Learning To Fly

by Melissa Snark

  “Good morning.” She cast a nervous glance at Kyle and sank into the seat. Her awareness of his intense masculinity caused her to flush. Every time she got close to the man, her pulse accelerated and her stomach flip-flopped. To her horror, she couldn’t shake the image of him naked from the night before. It just wasn’t fair.

  “Morning.” Tawny brown eyes peered at her over the rim of his coffee mug. The intensity of his stare disturbed her. Cassie averted her gaze, preferring Shelly’s unassuming company.

  “What can I get for you, m’dear? I’ve eggs, bacon, toast, tea, orange juice, and coffee. If something else strikes your fancy then say the word and I’ll whip it right up for you.” The Irish housekeeper embodied unrelenting cheerfulness, with shamrocks in her eyes and a smile as bright as the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

  “Just toast and coffee, please.”

  Shelly’s grin became a look of disapproval, and she issued a mournful sigh. “You’re far too skinny, m’dear.”

  “I’d love seconds,” Kyle said, sitting taller.

  Shelly waved a scolding finger. “You’ve had more than enough, Kyle McCleod. You’re going to get fat if you don’t slow down.”

  He wore an exaggerated expression of injury and managed to attain a little boy’s pout, soulful eyes, downturned mouth. “I ran five miles this morning, Shelly.”

  Cassie stifled a forlorn sigh. If only he could have been fat. Maybe then she could think about something other than those lips, those hands, those eyes.

  She caught him watching her again over the rim of his mug. He didn’t initiate conversation or do anything else to ease the tension. Indeed, the man seemed a master of the Knowing Smirk and proficient at the Disquieting Stare.

  Shelly brought her toast and Cassie spread fruit preserves on the bread, using the excuse to avoid eye contact. Was it her imagination or did his regard have an air of suspicion about it? Had she done something to engender mistrust or had her imagination devolved to paranoia?

  Cassie cleared her throat. “How is the hawk, Mr. McCleod?”

  His brow arched, perhaps in response to her formality. But he had started it the day before. She was only following his lead.

  “The vet treated her last night,” he said. “He cleaned the cuts, closed them with a few stitches, and bandaged her up. The cuts are deep but she won’t lose her legs.”

  Cassie paled and her stomach churned. “The poor thing! I’m so glad she’ll be okay. You’re very kind…”

  The impulsive compliment burst forth before she managed to filter it. She blushed, wanting to praise him further, but such words were awkward between strangers. She longed to touch his hand, to feel his long fingers beneath hers, but she didn’t dare initiate such intimacies.

  He caught her fingers and gave a gentle squeeze. His gaze softened, growing more inviting. His smile reached his eyes and her stomach performed a funny series of flip-flops when he leaned in. For a second, she expected him to kiss her—wanted him to kiss her. Then the moment passed and he released her hand.

  “You’re welcome to visit her later,” Kyle said. “The aviary is out around the side of the house.”

  The conversation died, leaving terrible awkwardness in its wake. Cassie tried again. “Would you like to start work on the preliminary sketches today?”

  He shook his head. “Not today. It’s Sunday. Take the day off and get settled in. I’ll call the client and arrange to take you out to the construction site tomorrow so you can view the landscape.”

  “Okay.” She nodded and took a sip of her coffee. The prospect of being alone with him made her uneasy but he’d already saved her life once. She would cast aside irrational fears and trust him.

  “I might have my brother, Kieran, take you out to the site.”

  She tasted bile at the back of her throat in a rush of anxiety that caused her to shake. She took a bite of her toast and used chewing as an excuse to buy time. At least she knew Kyle; his brother remained a stranger. She dreaded the thought of being alone with an unknown man, but she had a job to do. Whatever it took to accomplish that…

  “Does Kieran work for you?”

  Approaching the table, Shelly chortled. “Oh my, Lord!”

  Cassie performed a double take. “That’s funny?”

  Kyle also laughed long and hard. “Let’s just say, Kieran doesn’t work against me.”

  “What does he do?”

  “Kieran runs his own security firm.” Kyle’s forbidding expression ended the discussion of his brother’s occupation, leaving her with many unanswered questions.

  She sighed, wishing it didn’t require so much energy to keep the conversation going. She decided to take advantage of the opportunity to further her own goals. “I need to go into town to pick up some things.”

  Kyle perked up immediately. The change in his demeanor derailed Cassie’s train of thought. Mental alarms went off. Oh, bother! The blasted man was up to something!

  “I can take you.”

  Her front teeth sank into her lower lip and her green eyes widened. “Oh no. I mean—no thank you. I’d like to go alone.”

  His brow rose; suspicion glimmered in his eyes. Too late, she realized how her response must seem both rude and inappropriate. She needed to buy enough clothes to last through her stay and wanted to do so without drawing undo attention to her predicament.

  She turned red. “It’s just—I’m going to be a while. I have a lot to do.”

  His lips curved up in a bland smile. “I only thought you might appreciate a ride, Ms. Claeys, since you don’t have a car.”

  Crap. He had her.

  She swallowed and quelled the urge to apologize. She doubted her attractive employer heard the word “no” very often. She sensed he wasn’t trying to gaslight her on purpose. However, he made her nervous, and as her boss, he had power over her. If he changed his mind about having her here and told her to leave, then she had nowhere else to go. She didn’t like it at all.

  “Thank you, Mr. McCleod. That’s a very thoughtful offer, but I’d hate to take up your entire day with trivial errands. Perhaps someone could drop me in town?”

  He gulped the rest of his orange juice and set down the glass, regarding her with unblinking brown eyes. “I appreciate your concern for my time, but I don’t mind at all.”

  Approaching the table, the housekeeper stopped and surveyed them, curiosity written all over her face. Cassie felt Shelly’s eyes on her face and she avoided eye contact, well aware of how her expression gave everything away. She sucked in a deep breath and tried to quell her rising panic. The last thing she needed was to make a scene, but thanks to Kyle’s stubborn determination to have his way, they were well on the way.

  She forced a smile. Time to resort to scare tactics. “I’m going shopping.” She paused and lingered on the S word, allowing the implication to sink in. “I’ll be trying on clothes and shoes. I love shoes. I’m going to be a long time. Hours, I imagine.”

  Kyle licked his lips and Cassie stared at the tip of his tongue as it emerged past his teeth. Her cards were on the table. If he refused to back off, then she resolved to drag him through every store in the entire town, especially the embarrassing ones full of frilly things.

  “No problem, I’m not in a hurry,” he said.

  Cassie flushed. All too aware of Shelly’s amusement, she made one final try. “That’s funny. Most men I know hate shopping. You’re an unusual man, Mr. McCleod.”

  He smiled and replied, quick and glib. “I assure you, I love to shop, Ms. Claeys.”

  Shelly chortled hard enough to knock her off her feet. Startled, they turned toward the housekeeper who pressed one hand to her side and grasped a chair back with the other for support.

  “Good Lordy, Kyle! My boy!” Shelly wiped tears from her cheeks with her apron. “That’s the biggest lie I’ve heard pass your lips since you were twelve ‘n claimed a lumberjack put that pick axe through the dining room table!”

  Kyle’s ears turned red an
d his lips compressed. Cassie hid a smile behind her hand. Thank goodness for Shelly Arthur.

  “God should strike you down in your tracks. You’re a terrible liar.” Shelly lectured with a wagging finger.

  Shelly turned her mirthful gaze toward Cassie. “It’s been my lifelong dream to bounce darling babies on my knee, but I despair of it. This one brings nothing through our doors but stray animals and injured wildlife.”

  She pressed her lips together, trying and failing to contain the smile turning up the corners of her mouth. The housekeeper’s mirth was contagious and irresistible. She stole a quick glance at Kyle and found him grinning. The man had a beautiful smile; it touched his eyes and lit his entire face.

  The housekeeper clasped her hands together. “The man wants to spend time with you. Please, take pity, my dear. For my sake, if not his.”

  Cassie gave in because of that smile. “I really am going to be hours.”

  “Oh, thank you, thank you!” As busy as a bee, Shelly gathered up an armful of dirty dishes and cleared the table. She headed for the sink in a bustle.

  “I don’t mind.” He held up a hand. “Scout’s honor.”

  She scrunched her nose. “Were you a Boy Scout?”

  “I was.” He stood. “I’ll bring the car around front. Are you ready to go?”

  “I just need to grab my purse.” She pushed away from the table and almost ran from the kitchen.

  Kyle caught her on the stairs, touching her elbow to get her attention. She stopped and glanced back with bright eyes. Her treacherous heart raced when he drew near, and she knew it had nothing to do with fear.

  “Yes?”

  “Would you call me Kyle? Please?”

  Cassie fell into his tawny brown eyes. Lost and then found. “I guess being formal is kinda silly,” she said with a smile.

  “I agree.” His fingertips traced a delicate pattern on her skin; her body ached with excitement and anticipation. A warm, melting need for more…

  In that moment, the foundation of their professional relationship grew even more precarious. “My friends call me Cassie.”

  “Cassie.” He tried out her name as if they were making love, all gruff and throaty. She blushed and lowered her eyes.

  “Kyle,” she said, ever so soft.

  He smiled as he turned. “I’ll get the car. Meet me in the front?”

  “Two minutes.” She spun and raced up the stairs. Her spirit soared, a hawk on the wind.

  ****

  They drove into Carmel-By-The-Sea and spent the afternoon exploring the seaside town’s many boutiques and art galleries, amid streets lined with charming houses and cozy cottages nestled amongst English gardens. Flourishing Monterey pines and cypress trees provided a shady canopy. A cooling breeze blew in off the ocean and took the edge off the summer heat. The former artist colony offered more than enough entertainment for a lazy Sunday afternoon outing, and Kyle enjoyed spending time with Cassie, even though the redhead seemed determined to visit every single shoe and apparel store they came across.

  “I didn’t realize I was paying you this much. Do you really need so many shoes?” he asked with a touch of sarcasm as she emerged from yet another boutique. With a staged grumble, he accepted another bag and shuffled the handles through deft fingers.

  Cassie’s green eyes gleamed and she winked. “‘Give a girl the correct footwear and she can conquer the world,” she said with just the right intonation to make it a quote.

  “Imelda Marcos?” His watchful gaze belied his casual smile. She no longer shrank away from him whenever they happened to touch. He counted it as a victory over whatever personal demons plagued her.

  “Bette Midler,” Cassie said with an entrancing smile. She looked gorgeous with the sun shining on her burgundy hair, tumbling in a loose riot of curls down her back. A smattering of freckles covered the bare skin of her nose and shoulders and formed an enticing trail beneath the neckline of her sunshine yellow top. It was killing him, wondering if the freckles covered her breasts.

  “Ah.” Kyle dragged his gaze from her cleavage, hoping she hadn’t noticed. It wasn’t the first time his wandering eyes had dipped lower than was polite. He needed a cold shower and to sneak off alone to adjust his pants.

  Her hand brushed his arm. “Thank you for coming with me today and not complaining. You’ve been a good sport.”

  He chuckled. “I really backed myself into a corner. With Shelly, once you’ve been caught lying, all bets are off.”

  They laughed together, enjoying a wonderful camaraderie. The connection between them made the long afternoon of trooping from one store to another worthwhile. He considered the torture a fair price to see Cassie relaxed and happy.

  “I like Shelly,” Cassie said. “She talks like your mom…”

  Kyle heard the implicit question and he didn’t mind answering it. “The Arthurs have worked for my family all my life. Shelly has been a mom to us, especially after my parents died in an accident.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. It was a long time ago.”

  “Still, you must miss them.” Her expression held sadness and sympathy. She reached out and squeezed his forearm. Another voluntary touch; another small victory.

  Kyle felt an uncomfortable pang. He hadn’t expected to find himself opening up to her, but it was easier than he would have thought. “I do. Thank you.”

  To his immense regret, her hand retreated. She stood just six inches shorter than him, and had some of the longest, sexiest legs he’d ever seen on a woman. Her remarkable height put her mouth within a tempting distance. The tip of her tongue wet those lush lips, and desire twisted his gut, a painful spasm of arousal.

  Then, his stomach rumbled.

  “Hungry?” Cassie laughed and her whole face lit. She leaned in closer and he did not miss the way her gaze lingered on his abdomen. His nostrils flared, drinking in her scent. Her hair smelled like strawberries with alluring notes of lemon. His fingers moved and he started to reach for her, but then aborted the impulsive gesture.

  “Starving. Want to grab a late lunch?” He checked his watch and discovered that it was past four o’clock in the afternoon. His brow rose in mild surprise.

  Cassie bit her lip and stared at him with rounded eyes. Kyle grew still and did not move again until she breathed a soft sigh.

  “Okay, yeah, that sounds good. Where do you suggest?”

  “Do you like seafood?”

  “I love it.”

  “There’s a great restaurant not too far from here—down on the water. We can walk.”

  “Can we drop this stuff at the car?” With a cheeky grin, she indicated the many packages he held with a wave of her hand.

  Kyle sensed rather than heard her silent laughter. He flashed a good-natured smile. “Sure. I’ll be happy to have my hands free again.”

  The short walk to the parking garage where he’d left the car passed in pleasant conversation. It was a huge improvement over the awkward silence of the early morning. They deposited the bags in the convertible’s trunk, and Kyle activated the security system. They had reached street level again when Cassandra ground to a sudden halt.

  “Oh, shoot!”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I left my jacket in the car and it’s getting chilly. Can I borrow your keys? I’ll run up and grab it.”

  “Sure.” Removing his keys from his pocket, he passed them to her.

  “Back in a flash.” She shot up the stairs of the parking garage, leaving him on the landing. As she disappeared around the bend at the top of the first flight, it occurred to him that he ought to have warned her about disarming the security alarm prior to unlocking the vehicle. His convertible lit up with a fireworks display of light and noise. He couldn’t believe he’d forgotten, but the woman possessed an uncanny talent for robbing him of his mental faculties.

  “Cassie, wait up a sec.” Kyle started after her. He took the steps two at a time, but moved slower than her breakneck ascent.
The garage only had two levels. He’d catch her soon enough.

  When he reached the upper level, Cassie stood next to the convertible’s trunk with her back to him. She held her head bent over the electronic key as she studied the controls in the darkened garage. Kyle extended his hand to tap her shoulder. “Cassie.”

  She screamed and whirled to face him. She shrank away and collided with the back end of the vehicle. The motion-sensitive security system emitted a high-pitched shriek and the lights flashed like crazy. The look of sheer terror on her face floored him. Kyle stared and froze in place. He had no idea how to react and worried that any action on his part would frighten her more.

  Cassie retreated from him further. In the process, she dropped the keys and almost fell. Perplexed, Kyle held his ground and bent to retrieve them. With a deft press of the correct button, he deactivated the security system. The nerve-jarring sound ceased.

  In silence, they gaped at one another. She stood with one hand pressed to her throat, mouth open as she swallowed great gulps of air. He had no idea what to do or say, and feared a misstep that would make the situation worse. Finally, he decided to act natural and hope she relaxed.

  “I wanted to show you how to turn off the security system,” Kyle said. He felt like a fool. Would it be presumptuous to demand an explanation for her erratic behavior? Even commenting upon it opened the door to all kinds of weirdness.

  He held up the electronic key and pushed another button, popping the trunk. He reached within and picked up Cassie’s coat. After a second of hesitation, he offered it to her. Her cheeks flushed and she took the jacket from him, turning away in a clear attempt to recover her composure.

  “I’m sorry. You startled me.”

  “I’m sorry I scared you.”

  She shook her head so her hair swayed, long strands hid her face. “No, it was my fault for over reacting.”

  He felt compelled to address the situation regardless of the awkwardness. If he trusted his instincts, then she was in serious trouble and needed his help. His hand lifted toward her, offering help, support, anything she needed. “Red, is there something I can do…”