A Gentleman's Kiss Romance Collection

by Ginny Aiken

  “Can I help?”

  “Are you busy tomorrow morning?”

  “No, but I wasn’t offering to take your place.” Ty grinned.

  Cassy stepped back, allowing him to enter her apartment. “Oh, come on, you’d be wonderful. The church would be so blessed.”

  “Play the piece again for me.”

  “Only if you work your magic fingers on my neck and shoulders,” she teased.

  “Not a problem.”

  Cassy sat down and positioned herself with the music. Ty worked her stiff muscles. “Why are you so afraid?”

  “Stage fright, I guess. It’s probably why I never went further with music. I love it, but I’m terrified playing in front of people.”

  “I’m obsessive in getting a piece just right. Ask the quartet. They’ll all agree. I’ve held back on playing pieces for events if I didn’t feel we were at a certain level. Of course, all of us have that in us to some extent.”

  “The four of you are really close, aren’t you?”

  “Yeah, kinda like an extended family.”

  “Ty, would you please play with me tomorrow?”

  “But we haven’t practiced together.”

  “Please. I know I’ll be more confident playing with someone than by myself.”

  Tyrone gazed into her auburn eyes and saw her sincere pleading. “All right. Let me get my cello and see if we can work it out well enough to perform together.”

  “Thanks.”

  What had he agreed to? Hadn’t he just told her he was a perfectionist when it came to performances? Was it possible to play together with only one rehearsal? He stopped himself at the door. “On second thought, bring your flute to my place. A flute is a lot less to lug around.”

  Cassy chuckled and grabbed her music. An incredible urge to pull her into his arms and kiss those sweet lips rushed over him. Lord, give me strength.

  They played “Amazing Grace” over and over for an hour. “I need a break,” Cassy said.

  “No problem. I think we’ve got it down pretty well.”

  “You weren’t kidding when you said you were a perfectionist.”

  Ty placed the cello in its stand. “Sorry.”

  Cassandra rubbed her cheeks. “No, it’s okay. I’m obviously not a professional. Thanks for being so patient with me. So often I just wanted to put my flute down and listen to you.”

  Tyrone chuckled. “You did.”

  “Oh, sorry.”

  He loved the playful banter that played out when they were together. She was so comfortable to be around. “As you can tell, I’ve played the piece many times before. But I do like the difference of the string and the wind instruments together. It’s a nice sound.”

  “I was noticing that, too.”

  He wondered how well the rest of their lives would blend together. “Cassandra, I’m not sure how to ask this. I like you. I’m attracted to you. But I don’t really like the dating scene. And I’m a man who, well, once I’ve made a commitment to go out with someone, it’s exclusive. I guess what I’m trying to ask is if you’d like to go out with me on a regular basis.”

  “Go steady?”

  Ty hadn’t heard that term in years and chuckled. “For lack of a better term, yes.”

  “When you obsess you obsess,” she quirked a grin. “Wasn’t it just yesterday we decided to take it slow and begin as friends?”

  Ty inhaled and let out a slow sigh. “You’re right. I’m sorry. It’s hard to believe that was only yesterday. It seems like weeks have passed. Well, maybe not weeks but …”

  She stepped up to him and placed her finger to his lips. “It’s all right. I feel the same things, too. I think we were right yesterday about our friendship, but I also think we have to be honest about our growing attractions.”

  He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. Cassy wanted to protest because she wanted him too much. She closed her eyes and prayed for strength. “Ty,” she whispered.

  “Yes,” he purred.

  That was all it took. She pushed herself away from his embrace.

  “Sorry,” he mumbled.

  “Let’s talk on the patio,” she suggested. It was dangerous to be alone in a secluded place with him.

  “Wise woman.” Ty escorted her outside.

  She loved being in his arms. She ached to be there right now. “How do we control this?”

  “You’ve got me.” Ty sat down on a patio chair. “Maybe we should talk about some neutral subjects, say, like baseball or something.”

  Cassy giggled. “Have you been to a Marlins game?”

  “A couple times. It’s so hard with the team struggling so. You?”

  “Same. What about the Dolphins?”

  “Now football’s another matter. I’ve gone as often as I could reasonably afford it.”

  “How does the quartet survive financially?”

  “Right now, we’re doing well. We don’t need second jobs. But with Marissa getting married, I foresee the day when our schedules will have to lessen and we’ll be faced with a need to earn some money apart from the quartet.”

  “Ah.” I wonder if he can afford a wife and kids.

  Wife? Kids? And I think he’s obsessive. She groaned.

  “What?” he asked.

  “Nothing.”

  “Cassy, be honest; what went through your mind?”

  Honesty, something she prided herself on. “I wondered how you could provide for a wife and children.”

  Ty blushed. “I’m doing all right. I’ve tried to make wise investments. But, admittedly, the first two years out of school, I spent far more than I should have. Now I’m saving for the rainy day and preparing for my future. If I find the right house, I could provide well for a family at my current income.”

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean …”

  He cut her off. “It’s okay, your thoughts haven’t gone anywhere that mine haven’t. Isn’t it odd that we barely know each other, but when we sit down to talk it’s as if we’ve known each other for years? And we’ve both admitted to our mutual attraction.

  “I’ve been praying about us, Cassy. I know that’s rather bold, especially since we’ve just begun to get to know each other. But I do want the Lord in our relationship right from the start.”

  Cassy smiled. “You don’t know how long I’ve waited to hear that from a man. I’ve basically given up on dating also, especially after that blind date my girlfriend set me up with the night before I pounded on your wall—he was a real winner. She’d been trying to set me up for ages. Somehow, I agreed to that blind date. But I refuse to go on another one again.”

  “I don’t have much free time for traditional dating. I’m generally the guy playing in the background for the romantic events.”

  “Well, if I can be so bold, I think it’s time to come to the foreground and pick up a romance.”

  Ty got up and crossed the patio to her. “Are you serious?”

  “Yes.”

  He pulled her up from her chair and into his arms. “Oh, Cassy.” He covered her lips with his own. A wave of warmth flooded her body. She tightened her grasp of him and lost herself in the kiss.

  Cool air flowed between them when he pulled back. Moments passed before she opened her eyes. Ty’s beautiful hazel eyes gleamed back at her. “Wow,” she managed to say.

  Ty wiggled his eyebrows. “Wow back.” He took her by the hand and led her into the apartment. Fear washed over her.

  “Cassy, let’s pray and ask the Lord for guidance.”

  Peace washed over her. “I’d like that.”

  He led them in a prayer. When it was over, she glanced up and noticed the clock on the wall. “Oh, no.” She jumped up and grabbed her flute.

  Chapter 7

  What’s the matter?”

  “I’m late for work. I should have left a half hour ago.”

  “When are you due in?”

  “Five minutes ago.”

  “Oh. Can I call work for you while you get dressed?”


  Cassy gave him the numbers. She ran out, and he heard her banging drawers in her apartment. Her slider must be open, too, he thought. He’d have to remind her to close it. He called the hospital and let them know. He waited for her and caught her as she left. “Good night, Cassy.”

  “‘Night. I’ll come by in the morning when I get home.”

  “Great.” He hesitated. Should he kiss her?

  She leaned over and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “I’ll call you later from work.”

  “Thanks.” He waved good-bye and felt like a seven-year-old. He shoved his hand in his pocket. Tonight was a rare Saturday off. If he hadn’t been home, he wouldn’t have heard her playing. And if he hadn’t heard her playing, he wouldn’t have agreed to rehearse with her. And if he hadn’t agreed to play with her, they wouldn’t have shared that awesome kiss. His pulse quickened just recalling it. Tristan’s words came back to mind: “You’ve got it bad.” Tristan had no idea how bad.

  Over the next few weeks, Cassandra became a regular part of his life. He couldn’t spend enough time with her. And she had admitted to him that she felt the same way. They worked their schedules out together. Cassy would come to any event that wasn’t private, as her schedule allowed, in much the same way that Jason had when he and Marissa started dating. The quartet loved and accepted Cassy. Ty began to think in terms of marriage. It’s happened all so fast. Would she even consider it at this time? he wondered.

  His trip home to visit with his parents had been disastrous. He couldn’t get his mind off Cassandra. He’d rung up more time on his cell phone than one should and knew he had gone over the allotted minutes. He’d behaved so distractedly, his mother sent him home a day early.

  Ty smiled after the thirteen-hour drive. He was finally home. The blue sedan sitting in Cassandra’s spot heightened his excitement. Taking the steps two at a time, he passed his apartment and knocked on Cassy’s door. Having driven all night, he tried telling himself he should be in bed, not waking up the one person he loved most.

  Cassy opened the door, her hair mussed from sleep. “Ty?” Shock widened her eyes. She stepped back and closed the door.

  “Cassy?”

  “Ty, you should have told me you were coming home,” she protested through the closed door.

  “I wanted to surprise you. Cassy, let me in.”

  “No,” she screeched. “I’m a mess.”

  Ty chuckled. “You’re beautiful. Come on, let me in.”

  “No,” she protested.

  “How about a quick kiss? Then I’ll leave you to your beauty sleep.”

  “No.” He couldn’t believe his ears. Hadn’t she missed him just as much as he missed her?

  “Cassy, open up,” he pleaded.

  A deep male voice answered. “She said no. Now beat it.”

  Anger burned like an ignited fuse throughout his body. What was a man doing in her apartment?

  He heard some arguing going on behind the door. Ty shuffled back to his apartment, unlocked the door, and tossed the keys on the counter. “What just happened, Lord? Who is that man? And what’s he doing in her apartment?” Ty held up his hands toward heaven. “Don’t tell me; I don’t want to know.”

  Thirteen hours on the road to surprise Cassy, and this. He pulled his grandmother’s ring out of his pocket and tossed the velvet box onto his bureau. “So much for thinking she was the right one,” he mumbled.

  He set the headset over his ears and put on ten hours of classical music. Whenever stressed, he’d retreat to the music he loved. After an hour of pacing, he collapsed in his recliner and fell into an uneasy sleep.

  Ty woke to find the sun setting. An orange hue blanketed the patio. Thoughts of Cassy emerged, and anger stirred once again in his body. How could he have been so wrong about her?

  He dialed Tristan.

  “Hey, Man, when did you get back?” he heard from the other end.

  “This morning. I need to talk. Can you meet me at the shop?”

  “Sure, what’s up?” Tristan asked.

  “I’ll tell you at the shop.”

  “All right. See you in a few.”

  Tyrone hung up, packed an overnight bag, and headed to the shop. Once there, he paced the length of the room. At last, he heard Tristan’s car pull in.

  Tyrone met him at the door.

  “What’s up? You look horrible.”

  “Cassy.” Tyrone sucked in a deep breath. “She had a man in her apartment this morning.”

  “What? No way.”

  “I heard him. She wouldn’t let me in. And then he spoke up and told me to beat it.”

  “Sorry, man, that’s terrible. What happened?”

  “What do you mean, what happened? I went to my place, put on my headset, and fell asleep. I called you when I woke up. I drove straight through the night to get home a day early, and this is what I find.”

  “There’s got to be some mistake.”

  “There’s no mistaking a deep male voice. I thought she was the one, Tristan. I really did. I’m wondering if I can bunk with you for a couple days.”

  “Couch is all yours. But shouldn’t you talk with Cassy, find out what happened?”

  “Maybe, but not now. I’ll say something I’ll regret.”

  “All right. But why stay at my place?”

  “Because Cassy has the next two days off. We timed my return with her days off.”

  “Ah, I see.” They made their way back to Tristan’s place, each in his own car. Could he handle seeing Cassy again? Could he handle seeing her daily? No, he didn’t think so. At least not yet.

  Cassy couldn’t believe Ty’s immaturity, not answering his door the entire day of his return. The van had been parked in his slot, so she knew he was home, avoiding her, like a spoiled child. It wasn’t often her brother came for a visit, but when he did, he’d stay at her place. What bothered her more was that Ty had jumped to the wrong conclusion. Of course, she should have told him C. J. was her brother. But if he truly loved her, why hadn’t he given her a chance to explain?

  On the other hand, he’d never once said “I love you.” In all their time together, those words never tumbled from his lips. And she, too, had held back claiming her love for him. How was it possible for an educated woman to fall head over heels for a man she barely knew?

  She called his cell phone one more time and got his voicemail. She hung up, not bothering to leave another.

  “Come on, sis, the guy’s not worth it. How about I take you out to dinner tonight, someplace special?” C. J. gave her an encouraging smile.

  “I don’t know.”

  “Come on, it’ll be good for you. Besides, absence makes the heart grow fonder.” C. J. wiggled his eyebrows.

  Cassy chuckled. “Since when have you become an expert on love?” Her brother was more of the “love ‘em and leave ‘em” kind of guy. His relationship with the Lord, if he ever had one, ended when he was ten.

  “Where would you like to have dinner?” C. J. changed the subject with little finesse.

  “Houstons?” The restaurant sat on the water, not too far up the road from where she lived, and did not have classical music playing in the foreground. Though, to be honest, she knew Tyrone wouldn’t be playing tonight since they had planned her days off to end with his trip home from seeing his parents. Perhaps she should have gone with him? It wouldn’t have been too difficult to arrange for a few days off. Why had she resisted? Was she as afraid of commitment as her brother?

  Dinner and her visit with C. J. had gone well the night before. But her mind kept going back to Tyrone. Where was he? He hadn’t come home. She thought of tracking down Tristan Reuben, since he and Ty seemed to be fairly close. But her stubborn pride would not allow her to track the man down. If he loved her, he’d come to her and apologize.

  Cassandra chewed her inner cheek. Her body was filled with tension. And how do you eliminate tension if you don’t have the opportunity to speak with the person you’re upset with? she asked her
self. God? an inner voice whispered.

  “Father, please bring Tyrone home so we can talk,” Cassy prayed.

  She dressed in her swimsuit and placed a white-laced beach cover on and headed for the pool. She’d been thinking about, praying about, and worrying over Tyrone since he’d knocked on her door. Grabbing her towel and slipping on her sandals, she made her way out to the farthest edge of the concrete dock that extended into the bay and sat on the bench. The sounds and sight of Biscayne Bay always helped soothe her frayed nerves. White-hulled boats glistened in the sunlight. The gentle waves rolled up against the concrete dock. Tropical fish swam below. “I can’t imagine what the crystal sea is going to look like if this is a mere faded reflection of heaven,” she said into the onshore breeze.

  “It will be awesome,” Ty responded.

  “Tyrone, where have you been? I’ve been worried sick about you!” She clamped her mouth shut. It wasn’t wise to tell the man how greatly he affected her, she reasoned on second thought.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t return your calls. I didn’t trust myself. It hurt to hear a man was in your apartment.”

  Cassy fought down her anger. “That man was my brother.”

  “Your brother?”

  “Yes, my brother, C. J. And if you’d bothered to answer the door when I knocked on it ten minutes later, I would have told you.”

  Ty sat down beside her on the bench, clasped his hands together, and looked down at his feet. “I didn’t hear you knock. I put my headset on and listened to music. It calms me. I’d just driven all night to come home a day early and, well … I’m sorry.”

  Cassy placed her hand on his forearm. “I’m sorry, too. I should have opened the door. But I was a mess, and I didn’t want you to see me when I wasn’t my best. I know it’s silly but …”

  Ty smiled. “Honey, you always look good.” His gaze locked with hers. “I love you,” he confessed.

  Tears filled her eyes. “I love you, too.”

  He took her into his arms and kissed her softly on the lips.

  Lost in his kiss, she leaned farther into his arms. She wanted to kiss him forever, or so it seemed. Wait a minute; what about his assumption? She realized she was falling for that old trick men use of persuading women by distracting them from the real issues. She pushed herself back from his embrace. “It won’t work,” she stammered.