Cassidy tugged her hand from his, walked to the bathroom, and looked in. He knew she’d see the shiny black, claw foot tub, sink, toilet, large stand-up shower, and black and white marble tile covering the floor.
“Your home is gorgeous, Ash. I love that tub.”
“It’s a Jacuzzi and feels good on days I’ve worked too hard.” He walked to her and cupped her face in his hands. “I need a kiss,” he whispered before pressing his lips to hers. She moaned and opened up for him. He moved his tongue into her mouth and groaned then lifted his head.
“You can use that tub anytime as long as I’m in it with you.”
Cassidy smiled. “Deal.”
Ash groaned. “Now I wish I would have waited to start those steaks.”
“We have all night, Ash.”
“Yes, we do.” He leaned down to kiss her again but heard Bandit barking. “He wants in. He took off a little while ago. Come on, you can meet Bandit.”
“Is he friendly?”
Ash laughed. “Very. Just looks intimidating.”
He took her hand and led her back to the kitchen. Letting go of her hand, he walked toward the door then looked over his shoulder and winked. “Get ready.”
“Now you’re scaring me.”
“He loves everyone. He won’t hurt you. He’s just big and thinks he’s the size of a Chihuahua.” Ash opened the door and Bandit ran in. He stopped at Ash but when he saw Cassidy, his big bushy tail started wagging faster, and he walked over to her and sat down then raised his paw.
“Is he a wolf?”
“No. Alaskan Malamute. But he does resemble a wolf, doesn’t he? A lot of people think the breed is part wolf, but Malamutes are domestic dogs. He scares people off by his size, but he loves everyone. Bandit is about a hundred pounds.”
Cassidy kneeled and took his paw when he offered it. Bandit tried to get closer to her and knocked her down. She laughed but hugged the dog.
“Bandit, behave,” Ash reprimanded the dog, but Bandit was too interested in the new person to listen.
“You call him Bandit because of the black mask around his eyes, right?” Ash nodded, and she continued. “But yet you make fun of a palomino named Golden Boy and a Paint named Patches.”
Ash grinned and shrugged. “Got me.”
“I see he listens well,” Cassidy said as she pet the big dog. “They resemble a Siberian Husky too.”
“Yes. Some people mistake one for the other, but the Malamute is bigger, taller and heavier.”
“How old is he?”
“Five. I’ve had Bandit since he was about six weeks old. Someone dropped him off out on the road, in a box. I was pulling into my driveway when I saw the box, and it was moving. I got out of my truck and found him inside.” Ash shrugged. “I’ve had him ever since. I thought he was a husky or wolf pup at first but when I took him to Doc Carter, he told me the pup was a Malamute.”
“You’re a good man, Ash Beckett.” Cassidy stood and walked to him then wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.
Ash wrapped his arms around her and pulled her tight against him then deepened the kiss. They jumped apart when Bandit stuck his nose between them and started making a howling sound.
Cassidy laughed. “What is he doing?”
“Talking. He does it all the time if he thinks he’s not getting enough attention. He’ll sit in front of me when I’m in my recliner watching TV and howl or do this Chewbacca kind of thing.”
Squatting down, Cassidy rubbed her hand over the dog’s big head, and he shut up. Laughing, she sat on the floor and Bandit tried to climb into her lap.
“I don’t think you’re going to fit, Bandit, but that’s okay,” she said.
“So I’ve lost you to my dog?”
“For now, cowboy. You just take care of dinner.”
Ash blew out a laugh. “Fine, but I want your full attention later.”
Cassidy winked at him. “You got it.”
“How do you like your steak?”
“Medium rare.”
“A girl after my own heart. They should be done soon then. Baked potatoes?”
“Yep.”
Ash stared at her as she continued to pet the dog.
“Yep, lost her to my dog,” he muttered making her laugh.
****
Later after eating, they lay together on the sofa watching TV with Bandit on the floor. Cassie leaned back against Ash’s chest and he wrapped his arms around her. She placed her hands over his. She could get so used to this, but she was such a coward. Wanting to trust a man again was different from actually doing it. Ash was a good man, but she’d thought the same about Ross when they’d first met. He’d doted on her in the beginning, but of course she couldn’t be sure now that he was faithful even when they’d been dating since she didn’t see him all the time. However, it got worse after they got married. There were lots of late nights at the office and working weekends. Then the phone calls started with someone hanging up anytime she would answer. She’d seen him talking with a woman outside a theatre where they’d gone to see a movie. She knew something was up in the way he’d watched the woman walking away. When Cassie walked up to him, he’d smiled and took her hand to lead her to the car, and she told herself she’d only imagined things.
“I can hear the wheels turning. What are you thinking about?” Ash murmured in her ear.
Suppressing the shiver caused by his deep voice in her ear, she turned her head to look at him. “I’m just tired. It seems like the trip and the rest of the day is catching up with me.”
“Yeah, me too. I didn’t realize I was so tired. Let’s go to bed.”
Cassie sat up and looked at him. “To sleep?”
“I promise to wake you up later,” Ash said, smiling.
Ash took her hand and stood then led her down the hallway with Bandit on their heels. They crawled into bed and fell asleep.
Cassie was having one hell of an erotic dream, and it was like déjà vu. Just like the dream, she had in the hotel room with Ash. He was doing things to her that had her moaning just as he had then. She could feel him spreading her legs, and when he kissed her belly, she clutched his hair in her fists.
“Awake yet?” he asked against her inner thigh.
“If I say no?”
“I suppose I’ll have to keep doing this until you are.”
Cassie laughed. “I’m never waking up.”
Ash chuckled against her stomach. “Okay. I’ll get back to it then.”
Cassie gasped when his tongue moved through her curls to her clitoris then again when he sucked at it as he inserted two fingers. He continued to suck on her clitoris as he moved his fingers. Cassie couldn’t breathe. She took deep breaths as her belly fluttered, and her orgasm hit her hard. She cried out his name. When Bandit started barking outside the door, they both laughed.
“He thinks I’m hurting you,” Ash said, laughing.
“You’re killing me, but I love it.”
Ash crawled up her body and reached into the bedside table. After donning a condom, he slid into her slowly. She wrapped her legs around his waist. Ash took her hands in his and interlinked their fingers on each side of her head.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever get enough of you,” he whispered against her lips.
God, she hoped not. She suddenly realized that she wanted him to want her and never anyone else, but she was so terrified. She wished she had someone to talk to about all of this. All thought left her as he started moving in and out of her. Picking up the pace, he thrust harder and deeper, and her orgasm rolled over her quickly.
“Oh God,” she moaned as she came again.
“Yes,” he growled, and she could feel him throbbing inside her when he followed her over.
Later, they sat facing each other in the Jacuzzi. Ash grinned at her. “The bubbles are in the wrong places.”
“Why?” She laughed.
“They’re covering you up.”
Cassie glanced down to see the bubbles
over her breasts. “Typical man.”
Ash laughed. “Darlin’, I am anything but typical.”
“I know that’s right. You’re an awesome man, Ashford Beckett.”
“I am?”
“I think it’s so sexy for a man and woman to take baths together.”
“Cassidy, I’d do anything you ask of me. Do you have couples take baths together in your books?”
“Yes.”
“Should I read those books of yours?”
Cassie laughed. “No.”
“Why not? I might learn something.”
“Ash, I’m going to start putting stuff I learned from you in there.”
Ash leaned back against the tub and stared at her. “Come here.”
Cassie slid forward between his legs and put her hands on his chest. “I’m here.”
He cupped her face in his hands and pressed his lips to hers. “I’m crazy about you, Cassidy.”
Cassie moaned. “I’m crazy about you too. I’m just scared, Ash.”
“I know you are. We’ll go as slow as you need.”
“Perfect.”
After their time in the tub, they lay in bed with arms and legs entangled. Cassie knew she’d never find another man like Ash Beckett and it scared the hell out of her.
Chapter Eleven
“I swear this thing gets bigger every year,” Gray said from beside Ash at the table they were sitting at.
“Yeah, I know. Nora and Brian go all out every year.”
“I don’t know how she does it.” Ash lifted a chicken leg to his mouth and took a bite.
He grinned when he spotted Cassidy talking with Olivia Stone. Then he saw Nora walking toward him and Gray, and they quickly got to their feet. She smiled as she stopped in front of them.
“Are you boys enjoying yourselves?” she asked.
“Yep. This chicken is fantastic. If you weren’t already married, I’d sweep you away, Nora,” Ash said, smiling.
“In your dreams, Ashford Beckett,” she said making them both laugh.
“You got that right, darlin’.” Gray winked at her.
“You just behave yourself, Grayson.”
“Of course. By the way, why do you have this thing in the hottest month of the summer?”
“Grayson, you don’t have to come, you know,” Nora told him.
Gray laughed. “And miss seeing you, Nora?”
Nora laughed. “Yeah right. You’re not here for me. It’s the free food.”
“You know me too well,” Gray said, grinning.
“That I do, Grayson Beckett. That I do. It’s a good thing I never had you two in any of my classes.”
“Are you saying we’d disrupt your class, Professor?” Ash asked.
“No doubt there.” She laughed. “Where are your parents?” she suddenly asked them.
“They should be here soon. They never miss this,” Ash said.
“I can’t wait to see them. You boys behave.” Nora smiled at them and walked off.
“Nora and Brian are so great,” Ash said as he resumed his seat, but he stood again when Cassidy began walking toward him with her sister, Ariana.
“Hi,” Cassidy said when they reached him.
Gray had stood too. “Hi, Cassie, Ariana. Great barbeque as always.”
“Hey Gray. Ash,” Ariana said, smiling.
“You know Ariana?” Cassie asked them.
“We’ve been to almost all of these barbeques. Of course, we know your sister,” Ash told her.
Cassidy stared at him and their eyes held until Gray cleared his throat. Ash glanced at Ariana to see a smirk on her face. He raised an eyebrow at her.
“How’s the mare doing?” Ash asked Cassidy.
“Good. Want to go see her?”
“Of course.” He glanced at Gray. “I’ll be right back.”
“I’d like to see the mare too,” Gray said, and Ash knew he was trying not to laugh.
“Later,” he growled then took Cassidy’s elbow in his hand, and led her toward the barn. He heard Gray laugh and he couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Your brother is a real smartass,” Cassidy muttered.
“I don’t deny that, and I don’t think he would either.”
They entered the barn and walked down the center aisle to the mare’s stall. The horse stuck her head over the gate and whinnied. Ash reached his hand out and touched her velvety nose. Cassidy stood beside him and rubbed the horse’s neck.
“She’s looking so good. Tess is an amazing vet.”
“Yes, she is.” Ash turned to face Cassidy. “If I don’t kiss you soon, I’m going to go crazy.” He cupped her face in his hands and leaned down, his lips hovering above hers. “Tell me you feel the same.”
“Yes. Please kiss me. I love the way you kiss,” she whispered.
Ash lowered his lips to hers and moaned when she opened to him. He moved his tongue into her mouth and pulled her tight against him. Her arms wrapped around his neck and she pushed her pelvis against him. Her tongue tangled with his. He slowly raised his head and stared into her eyes.
“Damn, darlin’, I’d love to climb up into the hayloft with you,” he said then lowered his face into the crook of her neck. “I want you so much.”
“I believe you,” she said, laughing as she pushed her pelvis against him.
Ash growled. “If you don’t stop, we won’t leave this barn until tomorrow morning.”
“As much as I hate to say this, we do need to get back out there.”
Ash sighed and put his forehead against hers. “I know. Later though, right?”
“Yes. I’ll be over tonight.”
Grinning, he took her arm. “I’ll try to wait patiently, but no promises.”
Cassidy laughed. “Same here, cowboy.” She stood on her tiptoes and whispered in his ear. “I’m horny.”
“Damn. Not the thing to tell a man who’s already on the edge, sweetheart. Let’s go.” He practically dragged her from the barn.
****
The band was just beginning to set up when Cassie strode into the kitchen to grab another tray of vegetables. She turned when the back door opened to see Ariana entering. Cassie had a feeling she was in for a line of questioning and Ariana didn’t disappoint her.
“So…you want to tell me about you and Ash?”
“There is no me and Ash.”
Ariana laughed. “Cassie, you have never been a good liar. Anyone can see something is going on between you and if there isn’t, you’re missing one hell of an opportunity.”
“Everyone?”
Ariana shrugged. “Okay, maybe not everyone but I can see it, and I know Gray knows something too.”
Cassie sighed. “If you tell anyone else, I will disown you. We’ve been seeing each other for a while.”
“How long is a while and who would I tell?”
“Mom and Dad, for one.”
“I promise not to tell them, how’s that?”
“It’s been since we went to the sale in Butte.”
“Wait. You and Ash went to Butte together?”
“Yes.” Cassie could feel the heat in her cheeks as her sister stared at her.
“Oooh, do tell.”
“There’s nothing to tell, Ariana.”
“Yeah, like I said you never were a good liar.” Ariana stared at her.
Cassie sighed. “We…okay…we slept together.”
Ariana squealed and hugged her. “Was it good? Please tell me it was good because you really need good after being married to a man who was only in it for himself.”
Ariana knew all about Ross and his lack of foreplay. “It was…fantastic. Absolutely fantastic. Mind-blowing orgasms.” Cassie shivered, and Ariana burst out laughing.
“There’s something about a cowboy, sis, and that particular cowboy is so damn sexy. I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks.”
“You don’t sound very excited.”
“I’m just scared. Ross did such a number on me that I worry t
oo much.”
“You are worrying too much, Cassie. Don’t let Ross keep you from being happy. Good Lord, I want you to be happy. Please don’t think all men are like him.”
“I know they’re not all like Ross, but how do you know? How many do I have to take a chance on?”
“Let me tell you something, I’ve known Ash for a few years now, and that man has morals. You know how Mom is…if she didn’t like him, she’d never let him near her horses. She loves him, and so does Dad.”
Cassie shook her head. “I don’t know. I’m just going to see where it goes, one day at a time…but I am really close to falling for him.” No way would she admit to anyone that she had already fallen.
Ariana opened her mouth to say something but the door opened, and their dad entered the kitchen. He smiled at them.
“Two of my favorite girls. What are you doing in here?”
“Getting another veggie tray. I’d better get it out there before the natives get restless.” Cassie picked up the tray while Ariana picked up another one.
“Yep. The band is about to start, and I need to get your mom on the dance floor.”
Cassie and Ariana laughed and walked outside carrying trays of food. Their parents went all out for this barbeque every year. They started doing these a few years ago and had made it a yearly thing. People from Clifton, Spring City, and Hartland came and partied well into the night. The barbeque started at six in the evening so it would be somewhat cooler but being August, it wasn’t much of a reprieve from the heat.
They carried the trays to the long tables stretched out with all types of food on them from hamburgers, hot dogs, and barbeque to fried chicken. Cassie set the plate down and glanced around. She smiled when she spotted Tess Garrett standing next to her husband, the Sheriff of Clifton County, Sam Garrett. Another gorgeous man. They were a beautiful couple. They were talking with Trick and Kaylee Dillon. Trick was holding their little girl, and Cassie felt a deep sadness at knowing she’d never have children, because she loved them.
“Are you all right?” Ariana whispered to her.
“Yes. I was just looking at Trick holding their little girl. I hate that I can’t have children.”
Ariana wrapped her arm around her shoulder. “There’s always adoption.”
Ash: A Beckett Brothers Novel Book 2 (The Beckett Brothers) Page 13