Chapter 13
With Nathan’s sage advice ringing in her ears, Cassie drove to Brody’s house that evening. He’d said he was more than happy to pick her up, but she figured having her car was safer — in case she needed to leave if the evening went badly, as she expected.
Trying not to hit her head on the steering wheel at a stoplight, Cassie reminded herself yet again that Brody was not like Daniel. In every way, so far, he had proven to be different. They had traded a handful of flirty, fun texts during the week, but their longest actual conversation had been a whole eight minutes long. Cassie had been between meetings and Brody was just getting off set. He hadn’t been kidding about his schedule being crazy too.
Telling herself that unlike Daniel, Brody had never once seemed upset by her schedule and that everything would be okay, she drove on, following the directions she’d been given. No matter how many times she went through the pep talk though, Cassie was still a bucket of nerves when she arrived at the gated road and pressed the security button. After being buzzed up, she tried once again to convince herself that everything was fine and the week had only left her a little tired.
Pulling up the driveway, Cassie got her first look at Brody’s house. She wouldn’t call it the lavish estate that Chase’s house was, but it was definitely high end and exclusive, judging by the few other scattered houses on the road up. His house was located in a mostly still forested area in the bluffs outside of the city proper. Beautiful, she imagined, when the sun set down off the cliffs and rolling Georgia countryside.
Lit up and perfectly accented in the dark evening sky, the tumbled stone and huge wood beams of the house suited the property. Seemingly at one with nature rather than trying to fight it as most new construction did. When she turned off her car, the front door opened and there was Brody, walking toward her with a huge smile.
He looked… amazing! That was the only word Cassie could think of. Really amazing. He gave new inspiration to the phrase tall, dark, and handsome. How could jeans and a loose sweater look so good on any one man?
That only made her feel more awkward knowing how worn out she must look, and her last-minute phone consult with a client had run way longer than anticipated, making her later than she’d said she’d be. Cassie had barely had time to freshen up.
“Hey there, gorgeous. Thought you would never get here.” Brody opened the car door to help her.
“I know. Sorry. Last-minute phone call. I hope I didn’t hold up dinner too long.” Ratcheting up a smile, she handed him a bottle of wine. “For tonight. This is really beautiful out here. I’ve never seen this part of the county yet. Didn’t even know this area was here. How long have you had it? Is the property very big?”
She knew the babbling came with nerves, so it was almost a relief when Brody only smiled and solved the matter by drawing her in, wrapping an arm around to lift her off her toes for a slow, soft and devastating kiss, right there in the driveway, until Cassie was clinging and her brains were half leaking out of her ears.
“Three years, give or take. About four and a half acres total. Thanks for the wine, you didn’t need to bother. I don’t really give a damn that you’re late — you’re here now.” He grinned before taking her lips again in another sinful caress. “I missed you, baby.”
“Hmmm… wow… when I can think straight again, I’ll tell you how much I missed you too.”
“Yeah? You missed me, huh?” Bending, Brody swept her up in his arms, and Cassie gave a cry of surprise.
“I can walk, you know. Put me down,” she said, laughing.
“I know you can, but you look a bit tired and here I am, all big and strong and wanting to play the hero again.” Grinning at her, Brody carried her into the house. It was a move that left a woman feeling like a princess.
If the outside was a showstopper, then it was only rivaled by the inside. Made to impress, the house was built on levels that went steadily downward on a curve of staircase that married the dynamic atrium style with carved pieces of wood that intertwined to create a banister on the wide stairwell. Oceans of gleaming reclaimed wood floors flowed on all levels, and wide walls of windows opened to the outdoors, letting in the starry night sky.
Still carrying Cassie, Brody went down the stairs to the main level.
“Is that a tree growing in the middle of the house?” She angled her head to see better. Cassie had never seen the likes of the house outside of HGTV.
“It is. Cool, isn’t it?”
“It really is.” His house connected with Cassie on some level deeper than she wanted to admit. It was soothing and relaxing at the same time to have the outdoors growing inside.
Landscaping was layered over the same tumbled stone that clothed the outside of the house, and it perfectly showcased a variety of native plants and seasonal colors. Pretty pansies in eye-popping red and white for the holidays were scattered throughout. Cassie wondered if Brody took care of all the plants himself and decided yes, he was too private a person to see an army of caretakers coming in and out of his home.
At the base of the stairs, the lower level spread out into a large space that included the kitchen, eating area, and living room. The back wall boasted a huge TV and wall-to-wall bookshelves. A huge tumbled stone fireplace stood between the kitchen and living room, red and gold flames already crackling in the hearth.
“This is incredible.” After Brody set her down, she turned in a circle to take it all in. “Can I just say super wow! How did you find this place?”
“Studio exec wanted to off-load it before he filed for divorce so his wife wouldn’t get the property. He swore she would cut down every last tree and probably burn the place out of spite. Since it needed a special buyer and knowing my love of nature, he came to me first. I came out and fell for it the second I saw it. Knew from the outside, without even seeing the rest, I’d buy it. Worked out perfectly since I was tired of apartment living. The series had taken off, so it seemed like I would be here for a while. For when I’m in Atlanta filming, it’s perfect. I keep a place in New York and LA for when I’m there too.”
“You keep a place?” Cassie slanted him a look. “That’s cute. I keep a couple of plants in my home.”
“They’re good investments, that’s all. I enjoy dabbling in real estate. It’s been a fun venture and profitable. I’m not invincible enough to think acting will always be there. Pays to have alternative avenues of income. Drink?” He held up her bottle.
“Yes, please. Forgive me, I’m just going to wander around.”
The place was really too fantastic not to wander, and exploring might help settle her nerves. God, she felt way out of her league all of a sudden with Brody and his really amazing home.
Huge beams ran through the open ceiling spaces. Sky lights opened at random, and through the patio doors, she saw a tumble of stairs and landscaping that was cannily lit up to show a low sloping hillside and the glimmer of a pool below, shaped to look like a natural pond. She imagined in the summer there would be lush plants around it and probably the flow of a waterfall somewhere close.
Wandering into the living room, Cassie took notice of the space and Brody’s apparent love for reading. Books on every single subject possible were messily jumbled together along the shelves. Some were piled at random, stacked three and four deep in places. Fiction and non-fiction, biographies, science, philosophy. The list was endless, and her fingers itched to properly organize them.
“I like to read and learn new things,” Brody said from behind her, handing over a glass of wine. “Fortunately, both of those passions combine for every new character I play, and I get to do lots of research.”
“It’s just… I had no idea what to expect… but this?” She gestured around. “This certainly wasn’t it. I love it.”
“Glad you like it.” He took her hand to kiss it. “I was hoping you might spend the night with me. The view in the morning is even better.”
Her nerves bounced higher with a vengeance. “I’m sure it is.” She said carefully, walking over to admire some pictures on the mantel.
They had to be of family. His brothers for sure, she thought, taking in one photo that had the four of them and an older man who had to be his dad — judging by the same sparkling green eyes full of fun — all standing together, covered in mud, wearing sweaty clothes, and laughing.
“The annual Turkey Day football challenge,” Brody explained as he watched Cassie checking everything out.
Still dressed up for business in a dark blue and white-trimmed pantsuit that showed every cute curve, she looked incredible but damn tired. It showed in the shadows under her eyes that makeup didn’t quite cover up. Cassie was also a massive bundle of nerves for some reason. Practically vibrating with anxiety, she’d barely met his eyes since he’d met her on the front step.
Brody took a seat on the couch and stretched out his long legs, crossed at the ankles, to settle in and figure out what was wrong. With Cassie, he’d learned that nervousness usually meant the past and the easiest way to deal with it was to just ask. “You want to tell me what’s bothering you?”
Cassie’s back went poker-straight, confirming his suspicions. “Nothing’s wrong.” She threw him a glance over her shoulder. “Why do you ask? Is this your mom? Has to be. You have her smile.”
“It is. And you’re lying to me. Why is that? We can go through every picture and book in here ‘till you’re ready to talk.” Angling his head with a rueful smile, Brody waited.
“I’m not…” Catching his bland stare, she sighed. “All right, why is it you see through every damn thing? I swear you’re the only one besides Nathan I can’t fool.”
Brody patted the spot next to him, and Cassie took a deep breath before sitting down and curling up to look at him.
“I warned you I suck at this whole dating thing,” she said. “It’s your own fault for wanting to keep on. We could have just left it at really amazing sex.”
“We could have, but we chose something else. Something better, even though it’s a challenge for both of us.”
“It’s stupid.” She shook her head. “I haven’t had another person to worry about including in the equation for a while — what they want or prefer. Even when I did, there was always an expectation of what things were supposed to be like when I came home from being away, and it was never good. I’m sorry. I guess I’m just nervous wondering what you expect, and I’m tired on top of it all and don’t really know if I’m up for any of it. Even if the sex is really amazing.”
Brody listened and heard more than what Cassie actually said. He saw the war she had within herself — wanting to please him and battling the scars of the past. Setting down his glass, he leaned forward to trace her face. “He really messed with your head, didn’t he?”
Pain crossed her pretty face. “I told you it was stupid.”
“It’s not stupid. I don’t know what I can say to put your mind at ease. Except to show you I’m not him.” Laying his lips on hers, Brody savored once more having her home with him. “Cassie, whatever expectations I might have had for tonight, I’m not an idiot. One look at you and I could tell you’re damn near exhausted. When did you last sleep more than four lousy hours straight this week?”
Cassie grimaced. “I can’t honestly remember.”
“Baby, as much as I want to get you naked right now, I want to take care of you even more. So let’s take off these heels you didn’t have time to change out of yet.” After easing them off, Brody pulled her feet across his lap and rubbed the sore arches. “We’ll have some dinner when it’s ready here soon, then you can curl up with me and watch a show and the fire. If I’m lucky, you’ll fall asleep in my arms so I can feel like a hero again and carry you to bed later.”
Cassie let out a groan of pleasure from what his hands were doing to her feet. “I don’t deserve you. You know you’re getting a bad end of this deal right now.”
“You know, sometime in the future, you’ll have to deal with my schedule crap too. Long days and longer nights sometimes. If we keep going together, there will be times you may not see me for weeks or months, depending on what part of the world I’m filming in. It’s all about compromise and making it work.” He lifted her onto his lap and helped her undo the jacket and peel it off.
Cassie laid her head against his. “If we keep going together, huh? It’s only been a few days.”
His fingers tangled in her silky red waves. “A full week. Happy anniversary, baby.” Holding her close, Brody loved how perfectly she fit against him, as if Cassie was made only for him. Every single curve.
“I never did thank you for the flowers today. They were a beautiful surprise.”
“You’re very welcome. I really like you, Cassie. Awake and energized. Tired and exhausted. Any way I can get you.”
“I really like you too. And I did miss you. Especially the way you kiss and hold me.”
Brody smiled with wickedness. Taking her wine, he set it aside. “How about you let me kiss you for a while then, till dinner is ready?”
Dinner was pure comfort food and left Cassie a blissed-out mess. Brody had done something clever with lemon, herbs, chicken, artichokes, and spinach that Cassie would never have been able to figure out. Ladled over a bed of pasta, the dish was pure heaven on a fork.
Curled up back on the sofa later, enjoying the fire after being shooed out of the kitchen by Brody telling her to put her feet up and relax, Cassie could only wonder at how lucky she had gotten with such a wonderful man. Watching the flames dance in the stone hearth, she heard him come into the room. A gift-wrapped box settled in her lap before Brody did the same behind her.
“What’s this?” she asked, puzzled by the present.
“Open it and find out.” Wrapping arms around Cassie, Brody snuggled her up to him.
Teeth tugging on her lip, she looked over her shoulder at him, unsure all of a sudden. “You don’t have to buy me stuff, you know.”
“This I did. Open it up.”
Cassie caught the gleam in green eyes. The one that spelled mischief as only Brody Miller was capable of.
After tugging off the bow, she lifted the lid and cracked up in relief at what was on top. A bra and panty set in jet black. Lacy, thin, and very, very see-through, it reminded her of their first night together at the holiday party last week.
“Funny.” She rolled her eyes and held them up. “How’d you know my size?”
His hands slid up to cup her breasts, making her laugh more, and a low chuckle vibrated next to her ear from Brody.
“I’ve made a thorough study of you, Cassidy. But I sneaked a peak in your drawer last weekend to make sure.” Brody drew the top layer of tissue off the box in a sweeping flourish, and Cassie let out a choked sound of disbelief. “Seemed a good idea to get some extras. In case I want to rip something off you every now and then,” he explained.
He took his time exploring her neck with a string of lingering kisses. For once, she worked really hard not to get distracted by the lips and mouth working their way down. It was a battle no woman could win with the skill being applied.
The box was filled with lingerie in every color and style Cassie had ever seen and some she’d never thought to consider looking at. She held up a teddy in sheer fabric of palest pink and another one in deep bronze. Bras and panties followed the same. All of it La Perla, Gilson, and La Bruna. She wasn’t sure about the last two, but she knew La Perla was decidedly high end.
Brody stopped long enough to confess without apology, “I might have gotten a little carried away while shopping.”
Casey choked out another snort, holding up another handful of colorful strings with not much else between them. “A little? Good God, Brody, you went off the reservation. I didn’t think you were serious about bags of underwear.”
Eyeing another lacy pair of sapphire blue panties with tiny crystals scattered across the front, Cassie swallowed hard. She really wasn’t the super confident kind of woman who wore most of this stuff. Victoria Secret models were selected for a reason, after all. They were tall and statuesque, something she clearly wasn’t.
“Well, I admit I was just going to replace the ones I ruined, but then I thought what the hell and indulged the heck out of myself. Purely selfish reasons were the root cause of my decision.” His fingers played with the buttons on Cassie’s shirt until his hand slipped inside and her head fell back on a moan.
Struggling to focus, Cassie pulled his hand away and shifted to look at him better. “You can’t just buy all this. There has to be a small fortune here. It’s too much.”
“As I said, purely selfish reasons. Let me spoil us a little bit.”
“You can’t do this. You have to take some of this back.”
It was becoming apparent, very quickly, how well-off Brody Miller was, how different their incomes ratios were. Tonight had been a brief but insightful glimpse into his world, and she hadn’t even seen him surrounded by adoring fans yet. Cassie did well and was a successful six-figure earner — Halcyon would show a profit for the third year in a row — but she was nowhere near in the same league as Brody.
Money had always been such a huge thing for Daniel. How much was spent? What it was spent on? Why was that needed in the first place? He’d greatly resented the money it had taken to start Halcyon even though all of it had come from Cassie’s personal savings and a gift from her grandparents’ inheritance.
All of that twisted viciously now, wrapping in Cassie’s head and leaving her feeling guilty that Brody had spent so much on her. She didn’t know how to deal with it or with the man looking at her with a mixture of disbelief, confusion and what she hoped wasn’t possible annoyance.
“I’m not taking a thing back. Except if it doesn’t fit,” Brody said, trying to tease her and hoping to bring back the fun of when Cassie was smiling and enjoying his surprise. Exactly the way he’d imagined while shopping online.
The comment only made his woman’s face fall in sadness. Brody wasn’t sure what the real problem was, but it sure wasn’t based around the fact that he’d bought underwear. Granted, he had gone a little crazy and he’d readily acknowledge that point of the discussion, but Cassie would look good in almost anything. What was a man supposed to do when faced with so many sexy choices?
Still, he didn’t like seeing her unhappy.
“You spent too much. I don’t need all this. Please.”
The last word was a plea so softly spoken that Brody almost missed it, as though Cassie didn’t really know what to do as she stared at the lingerie still in the box.
“Is this about money?” The thought had occurred to him and was confirmed by the look in Cassie’s eyes, making him drag a hand through his hair in frustration. “Cassie, come on? You can’t be serious.”
Hazel eyes, wide and worried, met his own. “I just never really thought about this difference between us. You’re here buying lingerie that costs the earth, more than I would spend in a few years on clothing. You keep houses on both coastlines. I’m… I’m not with you for your money and fame or for you to buy me expensive things.”
It was more than just that, he realized. The money wasn’t the only difference standing between them. She was battling the past again. Misery swirled in those deep eyes the way it only did when Daniel snuck his evil way back in to pick at Cassie’s confidence.
Taking her hand, Brody brought it to his lips. “Was money a big issue in your marriage?”
At first, it seemed Cassie wasn’t going to answer, then she finally nodded. “Yes. Always. Mostly around my business, but it grew. There seemed to be arguments over everything. Furniture, vacations, even clothing. I’m not a huge spender on any of it, but I hated having to justify things like needing a new pair of running shoes because my current ones were worn out.” She took a deep breath on a shake of head. “I’m sorry. I’m projecting all this crap again, and it isn’t fair to you. It just weirded me out a little to have you buy all of this at once. I didn’t mean to sound ungrateful. It just seemed… well… it was kind of a shock. I want money out of the way between us. I don’t want you to ever think that about me. I can pay my own way.”
“It never crossed my mind. You’re too damn independent to ever be comfortable taking a handout.”
The look of relief on her face made him hold her closer to give comfort.
“Okay, I’m glad you think that,” Cassie said bringing her hand to his face.
If Brody was being honest, the whole situation left him a bit dumbfounded, since he’d never had this happen before with a woman. Most of them wanted his money. Usually they wanted that even more than him, expecting the large and lavish gifts that came with wealth. Cassie, however, was the first to look like she’d be happier if Brody took his gift back. It was so damn refreshing, it made her even more special to him.
“Look at me.” Brody waited for her eyes to meet his. “Understand something about me now. I can’t change my net worth. I’m not Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg, but I am extremely well-off. I got it through doing something I love, and I’ve been very lucky over the years. I won’t apologize for it.”
“I didn’t ask you to.”
“No, you didn’t. I don’t want you to. Just understand that a big part of me likes pampering the people I care about. So I might choose to spoil you every now and then with something special. Do extravagant things just because I can. Maybe like I did here. If it makes you feel better, you can count this one as a couples present since I promise to fall on my knees in gratitude when you wear them for me.”
Cassie smiled softly and shook her head. “That would make quite a picture.”
“And I don’t want you to take this the wrong way or cause another argument between us, but you’re my woman. There’s no way you’re paying for a damn thing when you’re with me.”
“Brody, that’s not—”
A single finger to her curvy lips cut her off, then Brody leaned in for a kiss. “How am I supposed to feel like a big manly hero and treat you like a princess if you don’t let me?” Taking her lips again, he enjoyed her lovely taste until Cassie was sighing and melting back against him.
“You know that’s not the damn point,” she murmured.
“Course I do. It’s just money. Please, don’t let it hold things back between us. I have more of it than I know what to do with. Take every dime you make and do whatever you want with it. Put it all back into your business. I don’t care. You’re a smart woman who knows what’s right for her own life.”
Her fingers stroked his face as Cassie looked at him in amazement, and he thought for a moment she might cry with the moisture that glistened. “All right. I love that you feel that way about me, and I’ll try to be more open to all of this with you. It’s quite an adjustment. Thank you again for the gift.”
Laying her head back, she settled in with a contented sigh to watch the fire with him. Brody smiled softly and pressed a kiss to her forehead before he lifted his woman better onto his lap to hold her closer. Cassie had unknowingly given him a gift he hadn’t been expecting — someone who didn’t care about all the extras he could bring to the table. That she only wanted him gave back a level of pleasure he’d not known was even possible, much less expected to find. She’d surprised him further while she was away by keeping what they were trying to build close to her heart.
He hadn’t seen a single rumor or tabloid article about them, and nothing showed on her personal social media pages, which had about a hundred thousand followers – and growing, referring to a magical weekend with a new guy or a hot new something in her life. In doing so, whether she knew it or not, Cassie had given Brody what he needed. That he could trust her to keep those lines of privacy he so desperately needed from the public in order to function and create like he needed to.
Lacing their fingers together, he squeezed them warmly. “We okay then, baby?”
“Yeah, I think we really are. More than I thought we could be.”
“Good. Now that we’ve cleared up this little matter between us, let’s go back to when you first opened that box. We call this a retake in acting, by the way,” he joked, just to see her smile as he put the lid back on the box. “I’ve been dabbling in directing, here and there, so I’m in a fine place to coach you through. This time act all happy — lots of smiles and over enthusiasm.” He tickled Cassie until she was giggling helplessly for good measure. “And action.”
Playing along, Cassie drew off the lid and exclaimed in raptures, “Oh Brody, you shouldn’t have!”
When they both stopped laughing, Cassie slanted him a look of interest. The gift had unexpectedly allowed her to talk through another hurdle, and Brody had, once again, been understanding as he listened. She could think of only one way to thank a man in such an instance. And how could she not want to give back a little when he had taken such sweet care of her and made her feel so special all night long? All of his royal treatment had even picked up her flagging energy.
“Which one should I wear first for you tonight?” she asked, cocking her head.
A flare of heat lit his emerald eyes before it was carefully shut down with only a look of caring. “Are you sure? You don’t have to do anything. I’d rather you sleep tonight. We’ve got tomorrow.”
“I can sleep when you’re done with me.” Laying her lips on his, Cassie let them curve against his before sinking her teeth gently into his bottom lip. The slow hiss of response as he shifted to claim her deeper said volumes on what Brody preferred.
“Hmmm… baby, I was sure hoping you would ask me that. There was one I kept picturing on you, over and over again.” Reaching in the box, Brody drew out a confection of deep forest green and his lips curled in a sinful way at Cassie’s widened eyes and single “oh.”
“Why don’t you go upstairs and get comfortable? I’ll be up in a minute. It’s the last bedroom at the end of the hallway.”
Taking her new collection up the winding staircase to the second level, Cassie found a tastefully decorated master suite that held a lake of a bed in the middle of it. The wide-paneled platform-style looked decadent enough to sink into and not want to get out of for at least a solid week. Another huge wall of floor-to-ceiling windows framed the far wall with patio doors that once again opened to outside terraces. The whole house seemed laid out to enjoy Mother Nature.
Entering the bathroom revealed more cleverly designed cabinetry and countertops, just as the kitchen had, with an oval porcelain tub that she couldn’t wait to try out someday.
Cassie took a peek in the mirror, after slipping out of her clothes and into the sheer green fabric with wisps of lace and satin that clung, lifted, and molded in a way that was surprisingly comfortable. Holy moly! Even she thought she looked great. Brody had amazing taste in undergarments. Having never really explored seductive lingerie — since Daniel’s opinion was that she was too flat-chested for anything good — Cassie felt empowered and sexy all in one fell swoop.
Figuring that what Brody wanted was a sex goddess, she hoped this fit the bill and that she would once again measure up in bed. After giving her hair one last fluff and putting on an extra layer of lipstick, she stepped out wearing a look she hoped was pure temptress just as Brody walked into the bedroom.
He stopped dead in his tracks, and Cassie couldn’t help but smile. She’d always dreamed of making a man do just that and had the pleasure of seeing his jaw drop before his mouth formed a single reverent “wow.” She sent up a silent thanks for all the workouts she’d sweated through that allowed her to pull off the seduction.
“Do you like it?”
“You about stopped my heart.” Coming over, Brody assessed every inch of her with eyes that burned. His gaze traveled over her as he trailed a single finger down over her shoulder and arm, grazing the side of her breast before brushing over a nipple that went to a single hard peak at his caress. “Turn around.”
His voice had deepened and gone thick and husky, sending a shudder of anticipation racing through her. Cassie did a slow turn. Emerald eyes darkened to almost black raised to meet her own and she reached up to twine her arms around Brody’s neck and pull him down for a kiss she hoped would blow his blood pressure through the roof.
The picture on the website he had bought the outfit from hadn’t nearly done the piece justice. Cassie in it was a whole other story. The bits of green and silky straps rode exactly where he wanted his lips to follow — over all that soft, creamy skin. Red hair waved like firelight, making her elfin eyes huge, and lips, slick and soft, met his own to ignite a storm that blew straight through every cell in his body. Drowning in his own need, Brody almost missed the hesitation riding in Cassie eyes and cautioned himself not to take her like an animal.
Barely able to control himself, he molded her to him before lifting her to carry to bed. A week without her had been harder than he’d thought possible. Five days had dragged on forever. Feeling as though he had heaven back in his arms, Brody lowered her onto the bed and let his hands and lips roam. With the taste of her skin, however,the desperation changed. He’d thought he would want to tear off the green fantasy with the same desperation of their first time together, but Cassie’s floral scent was making his head spin. Something sweet and fragrant mixed with the lush heat of her skin. For some reason, he only wanted to sink in and savor, to indulge them both.
Thinking Brody would want the rush, her fingers flew to the buttons on his shirt. Her words urged him to hurry as she undid his belt and whipped it off and reached for the snap at his jeans. Brody stopped her, and Cassie felt old fears sneak in. She had always been expected to be ready for sex, hot and fast, after being away. Closing her eyes tightly, she waited for the cut-down.
But Brody only pulled her hands off him and guided them over her head where he pinned them in place with one hand. The other continued working over her body with singular skill and focus.
“What’s the rush, baby? Slow down.”
Mortification mingled with embarrassment. “I… I thought you would want… I’ve been gone. Let me please.”
“Shhh.”
Soothing and tender, he calmed her with leisurely, deep, and drugging kisses. Holding her hands above her, all his glorious weight pressed her down until Cassie went soft and dreamy-eyed.
His voice was low and seductive in her ear, as much of a caress as the hand moving over her breast. “I do want that. But not tonight. Sometimes the fire and flash is what’s needed, and other times… other times, it’s a slow burn. Tonight, it’s a slow burn, baby.”
Her mind spinning out from what Brody was doing to her, Cassie struggled to remain a full participant. “I don’t mind, really. I’ve been gone. I’m sure you just wa—”
His mouth cut her off again, and their tongues tangled, making her body ache. A low moan escaped her when his hips pressed against her own.
“I do want you. More than anything. Let’s relax and enjoy. Just let me explore. I’ve had all week to miss you. I want to feel you burn, Cassie. The way you burn only for me.”
Rolling her over, Brody straddled her, and his hands, strong and warm, went to work massaging the tension and stress out of her neck, shoulders, and back.
Then his lips followed.
Everywhere.
All the knots and tightness bled out like mist under the skill being applied, leaving only the need that pulsed like a slow bass rhythm, steady, deep, and never ending. Unable to believe the tenderness and care in the way Brody was touching her, Cassie gave in and gave over.
Brody was right. She only felt like this with him. The heat and fire. Like a secret lover of old, caressing and stroking, his hands traveled over her, reigniting secrets known only to the two of them. Awakening. Building with each sigh and questing touch, making Cassie groan at each new level that built to an aching pulse. His mouth found her nipple through the fabric and laved before sucking deep. She felt the heat curl through her then pool between her legs. Ones she was only too happy to let fall open to his questing mouth. Hooks slipped and fabric slithered away and off like a warm summer breeze, then his mouth was on her, exploring each fold and silken line before delving deeper to drink the liquid heat that flowed like fire through her veins. Cassie arched up, floating on a sea of pleasure and need. Her hands tangled helplessly in his hair when Brody refused to let her pull him up to her until his name fell from her lips. Then the world simply melted away.
The gilding built as he traveled back up her body, devastatingly thorough until he at last claimed her lips with the taste of her still on them. Both of them groaned at the feel of him pressing and stretching her as he slid inside. Burying his head in her neck, Brody moved. Home at last and delirious, Cassie held him close, absorbing each slow thrust of his powerful body, which built the fire brighter between them. Helplessly caught in his eyes when he laced their fingers together, she met him willingly. They climbed higher and higher until at last their bodies flung them toward the sun, where they hung before falling back to Earth.
She tried to stay awake after, but words from Brody fell soft, low, and deep against her skin. His warm, strong hands held her close, continuing to stroke and massage, pulling her under. Content and satiated to her very soul, Cassie drifted off to sleep.
Brody tucked Cassie into him, holding her tenderly as he traced her face. Her beautiful features were softened in sleep. He brushed a soft kiss across her half-open lips and heard her sigh his name as he smiled down at his sleeping beauty.
Cassidy. His sweet Cassie. She drew from him every ounce of caring and wonder he thought he could hold for someone and then some. Brody didn’t think she even knew how much strength she had in her. It had only been a week — more if he counted all the time since they had first met. How many times had he picked up the phone, wanting to call her? Fighting himself since he’d said he would leave her alone, contenting himself instead with a casual friendship he’d hoped one day might evolve into more. He hadn’t been able to forget her, and now fate had brought them back together. Cassie didn’t know it yet, but he was crazy about her on every level that mattered and already picturing her in his future.
For Brody, it was easy. When you knew someone was right for you, you knew.
In time, he hoped Cassie would feel the same about the connection they had and what might be built out of it.
All it took was two people willing to try.