Love With A Stranger

by Taylor, Janelle

  “Yes, there is another catch beside forgetting I exist.”

  Peter scowled. “I thought so. What is it, if not more money?”

  Cass removed her glasses so he could see her eyes. “Tell me why you drugged me and we’ll call it even.”

  He studied her again. “You’re actually telling the truth, aren’t you?”

  “Yes, Peter, I am. So, why did you do it? I need to know.”

  His gaze swept over her from head to feet. “Have you got a recorder taped to that lovely body with hopes of capturing a confession?”

  “No, Peter, and you and I are the only ones who know we’re having this talk right now. I just want to know the truth for my own peace of mind.”

  “All right, Cass, I’ll trust you this time. I had to keep you out of the way for a few weeks while I got to Dad’s will and companies. I was afraid he had left you either everything or most of it, and I was uncertain about the companies’ financial states. I needed answers before I dealt with you. I worked hard to help make those companies successful and profitable, and I’m the only Grantham left in our bloodline, so I didn’t want you holding a vengeful gun to my head. I never intended to keep you drugged for long, never intended to make you an addict or mental case, and never intended to kill you even if you got it all. I would have handled the matter legally by contesting his will.”

  “Thank you, Peter; I thought that was your motive. Now, from this day forth, all doors are closed between us. I just didn’t want you to leave without knowing you didn’t have me fooled. Since I wasn’t harmed by your little scheme, I’ll forget about it. But I want you to know, I think it was one of the lowest things one person could do to another person, and it was totally unnecessary. Even if Tom had left everything to me, I would never have taken it all whether or not we ever became friends. In fact, I would have insisted on a one-third/two-thirds split in your favor as his son. I never tried to get Tom to leave me everything, and I had no idea what was in his will until you and Simon Johnson told me.” To her astonishment, Cass saw Peter’s expression soften, and he even sent her what appeared to be his first genuine smile. Even so, his ensuing words came as a shock to her, and they sounded sincere.

  “I should have yielded to your potent temptation and gone after you myself instead of letting Jason snare you; that was a big mistake. What man could ask for a better woman than you, Cassandra Grantham?”

  “I’m not the right woman for you; nor you, the right man forme.”

  “I suppose Jason Burkman is the right man for you?”

  Since Peter didn’t say those words in a sarcastic tone, she replied, “Perhaps. At least he’s nothing like your father or my first husband.”

  “I never thought I’d hear myself say this, Cass, but I’m sorry.”

  “You’ve lied to me and tricked me so many times, Peter, that I don’t know if that’s true.”

  “Maybe for the first time in my life, I’m telling a woman the truth. It would have been easy to love you, but it’s too late for that.”

  “Yes, Peter, it is. As soon as I get my life settled and I’m convinced we’ve parted ways forever, I promise I’ll destroy those things Dr. Hines and Inez gave to me.”

  “Thank you, Cass, and I won’t ever trouble you again; I swear it.”

  “Keep that promise, Peter, and I’ll keep mine.”

  “Without knowing it at that time, I was right about one thing: my father didn’t deserve a good woman like you and he was crazy to betray you. Now that I know the dirty truth about him, he probably did the same thing to my mother and that’s why she left him. She was wrong and selfish to leave me behind with that bastard, but that has nothing to do with us. If I had known the truth about you and played my cards smarter, I could be a lucky man today, but I misjudged you and I folded my hand too soon.”

  Cass dropped that sensitive subject and went to another one that intrigued her. “Now that we’ve settled our business and you have nothing to lose, would you mind telling me the truth about your affair with Brenda?”

  “Why?”

  “So I’ll know if Jason Burkman has an honest motive to hate and spite you, and to have wanted to use me for that purpose. You owe me the truth, Peter, so I won’t get involved with him if he’s an unworthy man.”

  “All right, Cass. Since she made a fool of me, it’s tempting to say I knew the truth all along, but I didn’t, contrary to what Jason believes. Oh, I suspected something wasn’t quite right about her and her job, but I let it ride because…to put it bluntly, she was great in bed. I have to give Brenda credit for being smart; she even had phony pictures of her alleged family in that apartment. And that day we were caught together at her house, she had removed any signs of her and Jason living there and being married. I guess he was too furious to notice her deceitful preparations before he stormed out, and she probably put everything back in order before his return, or he would have known I told him the truth. As to the money for affording her little ruse, it didn’t come from me. Oh, I did buy her things and pay for food and booze and such, but not her monthly rent and other expenses. I didn’t trust her or love her or ever plan to marry her, but I was enjoying our relationship too much to rock the boat with demands for explanations. Actually, I’m grateful to Jason for halting her ruse and for sweeping the matter under the rug and preventing a scandal for both of us. I would have fought him like a tiger if he’d named me corespondent in a divorce because I wasn’t guilty. Believe it or not, Cass, but that’s the truth. Jason and I were both used.”

  “Thank you, Peter, and I’ll tell him what you said one day.”

  “Well, I’d better get back over there and keep that crew working so they can pull out in the morning. They’re transporting my Porsche, too. I’ll be flying out in my jet about ten. When I have to return to finalize the sales for the two companies here, I won’t bother you. We’ll make this our final good-bye, Cass. I’m sorry and I was wrong, and I hope you’ll find true happiness the next time you marry; you deserve it.”

  I’ve won a major battle, and I got what I wanted, she told herself. He’ll be out of my life forever very soon, so I must be compassionate and not gloat. Everything is settled, so despite his guilt, let it end peacefully. “Thank you, Peter, and I hope things work out for you in LA.”

  “I’ll leave the guest-house keys in that planter over there before I take off in the morning, so don’t forget to collect them tomorrow evening.”

  Cass nodded, then put on her sunglasses to ward off the sun’s glare.

  Peter looked at her for a minute, smiled in defeat, and said, “Good-bye, Cassandra Grantham; you’re one terrific lady.” And I’ve been a complete and blind idiot to let you get away!

  “Goodbye, Peter.” And good riddance.

  Instead of watching his departure, Cass went inside her house to unwind following the tense situation. There was one thing she could always count on with Peter Grantham, he was unpredictable! She could have ranted and raved at him, but that wouldn’t have accomplished anything, and it would have made her look like the bad person he had assumed she was for years. No, it was much better to have ended their stormy relationship in the sensible way she had.

  You’re free of all Grantham ties now, and you’re a stronger and wiser person. The dark past is over and a bright future awaits you with Jason Burkman. This time, you won’t be loving and marrying a stranger, but the most wonderful man in the world. Cass closed her misty brown eyes, bid her past farewell, and said a fervent prayer of thanks for her many blessings.

  At five o’clock, she almost didn’t answer the knock at her back door when Peter came to see her, as she dreaded to discover the reason.

  “I’m sorry to disturb you, Cass, but the moving crew is finished. Two extra packers were sent over after we talked and they got everything boxed and loaded up faster. The truck is heading to their company warehouse for safe storage tonight and it’ll pull out for LA tomorrow. I’m going to a motel to spend the night; then I’m turning my Porsche over to
them for loading in the morning and taking off for LA. I wanted to return the keys and give you this check; it should be sufficient to pay a janitorial service to clean up over there and to have the place repainted and to have the drapes and carpets cleaned. That way, it’ll be ready for guests or to show when you put this property on the real estate market. Those expenses shouldn’t come out of your pocket since I was allowed to live there rent-free for years and you’ve been so kind and generous to me. I also wanted to give you this as a parting and friendship gift.” He handed her a small box, smiled, and said, “Goodbye, Cass. Take excellent care of yourself and be happy.”

  Don’t cause a scene or his delay by refusing the gift; you can decide what to do with it later, whatever it is. “Good-bye, Peter.”

  From her kitchen window, Cass observed the simultaneous departures of Peter and the large van. She sat down in the den and phoned Jason. “The movers finished early,” she told him, “so Peter’s gone, out of my life and hair for good. Isn’t that wonderful?”

  “Yes, it is. So, how soon can you come over? I want to hear about your conversation with him. You did speak to him, didn’t you?”

  “Oh, yes, we had a long and revealing chat. I’ll see you as soon as I freshen up and drive over, say in about twenty minutes.”

  “Perfect, just like you are, woman. I’ll have the garage door open for you. And a glass of champagne ready for celebrating.”

  As they prepared and ate their meal, Cass related her meeting with Peter to him, and he listened in amazement and relief.

  After she finished the detailed revelations, she asked, “Well, did I handle it all right? Or should I have given him a hard time?”

  Jason grasped her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “You handled it with finesse and great intelligence, and as the wonderful person you are. I was sitting on pins and needles waiting to hear from you. I couldn’t imagine how he was going to react, but I did expect him to get angry and call your bluff. I guess even Peter Grantham has his good points. I’m glad everything is settled, Cass; now, we can get on with our lives, with our future. I want you to meet my children as soon as possible, and they’re chomping at the bit to meet you. As I told you, both were excited by my news about you.”

  Cass had been looking through his family photo albums and asking him countless questions about his son and daughter so she could learn more about them before they were introduced, and she liked all she had learned. “I suppose you painted me as the best woman in the world?” she jested.

  “Of course, because you are,” he replied with a broad grin.

  “I do believe you’re biased, Doctor Burkman.”

  “Naturally, and with just cause.”

  As they did their chores, Jason suggested, “In early June, we can let our romance begin to heat up in public because you will have been a widow for three months. That should be all right, shouldn’t it?”

  “As long as we take it slow and easy and be discreet, I think so.”

  “Excellent decision, my love. You’re a smart and generous woman.”

  “I thought you’d think so,” she teased and hugged him from behind.

  Jason warmed and his heart rate speeded up as she leaned against him and nuzzled his back with her cheek. His smoldering desires increased in intensity and heat. He draped the dish cloth over the double sink’s partition, turned, drew her into his embrace, and said, “I love you, Cass.”

  “I love you, too, Jason.”

  After they kissed several times, he looked into her soft brown gaze. “Why don’t we head upstairs for a while?” he asked.

  “My thoughts exactly.”

  He placed his arm around her waist and guided her to his bedroom where they undressed and lay down together.

  Jason’s lips claimed Cass’s in a tender kiss, and she felt herself melting inside. Her breasts felt heavy with desire and she nearly moaned when his hand moved to fondle first one, then the other, until her nipples were taut and eager for more. As if Jason sensed what she longed for, he trailed kisses down her neck and over the satiny skin of her breasts, where he teethed and tantalized her until she was breathless and writhing beneath him.

  She quivered in anticipation as his hand blazed a searing path down her abdomen. It was amazing and wonderful how she never tired of his touch, but always yearned for more. He made her feel so loved, so treasured, so desirable. She trembled as he nudged her thighs apart with his hand and began to bring her a pleasure so intense she thought she might cry from the sheer sweetness of it.

  Just when she thought she’d die if she couldn’t feel the fullness of him deep inside her, Jason ceased his enticing caresses and moved over her. Looking into her eyes, he entered her slowly, tenderly, teasing her by withdrawing, then moving deeper and deeper inside her until—at last—she felt every magnificent inch of him.

  Cass sighed in exquisite delight, as if it had been months since they’d made love instead of just yesterday. Her hands pulled him closer. She wanted him now, all of him.

  Jason could hold back no longer. And as he felt Cass surrender to the ecstasy they’d created together, he let himself join her in a rush of passion and fulfillment.

  Afterward, sated and almost breathless from their exertions, they cuddled in each other’s arms, sharing and savoring the closeness and serenity they had creased with each other.

  “If you keep giving me blissful presents like that, I’ll become the most rewarded and satisfied woman in history.”

  “Guess what I want Santa Claus to bring me this year.”

  Cass turned her head and looked at him. “Christmas is seven and a half months away, so what made you start thinking about it tonight?”

  “Your mention of presents. As my gift, I want you in this bed with me as my wife on Christmas Eve. Do you think that’s possible?”

  “Possible, probable, but more likely a certainty,” she quipped. “If that’s truly what you want as your present?”

  Jason stroked her cheek as he vowed, “I’ve never wanted or needed anything more in my life.”

  “Then I’ll have to make certain you receive it, won’t I?”

  “If you do, I’ll be eternally grateful, and very generous in repayment.”

  As Jason nibbled on her earlobe, Cass squirmed and laughed. “If you get any more generous, Doc, I’ll be the one treating you for exhaustion.”

  After Cass was dressed and preparing to leave, she took a black velvet box from her purse along with her car keys. She handed it to Jason. “Peter gave me this before he left today,” she said. “What should I do with it?”

  Jason eyed the fourteen-karat gold C, which had about twenty-five small and sparkling gems embedded along the center of its curvature. A message on the back said: “To a real diamond.” Her birthday was engraved after the words. “Whoo,” he let out a rush of air between his lips. “This cost a pretty penny and wasn’t a last-minute gesture.”

  “That was my impression, too. So, what should I do with it?”

  “Why not keep it and wear it? It’s beautiful, like you are, and the message couldn’t be more accurate.”

  Cass leaned against his body and looped her arms around his neck. “You’re a diamond, too, my beloved, a priceless one.”

  “Then, that makes us a perfect pair.”

  As they kissed good night, both knew how lucky they were; and in a few months, she wouldn’t be leaving again like this because she would be home, home with her husband.

  Epilogue

  Cass leisurely worked in the kitchen to get things ready for a special dinner and gathering of the entire Burkman family tomorrow on Mother’s Day. She paused from her task to stroke her lower stomach where a baby was growing within her elated body. By this time next year, she would be the mother of a six-month-old infant who was due in late November. She smiled as she recalled teasing Jason about being so fertile, since he had gotten her pregnant in less than two months after a mid-December wedding in the First Baptist Church on St. Simons Island where they a
ttended Sunday services regularly. Of course, her swift conception shouldn’t have come as a surprise to her or Jason, since she had stopped taking birth control pills as soon as they were married and they had used every available opportunity on the land and on the sea to evoke the blessed event.

  As Cass returned to the chore at hand, she thought about their lovely and romantic ceremony where family and friends had gathered to witness their marriage. She had worn an ivory lace tea-length dress, matching heels, and a single strand of pearls around her neck and studs in her earlobes. The beautician had secured sprigs of baby’s breath and tiny clusters of lily of the valley in her dark hair which had been coiffed in loose curls atop her head with short tendrils dangling down her nape and at her ears. Jason had looked handsome and elegant in a black tuxedo with flowers matching hers in his lapel. They had used a traditional ceremony and biblical passages, and the pastor had performed his duty with skill. The organ music and soloist had been perfect, so had the floral decorations which she and Jason had selected for the church. The ensuing reception with ample food, drinks, and dancing had taken place at the Cloister where they had celebrated for hours, and where out-of-town guests had been treated to a weekend stay. As she hummed and worked, her mind’s eye envisioned every minute of that happy and clear weather day.

  Before it had taken place, she had sold her Sea Island Drive property for a hefty sum, let her financial adviser and Jason help her invest that money, and rented a large condominium apartment on St. Simons Island where she would live until she moved in with her husband last December. She had worked in Jason’s office until late July, then spent the next four and a half months doing volunteer work at the hospital and in several worthy organizations, meeting and socializing with Jason’s family and friends, enjoying the historical society and women’s club, and planning her wedding.

  She also had visited several times with Kristy, who had been her only bridesmaid. From the start, Kristy had adored Jason and his family. They still talked on the phone often and visited each other on occasion.