Chapter 14
Clouds and raindrops were dripping outside the room when Cassie drifted to awareness, curled up against the most incredible warmth she’d ever felt in bed. It was wrapped around her as much as the throw pulled over her, calling like a lover for her to slide back under into dreams of a dark and handsome hero. Opening eyes that were slow to focus, she soon figured out that the golden expanse of what she thought was the sands of a beach was actually a broad male chest. One strong arm was wrapped around, holding her close, so that she was pillowed half on top of Brody with her leg thrown across his in abandon. Shoving back messy hair, she peered around.
He was awake, holding her on one side, reading a bunch of papers on the other. Remembering the last of the night before and pretty sure she had fallen asleep on Brody, Cassie looked up at him. He brushed an absentminded kiss on her head, intent on what he was reading. Content to snuggle in, Cassie lay there and let herself wake up. As was her habit, she always took a few minutes to review the previous day before setting her intentions for the current one.
Everything last night had been incredible. Brody had taken care of her in ways she hadn’t known were possible. The only person Cassie could blame for trying to ruin it was herself and her silly hang-ups from the past. As she’d learned the hard way building a business over the last few years, when something wasn’t working, it needed a change. Just like a change was needed now. It was time to draw a line in the sand. She could continue letting the past sneak in and ruin all that they could have together, or she could choose to trust, relax, and enjoy connecting with this amazing guy the universe had decided to bless her with. Everything happened for a reason, and Brody was part of her life now for however long that was meant to last.
NO!
That thought was nothing more than self-defeating. Brody had specifically asked her not to think like that of the two of them. She drew that line in the sand once more.
It wasn’t fair to either of them to always think things might fail. Even worse — actively looking for ways to make that happen. Maybe part of that was wrapped up in Daniel and how things had all fallen apart, but that was the past. Brody was nothing like her ex in any way, shape, or form. He was content with what he had and who he was as a person. If the most selfish thing he had done so far was buy her a big box of sexy underwear, well, Cassie could let it go. And maybe he was just as cautious about sharing his personal life as she had been, but unlike her ex-husband, Brody seemed happy with whatever she was willing to share with him. So far, he had accepted her just the way she was. Even when she worked nonstop and came home with only half of her brain intact. Outside of Nathan and Anna, Brody was the only one to have ever done that. To accept her as is.
And Cassie could be more for Brody because of that easy simple acceptance.
She wanted to be more.
Content with her analysis and decision, Cassie smiled, happy to begin letting go, at last, of the past that had haunted her far too long.
Casting her gaze about the room, she took in the buttery gold color on the walls. Dual reading chairs and plush ottomans draped in dark teal tones sat in the corner. Deeply cushioned, they invited a person to sink in and enjoy the patio view and a book. No TV was present in the bedroom — unusual for a man in Cassie’s experience but the painting over the dresser was stunning. Instead of a traditional mirror, there was a landscape, bold yet somehow a relaxing swirl of the forest in the evening light. It seemed to glow from within and under the foliage that had been painted, like fairy lights were hiding inside, drawing the eye into the magic and mystery of a path just barely laid out between the trees. Like a magical Elven forest. It was a painting you could stare at for hours and get lost in. True artistry.
Next to them on the bedside table stood a haphazard collection of books about Abraham Lincoln, and she wondered if it was research for a future role. Cassie’s eyes fell on what Brody was reading. She’d never read a script before and found it fascinating. It was completely different from reading an actual book, since it had only the dialogue scattered in with suggestions for overall body motions and facial expressions.
“That’s really serious stuff. Is that for your show?”
“It is.” Setting the papers aside, Brody pulled Cassie up to him, and she propped herself up on his chest. “I was wondering if I should wake you up. Forgot to ask when you needed to leave today.”
“Maybe later this morning or early afternoon. Depends when you need me to leave. I tried to work ahead to free up some time for spending with my guy.” She said it shyly, but the label made Brody smile with approval. “What time is it?” When she saw the clock on the bedside table next to him, Cassie’s jaw dropped. She never ever slept that late. “Oh my God. How is it ten a.m.?”
“You can stay as long as you want. All weekend, if you like. It’s ten a.m. because your body apparently needed it. You passed clean out, sweetheart. Slept like the dead. I’ll be a gentleman and not mention that you snore.”
“I did not. Did I?” It was out before Cassie caught the teasing light in his eyes. “You rat.”
Brody pulled Cassie full on top of him. She loved the feel of her naked breasts against his skin and took an extra moment to enjoy all the lean muscle of his long frame.
“Feel better?” he asked.
“I do. Thank you for relaxing me so well. I was all but purring with that massage you gave me.” She slanted a glance down at him. “I feel like I could charge a mountain today. Which I will do next week. Last travel before the holiday.” Giving a shimmy of excitement, Cassie caught on quickly to who else was excited.
Even more exciting was how really great it was to start the day with a sexy man in bed. Brody Miller, laying there with a knowing smile and rumpled bed hair, was the definition of sexy.
Pressing a kiss to his lips and enjoying the feel of his two-day-old stubble, she couldn’t resist asking, “What exactly are you reading?”
“Last show for filming next week. Working on my lines.”
Having Cassie slithering over him was no hardship, but it sure was making it hard for a man to think. Especially when she adjusted and made sure that the core of her could slide better up and down his throbbing cock. Since he could get fully on board with her intentions, Brody reaching into the table next to him and slipped out a condom as Cassie started exploring.
“I watched episode one of your show.”
When she traced her tongue over the tight bud of his nipple and sank her teeth into the surrounding muscle, he jerked in response. His hands grabbed hold and lifted her up for a kiss.
“What did you think of it?”
Cassie could only blink, trying to focus through what his fingers were doing. Brody smiled against her lips, loving how he could drive her a little crazy as he traced his hand up her side, savoring the feel of those absolutely perfect curves.
“Of what?” she murmured.
With her gorgeous pink nipples caught between fingers, his woman had no idea what he was asking.
“Of the show?” He teased her lips. “The one you watched.”
“Oh… right… Blake is a total jerk.” Breathless, she kissed him back and groaned when Brody spread her legs and his fingers played inside her perfect wet heat. “He’s… a chess… player.”
Cassie practically panted the words, and Brody swore he grew another inch just listening to her.
“Manipulative… devious… always looking for the next play…”
Brody fit himself to her and eased Cassie down on a groan. Slowly.
“He’s… nothing… like you.”
Her mouth sought out his as he lost himself to the feel of her.
Sprawled out on top of Brody, Cassie stretched, grateful to the soles of her feet that she could actually move. She’d had no idea the things her body was capable of before she met Brody Miller, and she sighed happily with her fingers playing in his dark hair.
“You were right. Mornings in bed are much better.”
“Correction, mornings in bed with you are much better.” After a fond pat on her bottom, Brody rolled her underneath him. “I need food. Desperately. I’m going down to take care of that little thing for us. Then, fair warning, I might throw you over my shoulder and cart you right back up here to bed.” He kissed Cassie lavishly then swung out of bed. “You have anything that’s not a suit to put on?”
Admiring Brody’s supremely well-formed naked ass while he tugged on sweats, it took Cassie a second to focus on the question. “I do actually. Just need to run out to my car. I have my carry-on.”
Thick brows drew together over narrowed green eyes. “You haven’t been home yet? Gone all week?”
Wincing at the words and scrutiny, Cassie tugged the sheet up higher. “I had to take a late phone meeting with a client. If I’d gone home, I would have been later than I already was getting here last night.”
Leaning down, Brody smoothed back her hair. “I appreciate you coming over, even late and all, but baby, you have a right to at least a change of clothes and to shed the week before you do.”
“It wasn’t a big deal,” she said, sitting up to face him and trying to make him understand and knowing, on some level, she’d upset him.
“Your keys in your purse or coat? I’ll go get your bag. You stay here and keep warm for a bit, all right?”
“Coat.” She acknowledged his thoughtfulness for her with a kiss. “I don’t need you to take care of me. But I’m glad you want to.”
“Thanks for letting me.”
After grabbing a shirt, Brody strolled through the house until he located the keys then went to Cassie’s car. He stared inside the trunk, which held said carry-on and also her checked bag with the barcoded tag still on it from Dallas, and tried to fight the frustration over having a workaholic girlfriend. He’d work on getting Cassie to add in some more relaxation time. If nothing else, Brody was at least going to take care of her as much as he could.
In a kitchen that was about four times the size of hers, boasting top-of-the-line appliances, Cassie sat at the counter on a bar stool, admiring the acres of countertops done in poured concrete and cabinets made out of reclaimed materials. Perfectly designed, she supposed, for someone who loved to cook, and it was as open and airy as the rest of the house now sparkling in the sun that had decided to show up after the rain. The kitchen also held an island that was just that — big enough for a person to sleep on if they wanted.
The job of slicing fruit had been generously delegated to her. She’d offered to cook breakfast, but the chef had said he’d only let her if she did it in just her bra and panties. Laughing herself silly at the idea, she enjoyed the show as Chef Brody whipped up scrambled eggs topped with fresh herbs from the pots from the windowsills. Cassie had chopped those while Brody guided her hands to show her what a chiffonade meant for the basil and a fine dice for the thyme, joking about how he was going to teach her about cooking. She could admit that the chopping lesson hadn’t been that bad. If fact, she’d even call the experience a positive one. Brody had been patient, putting her at ease when she was nervous handling the deadly sharp blade.
Brody spoke up while Cassie found plates, cups, and cutlery to set the table. “I have to pick up some groceries and a couple of other things later. How about I drive you home and you can grab what you need for the weekend? You’re welcome to work here today and tomorrow if you like.”
Leaning against the wall next to the stove while he cooked, Cassie watched Brody pour the eggs into the hot skillet and swirl the mixture expertly. He let the high heat set them while she thought about his offer.
“If I do stay here again, that of course works to your advantage, right?” She eyed him over her tea cup and got a wag of eyebrows in response.
“I can come to you later too. Either way. I’m flexible. We don’t shoot again till early Monday.”
“I’ll think about it. I guess if you don’t mind me working here, tonight wouldn’t be a problem.”
“Where are you flying off to this week? You leave tomorrow evening again?”
“I do. New York first, then Salt Lake City. Chicago is on the way back. I won’t get in till late Friday afternoon, maybe evening. I’m not sure yet. Depends on the after-seminar part. This Chicago company likes to party.”
“So… plan on seeing you Friday night, or let you rest up and see you Saturday?”
Biting her lip, Cassie ran the details of next week’s schedule quickly in her head. “I don’t know for sure. Can we play it by ear? In case I’m tired and useless?”
“We can. There’s a cast party that day after wrap up. Depending on how long we run, getting together might have to be Saturday anyway.”
“Right, then just a few days till we both leave to go home for the holidays.”
“Yep. Spend them with me? Those few days, gorgeous?”
The request caught her off guard until she caught Brody’s eye. “You’re serious?”
“I am. Think about it. Gives us a chance to get to know each other more. You’re gonna miss me over Christmas. I’m half tempted to scoop you up and take you home with me,” he said, tickling Cassie and nipping at her neck.
“It’s still a bit early to go home to meet the parents. Let’s hold off on that for a while.”
He switched off the burner on a shake of head at her comment. “This is done. Let’s eat.”