” Wriggling his brows, Rhett chuckled. “I have no idea. But then I think you should talk to her. Tell her how you feel.” “I can’t. It’s too soon.” Rhett shrugged. “Suit yourself, but remember her heart’s in your hands.” Cade knotted his brows together. How the hell could he control the damned mood swings? Why did Rhett act like he knew Melanie’s true feelings? “How do you know where I stand with Melanie?” With a chuckle, Rhett tugged the cotton garment over his head. “What can I say? I just do.”

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Chapter Four

Downstairs, Melanie thanked the deliveryman and used her shoulder to close the front door. The smell of warm cheese and pepperoni filled her nose, making her stomach rumble as she padded across the pine hardwood floor. The cool grey walls and black Formica welcomed her into the kitchen. She sighed. Her gaze vacillated in the open floor plan. She’d miss the nights she and Cade spent eating ice cream in the middle of the room at the island at two in the morning just because neither could sleep. She’d miss the airiness of the house and the way the summer breeze kept the space cool on the hottest days. A smile crept across her lips. She’d miss their friendship and the sex the most. Damn, he satisfied her like no other. But she needed to move on if she wanted her own life. She blew out a long breath. Despite the long odds, she’d managed to score the job of the century as the personal photographer for acclaimed science fiction novelist Rusty Fontana and his wife, former movie actress Jojo Morris. Maybe immersing herself in her work would make the sting of leaving more bearable. Cade acted like nothing had changed. It’s time to move on. In a whisper, she spoke more to herself than anyone else. “Cade, I’m sorry I can’t be enough for you.” Why did the man seem to need multiple partners and oodles of sex? He claimed to love her and only her about three years ago. But then she’d caught him with the tramp. He claimed he never cheated, yet she wasn’t convinced. I can’t love a woman who doesn’t trust me. She swallowed past the lump in her throat. His words cut deep. “No more tears. I’ll give you your space.” No matter how much I still care. With a rueful sigh, she placed the pizza boxes side by side on the counter. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Cade’s wallet flopped open in its usual place by his keys. When she went to close it, pieces of paper and a photograph fluttered onto the countertop. She picked up the contents, but the image in the picture stopped her in her tracks—her in the nude. “My picture.”

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The edges of the photograph were fuzzy and bent. Creases marred the corners. She glanced around the room and strained to listen for Cade and Rhett. She stared at her sultry smile. He carried her picture all this time? On impulse, she flipped the picture over. The words, written in his stiff, linear scrawl read My Girl. Footsteps on the carpet signalled someone’s approach. Melanie slipped the image back into his wallet and shoved it by his keys. When Rhett appeared around the corner, his eyes lit up and a smile twitched on his lips. “Melanie, were you snooping?” She crinkled her nose. “Maybe, but not intentionally.” “That’s not what I saw, but I won’t tell.” He held up one finger and peeked into the stairwell. “Since I have you alone, I need to tell you something.” “I won’t sleep with you.” “Touché, and I didn’t ask for sex. But get serious with me for a sec.” “What?” “What if I told you Cade carries a picture—your picture with him everywhere?” With a hand over her mouth, she snorted. “I’d say you were lying or it’s because I’m his friend. Unless it’s the nudie one in his wallet, then I’d say it’s so he can jerk off.” Rhett drummed his thumbs on the countertop. “You’re probably right on all accounts, but what if I told you he loved you? Would you believe me?” “As much as I want to, I’m not sure.” Her heart thundered. Maybe she and Cade needed to have a talk, if she could get him alone in a room without her libido getting in the way. “He’s been so evasive. I don’t know what to think.” When Rhett opened his mouth, his phone rang in his pocket. His brows knotted together. “I just got home and turned this thing back on. Who the hell’s calling me?” He pressed buttons to answer the call. “It’s Anthony. I better take this.” He put his hand over the mouthpiece. “We’ll talk later. I have more to say.” Before she could reply, Rhett strolled from the room. As she opened the pizza boxes, her mind lingered on Rhett’s words. Cade loved her? It didn’t seem possible. He came on to Ginnifer, for crying out loud. Her gaze slipped to Cade’s wallet. Her picture went wherever he went. Based on the frayed edges, she’d bet he did look at it. But looking and gazing in awe were two totally different actions.

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Melanie tapped the side of the nearest pizza box and sighed. When Cade came down to eat, she’d ask him. Redirecting her attention to dinner, she grabbed three plates from the cupboard. “One with mushrooms and green peppers for Cade and one with anchovies and banana peppers for Rhett.” She crinkled her nose at the offensive scent. “Who eats fish on pizza?” Her mobile phone played a raging metal song, interrupting her gag fest and making her jump. She flicked open her cell without checking the caller ID “Hello?” “Hello, Melanie, this is Tanya Glanville. We spoke last week about the personal photographer position. There’s a small glitch.” Melanie clasped her hand over her mouth. Glitch? She braced herself for the bad news. “Hello? Honey, are you still there?” Fanning herself, she took a deep breath. “Sorry, I’m here. I didn’t expect your call. What’s up?” “Can you stop by tomorrow morning? I know it’s Friday night, but we need some publicity shots done for Rusty’s upcoming book jacket, as soon as possible. Plus, we’ll need new glossies for the dirt race team’s promotional fliers. Think you can handle it in such a short period of time?” Melanie gripped the phone with numb fingers. “Hell, yeah… I mean, yes, yes I can.” What a time to forget her professionalism! On her end of the line, Tanya chuckled. “Perfect. Russ and Jojo have faith in you. As I recall, your work trumps mine. My pictures always turn out blurry or have some beefcake stud in them instead of the intended subject.” Tanya laughed. “You’re officially part of the Rusty Fontana entourage for all formal appearances and gatherings. Do you have an apartment close by?” Melanie nodded like she was a bobble head. Realising her silliness, she caught herself. Tanya Glanville couldn’t see her! She needed to get her skittish nerves under control. “I have a rental house on the other side of Butler. I believe its five minutes east of their house.” “That sweet little ranch? I thought about nabbing it myself.” “Two bedrooms, so I’ll have room for my photography equipment.” “Perfect! See you tomorrow.”

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Melanie clicked the phone shut. Whoopee! The glitch meant she could get to work right away. No twiddling around until they needed her. She dropped the phone onto the table and danced around the kitchen. When she reached the far side, she whirled right into a solid wall—of Cade. “Hi,” he murmured. She looked up and fisted his shirt in her hands as his arms enfolded her. His dark eyes sparkled as a crooked grin tugged at his lips. What was running through his mind? The heat radiating from his body kicked her senses into hyper drive. The only thought she had was finding satisfaction with Cade. Liquid desire pooled between her legs. She shifted her hips. No, no. Restraint. If she practiced a little restraint, maybe the heat of the moment would pass. Not quite. He looked too damn enticing in casual clothes. Oh, hell, who cared about restraint? “Did I ever tell you how dead sexy you are?” As he raised his thick brows and smirked, he rubbed her back with long, languid strokes. The creases on his forehead melted away, making him look like the Cade she remembered. Could Rhett’s comment be true? A tiny part of her hoped so. She shoved the thought aside to insulate her feelings. “It’s been a while, Mel. Why?” His sexy rumble turned her insides out and spurred her on. She let go of his shirt and cupped his cheeks. “You are, and I want you—right now.” She pressed her open lips to his and moaned. Kissing Cade was almost better than sex. He knew how to tease and torment her with nothing more than his tongue. He tasted like sin and smelled divine, like an outdoorsman. A girl could get lost in that much testosterone, and Melanie never wanted to be found. How had she managed to stay friends-with-benefits with him for so long after the break up? Groaning, he wound his fingers in her hair. Her scalp tingled as he spoke against her lips. “You do know how to get a man’s attention.” She tugged him into the game room. Thoughts raced through her head. Her nipples brushed against his chest, sending streaks of electricity straight to her core. As she snicked the door shut with her hip, she rubbed her hands over his body, both to keep her desires in check and to entice him. Hard muscle and heat seared her fingers. Her

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body hummed with excitement only Cade could elicit. Maybe if she stuck to touching, she could keep her heart safe within her defences. His eyes darkened and a low whistle escaped his lips. He tugged her into his embrace as they toppled over the arm of the knobby brown couch. She ground her crotch against the steel in his pants and clutched his ass. “I want you.” God, it felt good to admit the truth. When he crushed his lips to her, he explored her mouth with his tongue. He slipped his right hand under her tank top and bra, pinching her taut nipple. Shimmers of lust and need raced through her veins. His normally hard expression softened and he smiled. “Baby, I want you too. I dreamt of you, but not like this.” Did he want more? Emboldened, she fumbled to remove his cock from his pants. “I need you in me.” “Wait.” He slid her silk panties to the side and stroked the slickness over her nether lips with his thick fingers, sending tremors through her body at warp speed. She whimpered. Had it been that long since she’d had sex? Yes, and he knew how to push all her buttons with the smallest touches. As she curled her body into him, she nibbled his scratchy jaw and throat. “Cade!” “So wet and so pretty, but I want to make this last. I want you so wet you’re begging for me.” He groaned and nipped her bottom lip between his teeth. He grasped her hip with his left hand. With the index finger of his right hand, he plundered her tight pussy in one long stroke. Melanie closed her eyes and moaned. “Oh, God!” Once he released her hip, Cade shoved her tank top up over her breasts and cupped the heated flesh as he thrust deeper into her. “Fuck yes, Melly. Come here. Let me taste you.” With another whimper, she edged up his chest. Cade hooked his thumb into the elastic of her panties. Cool air from the room mixed with the warmth of his breath tickled her throbbing lips. She squirmed, desperate to relieve the building ache. When he rubbed his nose over her bare mound, he growled. “Want. You.” Those two little words vibrated through her being. A cry, a cross between sweet agony and ecstasy ripped from her throat. Leaning back, she gave him ultimate access to her body. At the same time, she angled around and smoothed her hand over the tent in his jogging

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pants. His hips lurched and another groan rumbled over her pussy. She threw her head back and shivered. As his tongue danced over her clit, his finger, first one then two, pumped in and out of her. She gasped when his other hand, slickened with her juices, cupped her breast. His movements moved to just the right tempo in order to keep her on edge without finding release. “Cade! Let me come, Cade.” She teetered on the edge of control. Grinding her hips, she increased their pace. Cade shifted his attention between her breasts, pinching and plucking both nipples until she screamed again. At the same time, he eased a third finger into her soaked channel and pistoned with renewed vigour. Withdrawing, he used both slick fingers to caress the tiny pucker of her ass, sinking in one knuckle at a time. Her body trembled with pent-up passion and love for him. His teeth rasped against her clit, increasing the sweet pleasure-filled pain. In a vain attempt to hold on, she dug her nails into the back of the couch. She should stop. They should stop. Still, she grasped his cock through the slippery fabric. He grunted and bucked his hips in time with her actions. Unable to hold back, she closed her eyes with the oncoming orgasm. Why in hell did she want to walk away from this? A girl could get lost in his control. Sex on the couch hadn’t been this explosive before. Once she released her grip on the cushion, she forked her fingers into his hair, holding him in place. Wave upon wave of euphoria washed over her. Slumping, she felt weightless in his grasp. “Melanie,” he murmured, “sweet, sweet, Melanie.” While she smoothed her bra and tank top over her sensitive breasts, she eased off Cade. He tangled his fingers with hers before she could slip away. “Come here. Let me hold you.” Although her brain screamed go, she settled in his arms. Her scent, mixed with his, permeated the room. She sighed and buried her face against his neck. The door opened with a creak and interrupted the cuddle session. Rhett peeked around the wooden barrier. “You two make it hard to hold back. But there wasn’t room to join in.” Rhett shifted his low-slung jeans shorts. “I heard you clear upstairs.” “Don’t you know how to knock?” Cade groaned.

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With a snort, Rhett shoved the door the rest of the way open. “I did, but you didn’t hear me over your screams.” He folded his arms. “I’m going to eat. But since you had Melanie for dinner, I assume you’ll join me in a moment.” Laughing, he strolled away. Melanie propped her chin on her folded hands and gazed into Cade’s eyes. Unlike before when she could read him like a book, this time she wasn’t sure what he thought. She nibbled her bottom lip as she debated what to say. “I guess that’s our cue to quit.” As he glanced towards the door, Cade sighed. “Yep. We’re through.” She swallowed past the lump in her throat and stood. His words, though meant to be flippant, cut down deep to her soul. He probably thought she still only wanted him for sex. He probably thought she didn’t care. Words teetered on the tip of her tongue. Instead, she watched him inch past her. Why’d she ignore the chance to talk to him? Her hormones got the better of her—again. Pressing her knuckles against her lips, she bit back a cry. No, his love for her was dead just as he said three years prior. Move on. Squaring her shoulders, she followed him out to the kitchen and on with her life.

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Chapter Five

When Melanie strode into the game room after dinner, Cade elbowed Rhett and passed his car on the video game. “Told you I’d kick your ass on this game. I’m the racing king, man!” For two grown men who dealt with multi-million dollar aircraft, destruction and death on a daily basis, they could be rather goofy. Her heart clenched. The scent of pizza and beer hung heavy in the air. The unique scent of sex remained in her mind. With Rhett’s interruption, he knew what had taken place an hour before and more than likely he wanted to join in. He’d have to keep wishing. Once Melanie slipped around Rhett, she plopped down between the two players. With each accidental bump of Cade’s shoulder and nudge of his elbow, more emotion flooded through her veins. His laughter rang in her ears and reminded her of the magical times they’d shared together. When they had decided to remain fuck friends afterwards, the charm faded a bit, but had never been extinguished. She swallowed past the lump in her throat. Just sitting next to him made her knees weak and sent heat to her pussy. She shifted to ease the ache. God, she wanted to hold him one more time. As he leant sideways along with the car as it went through the turn on the screen, his shoulder brushed hers. His scent imprinted itself on her mind. The sexual chemistry might not be gone, but she needed the break. When the race ended, Rhett tossed his controller onto the coffee table. “You win, Cade. You beat my ass off.” He dug his elbow into Melanie’s side. “Well, you got us both here. So what’s this news? I hate suspense, so give it to me straight.” Melanie clasped Rhett’s right knee and Cade’s left and gave them a squeeze. “Remember how I worked for Mr. Gross and did high school portraits for the kids around town? Well, I got tired of being an assistant, so I decided to make it into my career and sent out some resumes.” Both men nodded.

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She whipped around to sit on the coffee table and twined her fingers together. “I got a new job!” Exchanging a confused glance, Cade and Rhett applauded. Practically bouncing out of her seat, she held up her index finger. “But that’s not all. Do you remember The Butler Mudslingers race team over at the dirt track? One Jojo Morris does their publicity, sponsorship and happens to own the team. Based on my portfolio, she asked me to be the team’s personal photographer! I’m also working as the personal photographer to sci-fi author Rusty Fontana. I’m on-call, but the pay is phenomenal.” She clasped her hands together. “I wanted to tell you before, but I didn’t want to jinx myself.” Once he scooted forward in his seat, Rhett wrapped her in a tight embrace. “Congrats, Mel.” She glanced over his shoulder to Cade, who folded his arms. A grimace flickered across his lips. “Very good.” Melanie edged out of Rhett’s bear hug and walked her fingers across Cade’s knee, punctuating her words with each light touch. “But there’s still more.” With a snort, Cade rolled his eyes. “You sound like an infomercial.” Although his comment sliced her ego, Melanie continued, “Since they’ll need me at their disposal, and since you’re home for a while and don’t need me to keep the house in order, I got a rental house out on Harwick Road. Before you can stop me, all my stuff’s there. I paid the deposit.” Rhett’s thick hand cupped her chin. “But…” “Nope.” Her confidence soared. “You can’t talk me out of it. It’s a done deal.” After tapping her nose with his index finger, Rhett cocked his brow and leant forward. “What do you think Cade? Is our girl ready to go off on her own?” Staring in the direction of the television, Cade spoke. “I want you to do what makes you happy.” As she stood, she forced a brave face. The tremor in his voice melted her defences. “What I have to do is find my own place in the world. I need trust and to prove I’m my own person.” “You can do anything you set your mind to, Mels.” Cade’s words came out ragged. “I need you.”

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“Cade, you don’t need me for anything other than sex. Never have.” She swallowed past the lump forming in her throat. All the courage she shored up before melted away. “It’s tiring knowing we can’t seem to work out the kinks in our relationship no matter how hard we try.” The muscles in Cade’s jaw bunched. “Please tell me you don’t mean it.” “I’m afraid I do. You don’t trust me. If you did, you’d have asked me if I wanted to have a threesome. You don’t know what I might have said or what my answer might have been. I’m open to trying new things, but you never want to talk—just fuck.” Tears threatened at the corners of her eyes. “Look, I gotta go. I have to work tomorrow.” When she edged around the couch, Cade and Rhett followed her lead and dogged her to the doorway. Before she could leave the room, both men wrapped their arms around her in a bear hug. The simple gesture opened the floodgates to her emotions—heartache, withering love, respect and fear. As tears streamed down her cheeks, her voice trembled. “You guys are one of a kind, you know that? And I love you both.” As Rhett released her from his grasp, Cade let go and retreated back into the game room. Her heart sank to her toes. Why did leaving seem to hurt so badly? Because she finally got Cade to show emotion and it was to say goodbye. While he cleared his throat, Rhett yanked the game room door shut. “He’s angry.” Melanie nodded. “Pissed.” Rhett shoved his hands into his jeans pockets. “Think he’ll get over his attitude and comes to his senses?” She sighed. “Never.” Only with Rhett could she have a successful short answer conversation. “I agree, but I don’t know why you’re walking away.” Rhett leaned a shoulder on the chipped white moulding. “Are you going to tell him goodbye in private?” And have Cade rip her heart out because he saw her as nothing more than a willing partner? Still, he deserved a private moment of closure. “I have to.” Rhett yanked her into another hug and caressed her hair. “Then I wish you luck.” As he disappeared up the steps, Melanie gulped air to fortify her frazzled nerves. “Here goes nothing.”

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Leaving? Leaving! She couldn’t walk away. Cade clenched his fists. He hadn’t told her how he felt. Not yet anyway. And why did she want to move on? He knew why. She thought he wanted her for sex, not love. She’d read the letters he’d written months earlier and heard the stories from Rhett. The moment he’d walked into the terminal, she saw firsthand the changes in him and couldn’t deal with a crippled man. He paced the room, kicking the controller out from under his feet. Why didn’t he admit his feelings? Who the fuck knew! A knock at the door halted his tirade. “Cade?” Ripples of anguish ran up his spine. Only an hour or so ago, she allowed him into her most private space and now, she wanted out. He forced his mouth to move. “Melly.” She crept into the room and perched on the arm of the chair. “So this is goodbye for now. I’m not leaving the country or anything.” “Please reconsider.” If he could shut up, then the words wouldn’t come and tear her to bits. “I can’t.” His shoulders stooped. “Then it’s goodbye forever.” Her brown eyes shone with tears. “No. It’s…” “I put everything on the line and you throw it back in my face like it’s a joke,” he murmured and wished he could take back the torrent of hurtful words. “Wait.” He pushed past his pain in an attempt to calm down. “Melanie, I’m not sure what to say.” Fear gripped him in an icy fist. The last time he’d formed an attachment to her, she’d left him. Dear God, he wanted to let her in, to let her help him understand the holes in his soul, but he had no idea how. How was he supposed to tell her he’d seen hell and couldn’t deal with it? She deserved more than a man who jumped at every loud noise and preferred silence to laughter. Heaven knew he wanted to believe her—to wrap his arms around her and make both their hurts go away. Dammit, if he didn’t know how to let her in. He rubbed his temple as he thought about the past. He cared about his fellow Airmen, and he couldn’t protect them. But how could he be certain she wouldn’t tear his heart to shreds when she found out his truths? “What do you mean, ‘put everything on the line’?” Melanie stood and edged to the door. “I can’t accept what we did anymore—I need to know you want me, not just my body.” “I wish you’d stay.” I love you.

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“Convince me.” He opened his mouth, but no words came. The anguish in his heart blotted out anything he needed to say. Tears slipped from her eyes and left tiny dots of colour on her blouse. With shaky hands, she grabbed the doorknob. “Goodbye, Cade.” Before he could hide his depression and replace it with the blank façade he preferred, she fled the room. “Dammit!” When the back door slammed, he hung his head. Talk about fucking up. When had he switched from telling her he loved her to ‘get the fuck out’? About the same time he forgot his heart and let the darkness take over. “Bastard.” Without looking up, he nodded. Rhett’s voice, though telling the truth, still grated on his nerves. “Go to hell, Rhett. I don’t need your attitude right now.” He didn’t want the pity party either. “Fuck you. I’m going to my room, unless you want to kick me out, too.” Lacing his fingers behind his head, Cade turned to stare at his best friend. “What?” Rhett clenched his fists and puffed out his chest. “You shoved the best thing that ever happened to you out the door.” In a deliberately slow motion, he kneaded his fist onto his thigh. “She cares about you, dammit, but she’s got dignity.” Cade pounded his balled up hand into the wall, fed up with everyone laying blame in his direction. “It’s not that easy for me to trust her when I don’t trust myself. I won’t bring her into my nightmare.” Rhett surged across the room and stood mere inches from Cade’s face. “You don’t get it, do you?” Irritation deeper than Cade understood surged through his veins. He stepped back and glared. “Apparently not.” There wasn’t anything to get. Despite her words, Melanie didn’t love him anymore. As Rhett shrank away, he shook his head. “Have a fucking great time with Ginn, but don’t come crying to me when she dumps your ass. She’ll treat you like shit again and you’ll come back for seconds.” “Fuck you.”

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“No. Stop letting all the shit from Afghanistan fuck with you. You don’t need a fuck friend. You need someone who loves you.” Rhett pressed both fists into his forehead and growled. “But what do I care? I don’t have to live with you.” As Rhett left the room, Cade hurled a bottle of beer at the wall. Amber liquid stained the ivory wall and glass scattered on the floor. The perfect opportunity to talk to Melanie had stared him right in the face and he’d blown it because of his anger. Well, hell.

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Chapter Six

An hour later, Cade walked into the kitchen. With a mirthless chuckle, he flattened the empty pizza box and shivered. When Melanie used to sit on the counter and make fun of his cooking, the room seemed homey and warm. The chill of her absence settled deep in his bones. He ran his hand over the note with Melanie’s new phone number. His fingers itched to grab the phone. He longed to beg for her forgiveness. The words he’d planned to say before she left rushed into his brain. I love you. Cade grabbed his cell, but when Rhett shuffled into the room, he closed the device and shoved it into his pants pocket. “Hungry already?” “A snack would do my body good.” Rhett rifled through the cupboard and shut it before heading to the pantry door. Sighing, he closed it. “I know we’ve been gone for a while and all, but you really need to stock up, man.” “I asked Mel to shop for me. If there’s no food, then blame her.” Cade chuckled and raked his fingers through his hair, feeling anything but joy. “If anything else went to shit, then blame me.” Crossing the room, Rhett grabbed a beer from the refrigerator. “Blame… You’d say something so stupid. Mel doesn’t deserve the guilt here.” He took a swig from the bottle and smacked his lips. “She wants you to tell her what your problem is! She wants to be with you, asshole! Talk to her. ” “What do you know?” Cade narrowed his eyes. “You’re talking in circles. She doesn’t need me.” And he didn’t need to argue with Rhett, yet he couldn’t seem to stop. “Oh, please.” “Do you love her, Rhett?” Please, God, no. “Get your head out of your ass for once.” With a thunk, Rhett smacked his bottle onto the wooden kitchen table. His tawny brows pinched as the corners of his mouth lifted. “I know you hate Hallmark moments, but I think it’s time you and I had a long talk.” The doorbell rang, interrupting any further discussion.

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“I’ll get it, but we aren’t through here, numb nuts.” Rhett headed to the front door and growled. “Correction—we’re through for now. It’s her.” Cade raced into the living room. “Melanie?” His shoulders sank. Ginnifer stood on the other side of the screen door. Not the woman he wanted. “Hi Ginny.” Ginnifer toyed with the strap of her pale pink sundress. The flimsy material slipped down her shoulder, revealing too much of the top of one creamy breast. The v-neck dipped well past her cleavage to her stomach. Three slim rows of amethyst beads kept her modesty under wraps. She chewed the corner of her mouth and cocked her head. “Can I come in?” With a snort, Rhett eyeballed Cade. “Since I’m not wanted here, I thought I’d shower or something.” Sighing, Cade nodded. “We can talk on the porch and give him some privacy.” She twisted a lock of hair around her fingers. “We could join him since I missed out.” One thin brow arched and her emerald eyes sparkled as she winked. “I hear you two are superb lovers.” Blowing out a laboured breath, Cade gripped the door handle. “Not that you’d know, but we gave that up over three years ago. Since Mel I don’t need more than one woman at a time.” Holding the screen door wide, he stepped onto the porch. “So, what brings you by?” As he asked the question, Ginnifer threw herself into his arms. “I came here for you. You said we were through. But what we had is too strong to ignore.” She nibbled his jaw and her nails scratched the skin on his back. The scent of her perfume, something expensive if he remembered correctly, churned his stomach. “Ginny, we dated three times and never had sex. I haven’t a fucking clue who told you I’m a good lover.” Cade disengaged her from his body and stepped out of her grasp. With a shrug, she inched forward and walked her crimson tipped fingers up his arm. “I never found out because Melanie still lived here. Rumour has it she’s gone, so I’m coming back to claim what’s mine. You complemented me more than any man.” “I’ve never been yours.” He put up both hands to block her advance. “And how did you find out Melanie’s gone?” Crossing her arms, she bunched her breasts. “Her car isn’t here, so it’s safe to assume she’s not here either.”

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Ginn had too much time on her hands. “She’s got a truck and unless you’re spying on her, she could’ve made a run to the store.” Did he have to split hairs with her? I don’t need this right now. Gritting his teeth, the answer became clear. He belonged to Melanie even if he wasn’t ready to accept the truth. “Look, I’m sorry to let you down.” Crocodile tears formed at the corners of her eyes. Her chin quivered. “But you said you liked me.” Lowering his head, he sighed and wrapped an arm around her in an awkward hug. “Honey, don’t cry.” He hated tears. With a small hiccup, she stared at him. She wiped the moisture from her cheeks. “I don’t understand.” Although his brain hurt and the start of a migraine pounded behind his eyes, he couldn’t bring himself to be rude. “Ginny, you’re a nice girl and a fun date, but you’re not the woman in my heart. I made mistakes over the last three years and I need to rectify them. I’m sorry if you misunderstood. I’d like to be friends—just friends.” The corner of her mouth curled a bit. Her chest heaved, drawing his attention to her breasts. Although he tried to look away, his gaze remained glued to her cleavage. Tipping her finger under his chin, she redirected his attention. “I can handle friends, but I’m not willing to give up.” Her eyes glittered. “I know what you want. It’s a matter of time before you realise it and I can wait.” Her smile unnerved him. What was she going to wait for? “Ginn. I’m not the kind of guy a woman waits for.” Not you anyway. Ginnifer smoothed her hands on either side of his face then her nails through his hair. When she planted a kiss on his lips, he gasped—but not out of desire. Mashing her body close to his, she ground her pussy into his thigh. “See? You know what you want.” With a wink, she released him and stepped back. “I’ll leave you alone for now to make up your mind. I love you, Cade.” Clearing his throat to hide the wince, he nodded. “Bye, Ginn.” What the hell just happened? One minute she cried and he consoled her and the next minute, she’s dry humping him? He watched her car retreat down the empty street. Why did it feel like his problems, simple only a few moments ago, were now out of control? Because

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he didn’t want to hurt anyone. Cade scratched the patch of five o’clock shadow on his chin. How the hell did Ginn know she loved him? She hardly knew him. Half an hour later, Cade punched the vinyl sparring bag screwed onto the thickest branch of the oak tree in the backyard. A picture of Melanie flashed through his mind; the one where she grinned with the come home soon banner. Sheer frustration flowed through his body. He connected with the bag until his sore knuckles bled. He swore until his throat hurt. Anything to unwind the tension coiling in his gut. The spicy smell of grilling meat and barbeque sauce swirled in the air from the neighbour’s patio. Sweat beaded on his bare torso and dampened his jogging pants, not that he felt the clammy fabric constricting around his body. Heat never bothered him before, but memories did. In a desperate attempt to vent his frustration, he lashed out against the tough vinyl. He had Melanie on the brain. The faint scent of her vanilla body wash skated across his senses. One word played over and over in his mind. Why? Hell. He knew why. He’d abused her trust and stomped on her dignity with cleats. She wasn’t just a good time in the sack. She cared about him—each time she stuck around to listen when he needed a friend. Then there was the time she made the photo collage before he left for Iraq. Hell, she came to get him when he flew home. She should’ve moved on with her life and he thanked God she gave a damn about his bruised soul. More images of Melanie rushed into his head. Each one taunted him more than the last. No matter where he looked, reminders of her came to mind. He had her name tattooed on his heart, for Christ’s sake. So why hit the bag? To reduce his anger? To get rid of stress? To punish himself for letting her go. So why not tell her he cared? The words in his heart stayed locked away when he needed them the most. Turning his back on the house, he punched the bag once again. When he stepped back, he noticed his best friend crossing the yard. Rhett plopped a beer on the picnic table and nodded to the west. “Sun’s going down and the ‘skeeters are out.” Rhett flipped through the pictures in Cade’s wallet to one of the snapshots. “I know you don’t want me nosing through your things, but I saw this on the counter. I always did like this shot of Mel.”

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“Me, too,” Cade replied. “She looks good with her hair down.” Something thumped him hard on the back, knocking him down. He hadn’t seen the bag ricochet from his last punch. “Dammit.” He groaned and stood. Tossing the wallet down, Rhett chuckled. “Better keep your eye on the bag. She’s a killer.” Cade glared. “Shut up or I’ll flatten you like I did the last time you tried to step in on my girl. And, no, I don’t like you looking through my stuff.” “Blow hard.” Rhett snorted. He spread his knees and leant back on his palms. “You never had a girl I didn’t want.” As he rolled his shoulders to relieve the stress, Cade found no solace. He didn’t need to be so hard on Rhett, but he couldn’t find it in his heart to ease up either. Not when most girls flocked to Rhett and his pretty boys looks. Cade cracked his neck. He didn’t feel like talking, but he wanted the truth. “What’s eating your ass so bad that you have to come clean about it? We’ve got all the time in the world to talk.” “Remember the Johnson’s big farewell picnic in Texas three years ago?” Sweet memories of Melanie’s smile and glee rushed into Cade’s mind. “Yeah, I got my transfer to Ohio and I told Melanie we’d buy a house and get married in the fall.” She shrieked and told everyone to come to the wedding. Rhett chuckled and rubbed his chin. “It was the night you asked her to move in to keep the property occupied, so to speak.” While he yanked off his gloves, Cade nodded again. “I wanted her to stay with me. She brought that stupid pink teddy bear for protection. That night we had the fight that tore our relationship apart. She thought I cheated. No clue how she came to that conclusion.” He chuckled without humour and stared at the hard packed dirt under his untied sneakers. It reminded him of the endless miles of cracked sand in Afghanistan. Thinking about the war made his stomach churn. Then again, the situation with Melanie wasn’t much easier to take. He knew exactly why she’d walked away just a few hours before. He wasn’t the man she needed for the rest of her life. “I remember like it was yesterday.”

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Cade looked up. His eyes burned with sweat and unshed tears. Three years of repressed anger and hurt rushed back in a tidal wave. He coughed to clear his throat. “You know something I don’t?” As Rhett hunched forward, he rested his elbows on his knees. “Mels suspected you and I had a threesome because she saw you go to my room with Anna Metzger. I never ‘fessed up and told her you left before anything happened.” Cade’s heart plummeted to his toes. “So that’s why she thought I cheated on her with Anna! Melanie said she wasn’t woman enough for me and withdrew all emotion from the relationship.” Rage and emotions he couldn’t name roiled through him. “Why didn’t you tell her I went in there to unclog your fucking toilet? Your omission ruined my life and probably hers, too. Bastard! Everything makes sense.” As his eyes narrowed to slits, Rhett shouted, “I really liked Anna, but she only had eyes for you, asshole. When you showed up, she thought she could convince you to unload Melanie. When you left to be with Mel, Anna walked out and it pissed me off so I kept my mouth shut. Anna thought we were going to have a threesome with her.” He stopped and took a breath. “Despite my lies, I think Melanie still loves you. Have you tried to talk to her about what we did?” Cade growled. Betrayed by his best friend. I think Melanie still loves you. He scrubbed his hands over his head and shook. How could he be so blind? Rhett plopped down onto the picnic table bench. “I don’t want to see you throw your life away because of a moment you had no control over, Cade. You need to talk to her and sort this shit out.” Clenching his fists, Cade released the fury boiling in his system. “Talk to her? And tell her what? I saw hell up close and I’m not the man she remembers? I use sex to hide from real emotion? She’ll walk away in a heartbeat—again.” His stomach churned. A lump of rage, disgust and regret formed low in his gut. “Have you lost your fucking mind?” Rhett gnashed his teeth. “I thought you were my friend. What kind of ass are you?” “A gigantic ass, but now I’m trying to make this right.” As he jumped from his perch on the bench, Rhett growled.

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“You acted immature, you dumb fuck.” Cade snarled and pounded the bag again. And Mel paid the price. “I oughta break your legs.” As he rubbed his forehead with the pads of his fingers, Rhett sat back down on the picnic table. “How about going after your girl, first? Tell her how you fucking feel.” “What am I supposed to do when she leaves me because she learned the truth?” “Give her the benefit of the doubt.” Rhett slapped Cade on the shoulder. “I believe you and Mels had better have a talk.” “And what do I tell her?” “Whatever is in of your heart before it’s too late and you can’t.”

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Chapter Seven

After a shower and a silent stroll through the darkened house the next evening, Cade stopped outside Melanie’s former bedroom. The faintest hint of her perfume lingered and he closed his eyes to soak up the moment. Why push her away? Why not say the words he yearned to tell her? Because he didn’t want her to walk away. And yet, she had. Opening his eyes, he drew a deep breath. Cade ambled down the stairs to the basement and towards Melanie’s dark room. Apparently she wasn’t coming by to retrieve the contents until later or until she found some muscle to help her move the equipment. Maybe some of her pictures still adorned the walls. Even the smell of her photographic chemicals would offer him comfort right now. Once he opened the door, he yanked the cord and sent dim red light splashing across the room. He blinked a few times to let his eyes adjust to the low light. The scent of her chemicals wasn’t prevalent. The tubs looked clean, so she probably hadn’t worked in a while. The images on the walls—kids on sleds, snow on the park benches, birds, dancers— knocked him for a loop. She’d begun taking pictures to occupy her time when he left for his various deployments and had developed into a high-quality photographer. He shuffled across the room, careful not to bump anything, and touched the first photograph pinned into the corkboard—Melanie holding the remote for her camera and staring at something off in the distance. The wind caught her sheer blouse and moulded it across her breasts. Turgid nipples beckoned for his touch. A Mona Lisa smile tugged the corners of her mouth. The slight furrow of her brows and the despondent expression in her eyes gave her emotions away. Did he cause that the sadness? A red X covered the print. Why didn’t she like it? She looked gorgeous and sensual. From the next image, Rhett smiled like a loon. Typical. Rhett couldn’t stand in front of a camera without making some stupid face or meaningless gesture. Cade shook his head and moved to the next print. “Melanie, I forgot how talented you are.” He considered the lighthouse print with yellows and reds painted into the background of the stark image. “You make everything look

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beautiful and come down too hard on yourself.” Cade sighed and turned to leave. Being in her inner sanctum only deepened his sadness. “You let me take advantage of you sexually, but dammit, you were there. You’ve always been there.” No more kidding around and no more stalling. He needed to talk to her. Climbing into his battered truck, Cade headed across town to Melanie’s new house. At the city limit sign, flashing lights flickered behind him. Two fire trucks rushed past his truck. He pulled off onto the gravel to allow the sheriff’s car and the ambulance wide berth. He shivered. The sirens reminded him of the warning alarms on the base. He scanned the landscape for smoke and fought the coil of tension in his belly. As he manoeuvred back onto the road, he hoped the person needing the rescue was okay. Cornstalks rushed past him in a hunter green blur. The farms dotting the area barely registered in his field of vision. Cade gripped the steering wheel, nails digging into the faux leather cover. A bead of sweat trickled down the side of his face as he made the hard right onto Harwick Road. He knew exactly where her rental house was—fifth building on the left. Cade hit the brakes and screeched to a stop, rocks from his skid crashed against the other vehicles with thumps and clunks he heard over the crowd. What the fuck? Where’s Melanie? He searched the small crowd. Three or four older people stood thirty feet away watching the flames, but no one looked remotely like Melanie. The smell of sulphur and gasoline permeated the air. “Where is she? Oh, God. Melanie!” Instead of the tiny yellow ranch house, all he saw was black smoke blotting out the moon. Flames licked the roof of the porch and shot out of the windows, sending shattered glass crashing to the ground and bathing the fire fighters in the lethal shards. Exposed beams burned in the shape of a sinister grid where the shingles used to be. The birdbath and naked angel on either side of the stone walkway lay in pieces. The chunks of the former statuary scattered throughout the trampled flowerbeds. Cade felt paralysed. He wanted to jump in and save her, but his legs seemed frozen. His heart beat a frantic tattoo in his tight chest. When had the air gotten so blasted thin? The faces of Tyler, Roy, and the other men in the convoy flashed across his mind. Back then, he’d let them perish because he couldn’t get to them. He refused to risk Melanie this way, but dammit, he couldn’t move.

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I can’t be a coward for her. I need to save her. The rational part of his brain took over, stopping him from doing something rash. No, saving her meant letting the professionals do their jobs. The blinding lights of the patrol cars made it hard to concentrate. The blaring sirens turned to white noise in his ears. The whisper of fingers clutching his sleeve tickled his arm. Cade turned. An older woman with an unnatural shade of auburn hair swiped her eyes with the back of her hand as she wept. Her makeup resembled that of a circus clown with pencilled-in brows and baby blue eye shadow. She dabbed her crimson lips with a crinkled tissue and pointed towards the wreckage. “The fire fighters will get her out. Have faith.” Remnants of the lace curtains flapped through broken picture window. The melted vinyl siding sagged in spots, giving the house the appearance of a frown. The floral wreath on the front porch smouldered and dripped pieces of vine onto the concrete. Moments later, one of the fire fighters scrambled out of the destroyed building with Melanie in his arms. Her hair fell in tangles around her pale face. Dirt marred her bare legs. Deep purple bruises and red blisters marked her arm. An EMT with a blue baseball cap emblazoned with the words ‘Life Squad’ lifted Melanie’s limp body onto a crisp, white stretcher. Cade grabbed Paulo by the collar and his belligerence set in. “I want to go with her. I have the right. You know me, Leighton.” The paramedic shrugged him off and adjusted his navy work shirt. “Next of kin or her husband, Cade. You know I can’t make exceptions to hospital policy. I’m sorry, but you should’ve married her.” She should’ve been his wife—not on the verge of death. Clenching his fists, Cade shook his head sharply and strode to his truck. “I’ll follow her to the hospital. She won’t want to be alone. I won’t let her be alone.” He blinked back the sting in his eyes. Tears or smoke damage… Maybe heat damage from being too close to the blaze, he wasn’t sure. At this point, nothing made sense. All her developing chemicals remained in his basement. Had she tried to set up another dark room? No, she knew the capacities of the chemicals and treated each with care. Driving like a madman, Cade rushed to the hospital, fearful that if he left her alone, he’d lose her without the chance to explain his true feelings.

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In the hospital lobby, Cade began to pace. With nothing else to do but wait, thoughts whirled through his mind. How could he let her walk out the door and out of his life? How could he have her so close yet so far away? He squirmed in the sweat tightened T-shirt. Why didn’t he admit he loved her sooner? He spun around to make another pass and bumped into someone. “Sorry.” “Cade, it’s me. Can we talk?” Deputy Hayden Marcum patted Cade’s shoulder. “How’s she holding up?” Cade glared and cracked his neck. He couldn’t suppress his frustration, even to a good friend. “I told her to be careful with those damned chemicals. The acid she uses probably caused this.” Hayden shook his head. He rubbed the thick outcropping of hair on his chin with the pads of his callused fingers. “I have my doubts. Fire Chief McLane didn’t see any evidence of photographic chemicals. Could be plenty of scenarios. Look, we need to talk.” “About what?” “Have there been any threats since you returned?” Hunching over, Cade leaned on the row of black plastic seats. “No threats that I know of.” Hayden flipped open a pocket-sized notebook and scribbled some notes. “None of the other houses went up and the scene reeked of gasoline. Lane thinks it was arson and has his team sifting through the wreckage as we speak.” Cade shot death glares at the nurses’ station. Maybe if he looked down the corridor, he’d get an idea of Melanie’s condition. He returned his attention to Hayden and nodded. Wait? Did he just say arson? Blood pounded in his ears, drowning out the conversation and mechanical noises around him. “What do you mean ‘arson’? I figured Melanie dropped some of her chemicals while developing film and that’s what started the blaze. I know she’s careful, but accidents happen. When she’s in the zone, she forgets.” Hayden shifted his feet. “You know her better than anyone.” Cade made up his mind with the last revelation. If someone wanted to bother her, he’d take care of it. From now on, Melanie wouldn’t be alone. He’d make sure of it. Never alone.

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**** Melanie opened her eyes and rolled her tongue around her dry mouth. Did she eat a wad of cotton? Bile rose in her throat. She covered her mouth and studied the lime green walls. Blisters and redness decorated the top of her right hand. She stared a moment. What the hell happened? How did she get to the hospital? Wasn’t she just working on her laptop? Where was her laptop? The beeping from one of the various monitors sounded like a bass drum thumping on her brain. “Well, hello. You finally came around.” She turned her attention to the sugary sweet voice and ran a shaky hand through her hair. Her joints ached. She flexed her jaw and rolled her shoulders. “How long was I out?” The perky raven-haired nurse, whose badge declared her name was Claire, marked something on a clipboard. “Only about twenty minutes.” She adjusted one of the monitors. “But since you’re awake, would you like a visitor? He’s worn a hole in the floor of the waiting room.” The pain in her head didn’t dissipate, but her spirit buoyed. “Cade?” “Your one and only. Dr. Adams gave him clearance to visit for a bit.” “Please?” “I’ll corner him, but why don’t we talk a moment.” She sat on the edge of the bed. “Do you remember what happened?” “I have no idea.” “There was a fire. You fell and suffered some smoke inhalation.” Claire patted the sheet. “You have a few first degree burns on your hands, but nothing serious. You’ll be good as new before you know it.” Before Melanie fully processed the information, Claire stood and left the room. Thank God. She took a deep breath and winced. Her lungs and throat hurt like hell. She brushed away a lock of hair. Well crud. The top of her left hand looked like she brushed against hot metal. She didn’t remember cooking or being in the kitchen. Had she left the stove or her curling iron on? “Did it work?” Ginnifer strolled into the room and crossed her arms. “Drama queen.”

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Stunned, Melanie stared at the woman at the end of her bed. “Ginnifer. How’d you get in here?” “You lit yourself on fire in order to win Cade back, didn’t you?” Ginnifer crossed her arms. Venom surged in her eyes. Melanie cocked her head. Fire? “I was in the middle of a photography layout and apparently melted my laptop. My boss won’t be thrilled, I could’ve lost my job, and you think I set myself ablaze? Have you dropped your marbles?” Ginnifer swooped to the side of the bed. Her blond curls fluttered about her face as she stuck her index finger in Melanie’s face. Her lips formed a tight, white line. Crow’s feet crinkled around her eyes, aging her beyond her twenty-four years. “Cade and I belong together. You had your chance and you walked away because you couldn’t trust him. Back off before I have to get serious. And I will get serious.” With a frustrated frown, Melanie shook her head. “You are kidding.” Ginnifer snorted. “Wanna bet, bitch? When he sees what a desperate and useless person you are, he’ll run the other way.” She threw her purse strap onto her shoulder and stomped out of the hospital room. Melanie stared at the stitching on the crisp white sheet. What just happened? How would Cade find her worthless? Nothing made sense. Yes, she and Ginnifer would never be friends, but she couldn’t remember any reasons why Ginn would hate her. She swallowed past the lump in her throat. They wanted the same man. Still, the rage was a bit much. The clomp of heavy boots on linoleum brought her from her stupor. “Remember she’s fragile, Cade,” Claire shouted from the hallway. The noise stopped as Cade rounded the corner. A look of relief and concern washed over him, softening the creases on his face. “Melanie.” Claire appeared in the doorway and tapped her foot. “You have an hour. I’ll send Vicky down to escort you out if you overstay the welcome.” Sneering, he threw a one-fingered salute towards the door. Melanie felt a smile tug the corners of her mouth. She loved Cade, even his belligerence, but the words stayed rooted on the tip of her tongue. So why couldn’t she tell him how she felt? Because concern wasn’t the same as devotion and desire.

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He turned to her and crossed the room in two long strides, but stopped short of the bed. “Melly, baby, what happened?” “Which day?” She held open her hand. When he stood rooted to the spot, her brows knotted together and her shoulders sagged. She probably looked as bad as she felt and it made her heart drop to the pit of her stomach. He wouldn’t find her attractive in such a broken down state. She berated herself for even thinking he still wanted her. Although she wanted to crawl inside his safe warmth, they needed to talk first. When he grabbed a chair and he scooted next to her bedside, her heart flip-flopped. His large hand swallowed her tiny uninjured hand. The touch sent pinpricks of excitement through her system. Oh, now this wasn’t fair. He was the only man who made her feel desirable. He held her heart, but he didn’t love her. Why was life so cruel some times? He rubbed the top of her right hand with his thumb. “I want to know what happened to us, but first, I need to know what happened to cause the fire. Were you setting up a new dark room?” She shook her head. Did he just say ‘us’? Why was there a catch in his voice? Her tongue felt sixteen sizes too big as she tried to speak. “I sat at the table, working on a retouch job for Gerilyn MacDonald on my laptop. I heard glass break, so I got up to see what it was. But instead of a finding a broken window, a rush of heat knocked me down. Was that the fire?” Was it her imagination, the drugs, or did his eyes shimmer with unshed tears? Could she be getting past his barriers? He pressed her hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. “It’s the middle of August, everything’s hot. Try to remember. Did you have the air conditioning on?” She toyed with the hem of the sheet and tried to focus. “Are you playing amateur cop? Or are you doing this for me?” “Only for you, Melanie.” Her heart leapt. Progress. She could handle his answer. His interest was better than outright dismissal. “I had the windows open to let the breeze in because it was such a beautiful day, but I distinctly remember stepping on the glass.” Her gaze met his. Her chin quivered and emotions she couldn’t control spilled forth. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath to quell the overwhelming fear. “Cade, I’m scared.”

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He squeezed her hand and kissed her knuckles once more. A smile curled the corners of his mouth. He rubbed her knuckles against his cheek. “No one’s gonna hurt you.” Tears pricked her eyes. “Thank you.” But I want you to love me…

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Chapter Eight

Cade covered her lips with his in a scorching kiss; a soul kiss. Basking in his nearness, Melanie gasped. Her skin tingled with twin sensations of pleasure and pain. The throbbing in her muscles receded. She closed her eyes and let the feelings of desire and longing wash over her. His tongue tangled with hers and the taste of mint rolled around her mouth. She moaned and he swallowed it along with his own groan. She didn’t care if they got caught—the risk was worth the reward. She couldn’t pull away from the heat drawing her to his body. But as much as she wanted to get lost in him, her body hurt. The injuries packed one hell of a punch. Besides the pain, they needed to talk. What could she say? I was wrong to move out. No. Leaving had felt right at the time. I want you for more than sex? And risk having him withdraw…again? She fisted her hands in his shirt. No, she refused to let him hide any longer. When he pulled away, Cade hovered a whisper away from her lips. “I’m taking you home. We need to finish this, but not here and not now.” “You’re right, but right now, we need to talk.” Just open up for a second, please. “Later.” Cade’s attention jerked to the hallway. His hands stilled on hers. ”The doctor’s coming.” A deep voice echoed in the small room and interrupted her response. “Well, how are we this evening, Ms. Roberts? Oh, I didn’t know you still had company.” Smoothing his hands on his crisp white lab coat, the doctor shrank back towards the door. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.” Gasping again, she covered her face with her hand to hide her shock and her flushed cheeks. Good grief, they’d been caught. Cade gave Melanie a wink and moved to the nearby chair. A wide grin slide across his lips. “Hiya, doc, I’m Cade.” The young man cleared his throat. His voice cracked. “I know who you are. I helped patch you and your friend Rhett up when he flipped his truck three summers ago.”

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Cade opened his mouth to answer. “He’s my best friend,” Melanie said, effectively shutting him up. He’d probably spin a yarn to stay in the room and she could only guess how creative he’d get. The doctor frowned. “Oh, I see. I really don’t want to discuss this in front of—” Melanie folded her arms. Forget protocol. She needed her solid wall of strength. “Tell me what you need to, but I’d rather he stayed.” Although he remained quiet, Cade smirked. Melanie bit back a grin. Her heart pounded. She liked being strong on her own and yet still having Cade to fall back on. While he fiddled with the papers in her chart, Dr. Adams cleared his throat. His Adam’s apple bobbed. “Ms. Roberts, I want to keep you here overnight for observation. You sustained a contusion to your parietal bone. In layman’s terms, you suffered a goose egg on the back of your head. Do you remember the details of the fire?” She willed her brain to think about anything other than her clandestine kiss with Cade and how much she yearned to make love to him. Why move from bliss to the horror of the fire? Scorching kisses didn’t come her way very often. Melanie garnered all her strength to face her demon head-on. “I remember being blasted by a wall of heat, but I don’t know where it came from. I wanted to move, but it was so hot.” “Ms. Roberts, the burns on your hand and arms are first and second degree burns. You’ll have some scarring, but it should be minimal.” Dr. Adams made some notations on the chart. “I’m sending you home tomorrow with a prescription for silver sulfadiazine. You’ll need someone to help take care of you until the wounds heal. I can give you a referral to the Butler Outpatient Service.” She squared her shoulders and curled her lip in a sneer. “I’m twenty-six. I can take care of myself.” “I never thought otherwise. The burns will need to stay mobilised and clean, so you won’t have full use of left hand for a short period of time.” Melanie squeezed Cade’s hand. “Thank you." The doctor ruffled through the papers and stuck the folder under his arm. “If there’s no questions, I’ll be back to check on you during my next set of rounds.” Someone in the hallway spoke. “Can we stop in for a minute?”

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Why did the voice sound familiar? Melanie looked at Cade, who shrugged. A darkhaired man, poked his head around the corner. “Hello, photographer of my dreams!” Melanie burst out laughing until she noticed Cade sitting at attention. Did Cade sense something she didn’t? “Cade, this is the writer, Rusty Fontana. I work for him, as a personal photographer.” A perky brunette elbowed past Rusty and surged forward. “Hey, kid. We heard about the fire. Are you okay?” Kicking the chair against the wall with a thud, Cade stood. Melanie swore she heard him growl. “Cade. This is Rusty’s wife and my other boss, Jojo Morris, the actress.” “She is the love of my life.” Rusty curled his arm around his wife. “I’m meeting a real life author and a movie star!” The doctor shook hands with the famous couple. “I have your calendar on my wall.” His voice cracked. “I’m glad you liked the images.” Melanie covered her giggles with her hand. Jojo probably met people who swooned over her image every day, yet she acted like it was someone else scantily clad on the page. After Rusty and Jojo each gave him an autograph, Dr. Adams dipped his head to Melanie. “Rest and I’ll come back later. Nice to meet you all.” He raced out the door. Cade clenched his fists and moved back to the chair. “He’s interesting.” With a nod, Rusty stuck out his hand. “Are you Cade? Melanie said you’re in the Air Force. I researched pilots for ‘Junkies’. It’s good to meet one of our brave boys.” Offering a small wave, Jojo grinned. “She does speak highly of you.” “Thanks.” Cade blushed. The tips of his ears tinged red. Jojo squeezed his biceps and leaned in close. “I also talked to Tad Martin, my pilot. Since I started loaning out the jet, I need more than once a week service. Are you interested?” “You want me to work for you?” Cade inched away from Jojo. “On a jet?” “I suppose I could switch to a turbo prop, but I kinda like the Lear.” She patted his hand. “Tad tells me you’re a top-notch mechanic.” “Um, thank you.” “I don’t want anyone else and since I hear your home for the duration, I’ll wait you out.”

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“What time do you want me to arrive for work?” A blush crept down Cade’s musclecorded neck beyond his collar. “Well, one thing is settled, anyway.” Dipping her head to meet his gaze, Jojo folded her arms. “I don’t need you until after Mel’s on her feet, so consider it an early vacation.” “Cade, are you on an extended leave?” Melanie raised her brows. She wished she knew the problem. If the fire wasn’t the root issue, then what did he want to hide? Cade spoke in low tones. “I’ll explain later. I need to get coffee.” A bright grin lit Rusty face. “You know where the coffee machine is? I’m dying for a cup. We don’t have any in the house since Corinna was born. I’ll follow you.” The colour drained from Cade’s cheeks, even as Rusty dragged him out of the room. Folding her hands, Jojo plopped into the chair next to the bed. “Are you going to make it?” Melanie directed her attention back to the perky actress. She couldn’t help the chuckle escaping her lips. “What do you mean? I’m still kicking.” A lock of hair swept over her eyes as Jojo smirked. “I meant him. Your man’s head over heels for you and acting like a tiger ready to pounce.” Melanie swatted her hand in the air. “He’s overly protective.” “And in love.” Melanie fumbled with a response. “Well…” Yeah right. God, she wanted Jojo to be right. “Trust me. I’ve been down that road. I’m sure Rusty’s down the hall giving him every reason to jump headlong into marriage, if he hasn’t spooked him first. Give him coffee and he’s wound up for the rest of the night. Cade seems like the strong but silent type.” “Yeah, well, there’s something on his mind, but I can’t seem to figure him out.” Seemed like a trend as of late. “You will. He’s going to be a great addition to the team. I wanted someone I could trust to work on my jet since the incident with the stalker.” “A stalker? Wow.” Melanie spun the ruby ring around her finger. “You have led a colourful life.” “Enough about men.” Jojo laced her fingers together and switched subjects. “I saw your outline for the publicity sitting. I like the black and white look. I saw your work with the McMurray family on your website. Tonya was right. I cried.”

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In a futile attempt to reign in her surprise, Melanie nibbled her bottom lip and bit back a grin. “I’m glad you liked it.” Jojo nodded. “If you can do even a little of that for me and Rusty, I’ll be forever in your debt. I never liked looking at myself in pictures.” “But you’re a star? You always look good.” Melanie allowed the full-blown smile. “I mean, I’ll make sure I capture you in the best light and the most flattering pose.” Making people look good in portraits, now that was her forte. When Jojo stood next to Rusty, she glowed. Melanie suppressed a twinge of jealousy. Would she and Cade ever have a secure future together? Not until he told her what lingered on his mind or Ginnifer got out of the picture. Melanie cocked her head. She could hear Cade in pleasant conversation with Rusty. They laughed! She plopped back against the pillows. Warmth zinged across her nerve endings. It had been so long since she’d heard the low timbre of his laugh—she’d almost forgotten what it sounded like. She drew a long breath and puffed it out. If she managed nothing else, she’d get him to laugh more often. Her good feeling doused a bit when Rusty bounded into the room first. “Hello, my love!” As Jojo stood, Rusty dragged her into his embrace. She giggled. “He’s a goof, but I love him.” Pressing a kiss to her temple, Rusty wriggled his brows. “Care to show me later?” Cade shuffled past Rusty and winked at Melanie. The warmth in her body shifted into high heat. A blush crept up her neck and singed her ears. “We’d better go.” As Jojo bent to hug Melanie, she murmured, “Take it easy on him.” Rusty chuckled. “Why don’t you bring him along to the next shoot so we can debate NASCAR?” Once Rusty and Jojo left Melanie and Cade alone in the hospital room, Melanie held out her hand. Her strength began to crack. She needed his reassurance, his warmth. She needed Cade. To drown in him so their wounded souls could heal together. “Don’t leave me.” “You got me all night long.” Cade leaned in close, dragging the chair with him. “According to the chief fire investigator, it was arson. He thinks someone threw a Molotov cocktail into the house and soaked the front door in gasoline. Sherriff Garrison and our

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buddy Deputy Marcum persuaded Claire to let me stick around despite the fact that I’m not a blood relation.” He banged the arms of the poorly stuffed mustard-coloured lounge chair. “So this is my bed until Dr. Adams releases you. Rhett wanted to come, but decided he’d better keep an eye on the house. He sends his love.” The events of the weekend washed over her in tidal wave proportions. Her chin quivered. She didn’t want Rhett’s love. She wanted Cade. Tears fell from her eyes. “Will you hold me?” Careful of her burns, Cade slipped her onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her. “I insist.”

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Chapter Nine

The next morning, Melanie opened her eyes and took a deep breath. Pain seared behind her eyes and every muscle in her body ached. She hesitated to move, afraid of increasing the pain, but the urge to pee was too strong and wetting her pants wasn’t an option. A sigh passed between her lips—damn, everything hurt. When she took a deep breath, the woodsy scent of Cade flicked across her senses and made her smile. She glanced over at his sprawled position on the ugly mustard-coloured chair. Her insides turned to warm goo. His dark lashes and day-old whiskers were a stark contrast to his pallid skin. A pillow and blanket peeked out from under his solid frame. She yearned to crawl out of bed and run her fingers over his cheeks, just to make sure he was real. Careful not to disturb him, she slid out of bed so she could slip into the bathroom. Her footsteps made soft thumps on the linoleum floor. She winced and stopped when Cade shifted and groaned. He wasn’t a morning person. When she reached the bathroom door, she paused to catch her breath and to brace a hand on the wall. It was just a bump on the head. Why did her head and her back hurt so much, like she spent the night sleeping on pins and needles? “Melly, I could help you.” With a smirk, she dropped her chin to her chest. She never could sneak past him no matter how hard she tried. “I needed to go to the bathroom and you were still asleep. I didn’t want to wake you. You looked tired, even while you slept.” Stepping up behind her, Cade smoothed his palms over her upper arms. “I’m awake now and at your service.” His voice slipped over her soul like a heat wave. How was it possible for one man to be so sexy? She peeked over her shoulder. “Keep an eye out for the nurse and then help me back to bed. I want to know when exactly I can go home.” With a wink, he grinned. “Do you want anything else?” A shiver zipped up her spine. The words mixed with his devil-may-care wink alluded to more than a simple act of kindness. Heat pooled in her belly and lust swirled between her

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thighs. Why couldn’t they be home and lounging in his bed? Melanie dragged air into her lungs. “I want to know how long you’re home and then I want you to show me the injury to your leg so I know how to take care of you. And yes, I saw you limp when I picked you up from the airport.” “I can’t get anything past you.” Cade smirked inched around to face her. “We can practice taking care of each other first and I’ll explain—later.” He lowered his lips to hers just as footsteps echoed in the corridor. Claire strolled into the room. “Good morning Ms. Roberts, I see you’re—Oh!” Melanie jumped back from her embrace with Cade just in time to see the nurse backing out of the room, her cheeks pink with embarrassment. "I'll be right back." Claire turned and fled. Shaking her head, Melanie slipped into the bathroom. When she emerged, face washed with a splash of cold water and teeth brushed, Cade wrapped an arm around her and helped her to bed. Her stomach leapt and her heart softened. How was it he could make such an innocent gesture so important? While she focused on the questions she needed answered, she tucked her legs under her body and settled against the pillow. A lock of tangled hair slipped over her eyes. When Cade smoothed the strand behind her ear, she sighed. “Are you going to answer me? Your brain is a million miles away and you’re hurt. You never told me how long you’d be home. What’s going on?” He threw his hands in the air. “You know how to trip a man up.” He stood in front of the window and leaned against the frame. “I haven’t given it any thought.” Melanie didn’t buy his bluster for one minute. She slid from the bed and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Going to stick with your answer?” “Only until I can come up with a better one.” Melanie closed her eyes and ran her nose along the ridge of his shoulder blade, inhaling his earthy essence. “Okay, let’s change the subject. Why is Ginnifer Larkin hanging around? If you still want a relationship with her, I won’t stand in your way.” He spun around and cupped her jaw. “I’m not sure what…” His words melted and he looked away.

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Her heart pounded. A lump lodged in her throat. Too many questions, too soon. “Fair enough. Is the offer to take me home still on the table? I have work to do.” Cade sat on the edge of the mattress with her in his arms and caressed her thigh. His eyes regained a bit of their warmth. “The offer never left the table, sweetheart, but you can’t go home to your rental.” As she sucked in a ragged breath, she gazed into the dark chocolate of his eyes. “Where am I going to stay? I cleaned out the house, save for my dark room.” With a chuckle, he twined his fingers with hers. “You’ll stay with me. I can control who comes and goes in my own home.” She punched his arm with no venom. “Cade, I moved out so I could experience life on my own.” His dark eyes burned with fire. Passion? Renewed energy? She wanted the passion to scorch them through and through. The beginnings of a smile twitched on his lips. “I never said you couldn’t, Melly, but I won’t leave you in the path of potential danger.” Emotions warred in her heart as she stared at him. “You know I’ll be all right.” She placed her hand over his mouth to stifle the expected comeback. “But I want you to help me. You’ll protect me.” As much as she wanted him close, she chose to keep him at arm’s length until he made his decision. He cupped her chin in his hand. “I will.” She shivered. Excitement raced up her spine. His simple response rocked her to her core. “I expected nothing less.”

**** Two hours later, Cade grinned as he rounded the hood of his truck. Dr. Adams had released Melanie and given her explicit orders to rest. His heart leapt. She’d be home with him, in his arms and safe from harm. Life couldn’t get better unless she accepted his offer of marriage. Well, he had to ask her first, but one step at a time. So why fib and tell her he wasn’t sure what he wanted? Saying those three little words served as finality. Could he embrace the emotional connection in sex he feared?

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Cade snuck a glance at Melanie. She curled up on her half of the bench seat, dressed in an Air Force emblazoned grey T-shirt and oversized track shorts. Her face still bore some of the redness from the heat of the fire and her hair needed to be washed, but she looked beautiful. “Can we go past the house? I need to see the damage. I need closure.” Cade nodded and focused on getting out of the parking lot. She needed closure. Hell, she’d nearly died. He groaned. He wasn’t sure he could handle the devastation of losing her for good. For Melanie, he’d beat the damned demons and move forward. “It’s a total loss, so there won’t be much to see. Rhett says it’s a pile of ash, but I’ll take you there.” “Thank you.” She squeezed his hand and cuddled against his arm. “I can’t believe someone burnt down my home.” He gripped the wheel tight enough to turn the knuckles of his left hand white. “Who knows what things people think.” Turning onto Harwick Road, he braced himself for the worst. A sob escaped her lips as he pulled into the lonely gravel drive. He threw the truck into park. No matter how hard he tried, his heart rate wouldn’t slow. Clutching his hand, she dug her nails into his palm. “Please come with me,” she whispered. “You know I will.” Cade got out of the vehicle and rounded the hood to help her to solid ground. He averted his eyes from the torched remains of the once pale yellow house and held her close to his body. “I’m not made of glass, Cade. You can let go.” Although he cursed himself for clinging, he let her stand on her own. A cracking twig captured his attention. He grabbed the hunting knife he kept in his glove box and shoved the folded up weapon into his jeans pocket. Something brushed against his boot-clad ankle. He started to give the unwanted object a kick until a sixth sense forced him to look down. The intruder came in the form of a dirty orange kitten. The frightened animal skittered a few feet away. The edge to Cade’s mood softened. “Hi there.” He crouched and held out his hand, expecting the kitten to run back to his or her hiding spot. Instead, it wobbled over to his position, its gold eyes wide.

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As he rubbed the animal’s furry belly, his fingers smoothed over every single rib. Melanie liked felines, especially strays, and she’d always wanted an orange cat like the one in the commercials. She suggested she’d like to get a cat after he left for Afghanistan. She claimed she needed the company. He wondered, as he snuggled the kitten, why she never followed through. “I know where you can get a good meal and all the attention you can handle, once we get rid of the dirt and fleas.” Melanie’s distant sobs shook Cade to the core and sent him running to her side, kitten in hand. She dropped to the grass before he could catch her. “It’s gone. It’s all…gone.” Cade knelt next to her and wrapped his arms around her, pinning the contented kitten between them. Melanie buried her face against his neck. “My camera, my portfolio, my computer… They’re all gone. Why? Tell me what I did to deserve this.” He pulled her into his lap and stroked her hair. The kitten mewled and cuddled closer. “I don’t know what to tell you. You know I suck with mush.” Melanie raised her head to stare him in the eye. “Can I really stay with you? It won’t be too weird or stressful for you?” “I’ll have more stress if I can’t protect you.” Cade chuckled and nodded to the kitten. “How about naming the little addition. If it likes you, then we’re good.” More tears rained down her cheeks, even as she laughed and stroked the dingy, purring kitten. “Where did you find it?” “It found me, but didn’t you say you wanted a furball about a year ago? I think he’s a sign.” With a smile, she hugged him. “I agree.” “Then consider coming home with me.” He cupped her jaw. Desire sizzled in his veins. “You can stay in my room.” A blush crept up her neck and blossomed on her cheeks. “So you and Tracker will sleep on the floor in my old room?” He knotted his brows together. “Who?” “The kitten.” A lump formed in his throat. If the kitten was a sign, then the fire was too. He needed her more than the air he breathed. “The guest room is Rhett’s until he leaves for Kansas, so I’ll sleep with you.”

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“Cade—” He silenced her with a kiss. He twined the fingers of his free hand in her hair, careful not to press the lump on the back of her head or to squish the feline kneading his stomach. Cade feathered kisses over her cheeks. Melanie winced. He gave an inward curse and kissed the top of her head. “Did I hurt you?” “No. Sharp kitten claws in my forearm.” She wrapped her legs around his torso and kissed his neck. “I’ll live. Now, kiss me again. I need you, Cade.” He carried her to the truck and placed her on the seat. “Good because Killer can’t sleep alone.” Grabbing the wadded up sweatshirt he kept under the seat, she swathed it around the kitten. “Killer? He hardly seems like a killer to me.” She moved the ball of cloth and sleeping animal to the driver’s side floor of the vehicle. “Sappy as it sounds, I like Tracker because he tracked his way to you.” Cade threw his head back and laughed. Really laughed. For a moment, the world seemed right and the dread in his soul faded. She truly was his other half. He caressed her bare knees as she sat on the edge of the truck seat. “Why don’t you follow his lead and come here?” With tentative movements, Melanie scooted the last few inches to the edge of the door. “Yes, let me lose myself in your arms.” She rubbed her forehead on his chest and parted her legs. “Make love to me and make the sadness go away so I forget why I wanted to run.” Cade blinked and processed her words. Just a moment ago, she was a heap of tears and now, she wanted sex? His brain fuzzed. No, she wanted him to make love with her. Well, fuck. She made no sense and perfect sense at the same time. The only way to prove they were alive and together was to connect on the deepest, most primal level. Yes, he needed to be inside her more than he needed to drag air into his lungs. Melanie nibbled on his chin and wrapped her arms around his neck, clutching his shoulders. “Don’t hide from me. Let me show you how much I want you.” Cade fondled her breast through the thin material of her shirt, kneading her pliant flesh. Her nipple peaked under his touch and a whimper escaped her lips. He stooped to suckle on the turgid tip. “Cade.” Melanie panted and arched into him. She relinquished her hold on his shoulder and moved his right hand into the leg of her shorts. “More.”

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Cade stroked her slick lips through her panties. Her clit seared his index finger. He groaned with increased desire. “But your head? I don’t want to hurt you, baby.” He blurted the words, even as his other hand worked the zipper on his jeans. Hurt her? Hell, he wanted to plunder her sweet little body until the sun rose the next morning. “You always knew how to make me feel beautiful even when I didn’t feel sexy or pretty. Let me do the same for you.” She sat on the running board of the truck and nuzzled his rigid dick. Her lips parted and her eyes sparkled as she smoothed her hands up under his T-shirt. With tentative licks, she explored his length, spiralling his desire higher than he could imagine. How did she see to the root of his problems when he wasn’t ready to acknowledge them himself? She knew his heart and soul. Still, she didn’t need to view his damaged body in order to make love to him. Cade swatted her hands away and pushed the oversized T-shirt up over her chest. Her bare nipples pebbled in the cool afternoon air as she continued to nibble on his cock. “I’m tired of thinking about me,” Cade murmured. He grasped her hands and held her flush against his body. Cade nipped her goose pimpled flesh. She knew the right words to say, even when she didn’t know the entire story. Melanie moaned as he smoothed the flimsy track short down her legs, dragging her panties along for the ride and baring her body. “Tell me how much you want it, baby.” He spoke against her neck, making her shiver and collapse back onto her bottom on the edge of the seat. “Ride my cock and take all of me.” She drew his lips to hers. Within seconds, she held his rock hard penis. Melanie stroked him until a bead of pearly moisture glistened on the tip. “I don’t want sunshine and softness. I want this.” She swiped her fingers over her lips, teasing him. “I want you.” Forget sweet and tender. She wanted hot and hard, then he’d give her what she craved. Cade surged forward and filled her to the hilt. She groaned and dug her nails into his forearms. She felt as tight and wet as the first time they’d made love. He brushed a kiss over her mouth, savouring the way she cradled him within her body. With every thrust, he came home. Melanie was his home. Melanie rocked forward, grinding on him. “Harder, Cade. I want to feel every inch of you within me. Fuck me.”

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Cade grasped her hips and pumped into her body, driving away the demons and demonstrating his love for her. Pinpricks of light exploded behind his eyes. The natural musk of her arousal swirled around. His mind spun, yet he felt grounded. Her taste lingered on his tongue, reminding him of the all the good times they shared. Today was the day for new beginnings as well. “Baby, turn over. I want to go deeper. I want you to feel me in your soul.” Her eyes darkened to the colour of aged brandy. “Yes. Touch me everywhere.” She turned in his arms and leaned against the truck seat. Her shorts pooled around her ankles and her pale bottom wiggled as an invitation. He slapped her ass and raked his nails over her supple flesh. A high-pitched moan of pleasure escaped her lips, encouraging him to continue. He smacked her rump again, then rubbed his hand over the red mark. “My bad girl likes a reprimand?” With each surge into her tight channel, emotions chipped at the ice surrounding his heart. Between thrusts, he dipped his index finger into the liquid heat of her pussy and teased the pink rosette of her anus with her natural lube. She whimpered and thrust into him. “Oh, God! Cade. It feels so good. Yes.” Grinding down on his fingers, she clawed his hip with her other hand. She panted, pumping her hips against his. “I can’t breathe, but I don’t want you to stop.” Cade suckled her neck, leaving another mark. His heart surged within his chest. She reacted to his every touch, his every caress—like she’d been made for him. “Come with me, Melly. Go over the ragged edge into oblivion with me. You’re mine.” Her inner walls milked him of his seed. Tears pricked his eyes. He could get lost in the beauty of her arousal. The flush of her cheeks and her kiss-swollen lips. The way she gave him a second chance despite their rocky history. When he grabbed her hips harder, Melanie shuddered and writhed. Cade relaxed his grip, fearful his overenthusiastic lovemaking might hurt her. “You’re mine.” “Oh, my God.” She screamed and came apart in his arms. The warmth of her love washed over him and curled around them like a chenille blanket. She made his tattered heart feel light again and his damned knees weak. His blood pressure spiked and his heartbeat pounded in his ears. Cade followed her a few dizzying seconds later. “Fuck, yes!”

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As Melanie slumped against the knobby cloth seat, she gasped for breath. “I love you, Cade.” He froze. She loved him. Holy fuck. Sure, he loved her, but was it enough? Rhett’s words played in his mind. Scars don’t matter when someone loves you. Give Melanie her credit and level with her. Although he wanted to, he kept his desires quiet. Love didn’t matter if he couldn’t deal on his own. To hell with the demons.

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Chapter Ten

Melanie spent the next night with Cade, curled around him in an attempt to regain normalcy in her life. Tracker chose to snuggle down in the box of tissues tucked into the bookcase headboard of Cade’s bed. So the cat preferred unconventional sleeping arrangements. Who was she to complain? When Cade had left that morning, she’d pulled the covers over her head and blotted out the world. The sound of rustling plastic in the hallway tore her from sleep. She jerked awake and sat up, raking her fingers through her tangled hair. As she yanked the covers up to her chin, she glanced around the navy walls and sparsely furnished room. Nothing. Even the cat lay still. But then she heard the thump of footsteps down the hallway. An oval mirror above the dresser caught her reflection. Her hair hung in wild curls, drawing attention to the pallor of her face. Melanie ran her fingers through her tresses and sighed. She wasn’t going to win any beauty pageants in her present condition. At least she was still alive. As Tracker stood, stretched, then curled back up in his tissue box, Melanie’s heartbeat slowed. No need to freak. She was home. Safe. She breathed in the scent of Cade’s deodorant and favourite cologne lingering in the room. I’ll protect you. Her heart beat faster as his words penetrated her mind. The feel of his hands still tingled on her body, the taste of his kiss remained on her tongue and the warmth of his desire shrouded her mind. And to think she walked away? Someone knocked at the wooden door. “Mels, are you in there?” Rhett. Go figure. She looked down at her clothing….or rather, the lack of it. She wore only a lacy white camisole and matching boy shorts. Thank God she’d shut the door after her last run to the bathroom. She scooted off the bed. “Just a minute!” Not seeing anything to cover up with, she opened the door a crack. “Give me a sec to find a robe.”

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As she shut the door, Rhett chuckled from the hallway. “He doesn’t have a robe. Hell, I’m shocked he has pyjamas. Let me in. It’s not like I’ve never seen you naked.” “Walking in on me and Cade doesn’t count!” She scampered to the bureau and grabbed one of Cade’s soft flannel shirts. After she buttoned the garment to cover her body, she twisted the doorknob. “Come in, Rhett.” With a wide grin curling his lips, Rhett edged the door open. “You look… Well, you look like hell, but you also look good.” “Don’t flatter me.” She furrowed her brows. “You don’t mean it.” He wrapped her up in a bear hug. “I wasn’t trying to insult you or offer hollow praise. You know I’m only smooth with the lines when I’m trying to bed a woman. When I have to explain my feelings, I fall flat.” He finger-combed her hair. “I was scared. When Cade called to tell me you were in the hospital, I cried like a fucking child.” “Why did you cry?” Rhett turned and scrubbed his hand over his face. Did he blot away tears? She doubted it. He cleared his throat and turned back to her. “You’re my friend and I don’t want to see you harmed, ‘cause life wouldn’t be the same.” As she blinked back the moisture in her eyes, her chin quivered. “Rhett…” Shrugging, he moved away, edging towards the door. “Cade’s a good man and one hell of a soldier. No matter what the hussy says, you’ve got him wrapped around your little finger Mels.” “No one has him.” She threaded her arms around her waist. Rhett shook his head. “Bullshit, but don’t think I won’t stop hitting on you. That’s my job, second only to fixing jet engines.” Shoving her unease aside, she snorted. “Really? I figured womanising was the top spot.” With his index finger, he tapped her nose. “I love all women, it’s true. But there’s nothing like holding a wrench and knowing that when you finish, the very same jet will go out and defend the freedom of everyone you love. It’s heady and exactly why Cade loved his job. It’s why I’m still out there.”

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Melanie laughed and a door downstairs thumped closed. Rhett dipped his head. “I gotta get outta here before Cade thinks I’m trying to get you into bed.” He kissed her on the cheek. “Love ya, Mels.” He disappeared down the hall to the guest room. She twisted the brass doorknob until the door clicked shut. Tracker poked his head out of the box and sniffed. Melanie crawled onto the bed and flopped down. Hugging Cade’s pillow, she breathed in his calming scent. Desire and love skated through her system. As soon as Cade returned, she needed some definite cuddle time, including lots of moaning and touching and bonding. He was her hero even if he couldn’t love her in return. She closed her eyes, imaging his hands roaming her body. A rush started in her toes and settled low in her belly. Smoothing her hand between her thighs, she eased her palm beneath the elastic of the panties. With a whimper, she caressed her hardened clit. What if Cade walked in right now? She bit down on her bottom lip. Let him watch. Hell, let him join in. A low moan bubbled in her throat. Did he know he still caused this kind of reaction, even through her imagination? Spearing into her pussy with her middle finger, she fantasised it was his fingers probing, delving into her. Shudders surged through her system. She grasped the sheet for support. If only he was there. “Thinking about me?” Licking her lips, Melanie opened her eyes. Thinking about him, wanting him, needing him—all of the above. Yeah. Cade stood in—well, rather took up—the doorway. Her blood pressure spiked. “Come here.” Her voice sounded husky, even to her own ears. “Help me finish.” Dropping the shopping bags, he surged forward, stopping only to shut the door. “Hell yes.” She sat on the ragged edge of bliss. Yanking the panties to the side, she opened to him. “Fuck me, Cade. I can’t wait.” Withdrawing his cock from his pants and a condom from the nightstand, he knelt over her. As she sheathed him, his fingers brushed her swollen nether lips. Both actions sent tremors from her core to her heart.

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He chuckled. “So wet, so pretty.” She grabbed the back of his head, capturing his lips. They could talk later; right now, she needed to feel him surrounding her, sheltering her from all the evil memories. He may not love her, but he cared. In one swift thrust, he entered her. Resting his forehead on hers, he pistoned in and out of her. Even as he moved, a light—one she’d never seen before—brightened his eyes. Emotions she thought long buried welled to the surface. Each push, each surge brought her closer to not only falling into bliss, but falling into the knowledge that she’d never given up loving him. On the cusp of her orgasm, he slowed. “Try something new for me?” Although he asked a question, it sounded more like a command. How could she show she trusted him? Her core quivered. Something new sounded heavenly. “Yes.” He nodded. “Turn over and show me your saucy little ass.” She turned, per his instructions, and lifted her bottom high and proud, as if to tease him. He wanted to blaze new territory. So did she. A high-pitched whimper slipped past her lips. He’d toyed with her anus each time they had sex, but to initiate the tender region? Her desire kicked up another notch. He grabbed a small bottle from the nightstand. A low groan erupted deep within his chest as he pumped his cock into her pussy. “Relax, honey. I’m right here with you.” He withdrew from her pussy. His nails scraped over her ass as he ripped the crotch of her panties away from her body. Tossing the useless cotton onto the floor, he grabbed the lube and squirted the slick liquid onto his fingers. Reaching around her waist with his free hand, he plucked the tight bundle of nerves on her clit. “Push out.” Releasing the breath she didn’t remember holding, she winced as his cock entered the tight opening. She shuddered at his girth, but didn’t protest. Inch by inch, the pain melted into pleasure she never knew existed. Cade nuzzled the nape of her neck. “Fucking beautiful.” Throwing her head back, she dug her nails into the sheets and screamed. The orgasm tore the breath from her chest. All rational thought left her head. She gasped. She belonged in the heat of the moment with the only man she’d ever loved. He growled and gave one final

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push. “Yes!” Cade fell forward, resting on his palms as the climax subsided, then he withdrew. Rolling over in his embrace, she cradled his sweat-slickened body. His breath fanned over her bare shoulder. “Melly, baby.” She forced her fuzzy brain to clear. Even then, she didn’t want to forget the feeling of being in his arms. His voice cut through her mental yearnings. “So you were thinking about me?’ Through uneven breaths, she murmured, “I was.” Pressing a kiss to her neck, he nuzzled her cheek. “I think I’d rather have been here with you. Traffic’s a pisser.” She snuggled closer to him. “So where did you go?” “Shopping,” came his drowsy reply. He sat up and scrubbed a hand over his face. “Just a moment, and don’t move. I’ll get a washcloth to clean you up.” Shoving his cock back into his pants, he stood. His gaze raked over her body in a slow appraisal that turned her insides to goo. She shivered. Yes, her heart belonged to him. After shuffling around in the hallway for a moment, Cade returned and produced a warm cloth. “Let me take care of you.” As the soft terry material smoothed between her legs, she shivered. Despite his badass façade, a softie lingered underneath. “Thank you,” she murmured and settled back in the cocoon of the blankets. With a grin, he took the washcloth back to the bathroom. He came back with an armload of bags. “Now that you aren’t diverting me with sex, I wanted to tell you I stopped at Hillman’s to get your prescriptions. Good thing Gloria still works there. She vouched for you and me when old man Haas threw the privacy practices at me.” She cocked a brow. Gloria York—a former fling of Cade’s and a marathon runner with gravity-defying double D’s. Melanie didn’t want to think of the times he might have spent with the raven-haired pharmacist. Jealousy was a bitch. “She was glad to see me, but she cared more that you were okay. It seems she wasn’t keen on dating me when she knew you lived in my house.” He pointed to her and winked. “Good thing because she wasn’t cool with sharing either.” Irritated, she narrowed her eyes. He would manage to take a steamy moment and turn it to blah in a second. “Don’t get so high on yourself.”

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“Never have been high on myself.” Cade sat on the edge of the bed and pulled her into his arms. “But I went caveman on you. How do you feel? What hurts?” The concern in his voice made her pause. Anal sex was just the tip of the new frontier. She licked her bottom lip. If she pushed too much, would he withdraw and bury his emotions again? “My head aches, but I’ll live.” She smoothed her hand over his chest. Her body ached for him again. Her heart, though raw, beat for him. “I borrowed your shirt to cover up.” “Why?” Fluttering her hand, she waved him away. “Before we…you know, made love, Rhett came to check up on me.” Crooking his brow, Cade smirked. “Now you can’t say a dirty word? Come on, little girl. This is me.” He cupped his fingers under her chin. “It’s good he’s gone. I’d hate for him to interrupt because looking at you takes my breath away. You always could pull off sexy in my clothes,” he murmured and nuzzled her neck. “Although, I prefer you in nothing at all.” Each word, each touch and caress sent renewed tingles straight to her pussy. Although her ass smarted, she rubbed her thighs together in an attempt to reduce the growing need. “You still suck at mush.” “Like I didn’t know.” Twining his fingers with hers, he kissed her knuckles. “I replaced your laptop.” When she opened her mouth to protest, he silenced her with an open-mouthed kiss. So she’d walked away before—no more. She climbed onto his lap. Writhing, she clawed his shoulders to pull him closer. The scent of her own arousal kicked her desire into overdrive. So they’d just had sex… Now, she wanted to make love. When they broke for air, Cade gasped. “You make it hard to remember what I came in here for, but I won’t finish until I said my piece.” He nodded to the yellow bag. “I know you sent me backups of your work and have a couple of flash drives, but it can’t be enough, Melly. Consider the new notebook my ‘get well’ present to you.” Smoothing the pad of his thumb over her jaw, he wriggled his thick, dark brows. “Did I mention it has webcam?” Her eyes welled with tears. His generosity touched a deep part of her soul. How could she repay him? “Thank you, Cade.” Even if he proved his masculinity and obsession with sex, she loved her alpha male.

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“Baby, it’s the least I can do.” Trailing his fingers up and down her spine, he sighed. Cade nudged another one of the bags with his foot, spilling the contents. “Besides, I bought some new clothes to replace what you lost. I figured you wouldn’t want to wear my flannel for the next few days.” “I don’t know; it’s kinda comfy.” The right sleeve of the shirt slipped off her shoulder, revealing the strap of the lacy camisole. Cade nipped her skin, tugging the thin strap down her arm. “Beautiful.” Maybe a joke would lighten the heavy mood. Melanie buried her face in the crook of his shoulder. “You’re going soft on me.” Cade cupped her face in both hands. “Listen to me, Melanie. You have a special job to do. You take photographs for the families in the area. How can you complete your work without a computer, clothes and a decent camera? Although I might pay to see you strut down Grove Avenue in the nude.” He placed her hand over his crotch. “And don’t tell me that’s soft.” As he spoke, her eyes widened. Her mouth went dry. She caressed his steely cock through the denim barrier, loving the reaction she created. “You bought me a camera? Cade, those cost at least a thousand dollars. I can’t have you dropping that kind of money on gifts for me.” Dragging his lips across her cheek, he kissed her nose. “Thank you for messing up my mental image, but spending money on you isn’t a hardship.” Shivers slipped down her back as Cade teased his tongue over her mouth. “Okay, my credit card took a serious hit today, but it’s worth it. Plus I have Mr. Gross on my side. He insisted he outfit you with a replacement and plenty of film.” Her desire peaked. His kiss, his touch sent fever through her body. “Then I guess I should thank you.” Over and over again. Cade spread her legs across his lap and circled his arms around her. “You could, and I have some suggestions.”

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Chapter Eleven

So many things in his life were screwed up on account of the bombing and the way his mind refused to let go of the images. Cade held the most precious gift in his arms. Melanie. She grounded him and cleared the clutter in his head. This time when they made love, he’d show her every dimension of his affection. He refused to hurry and spoil the moment they deserved. “I need to be inside you, again,” he murmured. “To feel you surrounding me.” “Yes.” The word slipped off her lips in a hiss. Cade gently pushed the flannel shirt off her shoulders and let it pool around her hips. “You’re not hurting?” Beyond his earlier invasion? When the other strap of her camisole slipped from its precarious placement, the tops of her creamy breasts spilled forth. His cock stood at attention, pressing against the tight confines of his jeans. Despite the discomfort, he bent to sample her silken skin, laving his tongue over the taut nipple. Honey, sweet and wild. No more fucking. This time, he’d worship her like she ought to have. “The pain faded. It’s all pleasure.” Parting her lips a fraction of an inch, she gasped and twined her fingers behind his head, holding him in place against her breast. “Tell me if you want to stop.” He paused long enough to gaze at her face. A smile curled the corners of her mouth. “Never.” He drew a deep breath, memorising her sweet essence. What went through her mind? He wasn’t sure, and when her tongue darted out to wet the damp coral skin of her lips, all rational thought evaporated from his mind. The small action turned his insides out and flared his consuming desire for her. This moment was for her. To indulge and re-learn every inch of her as he proved to himself she was the only woman he needed and to finally allow emotion into his sexual life. Licking her lips again, Melanie clasped her hands above her head. Cade hooked his fingers under the camisole and slid the shimmery fabric over her upper body, taking extra time to once again tease her breasts until she whimpered and arched into him. Her nipples peaked and her eyelids drooped. She sighed. Deep craving coiled tight in his belly. He

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pressed a kiss to her neck. Her heartbeat fluttered under his tongue, ratcheting his heart rate into overdrive. Cade fought the need to rush, the need to force the passion to primal fucking. He slipped the camisole away from her tender hands. Her hair cascaded down onto her shoulders, covering the small hickey he’d left the last time they’d fooled around. “Let me love you, Melly.” She thrust her breasts towards him in a silent offering. He drew a gentle line with his index finger from one nipple to the other and blew across the turgid peaks. She shuddered and gasped for breath. “Cade.” Cade sat back and stared. Pink marks marred her legs from the burns. When she could’ve hidden them, or herself, she bared everything for him. Could he do the same for her? His guts coiled and bile rose in his throat. Too soon. He battled the urge to retreat. Focus on her. “What are you doing?” She fluttered her hands and bent her arms to cover her body. Cade touched her ankle and she froze. He kissed her instep. “I’m looking at you. I didn’t get the chance earlier.” She blushed from her hairline to her toes. “But—” Nipping the side of her right calf, he stroked the other with feather-light touches. “You’ve always been adorable. You’re the woman I want in my bed.” Her lips parted and her voice squeaked. “Then show me.” As Cade licked a trail up her leg to her inner thigh, Melanie shifted. He stroked his index finger and middle finger across her bare pussy, coming close to, but not caressing, her clit. Her groan and the way she writhed her hips sent him into a new dimension of desire. He left a love bite on her thigh and another next to the dragonfly tattoo just above her nether lips. She groaned and scratched her nails on the pillowcase. Cade chuckled. “Antsy?’ With ragged breaths, she opened her eyes. “Cade, I’m close. Don’t make me wait.” He rasped his tongue over her clit and savoured the sweet taste of her juices and the musk of her arousal. “You’re addicting.” “Oh!” Melanie sank her fingers through his hair, scratching his scalp.

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While he cocked a brow, Cade wriggled away. “Do you want to play dirty? I could get out the blindfold and cuffs.” Then I could make love to you like I want to—without barriers. Desire sparkled in her eyes. Her lips parted and she held her wrists together. “Please. It turns me on when you take command.” “Not right now. I want you wild.” And to prove you’re all I need. The words, though on his heart, stayed silent in his mind. Emotions swirled in her whisky-coloured eyes. “I want to see the scars. Tell me what you went through.” “You don’t want to know.” “I do. Please show me.” Her voice dropped to a husky whisper. Although every cell in his body screamed not to, Cade sat up and whisked the shirt over his head. Much to his surprise, it felt right to be completely free and honest with her. She stared at the pockmarks starting right below his left nipple and scattered across his stomach. He took her hand and placed it on his marred skin. She caressed one of the scars below his ribcage with her middle finger. Tears cascaded down her cheeks, faster than he could wipe them away. “Oh, Cade.” Closing his eyes, he breathed in her scent once more. Images of the fateful day zipped through his mind like a filmstrip, despite his physical need for her. Her closeness bolstered his courage to deal and move on. “I heard the roar, but it happened too fast. You can feel shit like that, but never know what’s coming down. When the first bomb struck, we all jumped. I lost contact with Jake and Roy. I tried to protect them and failed. I was the superior. I should’ve gone—not them.” She touched his cheek and rubbed it with her thumb. “You can’t predict an ambush. You did your job and it’s all anyone can ask of you.” Tension hung thick in the air as he shook his head. “You can’t love a coward.” “I don’t. I love you.” She placed her hand over his mouth to prevent the protest. “And I intend to help you deal with this.” She bent to kiss his chest, swirling her tongue over the scars. She stopped over his heart and rested her forehead on the C-5 Galaxy airlifter tattoo above the words ‘Never Alone’. “I want to make love to you—with you.”

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Combined with his admission, her declaration rocketed through his system. She loved him—scars and all. But could he love her in return? He wanted to… God, how he wanted to. Was his will strong enough? Forcing his uncertainty aside, Cade stood. He stepped out of his jeans and boxers. Licking her nipples along the way, he crawled on top of her and shivered from the skin-toskin contact. Smoothing her hands over his body, Melanie shifted to rub her clit against his rock-hard cock. He grasped the sheet and groaned. “Melly, that’s so fucking good.” “Then kiss me and put it in me.” “My thoughts exactly.” Cade slid his cock into her pussy and his tongue tangled with hers. Her hips rolled in time with his thrusts. All the love he felt for the woman in his arms echoed in their lovemaking. Each little sigh whispered from her lips kicked his arousal up another notch. Blood thundered through his system. Melanie’s heels dug into his back, sending him deeper into her body. Passion sizzled in the air. Melanie whimpered again. Her breath came in gasps. “Come with me, Cade.” “Yes.” Bracing himself with both arms, he pumped into her. “I love you, Melanie.” He threw his head back and shouted. Her body tensed as the orgasm hit. Cade collapsed on top of her and panted. He feathered kisses on her neck and jaw. “God, I love you so much.” But, I don’t know if I’m enough.

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Chapter Twelve

Two days later, Cade rubbed his temples and leaned against the rear fender of his truck to watch Melanie photograph The Butler Mudslingers. Between not knowing any further details about the fire and his new penchant for watching war movies at three a.m., his methods weren’t as therapeutic as he’d hoped. God knew he sure as hell couldn’t go without sleep for much longer. Melanie never mentioned the dark circles under his eyes or how he yawned when he drove. Did she see his problems? He grimaced. Push it down. Bury the shit until you can’t feel it. The noise from the track rumbled around in his chest, making it hard to think. Thank God. To ease his sullen mood, he studied Melanie. Her hair whipped in the wind as the car sped past her. A wave of dirt swirled in the air along with the scent of exhaust. As if she felt his gaze licking her body, she turned for a moment and smiled. His heart did flip-flops. He didn’t deserve such a wonderful woman in his life. She deserved so much more than a man living with things he didn’t understand. I will make myself normal for you. Any other day, he might have enjoyed watching the race car tear up the dirt track. Hell, he wanted to grab his truck and fling mud, too. But not today. No, this afternoon, he wanted Melanie to finish up at the Long Pond Motorsports Complex so they could go home where he could better keep an eye on her and keep his emotions in check. Somewhere there was no chance of an innocent bystander ending up at the receiving end of a bad mood flare-up. With sure steps, Rusty strolled up beside him and leaned on the truck fender. “She’s good, and I know good.” Cade dipped his head. “Melanie or the race car?” A deep laugh rumbled from Rusty’s throat. “Melanie. Her pictures rock. I want her to blow up one of the ones with Jojo and Corinna for over the fireplace.” Cade levelled a long sigh and rubbed where the bandage rumpled his chest. “She can do that.” Dammit. The new tattoo hurt like a mother fucker, but when Melly saw it—she’d know his deepest feelings. Only twelve more hours and he could take the gauze off.

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After a pause, Rusty raked his fingers through his sandy brown hair. “She’ll have a blast when she meets our friend Asia. Asia used to model until she became a music video producer. By the way, I look forward to your working on the Lear. ” Emotions Cade couldn’t quite name rocked through his system. He stuffed his clenched fists in his pockets. “Thanks. I’ll do my best to do my job.” Frustration welled to the surface. He bit his tongue and still the words poured out. “I don’t get it. You have some of the greatest photographers at your beck and call. Why choose someone from across town? Mel’s the best, but she’s not big time like I assume you run with.” “Oh, I don’t know. The magnitude of her talent speaks for itself. With the right connections—Jojo’s—I’m sure she’ll go far.” Rusty shifted his feet and chuckled. “Besides, the big time isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be.” Whipping his hands from his pockets, Cade opened his palms to the sky. He gulped air and willed his tirade to stop. “I hate to tell you, but no one from Butler ever gets a chance to make something of themselves, and if they do, it gets yanked out from under them in a fucking instant.” Like his dreams of retiring from the Air Force after a long career of serving his country. He squeezed his eyes shut and prayed Rusty wouldn’t take offence at his irrational answer. God knew he deserved to be put in his place. Rusty’s brows knotted and he folded his arms. “I appreciate your concern, but I think you’re wrong. Are you sure there’s not something else eating you?” Cade’s anger got the best of him. “Bullshit. You leave to make something of yourself and the world kicks you in the ass. You can’t fight back and you can’t change what happens. Everything you worked for goes right to hell and you lose your friends in the process.” Narrowing his eyes, Rusty nodded over his shoulder. “You’re not talking about Melanie, are you?” Cade’s frustration warred with his embarrassment. “Just forget what I said. It’s nothing.” “I doubt it. You’re a lit fuse.” Lit fuse? The guy didn’t know when to quit. A growl built low in Cade’s throat and rumbled around his chest. He opened his mouth to rip into Rusty, but instead met Melanie’s confused stare. His heart clenched. Guilt and shame tumbled around in his brain. How did he let his emotions get the best of him? He needed to flee with what was left of his pride.

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“I’m ready to go,” she said in a quiet voice that hitched his indignity up another notch. She rubbed his forearm and winked. A half-smile crooked the corner of her mouth. “Let’s head home. I’m getting tired.” She dropped her tone to a whisper. “It’ll be okay.” Climbing behind the wheel of his truck, Cade stared at the speedometer. Maybe a trip to the head shrink would do him good. Bottling and giving Mel bits and pieces of information wasn’t doing him any favours. His actions towards Rusty spoke volumes, despite the half-assed apology. And what had Rusty done? Nothing. Shit. Through his peripheral vision, he watched Melanie. If she didn’t kick or dump his ass for acting like a child in front of her boss, he’d be shocked, even if she said things would be fine. Yeah, he needed to find Dr. McCoy’s card and give him a call. Melanie hugged Jojo. “I’ll develop the black and white film tonight. If I get time, I should be able to email you some proof shots. I’m sorry about Cade.” Cade stared at the stamped pattern on the steering wheel. Embarrassment and shame seeped through his body. Sure, she’d apologised for him, but he didn’t deserve it. He shouldn’t have lost his cool in the first place. He shoved his attention back to Melanie in an attempt to mask his self-loathing. Rusty waved his hand and chuckled. “Work on the pictures tomorrow.” He glanced at Cade, who wanted to melt into the crack of the seat. “Take tonight to rest and regroup. No hurries, Melanie.” He nodded and hooked his thumbs in his belt loops. “Cade, it was nice talking to you.” Implied understanding laced Rusty’s voice. “We’ll have to hang out and talk NASCAR or something.” Melanie gave Rusty a one-armed hug and scurried around to the passenger side of the truck. Once she climbed inside, she waved at the group by the race car. Cade forced his attention to the gravel road leading away from the track. If he looked back, Rusty just might give him the finger instead of a wave goodbye. That’s what Cade would do if an asshole had rubbed him the wrong way. A few miles down the road, Melanie broke the silence. “Thanks for replacing my camera. Made this day so much easier.” Cade flicked his turn signal and headed north. Just thinking about the know-it-all clerk insisting Melanie loved the red filter made him smile—almost. “You need a camera to take pictures. I had the cash. Everything worked out for the best.”

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“I’m glad you remembered.” She gave his thigh a squeeze and leaned against him. “Although I wish you’d kept your mouth shut, it’ll be okay, Cade. Rusty’s a good guy and he wanted to help.” She paused and drummed her fingers on his leg as if she had something else to say. “Whatcha thinkin’, Mel?” She sighed. “The hospital gave me some numbers for psychiatrists. If you want to talk to someone other than me or Rhett, why don’t you give them a call? It won’t hurt anything and it will help.” “I’ll take care of it.” He wanted to kick his own ass for acting so ridiculous and not seeking help before. He wrapped an arm around her. Melanie deserved a man who wasn’t fucked up. “As long as you’re happy, I’m good.” God knew he wasn’t, but he’d deal once he made a few calls.

**** Down in her dark room three hours later, Melanie glanced over her shoulder, hoping to see Cade. Instead, Rhett fiddled with the dry roll of negatives. She slapped his hand away from the film. “Don’t touch that. You’ll crinkle it.” He curled his lip in response and held the negative up to the light. “Who’s the babe?” “Corinna.” “She got a boyfriend?’ Scrunching her nose, she closed the screen on the laptop. “The baby is Corinna, but the woman is Jojo Morris, my boss.” Rhett rolled his eyes. “I got another couple days. I could be staring at my destiny. Hook me up. What’s her number?” “No.” When Rhett turned, he cocked his head. “Why? You’d rather have me to yourself?” He arched one brow. A smile crinkled his lips. “I can handle the idea, but you’d better restrain Cade when he finds out. He’ll be pissed, for sure. Better yet, let me restrain him. I can’t let him have all the fun.”

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She punched him in the arm and took the negative strip off the clothesline. “Cut it out and get this straight. Jojo is married to Rusty and they are happy.” As for her and Cade… Time would tell. Leaning his elbows on the long wooden table, Rhett crossed his ankles. “By the way, Deputy Marcum called. He wanted to talk to you about the fire one more time. Sounded like he had a break in the case.” A break? She didn’t want to discuss the damned fire, but if he knew who caused it…then maybe rehashing once more would let her heal. “Okay, I’ll call him back when I come upstairs.” “Copy that.” Rhett opened his mouth like he needed to say something, but shut them before he uttered a word. Didn’t want to talk? Fine. She’d break the heavy silence. A frown tugged at the corners of her mouth. “Did you hear him scream?” “I heard Cade scream around three in the morning. I thought it was part of round four or five, but I think I’m wrong. The nightmares are back, aren’t they?” Melanie toyed with the earrings in her left ear. “Back? I’m not sure they were ever gone and I can’t figure out why. I suggested he talk to a psychiatrist, but I don’t know if he will. Do you know what happened, Rhett? I don’t want to force him if he’s not willing to come to terms with whatever took place.” An uncomfortable silent clouded the room. Rhett leaned on his forearms and folded his hands. He hung his head and sighed. “I…I can’t tell you because I really don’t know. I mean, we were stationed in different places. I’m not sure what he went through. He’s gonna have to come to you when he’s ready.” He looked up. The corners of his mouth curled again. “Although, I suppose there are a few details I remember.” “What?” Melanie crossed her arms. “Tell me.” Rhett stood at his full height and grinned. “I could go on for hours about the sexy German nurses. Damn.” He held both hands out in front of his chest. “With titties a man would die to—” he grunted, “—you get the picture.” Groaning, she checked the time on her cell phone. “Go. I need to douse the lights and print a proof sheet before five. I need something to show the Gayle family when we meet next week and I have no idea which shots will serve their purposes best. They want a formal family portrait.”

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Rhett wiggled his brows. “You sure you want me out? I’m fantastic in the dark.” “Beat it, lover boy.” He shrugged again and headed for the door. “He had nightmares in Germany, too.” Melanie whirled around. “Did what? Wait. When did he…?” Leaving her in stunned silence, Rhett bounded up the basement stairs. She looked at Tracker, who yawned and jumped out of the empty box of photo paper. He scampered up the stairs, no doubt in search of food. With a sigh, Melanie contemplated the proof sheet along. “Cade, what did happen to you over in Afghanistan to make things fall apart in Germany?”

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Chapter Thirteen

The next day, Melanie focused on the screen and grinned. The Butler Mudslingers glowed in front of the late model car. Rusty’s smile reached from ear to ear. She even got a lopsided smirk from Carrick Green, the surly crew chief. After a few editing details and reducing the shine on the hood of the car, it was finished. “They’ll love this.” She flapped the front of the soft tank top to circulate air around her body. August heat would be the death of her. “This calls for more than ice cream and Diet Coke,” she said to the otherwise silent room. As she smoothed the thin top down over her frame, she caught a glance of Cade’s picture sitting next to her laptop and her nipples puckered in anticipation of a touch from him. Too bad. She could hope all she wanted, but it wasn’t coming. While she shared a bed with the man, his mind wandered somewhere beyond her understanding. I need music… She stood and crossed the room to the assortment of CD’s lining the far living room wall. Nine Inch Nails caught her eye. No. She scanned some more and noticed the dusty Godsmack disc exiled on a higher shelf. She bit her bottom lip and nodded. Thumping bass, dirty guitar licks, and growling vocals… Perfect. She plucked the case from its hiding spot and hurried back to the laptop. Moments later, the strains of the first song crashed around the room. She bopped her head to the beat and finished the layout. “Done!” Once she emailed the work for final approval, Melanie danced around the cavernous room. At the same time, she adjusted the focus on the camcorder. Thank God she knew the ins and outs of running the miniscule machine from fiddling with it earlier in the morning. All she had to do was aim the lens towards the living room and the miniscule machine could capture anything happening in the kitchen or living space. Just stand back and let the scene unfold in its own time. If Deputy Hayden Marcum’s hunch was right, then her arsonist would show up. Dancing away from the lens, she closed her eyes and sang along to the tune

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blaring from her computer. Hayden said he’d be by around two. What time was it? She didn’t know and didn’t care. “Would your invisible partner complain if I cut in? I leave for Kansas tomorrow and I want fun memories to take with me.” Melanie jumped and turned to see Rhett’s toothy grin. He wore a sloppy Air Force Tshirt with the sleeves cut off and baggy knee-length jeans shorts. She held out her hand and cocked her head. “We can’t exactly waltz to this, you know.” When he spun her around in his arms, a laugh bubbled in his throat. “I thought I’d do my bad impression of a male exotic dancer and grind against you,” he murmured in her ear. Giggling, she leant back in his embrace. “You’d make a great exotic dancer. You love being the centre of attention.” “Among other things.” He raised her arms over her head and slid his fingers down her bare skin, sending shivers along her spine. Melanie liked attention, but not from Rhett. She longed for the closeness of Cade, but she wasn’t sure where he hid mentally these days. “Oh, that’s rich.” Melanie groaned. She knew the voice and wished Ginnifer would drop off the face of the planet. Easing out of Rhett’s embrace, Melanie blew the flyaway strands of hair from her eyes and turned to the woman who’d been a thorn in her side for far too long. Frustration surged within her body. “Ginnifer, what are you doing here?” With a key dangling in her slender fingers, Ginnifer tapped her sandal-clad foot. “Cade gave me permission. He’s waiting for me.” Rhett ripped the object from Ginnifer’s hand and snarled. “I know it’s a lie. There were only four keys reproduced and all are accounted for. I’m willing to bet yours is a fake.” He tightened his fingers around the key. “He’s not waiting for you any more than I am. Now get out.” With a sneer and a loud huff, Ginnifer slammed her fists on her hips. “Not until I talk to Cade. I need the truth from him. The last time we talked, he told me he loved me and only me. I should be here. I should be his girl.” “Are you kidding me?” Melanie swallowed past the bile in her throat. “You have no idea what he’s been through. You don’t know him anymore.” She wasn’t sure how well she knew the real Cade.

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Ginnifer crinkled her nose. “Oh, I suppose you’re an expert on Cade Lloyd Nicholson?” Frustrated, Melanie placed her hands on her hips, mimicking Ginny’s stance. She sneered. Okay, so it was catty and immature. “I am enough to know his middle name is Aaron.” Stepping between Melanie and Ginnifer, Rhett held up his hands. “Snapping at each other isn’t going to solve anything.” He turned to Ginnifer. “Look, go home, Ginny. Forget about Cade and find a man who really does want you.” “This is bullshit.” Crooking her brow, Ginnifer folded her arms. She stared at Melanie. “You made him hate me.” The doorbell rang, splitting the growing tension. Once Melanie scooted around Rhett, she answered the door. When she peeked through the glass in the front door, Hayden gave her a half-grin. She sighed and twisted the knob. “I forgot about our meeting. Won’t you come in?” When Hayden strolled into the kitchen, his radio scratched and popped. “Sorry.” The more he fiddled with the dial, the louder the scratches became. Cade’s voice thundered through the room. “Turn it off, now!” As Melanie clutched Rhett’s arm, her heart pounded. Ginnifer screamed and clasped her hands over her mouth. Triumphant, Hayden turned the radio down. Pointing to the laptop, Cade shoved past Hayden and crossed the room in three strides and. Anger and frustration twisted his features. Fire burned in his eyes. “Give me the fucking CD!” Melanie fumbled as she ejected the disc. “Here.” She handed him the offending object. She’d never seen such fury overloading his system. She should’ve been scared, but she wasn’t. She would help him face his demons. As Rhett shoved in front of Melanie, he knocked the disc from her grip. It clattered to the hardwood floor. “What’s gotten into you, dude? She’s not hurting anyone.” Getting in Rhett’s face, Cade spat his reply. “No?” Rhett stood an inch from Cade, not backing down. “No.” Ginnifer cackled over Cade’s shoulder. “See, I told you he didn’t want to be with Melanie.” Her crimson tipped fingers snaked across his chest. “Why don’t we go upstairs? I want to show you my new piercing on my pussy lips. Plus I have some wonderful news.”

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Irritation and disgust edging up her spine, Melanie curled her fists. “Oh really? And what would that be?” She shifted, so not to block the camera. “Please do tell us.” She clenched her teeth to keep saying something snarky. Notching her chin, Ginny continued her venomous glare. “No. I’ll wait until Cade and I are alone. It’s private.” She wrapped her arms around his waist. “Let’s go upstairs, baby.” “Go to hell, Ginny.” Cade turned, clenching and unclenching his fists. Sweat beaded on his brow. “Leave me alone.” “But we’re meant to be one!” Ginny wailed. “We belong together!” Rhett and Melanie said in tandem. “Shut up!” Melanie’s cell phone bleated with an incoming call. Shit. She fumbled to silence the irksome ringtone. No matter how hard, she tried, the thing wouldn’t mute. “Make it stop! Make it stop!” Cade’s brows knotted and deep creases formed around his eyes. He balled his fists on either side of his head. His teeth clenched as he sank to the floor beside the island dividing the two rooms. He clutched his head and curled into a ball. “Just make it all stop. I can’t save them!” Melanie slithered out from behind Rhett, only to have him pull her back. “Do something, Hayden. He’s unhinged.” Ginnifer backed away from Cade. “Don’t you dare touch me, you lunatic!” Her eyes widened. “Oh my God. What I did for you!” As soon as the words left her mouth, she clamped her lips shut. Her cheeks blazed a deep red. Anger at a boiling point, Melanie let her emotions go and knelt next to Cade. She wrapped her arms around him and stared Ginnifer in the eye. “What did you do?” “Nothing. Forget I said anything.” Ginnifer shrugged. “I’m not afraid of you.” “A chunk of your hair is singed.” Hayden edged behind her. Curiosity tinged his voice. “It tends to happen when you play with matches. Want to tell me about it?” “Ignore my hair and ignore me,” she snapped. “I need to leave.” “You can go once I get your statement.” Hayden palmed his radio. “Yes, I have lots of questions for you.” “Oh please. If I wanted to hurt you, it wasn’t gonna be a fire.” Ginnifer stepped forward, stabbing her finger in Melanie’s face. “You were only hurt a little bit. No real harm, no foul.”

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Hayden cleared his throat. “So you freely admit to starting the fire?” With a gasp, Ginnifer’s eyes widened as she realised her folly. “Uh—no. I didn’t do anything.” “Really?” Hayden crooked a brow with deceptive laziness. “Want to stick with your answer?” “This is a set-up!” Ginny screamed while she inched to the door. Hayden grasped her shoulder halting her furtive movements. Her shrill voice ricocheted through the room. “You can’t prove what I said or didn’t say! I’m innocent!” Melanie narrowed her eyes and rubbed Cade’s shoulder as she curled up next to him. “Oh, no?” She nodded over her shoulder. “See the bookshelf and the little red light? Smile, you’re on the CPD cam!” Tears and makeup streamed down Ginnifer’s face. “This wasn’t supposed to happen. You were supposed to love me—not her!” “Ms. Larkin, we need to talk down at the sheriff’s department.” Hayden grasped her wrists, tugging them behind her back. Although she struggled against his grip, he secured the cuffs on her wrists. As Hayden walked out the door, he read Ginnifer her rights. A moment later, he strolled back into the room and snagged the camcorder from the shelf. “She’s locked in the cruiser. Thanks, Melanie.” Rhett threw his hands in the air. “Wait! I’m lost. How the fuck did you know it was Ginn?” “In the debris, we located the source of the fire. Ginnifer’s fingerprints were on the reconstructed bottle shards on the living room floor.” Hayden nodded to Melanie. “Through the grapevine at the hospital, I heard about Ms. Larkin’s visit to Melanie’s room. So I started digging into her background. At seventeen, she was accused but never arrested for torching the shed in her father’s backyard. One of her ex-boyfriend’s took out a temporary restraining order on her in January. To compound her problems, we received an anonymous tip. Someone saw a person matching Ms. Larkin’s exact description leaving the scene of the blaze. Now, if you don’t mind, duty calls. ” He dipped his head strode out the front door. Raking his fingers through his hair, Rhett groaned. “You sure know how to pick ‘em, Cade.”

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Melanie punched Rhett in the arm. “Hayden suspected Ginnifer, but he needed her to confess. I needed to help him in order to help Cade.” She hugged Cade close to her body. “You can tell me everything when you're ready, baby. I'm here to listen.” Cade struggled to catch his breath. He rocked in her embrace. “I still see it. All of it. I want my damned life back. I want the life I had three years ago before you walked away. I saw the fire and knew I could lose you for good.” Tears pricked her eyes. She wasn’t a psychologist, but she could see the hurt. Things made so much more sense…the anger, the nightmares, the night sweats and the violence. She clenched her teeth, sharing his pent-up emotions. His scars ran deep. “Cade, I’ll hold you as long as you need me to. I won’t run away from you.” His shoulders shook. “I can’t be a fucking sissy! I can’t.” Melanie kissed his temple. “Even badasses need a time to break.” Cade snorted and stilled. She rested her forehead on the top of his head. “You’ll never be a sissy, but you have to give credence to your feelings. Baby, talk to me.” Cade nodded and began to speak, allowing her to see the desolation in his mind. “I still see the guys in the rubble. The smell of the fire and smoke stays with me, even in my dreams. I hear their screams every night and know I still can’t help. I failed my men and all those civilians we were supposed to be there to defend. Some of my guys were just boys.” Keeping his body close to hers, Melanie leaned against the kitchen cabinet. She stroked the prickly hair at the back of his neck. “Cade, you did your job. No one faults you.” “I hear those songs and remember all the times we spent working on those planes, drinking, laughing, and then the bottom fell out.” Cade scrubbed a hand over his face. His shoulders went slack. “I cared about my men. It makes me sick.” “Why did you have to be so rough with Melanie?” With a grunt, Rhett sat on the floor next to them. Cade ran his fingers through his hair, making it stick up at odd angles. His jaw clenched and unclenched. “Everything else I loved fell apart, Rhett. I decided that Melanie didn’t need to see my failures any longer. I wanted to escape the hurt and memories, but the further I pushed her away, the more I couldn’t let go. My fear won’t subside and I’m afraid I’m too far gone.”

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Melanie kissed his forehead. “I’ll never truly understand what you went through, but I won’t leave you ever again. I’ll stay with you, Cade and we’ll chase the demons out together. We’re stuck together for a lifetime, so you’d better get used to it. ” He looked up and cupped her face in his strong hands. “Melly, it’s not about understanding. I…I love you. I crave your body, mind and heart. But you don’t want a broken and tormented old Airman like me. I’ve seen hell up close.” She kissed the tip of his nose. “Marry me.”

Tears shimmered in his eyes. He couldn’t believe what he heard. “What?” Rhett stuck his fingers in his ears and shook his head. “My hearing is fine, so I know what I just heard, but I don’t believe it. Mels, you can’t be serious.” Melanie brushed the tears and sweat from Cade’s cheeks. She kissed him hard on the lips. “I asked you to marry me. I know the truth about Anna and I feel foolish for doubting you for so long. I’m sorry I wasted so much time.” Somehow the pain and emptiness Cade had carried melted away into understanding. Although he didn’t comprehend all the emotions swirling within him, he wasn’t a pussy. With her help, maybe he could find the light at the end of the tunnel and get through anything. Rhett folded his arms. “Well, what’s the answer, man? If you don’t accept her offer, I will. Wanna move to Kansas with me, Mel?” Cade straightened and took her in his arms. Everything he ever wanted sat before him. “I can’t let you go, babe.” Rhett stood and interrupted the tender mood. “I told you this would work out, but you two never listen to me.” He strolled down the hall shaking his head. “I swear, I am so much smarter than anyone gives me credit for…but do you agree with me? Noooooo,” he muttered as he disappeared into his room. The door snicked shut, echoing in the quiet room. Cade dropped his head to her shoulder and snapped back to a serious manner. “I earned an honourable discharge because of injuries sustained in a combat zone. I’m not going back into combat, so you’re stuck with me. You’re sure you can handle my demons?” “The demons don’t scare me as much as losing you does.” Melanie sighed. “I never could get you out of my system.”

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He cradled her skull in his hands, turning her to face him. “I always thought of you. Look.” He tapped his chest, directing her attention to the tattoo she’d seen so many times. He’d had the extra phrase, My Melanie added only two days before. More tears formed in her eyes and he brushed them away with his kisses. Being able to show her the added dimension of his devotion soothed a bit more of the devastation in his soul. “Cade.” She smoothed her fingers over the calligraphic lettering, tracing each curve and eliciting pain combined with the sweet pleasure of her approval. “I don’t know what to say.” “Melly, you never really left me. I wanted to die in the hospital in Germany, but I needed to live to come home to you. Even if you pushed me away, I knew I couldn’t take another. You’re in my heart and soul. I’m not me without you, babe. I love you.” She laughed through the tears streaming down her cheeks. “You know, I think you’re getting the hang of mushy—and I love it.” Cade shifted to produce the engagement ring from his jeans pocket. Time to unload another burden. She gasped. “Cade, that’s your mother’s ring. You…you kept it with you, all this time?” He offered the delicate piece of jewellery to her. “Life won’t be easy living with me. I’ve got a lot of scars inside and out. I can’t always be the badass Airman you want. Can you accept me?” “I always did.” “I dragged this damn ring with me all the way to Afghanistan to remind me how much I still loved you. Once we split, I couldn’t begin to fathom offering it to another woman. I wanted you and only you to wear it with pride. Will you take my last name?” She stuck out her left hand. “Yes, without a doubt, yes!” Cade slipped the ring onto her finger and scooped her into his arms. “Make my splintered spirit whole.” He placed a chaste kiss on her lips, tasting her. Giving her time to adjust to the change in their relationship, in case she changed her mind at the last minute. “Huh-uh, big guy.” She fisted her hand in his T-shirt. “I want all of you—right now. Make love to me.” Cade captured her mouth in a primal kiss, rediscovering every nuance of her he thought he’d never experience again. His cock hardened beneath his jeans and pressed against her denim-clad pussy. Melanie backed away from him long enough to rip the tank

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top over her head and toss the cotton garment onto the floor. Her bra soon joined it and her nipples pebbled under his inspection. Her bold move kicked his desire top a fever pitch. “I won’t be able to last or be as gentle as you deserve.” “Perfect. I want this hard and fast.” With nimble fingers, she helped him out of his Tshirt. “I plan to move this upstairs when we finish here.” Hell fucking yeah. Cade sprawled on the floor, draping Melanie across his bare chest. The skin-to-skin contact seared him. He worked the elastic out of her hair and tangled his fingers in the silken tresses. A sense of calm washed over her him. For the first time in a long stretch, he felt at peace, like he belonged with her, in her arms. He stared at the picture she made—her blonde hair framing her angelic face. A smile on her slightly parted kiss-swollen lips. Danger smouldered in her eyes, knocking his tenuous grasp on control to the edge. The heady scent of her arousal trickled over him, turning him on and inside out. Her breasts plumped against his chest. God, he loved her. “What are you looking at?” she whispered. “You.” Cade slipped his hand between their bodies to pop the button on her jean shorts. Grasping the waistband, he shoved the fabric past her hips. She shivered and clutched his shoulders. Her hips pulsed, seemingly against her will, rubbing her clit against his throbbing cock. “I need to be inside you.” He rolled her onto her back and shucked his pants to his thighs. He watched as Melanie opened her legs, welcoming him into her pussy. She slid her index finger over her slick nether lips, teasing him as she bumped his dick with the gentle caress of her knuckles. The sight of her touching herself combined with the feather light teases sent a jolt of electricity along the length of his spine. Balancing on one hand, he cupped the back of her head and, with her hands to guide him, he surged forward into her tight pussy. “Mine.” He captured her mouth and forced his way in, tangling their tongues. Their teeth clashed, but he only pushed deeper. She turned her head and nipped his earlobe, meeting him thrust for thrust. “Always,” she rasped. The way her body clamped down around him, milking him, combined with the onslaught of emotion hastened his need. Love, desire, devotion flowed within him.

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He pumped into her, relishing every sensation of being with her. Their joining signalled the regaining of his soul mate and the second chance he needed to get on with his life. Her whimper, the beginning of her climax, sent a fresh rush of desire to every nerve ending in his body. A shudder racked his body and a sense of pride blossomed within him. He brought her over the edge into oblivion. Pistoning his hips, he thrust into her, unable to hold back, and tumbled with her into orgasm. Into love like he’d never known With laboured breath, he slumped down next to her and wrapped her in his arms. He closed his eyes and savoured the feeling of just being there with her. Melanie rested her head on his shoulder and stroked the smattering of hair between his pecs. No matter where he’d roamed with the Air Force or how far he’d journeyed to find himself, all he wanted lay in his arms. Now that he possessed her love, he had no intention of ever leaving again. She was where he belonged. Forever.

About the Author I always dreamed of writing the stories in my head. Tall, dark and handsome heroes are my favourites, as long as he has an independent woman keeping him in line. I earned a BA in education at Kent State University and currently hold a Masters in Education with Nova Southeastern University. I love NASCAR, romance, books in general, Ohio farmland, dirty racing and my menagerie of animals.

Email: [email protected] Wendi loves to hear from readers. You can find her contact information, website and author biography at http://www.total-e-bound.com.

Also by Wendi Zwaduk Learning How to Bend Must Be Doing Something Right My Immortal

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