* * *
On Friday Jack pulled into the driveway of Mel’s house well in advance of Cassie’s four o’clock estimated time of arrival. He unhitched Sam from his harness and let him out, allowing him to race around, glad to be home. Jack followed, strolling through the vegetable garden to the peach tree by the back fence.
Since he’d been old enough to hold a child’s trowel, he’d earned blisters digging every patch in this yard. Many of the full-grown productive fruit trees had been planted with his help, and the adults had let the eager young gardener believe they’d survived due to his attentive watering.
No childhood hours could have been better than the ones spent in that way, or assisting Bob in the shed workshop and Mel in the kitchen. What was disguised as fun for his generation had been a solid grounding in self-reliance.
Hunkering down, he scooped up a handful of dirt and let it run through his fingers. He breathed in the pungent aroma and felt his muscles clench. Life went on, evolved and changed. Pain was the price of accepting you couldn’t fight fate.
Sometime in the future, nearer than he could bear to contemplate, there’d be a heated swimming pool surrounded by fake lawn in place of the garden. Bob’s home-built shed would be demolished in favour of a fashionable man cave, complete with television, bar and pool table.
Though more suited to modern life, none of it could create better memories than those he, his siblings and cousins treasured and often reminisced about. Stealthily harvested fruit, fresh from its source, always tasted better than any served at a table. He plucked a Pink Lady apple from its tree and savoured the tart, ripe taste as he toed his boot into the ground underneath.
* * *
Sam’s bark alerted him to Cassie’s arrival and his melancholy mood evaporated in an instant. Tossing his core onto the compost heap, he strode over to greet her, beaten by the dog, who jumped up as she alighted from the car. He couldn’t blame him, felt the urge to get as close as possible too.
‘Down, Sam.’ Even with its slight edginess, her tone was more encouraging than commanding. Sam sat. Jack wasn’t so sure he’d have been so prompt to obey.
‘Hi, Jack.’ Addressing him, her voice was more guarded, indicating she’d decided on a strict courtesy line. His head might agree it was best; every other part of him craved contact, close and physical. Like in his erotic dreams last night.
‘Hi, Cassie. Need a hand with your luggage?’ He kept the same tone, went to the rear of her car and lifted the boot.
‘Thank you. If you take the suitcase and computer satchel, I’ll bring my overnight bag and groceries.’
He lifted her luggage without effort, frustration grinding in his gut. If they got any more civil and mundane, he’d be standing to attention.
‘Cassie?’
She froze, body bent as she reached for the remaining items. He saw the movement of her shoulders, swore he heard the deep slow intake of air before she reversed into an upright position. Took an age to face him, brown eyes wary.
‘Forget it. Let’s go inside.’ He wasn’t sure which displeased him more, her original wariness, her relief at his statement to ignore his tacit plea, or his inconstancy in how he wanted her to act towards him.
* * *
Cassie accepted Jack’s offer to take her two cases up to the bedroom she’d occupied last week, thankful for the chance to regroup her defences. Telling herself to stay strong and keep her distance had little influence against Jack’s smile—heart-stopping yet pulse-stirring—his eyes—irresistible rain-glistened green magnets—and his crackling laugh—an Outback-adventure-transporting melody.
He’d only have to make an entrance at any venue to have women sending him subtle invitations or blatantly flirting with him. Whatever he said or his glances implied, she was way beneath his social status, and probably just a playful diversion.
She filled the kettle, switched it on and began to unpack the food she’d bought on the way then frowned. Jack hadn’t mentioned tonight’s meal. Did he intend to have it here, and was she supposed to cook?
If he expected home-baked dessert, he’d be disappointed. Though, as she gaped at the array of appliances on the walk-in larder shelf, she realised staying here gave her a great opportunity to hone her basic skills. The devil in her claimed if he intended to flirt with her he ought to be prepared to act as her guinea pig. Common sense countered she’d be playing with fire and could end up scorched beyond healing.
Why couldn’t her head and emotions agree on a common-sense attitude whenever she was with him? Or thought about him. Or dreamt of him.
* * *
The hum of the open refrigerator and the bubbling kettle drew Jack to the kitchen door and the tantalising view of Cassie from behind. A few paces forward and her delicate peach scent would stir up more than a hunger for food.
Her thigh-length brown and gold top tightened over her hips as she bent to place something on the bottom shelf. His mouth dried and his chest tightened as his brain flashed back to his first sighting of her under a table. The thud of his heartbeat outraced the tapping of his fingers on his leg.
He had to leave. Now. To prevent him from doing something profoundly stupid, like hauling her into his arms and proving her lips were as sweet and delectable as he fantasised. One kiss would never be enough. Kissing, however deep and numerous, might not be enough.
As silent as he thought he was, she raised her head and paused. Incapable of even breathing, he stood immobile as she straightened up and pivoted. Flanked by the cold interior and the open door, she stood and met his gaze. Whatever she saw in his eyes caused hers to grow bigger, darker. The steady rise and fall of her breasts proved her agitation.
The click as the water reached boiling point seemed too loud, the temperature in the room too high. The distance separating them too great.
‘I should go.’ The commonplace, sensible words scoured his throat as he forced them out. They weren’t the ones jostling in his head. His feet felt leaden, reluctant to walk away from her. His fingers itched to caress her skin.
She gave the slightest of nods and a forced smile. Knowing his attraction was reciprocated made it harder to leave.
‘I’ll need the keys and security code.’ The unique raspy edge in her tone was delightful. He ached to hear it thick with passion.
‘Yeah, the box is by the back door.’ He led the way, digging into his pocket for the spare set of keys he’d collected from the drawer in the lounge. She brought a notebook and pen from her handbag, and hid the numbers he gave her in a reminder notice about a friend’s upcoming birthday.
‘Just in case I have a memory lapse.’
She brushed her hand over her hair as she turned to go back to the kitchen, and he recalled that same unconscious action on Tuesday when he’d upset her. Remorse slammed into his gut. He was a self-centred idiot, acting like a coward prepared to run. She had been kind and gentle with Mel and deserved more consideration.
Admit it, you fool. You want to stay.
Hoping he appeared more casual than he felt, he tried for a conciliatory tone. ‘Fancy home-delivered pizza for dinner?’
She swung round, features composed, eyes a mixture of caution and hope. ‘You’re...’
‘... Not sure what’s happening between us. But running won’t change it.’
Since the day the loss of his temper had resulted in tragedy, he’d kept control in any situation, faced the problem and tried for a solution, or at least compromise. His emotions were strictly compartmentalised between family and friends, and others. They were never involved during business transactions and restrained when he dated.
With Cassie, the walls were hazy and he swung from mentally needing to solidify them and physically wanting to breach them. Moments ago, he’d been prepared to walk out, now staying and talking, even for a short while, was his optimum choic
e.
Keeping eye contact, he walked towards her, stopping within touching distance, his arms loose at his sides.
‘I’d like to stay for a while.’ His breath caught in his throat and his fingers curled into his palms as he waited for her reply.
She studied him with an intensity that kickstarted heatwaves in his stomach. Talking slid a long way down on his list of activities he’d like to share with her.
‘Australian topping with a side of garlic bread. You can choose dessert.’ A sudden, mind-boggling smile, a half spin and she’d gone. A surge of tangible pleasure, a huff of exhaled air and he followed, catching up with her as she set two mugs on the kitchen bench.
It was her radiant smile that had crashed his caution and drove him into her personal space, less than his arm’s length behind her. A heartbeat away. The set of her shoulders showed she was aware of his close proximity.
‘Cassie?’ With his fingertip, he traced a circle on her neck, over the pulse below her ear, and saw the resulting tremor rack her body. Desire swept away all reservations. With a gentle hold, he turned her to face him, and found himself even closer.
Near enough to feel the warmth of her body, see the golden sparkle in her eyes and smell the essence that was pure Cassie. His lips were a breath away from hers.
‘Conversation won’t answer the questions keeping me awake at night.’ He slid his hand around her neck. ‘Like...how will it feel to have you crushed against me?’ He tilted her chin up with his thumb. ‘And are your lips as delectable and sweet as I imagine?’
He lowered his head and covered her mouth with his in a tender exploratory kiss. Her body stilled then melted into his, causing an instant physical reaction. His heart blipped, then soared when she didn’t pull away. His fingers caressed and firmed as his free arm encircled her waist, binding her to him. His chest expanded and fire flared in his stomach, rapidly spreading to every extremity.
Cassie’s arms snaked up and around his neck, her fingers tangled into his hair and he trembled. There was no awareness of time. It was an instant or a lifetime until necessity for air forced his lips from hers barely long enough to gasp and let a possessive male growl escape before settling again. He heard her contented sigh mingle with his low rumble.
The tip of his tongue traced an appeal for entry along her lip line, slipping inside as her lips parted. She tasted even sweeter than he’d imagined, with a hint of something spicy. He stroked and teased the soft flesh, tangled with her tongue and fought the craving for more intimate contact, fought the urge to lift her and...
Flump. A deep doggy sigh shattered the enchantment. Cassie wrenched free, slamming onto the work bench and sending him stumbling away, almost falling over Sam, lying close by.
What the heck? He recovered, glaring at the dog before swinging back to Cassie. His demand for an explanation dried in his throat at the sight of her bright red face. The remorse in her eyes hit him square in the gut, searing him with guilt as she clasped her hands over her mouth and rocked forward and back.
He took a step forward, hands held out in appeal.
‘Cassie, what’s wrong? Tell me what I did.’
‘It’s wrong. We can’t...we mustn’t.’ Her hesitant words were muttered against her palms as she dropped her head.
‘It felt more than right to me.’ Frustration governed his gruff statement; she’d been as willing as him until Sam interrupted them. Her head came up and he locked eyes with her, challenging her to refute his claim. She glared back.
‘It’s Mel’s house. She employs me. Trusts me.’
His spontaneous short bark of laughter startled her. Before she had a chance to recover, he moved in and caught her chin, tilting her head up.
‘Here is wrong?’ Hoarse, as if being forced from his throat. He trailed his knuckles down the side of her face, his lips curling in satisfaction when she quivered.
‘Not me? Not the kiss?’
She blinked under his scrutiny, her brown eyes moist and wary. As if lost for words, she shook her head and he instantly gathered her into a one-armed embrace. His free hand caressed her hair, and her hand landed on his denim shirt over his pounding heart.
She wasn’t rejecting him. It was the location. He brushed his lips on her forehead.
‘I’d suggest we forgive ourselves that transgression but that would be admitting we’re sorry. I’m not. Are you, Cassie?’
‘No.’ An instant, whispered yet distinct answer. Satisfied that she didn’t blame him, he eased away. They both needed recovery time.
‘How about you find the cake Mel told me she left in the larder? I’ll make coffee. And we’ll talk in the lounge.’
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CASSIE CARRIED THE plate of sliced carrot cake, and Jack followed with the steaming mugs. He asked her to hold them, enabling him to move the low table within easy reach of where she liked to sit. Instead of taking Bob’s chair, he settled in the centre of the settee, bending his leg on the upholstery, and hooking the other over his ankle.
Her brow furrowed as she swung her head from his usual spot to where he was now, holding out his hand for his coffee. He grinned and quirked an eyebrow, making her smile as she relinquished the mug.
Her pulse blipped at the accidental brush of their fingers. Still keyed up from his kiss, she tried to hide her reaction, selected a piece of cake, sat and wriggled into the end corner of the settee. He faced her, his shoulder pressed against the back, seeming content to just watch her. Didn’t drink.
‘I meant every word, Cassie. I’m not sorry I kissed you, and I want to again. Even more now I know how... Incredible doesn’t come close to describing how good.’
She felt the same; her body still hummed from the rapture of being moulded to his. Her pulse was almost normal yet she knew one special look or even the slightest curl of his full lips would send it rocketing. Every breath she took was imbued with his essence and sandalwood aroma.
‘It’s not about want.’
She saw his fingers tighten on his mug at her words, saw it shake as he balanced it on his knee. Regretted the loss of tenderness in his eyes.
‘There’s a lot of places outside Mel’s home and you won’t be working twenty-four-seven.’
She straightened her spine at his blunt statement. ‘No, and...’
‘Is there anyone who might have a grievance because I kissed you?’
If it hadn’t been for the slight judder in his normally smooth voice, she’d have thought he’d reverted to his suspicions of her the day they’d met. He was as shaken as she was, merely better at concealing it.
‘No, there’s no one.’
‘So we’re both free, and we like each other. We can take it easy and see what happens.’
‘We can be friends?’
His eyes widened, his eyebrows shot up and he huffed. ‘You kiss your friends like that, Cassie Clarkson?’
‘No! I meant...’ She surged forward in distress, shaking her head, and spilling her drink. ‘How could you think I’d...?’
Sam was on his feet in an instant, trotting over to her, nudging her hand. Jack scooted along at the same time, dumping his full mug on the table as he went. He took hers from her trembling fingers and placed it alongside. His face contorted with guilt as he cradled hers with his hands.
‘I was joking, Cassie. Stupidly trying to cover how mind-blowing it was for me. An immature male reaction to you pulling away first. Forgive me?’
The genuine remorse in his eyes tugged at Cassie’s heart. He’d questioned her credentials, and tried gentle pressure when they’d first met; he’d never been cruel. And the oh-so-light feel of his work-roughened hands was turning shaking from dismay into quivers of delight.
There was no way she could voice her certainty of the chasm, cultural and familial, between them. From the day he’d
been born, he’d never been alone unless he’d wished it, always had similar age relatives to bounce off and confide in. He’d never had to live within the bounds of a limited budget. And never would.
‘I didn’t handle it well. It was... I... I’ve never been kissed like that before.’
Sam nudged again and Jack released her with reluctance, allowing her to stroke the dog.
‘I’m okay, Sam.’ She ruffled his ears. ‘He’s very perceptive. It must be comforting to know he’s here when Mel’s alone.’
‘He is, more than most people, including me. Val says my tendency to make jokes about anything emotional is an attempt to hide my insecurities. She knows me better than anyone so she might be right.’
Cassie was stunned at his revelation. She couldn’t imagine him sharing this personal information with many people, certainly not a comparative stranger. She felt shy and yet elated.
‘I’ll try to remember that in future.’
‘And I’ll try to curb my childish outbursts.’
His lips curled into a stunning smile that rebooted her senses into overdrive. The realisation they were forging a new understanding which needed slow and steady pacing warred with an inexplicable longing for fast and furious.
To hide the blush rising on her cheeks, she bent her head to check her watch. ‘Sam must be wondering when his walk’s coming.’
‘As soon as we settle boundaries.’
Looking up, she encountered glittering eyes and familiar determined features, though without the stern resolve from the past. He wrapped his hands around hers, creating a bond that twined its way to her core.
‘While we’re here, we’ll keep everything light and friendly. Anywhere out in the big wide world, we’ll let life unfold and see where it takes us. Agreed?’
Captivated by the Enigmatic Tycoon Page 10