Gracie's Plan Read online

  “Great, and you?”

  “Very well. I haven’t had such a good night’s sleep in months. It’s very relaxing out here in the country.” He sat across from her, and took a hearty swig of his orange juice.

  A short, uncomfortable silence filled the room as she mutely began eating her breakfast. She wondered if this morning’s floorshow was on purpose, and more importantly, if he’d bring up last night’s incident.

  Why had he stopped?

  It was for the best, she told herself. She licked her lips, remembering how she’d allowed him to kiss her, and the way she’d kissed him right back. Recalling how his large and powerful hands moved over her body. Self-consciously she brought a hand up to her face, and was almost positive without even looking that her cheeks flamed red.

  “Is something wrong, Annabelle?”

  She didn’t look up. “No, I’m fine.”

  Keeping her eyes averted toward her breakfast, and tried to make her lies sound convincing. He didn’t need to know she’d seen him naked this morning. And even if she had viewed that amazing body years ago, it didn’t make her any less embarrassed. Or turned on. She’d thoroughly enjoyed the view now, as much as she had back then.

  Her pulse raced at the memories, remembering what his perfect, naked male form looked like. Water rivulets cascading down his chest, into his nether regions. The way the sun had glistened on his face and hair, and made him look too delicious for his own good.

  He turned to her with a smirk. “I was just wondering if you enjoyed the view this morning.”

  She snapped to attention, her fork clattered loudly against the plate. “So that was on purpose?”

  He shrugged. “Why of course.”

  She glared at him. “I don’t have time for your games.”

  Kade wiggled his eyebrows. “Ah, we could make the time, my sweet. And I assure you, you’ll be more than satisfied.”

  “You conceited son-of-a—” She took a deep breath before she said something she’d regret.

  Annabelle stood, not saying another word, and ignored her breakfast. She was too antsy and he was looking at her in that funny way of his. The way that could melt her bones into butter and turn her knees into peach preserves. The man was entirely too intoxicating for her own good.

  She turned to walk away, but couldn’t bite her tongue any longer. She whirled back around and crossed her arms under her breasts. “And another thing, what the hell was last night about?”

  “Just having a little fun I guess.” Appearing nonchalant as he continued eating.

  “A little fun?”

  Kade shrugged, in a way that showed he didn’t care. Her blood heated in her veins, and she knew her anger would get the best of her if she didn’t leave, and quickly.

  “You didn’t seem to mind.” He took another bite.

  Annabelle bit her tongue. Of course she didn’t mind, but he didn’t need to know that. She needed to get the heck out of there before she went completely out of her mind. She remained there for several more seconds before turning to leave, grabbing her car keys and purse she fumbled to find a piece of gum in her purse, anything to distract her hands.

  “Where are you going?”

  She turned back to face him, and the wind was knocked out of her. He was standing close enough that there was barely any room between them, and the look in his eyes was maddening. Kade’s expression was hungry and lustful as his eyes locked with hers. He didn’t look away, which was even more infuriating. She didn’t know who she was angrier with, him for still having this effect on her, or at herself for so easily falling under his spell.

  She gripped her purse tightly, and tried to keep herself from finishing what he’d started last night. “To work.” Annabelle kept her tone as even and calm as she could. But her heart pounded so hard against her ribs she feared he could somehow hear it.

  He gave her a slow and seductive look. His gaze slid downward. “Have a good day.”

  “Thank you very much,” she said sarcastically, turning to leave. Thankful that this time, he didn’t pull her back.

  Chapter 3

  Annabelle rested her head against the payphone at the local bar that evening, because it spun like an erratic top. Too drunk to drive home and feeling humiliated at the prospect of having to call Kade, but knew it had to be done. These last few days with Kade were rough, and she wouldn’t have wished this on her worst enemy. So she decided getting drunk out of her mind would clear the cobwebs. She wanted to drown her anger and grief in alcohol. Wanted to drown out everything that had suddenly turned her world upside down and inside out. She wished she could step out of her body and into someone else’s.

  She dialed his number and he answered on the first ring.

  “Hi, Kade.” She tried not to slur her words as she explained where she was.

  “You’re where?”

  “Please no questions just come and get me.”

  A half hour later she was being carried into his jeep and through the front door of the cabin. She was thankful she hadn’t had much to eat, and didn’t further humiliate herself by getting sick in front of him. She was beginning to feel better and a little horny. As he set her down on the couch and turned to shut the door, she sat up, looking at his backside wickedly.

  “I think it’s best if you just go straight to bed.” He turned back toward her. “Sleep this off.”

  “That’s a good idea, why don’t you join me?”

  He raked his hand through his hair. “You know I won’t take advantage of a drunken woman and you’re way beyond that point.”

  “That’s never stopped us before.” She moved closer, inhaling the clean scent of his aftershave, and it further intoxicated her frayed senses. “Come on, Kade, you’re telling me you’re not even a little curious to see what you’ve been missing?” she teased.

  His face suddenly hardened like granite. “Let’s get one thing straight, you left me remember? So don’t even try this shit you’re pulling.”

  Taken aback at his harsh tone, she stepped back slightly. “That was a long time ago, and don’t think it was an easy decision for me! Hell I don’t even know why we’re here in the first place because I sure don’t want to be.”

  “Not easy, ha, don’t make me laugh. And for your information, I don’t like this anymore than you do.” He turned his back on her.

  But Annabelle wouldn’t let him walk away, and she forcefully pulled his arm and held him back.

  “If you think it was easy for me to leave you then you don’t know me.” But her words were met with a stony glare and silence.

  “I guess not.” Was all he said, and it broke her heart because his words sounded sad. In those mere three words, she could feel his pain and anguish. She pushed those painful emotions down, didn’t want to feel them. Didn’t want to re-live her painful past.

  She shook her head and stumbled for a bit, then regained her composure, obviously not realizing what she was doing or saying. Or that she was making a complete fool of herself.

  “But, I’m willing right now, so what do you say? You know you want to fuck me.”

  “Annabelle, you’re drunk.”

  She stepped closer, wrapping her arms around his neck, and kissed him hard on the mouth, obviously having no control over herself.

  But within moments his hands were on her shoulders, as he gently pushed her away. “Go to bed.”

  “What’s the matter, Kade, don’t you want to fool around?”

  “Not when you’re drunk, now go to bed,” he repeated.

  Annabelle looked up at him seductively, starting to remove her shirt. “Are you sure?”

  His hands were on hers, stopping them. “Positive, I refuse to take advantage of you when you’re in this condition.”

  She pushed his hands aw
ay, ripping the rest of her shirt off, and got nose to nose with him. Her eyes roving slowly up and down his body. “I don’t care. I want you, and I’m hungry for you.”

  Annabelle pulled him toward her once more, kissing him as though her life depended on it, and was thrilled when he started to break down and kiss her back. Her heart fluttered in her chest when his arms wrapped around her waist, bringing her closer to his heat, his touch. Then just as quickly he ended the kiss. She frowned when he backed away from her, only this time he put enough distance between them and put his hands on his hips.

  “Good night, Annabelle. Get some sleep.” His tone demanded no further comment.

  And as he walked away, she thanked God he couldn’t see the humiliation that was probably clear as day on her face.

  Kade lay in bed awake for what seemed an eternity that night. His thoughts were running quickly, like a cat chasing its prey in a wild jungle. He didn’t know what wrongs he’d committed in his life to deserve this. How in the hell was he going to survive two months living with Annabelle? Fight his hatred and desire for her? His love for her that had never completely gone away?

  He was angry with himself for wanting her, but was still so damned bitter. Not only for her leaving, but the way she’d left him, without so much as a goodbye kiss, a goodbye anything, just a damned letter. Was that all their love had been worth to her? A letter? He could still recall that day so clearly. He’d come home from work, looking forward to seeing his beautiful wife, and instead he’d been greeted with an empty house. An empty house that stayed that way because right after the divorce, he’d moved out. He couldn’t stay there because it had been too painful.

  Kade remembered the good times and bad, the hot days and even hotter nights. He still wanted her as intensely now as he did back then, and couldn’t stop thinking about the kiss in the kitchen, the first night in the cabin. She was absolute perfection in his arms, the way her luscious curves melded into his body so easily. As easily as if they’d never been apart.

  He smiled, thinking not only of her outer beauty, but her inner beauty as well. Her fiery personality had been what first caught his attention. She was sensitive and strong-willed, and liked her independence. The woman he’d fallen in love with had been all of those things, but the woman he was seeing now, seemed different. She was still as feisty as ever, which fiercely turned him on, but something had definitely changed. He’d seen it that day at the attorney’s office, how quickly she’d crumbled under the pressure of the news delivered in the Will. He wasn’t sure if it was the news itself, her aunt passing away, something else. Whatever it was, his heart ached to see the look of pain on her face, close to tears, when she’d fled from the room.

  Hell, he’d been dying to get his hands on ever since that day, though it made him feel like an ass. He hadn’t been able to see anything behind his old college sweater, but now he knew her large breasts were still perfect, like two ripe melons in his hands, and the swell of her hips and tiny waist taunted him. Her creamy ivory skin intoxicated his senses, like a strong drink of Jim Beam whiskey.

  Her moist, warm lips pliant beneath his. Eager hands clawing at him, curious fingers grasping his hair. He realized he wanted to do much more than kiss her. He’d wanted to possess her body and soul right there on the counter. Wanted to watch her come, her tantalizing body to soften against his touch. He groaned as he looked down at his erection and knew he’d never be able to sleep.

  He shot out of bed, quickly removing his underwear and hopping in the shower, turning the water on, and allowed it to go ice cold. He looked down and was still harder than hell and wasn’t softening anytime soon. Kade closed his eyes, leaned one hand against the shower stall, grasped himself between his hand, and took care of his problem.

  He never wanted anyone more, or loved anyone more than Annabelle. He’d slept with other women, same hair color, bone structure, eye color, to try and shake her free from his thoughts. But it never worked because nobody could compare to his Annabelle. A part of him always fantasized that they’d somehow be reunited. That she’d come back into his life again. He acted as though he was annoyed, and irritated with the idea. But secretly deep down, he loved every minute with Annabelle. Oddly enough, it brought the joy that had been missing, back into his life.

  Finally, when he was finished he dried himself off and crawled back into bed, knowing it would be hard to sleep that night.

  And quite possibly every night for the next two months.

  Annabelle woke up to throbbing temples and a bruised ego.

  Opening one eye, she glanced at her bedside alarm. It was only five in the morning and she prayed Kade wasn’t awake yet. Still humiliated from last night’s fiasco she didn’t wish to come face to face with him just yet. Crawling out of bed, she made her way to the bathroom, popping an aspirin and hoping it would take care of her headache. At least that problem could be solved easily enough.

  She took a quick shower, and got ready for her day. She threw on a pair of jeans and a comfortable light blue T-shirt, and tossed her hair in a ponytail. Opening the door a crack, she peeked her head out, and was relieved to see no sign of Kade. The house was quiet as she tiptoed out, grabbing a banana from the counter for a quick breakfast. She picked up her keys and made her way out.

  However, her luck ran out when she found him sitting on the front porch, a cup of coffee in his hand, his feet propped up against the wooden railing.

  “Good morning.” A quizzical look on his face.

  “Kade, you’re up early.”

  “I took the liberty of calling the bar and the owner and his son drove the car here for you.”

  Her mouth fell open. The last thing she expected him to do was take care of her truck for her. In fact she felt stupid, because it hadn’t occurred to her until just now, that she hadn’t even thought twice about it. She nervously jingled the keys in her hand, realizing they wouldn’t have been of any use if not for Kade.

  “Thank you.”

  He inclined his head. “You’re welcome.”

  She didn’t know what else to say. So she said the only thing she could think of, “Yes, well, I need to go open the antique shop. I’ll see you later.”

  Annabelle didn’t even let him respond as she quickly made tracks to her vehicle, hopped in and pulled away. Gravel kicked up behind her as she left, like she was fleeing from a crime scene. She knew she couldn’t hide from him forever, considering the circumstances, and was thankful for the welcome distraction of work.

  The usual Monday crowd at the store put a smile on her face. She had her regulars and it kept her mind busy. Her co-worker and good friend, Becky, was thankfully there and kept her company. She and Becky had been friends since they’d met taking business courses at a local college about a year ago. Now they were practically like sisters, and she didn’t know what she’d do without her.

  “What’s up with you today, Annabelle? You’re not yourself at all.” She took a hearty bite of her turkey on rye sandwich.

  Annabelle avoided eye contact, but was afraid the answer was written all over her face. She’d never been very good at hiding her emotions. She continued to keep her eyes averted. “What makes you think anything is wrong?”

  Becky gave her a knowing grin. Her dark brown eyes twinkled playfully. “Okay, what’s his name? Because I know it’s a man.”

  Really, her friend could read her like a book, and she hated it. “It’s not a man, so get your mind out of the gutter.”

  With this her friend’s eyebrows shot up, as if to say, really?

  “If you must know, it’s my ex-husband Kade. There. Now are you happy?” She took a sip of her raspberry iced tea. The liquid, cold and refreshing, as it slid down her throat.

  Becky’s eyebrows shot up and she let out a low whistle.

  “Mister Sexy himself? Well from the stories I’ve heard,
what are you complaining for? You should be, well, you know. At least that’s what I’d be doing, among other things.” And she let her sentence finish itself.

  “Becky! Really, it’s not like that anymore.” Her cheeks heated as she cleaned up her desk, then poked her head out the door, checking for any customers. She was sure God would come down and strike her for telling such a bald-faced lie.

  The sexual tension was so thick in the cabin that she could slice it like Italian bread.

  “Oh, yeah, and the sky isn’t blue. I know you Annabelle, and you’re just dying to take him to bed.” A teasing note to her voice.

  She had been dying to take him to bed and wanted to kick herself for caving that easily. Especially after the last few nights. Between that scorching hot kiss and seeing him naked, she already wanted him flat on his back.

  The large butterflies in her stomach stirred and took flight at the mere images running through her mind.

  Becky eyed her quizzically, as though she could read her mind.

  “So, what’s the story?”

  “What story?”

  “How and why is he back in your life? It’s been what, five years since you two divorced?”

  “It’s complicated, and I really don’t want to discuss it right now,” Annabelle said, hoping that would end this conversation.

  “I know, but I’ll get the story out of you sooner or later, so you may as well—”

  Just then, both women heard the bell door’s chime and they both naturally arose to greet the customer.

  Annabelle froze at the sight of Kade, framed in the doorway. Looking absolutely incredible in dark blue jeans, a flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up and dark brown leather boots, his wavy dark blonde hair neatly combed. My God he looked delicious. His gorgeous steel gray eyes settled on her across the small space, a furious expression on his face.