Shock rippled through Dale fast and fierce. “No way.”
Since his mother’s desertion, he’d never even seen his dad look twice at a woman, and like now, there had been plenty who’d tried to capture his attention.
“Yes way.” Sadie laughed. “Her name is Collette Clark, but everyone calls her CeCe. She has auburn hair, gorgeous blue eyes, and she’s very nice.”
He stiffened. People thought his mother was nice, too. His dad didn’t need to go down that dirt road again.
“Ah, I can see you’re skeptical. Don’t be. CeCe is in her mid-fifties but doesn’t look a day over forty. I’m going to have to find out what her secret is,” Sadie mumbled to herself. “And don’t go thinking she’s after his money because she’s not. She’s a widow of a techie who moved here from Seattle last year.”
Dale blew out a breath, secretly happy to hear that piece of news. “He’s a grown man.” He shrugged. “It’s not my concern.”
He truly had no desire to stick his nose in his father’s business, and absolutely wanted him to be happy. He just hoped to hell the guy knew what he was doing.
Compassion filled Sadie’s gaze, and she lifted a hand to touch his arm. “But you are concerned, and you should be. He’s your father. It’s okay to worry about him.”
As they stood together in the quiet barn, the only sounds were the soft rustling of hay and the occasional snort from Orion and Triton, now safely back in their stalls. The pair had calmed down considerably, and Dale wondered if they too had sensed the threat was gone.
Golden sunlight filtered through the wooden slats, casting a warm, honeyed glow over everything.
Dale took in the sight of Sadie standing there, her face framed by loose tendrils of hair that had escaped her messy bun. The warmth from her soft gaze removed his negative thoughts and upped his pulse.
“Thanks,” he began, his voice low and sincere, “I’ve had to bury emotions and thoughts of family for so long now it’s like navigating a tornado filled with debris. But I’m not going to lie, it is kind of freeing to know I don’t have to suppress them anymore. Of course, it’s going to take a while to remember that.”
She continued to hold his gaze, her eyes bright and filled with that unshakable kindness he was quickly becoming addicted to. “You don’t have to thank me, Dale. It’s…it’s just what you do for the people you care about.”
More warmth spread through his chest, along with an unfamiliar tenderness. “You saying you care about me, Sadie?”
A blush colored her beautiful face, deepening the twinkle in her eyes. “Pretty sure the heat in my cheeks gives that away, justlike when we were back in high school. But in case you need to hear words of confirmation, then, yes, Dale, I do care about you.”
Despite knowing now was the worst time to let his guard down, he reached out, gently brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear, unable to stop his fingers from lingering a moment longer than necessary. “Well, just so you know, I care about you too, Sadie. More than I probably should.”
Her breath caught and her gaze searched his as if trying to read the depth of his words. The world outside seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them in the soft light of the barn, their connection palpable and strong.
It was crazy and incredible and dangerous.
Before he could second-guess himself, Dale leaned in, pausing just inches from her lips, giving her the chance to pull away. But instead, her eyes fluttered shut, and she tilted her head slightly.
With her silent invitation clear, he closed the gap, his lips meeting hers. An unexpected, current of heat passed between them, and the unhurried kiss he’d intended quickly jumped from gentle to hungry. The warmth of her response sent a rush of need through him. He deepened the kiss, his hand slipping to the back of her neck, holding her close as he tasted and explored with an uncontrollable fervor.
Sadie’s hands found their way to his chest, clutching the fabric of his shirt as she kissed him back, her warmth and softness grounding him in a way nothing else could. The world outside the barn ceased to exist, leaving only the two of them and their out-of-control need.
The only reason he drew back was so they could suck air into their starved lungs. Admiration joined the desire and need already rushing through Dale. During BUD/s training, he’d held top honors for holding his breath the longest, and she’d just stayed with him for the entirety of their incredible kiss.
There was a lot more to Sadie Quinn than he’d ever realized.
Still sucking in air, he set his forehead against hers, a smile spreading across his lips. “I’ve been wanting to do that for a while,” he admitted.
Her beautiful brown eyes sparkled as she looked up at him with a matching smile. “Been fourteen years for me.”
“Did I disappoint?” he couldn’t help but ask.
Her smile widened as she patted his chest. “Not sure how to answer. I’m thinking I should say yes, so that you’ll try again.”
A wave of desire pulsed through him at her clever attempt for more.
He cupped her face. “Oh, either way, I’m definitely kissing you again.”
“Then let’s see what you’ve got, SEAL boy,” she murmured, gripping his shirt again.
