CHAPTER 16
His posture was entirely too rigid. His walk was way off kilter. Sadie noticed also that, after they stepped out of the car and onto the roadside, it was a long moment before JC would look in her direction. She wondered at this because something had been happening in the car
something good
or so she thought. Maybe he HADNT really caressed the back of her hand while they were shifting. Maybe it had been her imagination.
She tucked away her errant curl and stepped to the edge of the blacktop.
The valley spread below her, a maze of lush green forests and snow-covered hillsides. In the middle of it all, Lake Tahoe glittered like a humongous diamond. It was truly breathtaking.
Yet her attention was still, almost magnetically, drawn to JC.
He stood just off to her left and he had his hands buried deep in his pockets. He, too, stared out over the landscape, but his eyes were almost vacant. It was as if he was seeing, but not really and he rocked on his heels while he absently chewed his lower lip.
Something was wrong. Sadie could feel it. She cleared her throat.
His gaze shifted to her direction.
You know, she said, trying to keep her words flippant, If you didnt want to go ice skating you could have just said so
She forced a smile, You didnt have to kidnap me and bring me halfway back to Frisco, you know.
She waited. JC dropped his eyes and looked away. He answered her with silence.
Sadies smile fell. She suddenly wanted to cry.
Im sorry, she murmured, I didnt mean
I know you
Got too caught up in your Pop and Lock routine, Janet? He interrupted, chuckling softly, Between that and your horrible driving skills I completely missed the turn.
His eyes sparkled. Sadie sucked in a breath and put her hands on her hips.
My horrible driving skills!!! she protested, Im not the one who stalled two thousand times!
Well if you hadnt been so...DISTRACTING I wouldnt have stalled!
Well if you hadnt
She stopped. She had no idea what to say to that.
Shut up, she said instead, folding her arms across her chest. She turned away in a huff. JC laughed outright.
Cmere, he cooed, grabbing her sleeve. And suddenly, she was in his arms, her cheek pressed against the cold zipper of his down vest, her hands resting on his narrow hips. Even through the layers of fabric, she could hear his heart beating
hear every breath he took into his lungs. Goosebumps broke out along her skin despite the warmth of the sun and the warmth of his embrace. Her vision swam.
So
youre hands wouldnt happen to be COLD again, would they? he whispered against her ear.
Sadie shook her head.
My nose is a little, she admitted, But gloves
Then it dawned on her. He was talking about last night. Her head snapped up.
There were his eyes
misted over and endless. His entire focus was her. Her body trembled.
Gloves
help
that
she stuttered, unable to break from that dazzling stare. Her cheeks felt hot. She unconsciously licked her lips.
I know, he whispered, eyes following the movement of her tongue. Then, the mist cleared and she saw a flicker of pain cross his face. She bit her lip in confusion. Her heart raced.
You
you
can
She couldnt finish the sentence. Words, in the light of the afternoon sun, failed her in a way they never had before. Yet somehow, he understood and took her hands and pulled her fingers free. He tucked the gloves in his back pocket. He placed her hands under his shirt, on the scorching heat of his waist.
Thats better, he murmured as her fingers wrapped around his body. He came closer and nuzzled her neck, Yeah
thats
nice
She could feel his gentle exhalations against her skin. She could practically taste his musky salt. Every pore of him was oozing something so delicious she more felt helpless and giddy each time she inhaled. In an act of pure thoughtlessness, she let her lips drop a tiny kiss on the hollow of his throat.
His body literally jumped. She felt it. Beneath her hands he jerked and shook and his breathing became uneven.
Sadie, he choked out. Oh baby
She dared to do it again.
Under her lips, his pulse pounded.
Oh Sadie
She moved higher.
His words were an unintelligible murmur as she nipped his earlobe and came down along the corner of his jaw. By the time she reached his lips, they were already swollen and trembling. She licked the corner of his mouth.
Please, he gasped, eagerly pressing towards her. His hint of stubble scratched her skin. Sadie tipped her head up to claim his mouth.
But a voice behind them stopped her cold.
Scuze me folks, yall need a jump or somethin?
A cop, in full uniform, was saunteing in their direction, hands on his hips. Sadie froze, cheeks blazing red. JC spoke for both of them.
No officer, we were just admiring the view
he said casually, Its such an incredible sight we didnt want to miss it.
But as JC smiled, the cops eyes narrowed.
Well, this heres a no stopping zone son. That means, nice or not, you cant stay here if you aint havin no car trouble
He shifted his bulky weight and adjusted his hat, Otherwise Ill be havin to give you a ticket.
Briefly his eyes rested on Sadie. Then the panned back to JC.
Oh, JC said, Well, well get going then. I didnt realize
He pulled Sadie in the direction of the car. Were very sorry
The cop said nothing, just watched them get in the car and prepare to leave.
JC started the Jeep and pulled away quickly.
Sadie folded her un-gloved hands in her lap.
Nobody spoke.
But when Sadie licked her lips, she could still taste the salt of his skin.