Chapter 37
Low appreciative laughter echoed in Cassie’s ear when the orgasm washed over her in a wave of pleasure, and she woke gasping and breathless to find her arm wrapped up behind Brody’s head while his hands had apparently been enjoying their free rein over her body. A body that clearly knew it belonged to Brody and only Brody.
“Good morning, gorgeous.”
Since Cassie could barely speak, just a small hum of agreement was all that escaped.
“Hope you don’t mind, sweetness. Couldn’t help myself. You felt like magic laying here in my arms.”
Fingers still buried deep inside her were slowly stroking her back to oblivion. Cassie couldn’t see anything, and all she could feel was Brody. His hand left only to let the strength and power of him press deep, filling, stretching, awakening her until he was buried within. Whispering words of love, Brody rocked them both to oblivion.
Midday outside and you would never know it. Cassie lay dreamy-eyed in Brody’s arms. Both of them were soft, pleasured, and oh so overly sensitive that every time Brody stroked a slow caress over her skin, the contact felt like another mini burst of pleasure to feel that perfect silk against his own. They spoke in low tones and soft laughter, cocooned in their little world while the unexpected gift of rain wrapped the house and the beach below in a thick curtain of mist, canceling the wedding activities for the day and allowing all of the house’s occupants to hibernate — perfect for two lovers who had spent too long apart.
Cassie reached over and traced the spine of the book that lay on the table next to the bed, the leather-bound journal she had given him last Christmas. “You kept it.”
Catching her trembling hand, he brought it to his lips before lacing their fingers together. Brody could tell visions of their past were creeping in on a wave of sadness. “Of course. Did you think I would get rid of it?”
“I guess a part of me did, with all that happened.”
Brody shook his head. Traced one slant of her eyebrow and found the sheen of moisture that formed at the corner, brushing it gently away. “Never. It was from you, baby. One of the best times of my life is written in those pages — when I fell in love with you.”
“And the worst?” Cassie whispered.
Only he knew the heartache he had written during that dark time. Cupping her chin, Brody kissed her tenderly. To comfort her, he held her close, vowing to never lose her again. “Yes. Even that. It’s part of life. The bad times that almost drag you under and the light and brightness that fight them off. You’re that light for me. We survived it. Maybe we even love each other more now because of it.”
“You’re right. What I feel for you now is so much more than before. It scared me before. It was so much and seemed so fast. I never in my life felt so much for someone. And even that — it’s nothing compared to now.”
“We have each other again. That’s all that matters. I have to believe we’re meant to be.” He laid his forehead against hers. “How else would you have taken me back after a drunken idiot tossed you in a pool?”
A shaky smile came out, and tears fell as she whispered to his lips, “Because that same drunken idiot jumped in and saved me. Just like the hero he always was.”
“I only want to be your hero. Come back to Atlanta with me? Move in with me again?” A corner of his lips lifted in a smile.
She bit her lip. The idea of it clearly took her off guard, and Cassie hesitated. “I thought you were in Iceland right now? Filming.”
“I am. About three more weeks for some reshoots and extras. Then I’ll be back to start the next season of filming again for the series. I want… I’d love you to be there when I come back?”
Being Cassie, she would have to look at all the angles and weigh the pros and cons, possibly compile a spreadsheet as well. It was one of the many things Brody loved about her. He brought the spontaneity and fun while Cassie brought the practicality. To him, it was a good balance.
“It seems so soon. Are we rushing again?” she asked.
Brody traced her face, shook his head slightly, and with nothing but tenderness soothed those small fears she still held. “It’s not too soon. We belong together. We love each other. What more is there? Be with me. We’ve spent too much time apart already.”
“I still travel, you know.”
“I know, and I still act, but you also said you changed things with work, cut back a lot of your schedule. I can make changes too.”
“I have made them. Needed to in order to get better. Still, it’s such a big leap to consider…”
He’d shocked her with the offer to adjust as well. Brody loved to work just as much as she did, although he’d always balanced the scales better, incorporating downtime between his projects and weekly to-dos, but he was still offering concessions to make things work for the better...
Concessions, letting go, and adapting had been hard things to learn and implement, but she’d adjusted. To cut back at work, she’d developed a mentoring program for those on their team she and Nathan knew had the skills to step up and lead the seminars. Cassie only personally ran about three speaking engagements a month these days, and to have that personal CEO appearance came with an increased keynote speaker fee, something Nathan had insisted she work into the contracts. Cassie had been worried it was too soon to take that step, but Nathan had, once again, proven her wrong. The companies they worked with hadn’t so much as batted an eyelash at the additional cost to have the best, and knowing they had created something so in demand made her proud.
“I’m glad you’re taking care of yourself. I’m so proud of what you’ve built. We both work crazy hours. You got a taste of my life before too. But with the right changes, this time we can make each other a priority. You know I’ll always support you whatever you build. Come home so I can be there to help with the rest.” Brody offered a smile of understanding. “It goes both ways, sweetheart. I want to know while I’m away that you’re safe and warm in my bed.”
“You sure it’s just not so you can wake me up like you did this morning?” Cassie teased.
“Well, I have to admit, there are certain advantages to having you handy. Like that little bit ago and your mouth on me in the shower.” Brody grinned at her like the sexy devil he was.
Cassie blushed from her toes all the way to her hair as she remembered exactly how wanton he made her, how Brody had braced himself on the wall and shuddered above her while she worshiped him on her knees. Then he’d buried his hand in her hair and dragged her up to finish the job at hand.
“I love how you still blush for me, gorgeous. Don’t think I’ll ever get tired of it,” his lips murmured against her own. “What do you say? Come live with me. If you don’t want that house, I’ll buy us another. Anywhere you want to live. As long as you’re with me, it will be home.”
“Brody…”
His heartfelt statement left her falling over the edge, realizing just how much she wanted to be there with him. To be welcomed home at the end of the day and wake knowing he was with her always. All the uncertainty seemed trivial. What did she really need to think about? They had a future if they wanted it badly enough. Brody was right — as long as they were together, no matter where they were, it would be home.
“No, I don’t want you to sell that beautiful place. It’s so you. Wild and unique. I loved being there with you. I loved when you took care of me there. It was the one place where I could relax and turn it all off.”
“Is that a yes?”
Cassie pressed a kiss of happiness and smiles to his lips. “It’s a yes. What about the rest?”
“We’ll figure it all out together.”