Deceptive Cadence by Katie Hamstead Page A

thought I was over all this. But then again, I felt more like a teenager than a twenty-five-year-old, so I blamed my stupid body chemistry.
    He smiled, and with his hair out of his face and his scruff gone, it just about made me melt on the spot. “You look good too.”
    “Your teeth are white.”
    Geri nudged me in the ribs.
    He chuckled. “Dentist cleaned me up, and I quit smoking.”
    “Ah . . .” I couldn’t stop staring at him, even though I probably looked like a fool.
    His smile widened and I bit my lip, the urge to kiss him forcing itself to the surface.
    He stepped closer to me. I tried to step back, but my feet felt like they had dissolved into the ground. His fingers ran down my arm and I swallowed hard.
    “Are you speechless, Cadence? I didn’t even know that was possible.”
    My gaze flashed up and met his. His eyes looked clearer, brighter, and bluer. I looked down, not wanting to feel what he stirred up inside me.
    His fingers brushed against my cheek, then pushed the hair from my half ponytail back over my shoulder. He leaned closer as he caressed my face. My breathing quickened, but I managed to regain a drop of sensibility as Dad’s loving eyes flashed into my mind. I pulled back, just a moment before he kissed me.
    “I told you not to kiss me.”
    Amusement flashed in his eyes as a wide grin swept across his face.
    “Cadence!” Geri hissed.
    I leaped back from James, pulling free of his touch. I turned away from him to regain my senses. This was madness! I loved Austin! I hurried away, my face burning.
    Geri was hot on my heels. “Cadence! What the hell?”
    “I couldn’t, Geri. I just couldn’t.”
    “Why not?”
    The bell rang.
    “Because I can’t!”
    She grabbed my elbow as she redirected us toward our bags. “Why not? He’s changing for you !”
    “But he’s not supposed to.”
    She halted, staring at me. “What does that mean?”
    I avoided eye contact. “I’m just not comfortable with it. I mean, is he for real, or is this just a thing to get into my pants?”
    “You sound like your dad.”
    I turned away, ashamed of the feelings I struggled to suppress.
    “Cadence, all this stuff he’s doing is incredible! How many girls get to say a guy was this determined to have her?”
    I reached the table and pulled my bag over my shoulders. “He’s still him though, Geri. He still hangs out with the same group and is still a bully.”
    “No, he’s not. He’s been going out of his way to be friends with our group. Come on, Cadence!”
    I huffed, knowing I wouldn’t win this battle. “Fine. Look, I won’t flat out reject him, but I’m not going to agree to anything either until I know he’s not going to try anything on me.”
    She pursed her lips. She wasn’t happy with my response, but was pleased I was willing to compromise. “Good, ’cause I think you’d be good together.”
    I sighed. “I don’t wanna talk about this anymore.”
    “Fine.”
    We turned toward the building as James walked by with his friends. I gasped, still stunned by how good he looked. He grinned at me. I dropped my gaze and hurried toward the building.
    But I couldn’t escape him the whole day. He always hovered nearby, crossing paths with me so he could touch my hand and sneaking up behind me while I stood outside my classrooms. He’d whisper in my ear, making me jump, and I’d glance around to see everyone watching me.
    At the end of the day, I couldn’t escape the gossip about me and him, so I hid behind a tree while I waited for my bus. Dusty found me. He leaned against the tree, trying to look inconspicuous.
    “Hey, Cadence.”
    I grumbled.
    “I know, you had a bad day. Everyone’s talking about it.”
    I huffed.
    “He talked to me today.”
    I slapped my forehead and groaned.
    “He told me to tell you it’s his birthday tomorrow, and all he wants is a kiss from you. I told him he was gross and to stay away from you.”
    A smile curled at the corners of my lips. Good old Dusty .