Sudden Seduction, A

by Walters, Janet Lane;

  His hands clenched. He was inches from sliding down a slope and crashing. Love was a state he’d vowed to never embrace. Not after watching his mother cry silently and secretly over his father’s casual caring. Matt had watched her fade rather than fight for life.

  What now? The urge to speed away struck hard, yet an equally strong yearning called for staying. He certainly had no intention of confessing how he felt. Just a week ago Cassie had been ready to walk down the aisle with another man, one she must have loved. She was on the rebound. He needed an escape, one that wouldn’t give her confidence another blow.

  He gulped a deep breath. Tomorrow was Saturday. He wanted to show her the Smiton house and make an offer. He could manage another day. Once the house was his he could walk away.

  He tugged her close. “I’m ready for a nap.”

  She covered a yawn with her hand. “Sounds good.” She slipped from the bed and brought their clothes from the living room. “Your phone’s vibrating.”

  “I’d better take it.” He opened the case. “Matt here…Yes…He did. Tell him to ignore my last request…Damn. He was supposed to call. Did you tell him…Why not?” He cut the call.

  Cassie touched his arm. “Do you have to leave?”

  Although he’d been looking for an escape he shook his head. “Some people can’t follow simple instructions.”

  “Was it a costly mistake?”

  “The man I needed to speak to is an employee.” He pushed her onto the bed. “Nap.” He pulled her naked body closer.

  The doorbell woke him. Cassie slipped out of bed and grabbed a robe. Matt dressed and strode to the living room.

  Cassie held two large bags. “Our dinner.”

  “What do I owe you?”

  She laughed. “No reason for you to pay for everything. I’m an equal opportunity date.”

  Matt closed his eyes to hide the desire to speak words he’d never thought to say—words doomed to cause pain. The problem was Cassie’s perfection. That scared him.

  Tomorrow they would visit the Smiton house. He would tell her of the changes he wanted to make and what the improvements would mean. Then he would offer to buy the house at fair market value. He wanted to own the house his mother had loved. Sometimes he wondered why. He recalled the sadness in her eyes the first time she’d taken him there and he knew the house must be his.

  Cassie opened the bags and set the containers on the table. As she moved the robe opened and showed tantalizing glimpses of her long legs. Matt ignored the stirrings of his cock and brought plates and glasses from the kitchen. He opened a bottle of wine.

  From the first of the tapa containers he took bite sized tuna pies and held one out for Cassie to taste. She returned the gesture offering him a taste from another container. He tasted the red peppers sprinkled with garlic. Cassie dove into the black olives marinated with onions. When she held out one to his lips he sucked the morsel and her fingers into his mouth. They shared clams in tomato sauce and shrimp with garlic and red pepper. They finished the meal with flan covered with a chocolate raspberry sauce.

  Matt fed her the last spoonful and dipped his finger in the remaining sauce. He held his finger to her lips and when she drew it into her mouth he opened the belt of her robe. He drew her to her feet. “I want you.”

  Her smile warmed him. He growled. Perfect meal. Perfect woman. Perfect bliss that would end. Always did.

  He tugged her down the hall to the bedroom. For a moment they stood at the window. A crescent moon hung in the sky. The lights of cars moving across the bridge cast halos of light on the dark river.

  Matt turned. “Sure wish I’d bought those silk ropes to tie you. I’d like hear you cry to come.”

  Cassie ran her tongue over her lips. “Maybe I’d rather see you helpless. There is an idea we could try.”

  He arched an eyebrow. “Tell me.”

  “One of us could lie on the bed and grasp the spindles of the headboard to see how long before the fake-bondaged one can last.”

  “You’re on. You’re first. Let’s play.”

  Cassie went to the bed. She left her robe on. She grasped the spindles. Matt sat at the foot of the bed. He pulled his sweater over his head and folded it. “Like what you see?”

  “Yes.”

  His hand slid to his belt. He kicked off his shoes and turned his back to her and removed his jeans. Before turning around he paused at her dressing table to look at the assortment of oils and lotions. He selected one and strode to the bed. He untied the belt of Cassie’s robe and spread it open. Putting some of the lotion into his hand he sat and began to rub it on her clit and around her labia.

  “Heard about this kind of thing.” he said.

  Cassie sucked in a breath. “So have I. Haven’t used it before.”

  Matt rose. He grasped his cock and began to stimulate himself. He watched the way Cassie’s expression changed and how her body moved restlessly. Finally he sheathed himself.

  He crawled onto the bed and lifted one of Cassie’s feet. He massaged the sole and ran his tongue over the arch. He did the same with the other foot. Slowly he slid his hands over her calves and up her thighs.

  Cassie moaned. She moved as though trying to urge him closer.

  “Ready to give up?”

  “No.”

  He blew on her clit. His hands crept over her belly and his mouth followed. When he reached her breasts he drew one nipple into his mouth and massaged the other.

  This time Cassie groaned. Matt laughed. “Give up.”

  “Not yet.”

  He knelt with his knees on either side of her chest and grasped his penis. He ran the tip over her lips. She opened her mouth and drew him inside. Though he wanted to allow her to explore he was too close to coming so he drew back and moved to kneel between her legs. He used his cock to tease her clit and slid toward her vagina.

  “You’re so very wet,” Matt said.

  Cassie growled. “Now.” Her hands grasped his shoulders.

  In that instant he slid home. Her climax shuddered through him. "Next time I’ll be bound,” he said.

  She touched his lips. “Make it soon. You’re hard to resist.”

  Did that mean more than her desire for sex? He nearly asked. Would she tell him what he wanted to hear? He drew her closer.

  Kisses brought him to attention. Morning light filled the room. His stomach gurgled. So did hers. Laughter and kisses followed.

  “Shower,” she said.

  “A quick one. I’m starved.”

  She grabbed clothes and hurried to the bathroom. Moments later he joined her in the shower.

  Cassie stepped out. You shave. I’ll warm the cinnamon rolls and start the eggs and bacon.”

  “Ah, bacon. Must have been a special night.”

  “Fishing for compliments.”

  “Why not?”

  She finished dressing and scooted from the room. Matt stood and stared at himself in the mirror. Being here with Cassie seemed so good and so right. Could it last?

  Once they polished off the food Matt took her hand. “Let’s take a ride.”

  “Where?”

  “To look at a house I’m interested in. Want to do a series in the mag about making older houses into energy efficient ones.

  “I’d enjoy hearing about your plans.”

  “Good.” Matt found his jacket and hers. Once she heard his plans for the house he’d tell her she was the owner and offer to buy. Maybe he should then tell her what the house meant to him. How could he explain he wanted to share his mother’s dreams?

  Outside he steered her to his car. She did a double-take. “Where’s your bike?”

  “Under repair. Should have it back in a couple of weeks.”

  * * * *

  Cassie sat in the passenger’s seat. Her thoughts raced with possibilities and improbabilities. What did this trip mean? Was Matt’s excitement only for the project or did the house hold a deeper meaning? Like a commitment? Don’t jump to conclusions.

&
nbsp; “You'll love the house,” Matt said. “I remember the first time my mother took me there. Her goal was to live there.” An edge of grief entered his voice. “She died before I was old enough to make that happen.”

  “Were you close/”

  “Very. Enough about the past. Let me tell you what I plan.” His words tumbled over each other.

  A seed of hope took root. Cassie’s hands clenched. This thing between them had risen like a rocket headed for the moon. She fought against allowing dreams to form.

  He pulled into a driveway where a low wall hid the bottom area of the garden. They drove toward the circle in front of the house. Cassie studied the twin gables on either side of the front entrance. The house was stone. “Interesting. When was it built?”

  "It’s early Victorian in the Gothic Revival style. Two bedrooms on the first floor and three on the second and an attic.”

  Though the grass had been mowed the house appeared deserted. “Has it been empty long?”

  “The owner’s been gone for ages. Until two years ago there were tenants.” He began to speak about his plans for the house.

  Cassie listened with fascination. “So you won’t change the house except for the upgrades.”

  He nodded. “Part of the reason the house has been empty is the cost of heating in the winter and cooling in the summer.”

  “Is the house for sale or do you own it?”

  “It’s not mine but I hope to buy. The owner died and I thought it would come on the market but the attorney needed to find the heirs.”

  Cassie frowned. “How long ago did he die?”

  “Four months.”

  A musical chime sounded. “My phone.” Cassie pulled the small rectangle from her pocket. “Hi, Mom.” She turned and saw Matt’s scowl. He walked away before she could ask if there was a problem.

  "Mom, slow down. I’m fine…I know you didn’t like Tim. I was hurt and angry about his lies… When should I expect you? Surely you’ll stop by before going to Pittsburgh.”

  Her mother’s voice calmed. “We’ll need to stay until Tuesday. On Monday there’s a legal matter to see to.”

  “What?”

  “Not a problem. It’s about some money left to me. You’ll need to see this lawyer, too.”

  “Why?”

  “Your father is dead.”

  Cassie’s forehead wrinkled. “Why should that be a problem? I never knew him.”

  “He seems to have regretted abandoning us. He left me some money and the family property and other assets to you.”

  “You’re kidding.” Cassie walked toward Matt.

  “For once Bradley Smiton did something right.”

  Cassie halted so abruptly she stumbled. “Did you say Smiton?”

  “Yes. Why?”

  “I’m at the house with a man who wants to buy the property/”

  “Who is this man?”

  “An old acquaintance.” She hesitated to speak Matt’s name. After the rebuff years ago her mother had been furious and had wanted to confront Matt and his father. Only Cassie’s tears had prevented a scene.

  “Do not let Matthew Blakefield have the house. His investigator met our plane. Demanded to know your address and phone number. You will not let that man ruin your life again.”

  “Mom.”

  “Cassie, if he’s nosing around it’s because he wants the house not you. Run, don’t walk away. I’m sure he’s just like his mother. If not for her interference you would have grown up with a father. She told Bradley I slept around and had two of her rich friends back her.”

  “We’ll talk more later. I need to think.” Cassie disconnected. Her thought whirled like a runaway Ferris wheel. Matt had told her how his mother had loved the house. He had to know the whole story.

  Her chest tightened. Breathing seemed difficult. She couldn’t cry, not where Matt could see. She gulped several deep breaths and strode to him. “Nice try. Won’t work.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “This house. Your romantic gestures. Sorry, I’m not selling.”

  “Cassie.”

  “My mother said you had an investigator looking for us. He met her plane and demanded information on where I could be found. You knew I owned the property.”

  “I learned after our time at the cabin. Then I didn’t have your number and you weren’t at the cabin. Allie found you and things were so hot between us. I guess I waited too long.”

  Cassie straightened. “And you intended to be with me for as long as the fire burned. It’s ashes now. Take me to my apartment.”

  “We need to talk. I need to explain.”

  “Take me or I’ll call a cab.” She opened her phone. “I’ll pack your things and leave them in the lobby. I’m becoming an expert at getting rid of men’s belongings.”

  He pulled her into his arms. “It isn’t like you’re thinking. I never promised a commitment.”

  “I never asked for one. You could have told me about the house before we made love.” She pulled free. “Are you taking me home?”

  His shoulders slumped. “Yes.”

  Why did he look so defeated? He was the one who hadn’t told her the truth. She stared out the window.

  When they reached the complex Cassie jumped out and hurried to the apartment. She left the door open. Inside she grabbed his duffle. She crammed his clothes and the red bikini set inside. As he entered she reached the door.

  “Cassie, we need to talk.”

  “I have nothing to say. Just go.” She dropped the bag at his feet.

  “I’ll call you.”

  Don’t bother. If I decide to sell the house I’ll list it with a realtor and you can make an offer.” She closed the door before he said another word. With a sigh she slumped on the couch.

  Chapter Eight

  Matt shoved his duffle in the trunk of his car. Regret colored his thoughts. He slumped on the seat. He should have told her about the house the moment he knew she was the owner. Would the result have been different? Years ago he’d laughed and insulted her. She had believed him. He feared she carried those words deep inside. He could have—he hadn’t and he didn’t know why he’d been afraid to admit there was more than sex.

  The sex had been totally satisfying. Though he’d fought against slipping beyond the physical there had been more than the sexual encounter. She suited him more than any woman ever had. He straightened. Years ago after he’d made her run he had looked for her. Had he been seeking her in every encounter since then?

  He started the car. Instead of returning to the city he drove up the hill and parked in the town lot. He would give her time and space but he would seek her again. How would he convince her he hadn’t meant to hurt her in the past or the present?

  Face it. You’ve lost. He pounded the wheel with his fists. Could he find a way to change defeat into victory? Maybe—just maybe there was a way.

  He remembered the ring she’d admired in the jewelry store window. The emerald would match her eyes. She’d mentioned buying it for herself. Would she accept the ring from him? There was one way to learn. He nodded. “Yes.”

  Matt stared at the display and spotted the ring. A bell chimed as he entered the store. The man behind the counter put down some tool. “Can I help you?

  “Could I see the emerald ring in the window?”

  The man unlocked the glass and brought the ring to the counter. “One of my favorite designs.”

  “You created this?” Matt asked.

  “All the jewelry is my design.”

  “Would it be possible to substitute four sapphires for the diamonds?”

  The jeweler lifted the ring to study the setting. Then he glanced at Matt and nodded. Matt wondered what the look meant.

  From a locked drawer the man took a velvet cloth and a small pouch. He spilled a number of sapphires on the cloth. He isolated several and studied them. “Ah, I’ve just one like your eyes.”

  “The emerald matches hers.”

  The jeweler used
a tool to remove one of the diamonds. He placed the sapphire in the bracket. “Interesting. I hope you’re not in a rush. I’ll need a week to match the stones.”

  “I have time,” Matt said.

  “Her ring size?”

  Matt closed his eyes and thought of Cassie’s long slender fingers. He almost felt them stroking his skin. To dislodge the memory he shook his head. “I don’t know.”

  “Her name. I may have her size on file.”

  “Cassandra Moore.”

  The jeweler moved to a computer and typed. He looked up. “You’re in luck. I remember the garish ring I made for her engagement. Huge diamond in a heavy gold scrolled design. Much too heavy for her slender fingers. The man had no taste.” He arched an eyebrow.

  Matt stared at the jewelry case. “No taste indeed. He ended the engagement.” Matt extracted his credit card. “I’ll make a down payment now and pay the balance when the ring is finished. I think she’ll be pleased.”

  The man winked. “And surprised.” He handed Matt a copy of the work order. “Good luck.”

  “Thanks.”

  Matt left the shop and returned to his car. He drove across the bridge to his city apartment. As he unpacked his bag he found the red satin underwear. He set them on his dresser as a reminder of what he’d lost and hoped to regain.

  In the living room he opened a beer and slumped on the couch. Tomorrow he’d have to look at the list of houses to see if any would suit his needs as well as the Smiton house. He couldn’t afford to wait much longer to begin the project.

  His thoughts drifted to the family curse. He was the only unmarried one of his generation. Did that mean he had no chance of success?

  Allie, Megan and Mark had felt the pull of love. Until now he’d been untouched. Love them and leave them had been his way. The women he’d dated hadn’t’ held his interest for long. Then he’d crashed back into Cassie’s life and found he wanted a chance of forever.

  He groaned. He’d never forgotten her or what he’d said and done. Memories of the day she’d approached him were etched in his head.

  “Would you go to the movies with me tonight?”

  The question had surprised him. In the shadows he’d seen the head cheerleader and her best friend. For several years Ginny had stalked him but he hadn’t asked her out. He’d been sure she’d hatched this plot with Cassie as payback. He’d said words he hadn’t meant—words that had hurt Cassie.