Single Man Meets Single Mom

by Jules Bennett

Lily was in the stable all right. But she wasn’t alone. The groom, Ian believed his name was Nash, had his back to Lily, and Lily’s hand rested on his shoulder, a look of concern marring her beautiful face.

  She whispered something Ian couldn’t make out and Nash’s head dropped at the same time Lily’s arms slid around his waist and she rested her forehead on his back. The intimate, private moment shocked Ian and he really had no clue what he’d walked in on.

  The old-fashioned lanterns suspended from the ceiling cast a perfect glow on them and Ian quickly stepped out of the stable before he could be spotted...or interrupt whatever was happening.

  He had a feeling whatever was going on between the groom and the star of the film was on the down low...especially since an affair had nearly cost Grant Carter his job when he’d been sneaking to see Tessa.

  But that had all worked out and the two were headed down the aisle in the near future.

  Their secret would be safe with him. For one, he wanted Lily to trust him and sign with his agency. And for another, why stir up trouble? Ian couldn’t help but laugh. He and Cassie were pretty far-fetched in terms of the possibility of getting together, but look where they were now after a heated night in the attic.

  Heading back toward his on-site trailer, Ian stopped when a scream cut through the evening. It was loud enough to have him trying to figure out where the sound was coming from.

  He heard it again and moved toward the row of cottages settled beyond the main house. The grounds were deserted now since the entire crew had left for the hotel in town. Only a handful of people were staying on the property in trailers like the one Max had requested for him. The scream split through the air once more and Ian quickly found the culprit.

  Just behind Cassie’s cottage there was a small patio area and suspended from the pergola was a child’s swing.

  Cassie pushed her daughter, and each time the child went high, she let out a squeal. Ian’s heart dropped at the sight. He didn’t recall ever having that one-on-one playful time with either of his parents. Perhaps when he’d been a toddler, but he doubted it, considering they weren’t affectionate when he’d been old enough to recall.

  The sweet little girl with blond curls blowing in the breeze giggled and kicked her feet when Cassie grabbed the back of the plastic seat on the swing and held it back.

  “Hold on,” Cassie warned. “Here comes the biggest push of all.”

  When she let go of the swing, Cassie laughed right along with her daughter and Ian found himself rooted to his spot at the edge of her concrete patio.

  The man in him watched, admiring Cassie’s laid-back style, with her hair in a ponytail and wearing leggings and an oversize T-shirt that slid off one delicate, creamy shoulder. Her feet were bare and her face was void of any makeup, which was how he’d seen her since he’d arrived. Everything about her screamed country girl.

  While the man in him watched, the lost little boy in him turned his attention to Emily. He took in all the delight from the sweet girl still clutching the rope holding up her swing and wondered where her father was. Did the man even know he had a child? Did Cassie have any contact with him?

  All the questions forming in his head were absolutely none of his business, yet he couldn’t help but want to know more.

  Ian’s gaze traveled from Emily back to Cassie...and he found her looking right back at him with those impressive blue eyes.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked, giving the swing another light push.

  Ian tried not to focus on the fact that her shirt had slipped in the front, giving him a glimpse of the swell of her breast.

  “I heard screaming.” He stepped onto the concrete pad, cursing himself for being drawn in even more. “I wasn’t sure who it was.”

  Cassie’s eyes held his for a second before she turned her attention back to the swing. She held on to the ropes, thus bringing Emily’s fun to a screeching halt.

  The little girl twisted in her seat to look back at Cassie. Cassie went to the front of the swing, unfastened the safety harness and lifted Emily out.

  “We were just heading in for dinner,” Cassie said, propping Emily up on her hip.

  Damn if her tilted, defiant chin didn’t make him want to stay longer. Why torture himself? He wanted her physically, nothing more. Yet he found himself being pulled ever so slowly toward her.

  “Don’t go in just because of me.”

  Emily stared at him with bright, expressive blue eyes like her mother’s. Her hand reached toward him and he couldn’t stop himself from reaching back. The moment he looked into those little baby blues something unidentifiable slid over his heart.

  Emily’s tiny hand encircled his finger as a smile spread across her baby face. That innocent gesture touched so many places in him: the child who’d craved attention, the teen who’d needed guidance and the adult who still secretly wished he had a parent who gave a damn without being judgmental.

  Ian didn’t miss the way Cassie tensed at the sight of Emily holding on to his finger, but he wasn’t pulling back. How could he deny such an innocent little girl human touch? She was smiling, happy and had no clue the turmoil that surrounded her right now.

  “Don’t you have a client you should tend to?” Cassie asked, her meaning that he was not welcome all too clear.

  “I already talked with Max after the shooting wrapped and we came back here.” The crew had taken a few shots of the wedding scene in town. “I didn’t see you at the church earlier.”

  Cassie reached up, smoothing away blond curls from Emily’s forehead. “I was there. I stayed in the back with Tessa. We didn’t want to get in the way.”

  “What did you think of the shoot?”

  Why was he still here talking to her? Why didn’t he just leave? He had calls to return, emails to answer, contracts to look over.

  Besides the fact a little cherublike toddler had his finger in a vise grip, he could walk away. Cassie had made it clear she didn’t like him, and he certainly wasn’t looking for a woman with a child.

  Yet here he stood, talking to her and eagerly awaiting her answer.

  “It was perfect,” she said, a soft smile dancing across her lips. “Lily looked exactly like the pictures I’ve always seen of my mother on that day. My father teared up, so I know Lily and Max hit that scene beautifully.”

  Ian wiggled his finger, making Emily giggle as she tugged on him. He took a step forward, now being drawn in by two intriguing ladies.

  “I think the fans will fall in love with this film,” he told Cassie as his eyes settled on hers. “And your family.”

  The pulse at the base of her throat quickened and Ian couldn’t help but smile. Good to know she wasn’t so unaffected. What they’d shared the other night was nothing short of amazing. No matter what transpired afterward, he couldn’t deny that had been the most intense night of his life.

  Damn it. Cassie and her innocent daughter were the exact picture of the commitment he could never make.

  So how could he be drawn to this woman?

  “I just want my father to be happy with the end result,” she told him. “I want people to see what a hard worker he is and that everything didn’t get handed to him.”

  Ian couldn’t help but admire her for wanting people to see the other side of Damon Barrington. The man was a phenomenon, and Ian had no doubt whatsoever that this film would be a mega blockbuster.

  Emily let go of his finger and started patting her mother’s cheeks. Instantly Ian missed the innocent touch, but he stepped back and shoved his hands into his pockets.

  “Was there something else you wanted?” she asked.

  Clearing his throat, Ian shoved pride aside and nodded. “Actually, yeah. I’m sorry for how I handled the other morning.”

  Cassie’s brows rose as she reached up to try to pull Emily’s hands from her face. “I never expected you to apologize.”

  He hadn’t expected it, either, but he couldn’t deny the fact he’d been a jerk. If he’d learn
ed anything from growing up, it was to know when to apologize. He’d never seen his parents say they were sorry to each other, and he’d always wondered if such a simple gesture would have made a difference.

  “I can admit when I make a mistake,” he informed her.

  Those bright eyes darted down as she sighed. “This is a first for me.”

  “What’s that?”

  Glancing back up, she shook her head. “Nothing. I appreciate you apologizing. Since you’re going to be here awhile, I really don’t want tension. Between you working and me training, I just can’t handle more stress.”

  Ian noticed the soft lines between her brows, the dark circles beneath her eyes. This single mother was worn-out and he’d added to her worry because she hadn’t wanted any awkwardness between them.

  “Who helps you with Emily?”

  Great, now he was asking questions before he could fully process them. He needed a filter on his mouth and he needed to mind his own business. The last thing he wanted was to worry about Cassie and her daughter. He certainly wasn’t applying for the position of caregiver.

  “My family.” Her chin tilted as she held his gaze, unblinking. “Why?”

  Yeah, why indeed? Why was this his concern? They’d slept together one night after days of intense sexual tension and now he was all up in her personal space...a space that hit too close to home and touched his heart way too deeply.

  He pushed aside the unwanted emotions. He would be here only a short time. Even if his past hadn’t mixed him all up, he still couldn’t get too involved with Cassie Barrington.

  Besides, she had her hands full and they’d definitely done a complete one-eighty since they’d spent the night together. That night had been full of passion and surrender. Now Cassie had erected walls, thanks to him, and the only thing he saw in her eyes was exhaustion.

  “I’ll let you get in to dinner,” he told her, not answering her question. “See you tomorrow.”

  When he turned away, Cassie called his name. He glanced over his shoulder and found two sets of beautiful blue eyes staring at him.

  “We’re not having much, but you’re welcome to join us.”

  The olive branch had been extended and he wondered if this was her manners and upbringing talking or if she truly wanted him to stay.

  “I’d be a fool to turn down dinner with two pretty ladies,” he told her, turning back to face her. “Are you sure?”

  With a shaky nod, Cassie smiled. “I’m sure.”

  Well, hell. Looked as if he was getting in deeper after all. But he followed her through the back door like the lost man that he was.

  They could be friends, he thought. Friends ate dinner together; friends apologized when they were wrong. That was where they were at now because Cassie and her little girl deserved a commitment, a family life—things he couldn’t offer.

  As Cassie slid Emily into her high chair, Ian watched her delicate skin as her shoulder peeked from her shirt once again. Anything he was feeling right now went way beyond friendship and ventured down the path at warp speed toward carnal desire.

  Nine

  Cassie had no clue what had prompted her to invite Ian inside. She wasn’t weak. She didn’t need a man and had been just fine on her own for the better part of a year now. But something about Ian kept pulling her toward him, as if some invisible force tugged on her heart.

  And when Emily had reached for him, Cassie had waited to see his reaction. Thankfully, he’d played right along. She’d barely noticed his hesitation and hard swallow, but he hadn’t disappointed Emily. Maybe kids weren’t the issue with him; perhaps he was just upset because she hadn’t said anything. But really, when would that conversation have occurred? When she had fallen into his arms that first day or when she’d told him to strip in the attic?

  The image of him doing just that flooded her mind. Cassie was thankful her back was to him as she turned on the oven.

  “Hope you like grilled cheese and French fries.” Cassie reached into the narrow cabinet beside the oven and pulled out a cookie sheet.

  “Considering I was going to probably have microwave popcorn back in my trailer, grilled cheese and fries sounds gourmet.”

  Her phone vibrated on the counter next to the stove. She saw Derek’s name flash across the screen. No and no. If he was so determined to talk to her, he knew where she was.

  Right where he’d left her months ago. Pompous jerk.

  As she busied herself getting the meager dinner ready for the other man who was driving her out of her mind in a totally different way, she mentally cursed. Ian was probably used to fine dining, glamorous parties and beautiful women wearing slinky dresses and dripping in diamonds. Unfortunately, tonight he was getting a single mother throwing together cheese sandwiches while wearing an old, oversize T-shirt to hide her extra weight.

  More than likely he’d said yes because he felt sorry for her. Regardless, he was in her house now. Surprisingly he’d pulled up a kitchen chair next to the high chair and was feeding puff snacks to Emily.

  The sight had Cassie blinking back tears. Emily’s father should be doing that. He should be here having dinner with them, as a family. He should’ve stuck it out and kept his pants zipped.

  But he’d decided a wife and a baby were too much of a commitment and put a damper on his lifestyle.

  In the back of her mind, Cassie knew she was better off without him. Any man that didn’t put his family first was a coward. Not suitable material for a husband or father to her child.

  But the reality of being rejected still hurt. Cassie could honestly say she’d gotten over her love, but the betrayal... That was something she would probably never recover from. Because he’d not just left her; he’d left a precious, innocent baby behind without even attempting to fight for what he’d created.

  Being rejected by Ian was just another blow to her already battered self-esteem.

  “You okay?”

  Cassie jerked back to the moment and realized two things. One, Ian was staring at her, his brows drawn together, and two, she’d worn a hole in the bread from being too aggressive applying the butter.

  Laughing, Cassie tossed the torn bread onto the counter and grabbed another piece from the bag. “Yeah. My mind was elsewhere for a minute.”

  “Were you angry with that slice of bread?” he asked with a teasing grin.

  “I may have had a little aggression I needed to take out.” Cassie couldn’t help but laugh again. “You’re pretty good with her. Do you have nieces or nephews?”

  Ian shook his head. “I’m an only child. But there was a set I visited not too long ago that had a baby about Emily’s age. He was the cutest little guy and instantly wanted me over anyone else. I guess kids just like me.”

  Great. Now he had a soft spot for kids. Wasn’t that the exact opposite of the image he’d portrayed the other morning when seeing Emily for the first time?

  Ian Shaffer had many facets and she hated that she wanted to figure out who the real Ian was deep down inside.

  Dinner was ready in no time, and thankfully, the silence wasn’t too awkward. Eating and caring for a baby helped fill the void of conversation. When they were done, Ian went to clear the table and Cassie stopped him.

  “I’ll get it,” she told him, picking up her own plate. “It’s not that much.”

  “You cooked. The least I could do is help clean.” He picked up his plate and took it to the sink. “Besides, if you cook more often, I’ll gladly clean up after.”

  Cassie froze in the midst of lifting Emily from her high chair. “You want to come back for dinner?” she asked.

  “I wouldn’t say no if you asked.”

  Cassie settled Emily on her hip and turned to Ian, who was putting the pitcher of tea into the refrigerator. Okay, now she knew this wasn’t pity. He obviously wanted to spend time with her. But why? Did he think she’d be that easy to get into bed again? Of course he did. She’d barely known his name when she’d shed her clothes for him. What man wo
uldn’t get the impression she was easy?

  Cassie turned and went into the living room, placed Emily in her Pack ’n Play and handed her her favorite stuffed horse. Footsteps shuffled over the carpet behind her and Cassie swallowed, knowing she’d have to be up front with Ian.

  “Listen,” she said as she straightened and faced the man who stood only a few feet away. “I have a feeling you think I’m somebody that I’m not.”

  Crossing his arms over his wide chest, Ian tilted his head and leveled those dark eyes right on her. “And what do you believe I think of you?”

  Well, now she felt stupid. Why did he make this sound like a challenge? And why was she getting all heated over the fact he was standing in her living room? No man had been there other than her father and her soon-to-be brother-in-law. She’d moved into the guest cottage on the estate after Derek had left her so she could be closer to the family for support with Emily.

  So seeing such a big, powerful man in her house was a little...arousing. Which just negated the whole point she was trying to make. Yeah, she was a juxtaposition of nerves and emotions.

  “I think because we slept together you think I’m eager to do it again.” She rested her hands on her hips, willing them to stop shaking. She had to be strong, no matter her physical attraction to Ian. “I’m really not the aggressive, confident woman who was locked in that attic.”

  Ian’s gaze roamed down her body, traveled back up and landed on her mouth as he stepped forward. “You look like the same woman to me,” he said, closing the gap between them. “What makes you think you’re so different from the woman I spent the night with?”

  She couldn’t think with him this close, the way his eyes studied her, the woodsy scent of his cologne, the way she felt his body when he wasn’t even touching her.

  “Well, I...” She smoothed her hair back behind her ears and tipped her head to look him in the eye. “I’m afraid you think that I look for a good time and that I’m easy.”

  A ghost of a smile flirted around those full lips of his. “I rushed to judgment. I don’t think you’re easy, Cassie. Sexy, intriguing and confident, but not easy.”