Free HIDDEN (Hidden Trilogy Book 1) by T.J. Yelden

for you,” Steve replied.  I nodded in acknowledgement. 
    “What are your plans today?”  I asked to change the subject.
    “I’ll be headed into work.  I have to work 2 nd shift so I’ll be home late.”  Steve said as he stood up and placed his cup in the dishwasher. 
    “And I have some last minute shopping to do before work starts.”  Nicole added.
    “Here or…” I asked, leadingly.
    “I might have to run over to Ashland to get everything I need.”  Nicole admitted.  I nodded.  A small town only had so much to offer before you had to go to a bigger city. 
    “When is your ride coming?”  Nicole asked and glanced at the clock.
    “Ten.”
    “Would you mind helping me with a few things around here, then?  If you are all ready to go that is.”
    “Yeah, sure.  What do you need?”
    We spent the next hour and a half putting things in the garage attic for storage that, in my opinion, should have been thrown out in the first place.  Luckily, the day was shaping up to be a cool, but gloriously, sunny day.  Just as Nicole handed up the last of the boxes, a rumble from outside had her glance down the driveway from the open garage door. 
    “Looks like your ride is here.”  She smirked up at me.  I tried to see out the attic hole but couldn’t see pass the door.
    “Please tell me he didn’t bring that monstrosity of a truck.”  I asked, just as the engine cut out and I heard a door open.
    “Hmm,” was Nicole’s response as she turned to greet Cade.  I closed my eyes and sighed.  Not that I didn’t admire the truck, only a little bit of course, but it was just a little too much.  Really.   I turned around and started to climb down the ladder from the attic.  I was about three-fourths the way down when two strong hands clasp my waist to steady me.  I froze.
    “Careful,” Cade spoke softly from behind me.  I glanced over my shoulder and my eyes clashed with his.  My muscles wouldn’t move to make the two steps down to the floor and Cade seemed to pick up on my dilemma.  His solution?  Instead of letting me go so I could MOVE, he tightened his hold and plucked me off the ladder like I weighed nothing, and deposited me on the floor in front of him.  His hands lingered a tad longer than necessary at my waist before letting go. 
    “I have to get my bag.”  I stuttered, not meeting either Cade or Nicole’s eyes.  I turned and fled toward the door leading to the kitchen. 
    “You done with this?”  I looked over my shoulder to note that Cade was asking Nicole about the ladder which he promptly folded up with Nicole’s nod.  I disappeared around the corner and took my first breath since my body froze on the ladder.  What the hell did he think he was doing?   I shook my head in frustration and confusion.  Cade was around me, a lot, but that was really the first time he’d ever touched me.  Like, full on, hand contact with body.  Holy hell did his touch electrify me.  I took another deep breath to slow my breathing and thoughts.  Was I reading too much into it?  Was he just being a caring big brother?  Then I remembered his eyes.  Those deep brown eyes that peered right into my soul.  I shook my head.  I was never going to understand where things were between us. 
    I grabbed my bag and took a few deep breaths to finally control my breathing.  Once under control, I blanked my face and headed back out to the garage.  I walked out to Nicole laughing and Cade smiling good-naturedly.  Why did he have to look so hot when he smiled?   His eyes shifted to me as I approached. 
    “You ready to go?”  He asked.
    “Yep.”  I replied, evenly.  I turned to Nicole to say bye when Cade gripped my bag from behind which pulled it off my shoulder.  I turned back to him. 
    “What’s in here?”  He asked. 
    “Spare clothes, just in case.”
    “Spending the night?”  He asked, with a questioning look.
    “Uh, no.  I wasn’t planning on it.”  I gestured to