by Stacia Wolf
He nodded. “No problem. Your mother's a bit intense for me."
Cassie contained a snort. Her mother generated more energy than the nearest dam. But that wasn't the reason she didn't want to sit with her. No, her reasons were more self-centered than that.
She had designs on Mike, and any kind of company would cramp her ‘style.’ She'd never seduced anyone before and having her mother right there would definitely deter her.
They reached Lucia's table. Kyle sat too close to her mother for Cassie's comfort, his arm draped over the back of Lucia's chair, but she clamped down on her instinct to glare at him. She'd never understood why her mother never married her dad. It was none of her business, so she never asked. Still, she didn't like to see her with just any guy that came along, especially one so much younger than her. Kyle couldn't be over thirty-five.
"Hi, Mom.” She managed a half-hearted smile, but Lucia didn't seem to pick up on her lack of enthusiasm. Bouncing up on tall high-heeled fringed bootlets, Lucia pulled Cassie into a tight embrace, then hugged Mike as well.
"Hello, darlings. What are you two up to tonight?"
"Came for a little dancing,” Mike said, removing Lucia from around his neck. His arm then pulled Cassie against his chest, as if she'd be a shield from her mother. Fat chance. What Lucia wanted, Lucia got. But she'd take advantage of his defensive action. No sense in wasting an opportunity.
Her entire back tingled as she leaned back, pressing herself against him. She smiled up at him and his answering smile looked very forced indeed. Good. She didn't want him comfortable. No, she wanted him thinking only of her.
"Wonderful!” Lucia beamed up at Mike. “Why don't you two join us?"
"No, thanks, Mom,” Cassie said. “We wouldn't want to intrude. Besides...” She emphasized her words by wrapping Mike's arm tighter about her waist. “We really want some alone time."
"Then you shouldn't have come here,” Lucia said. “Everyone knows Mike, and they'll all feel like saying hi and finding out about this sudden relationship between you two."
Darn, she had a point. She could feel the tension in Mike, and wondered if he was uncomfortable being seen with her.
"Or is this your way of convincing me that this is for real?"
"Mom...” Cassie sighed. Lucia truly frustrated her, on many levels. Especially with that coy little smile she now wore. What on earth did that mean? It gave Cassie an unsettled feeling, like her mother might be up to something.
The cranky waitress whose name Cassie couldn't remember bore down on them, criminal intent in her eyes. Instead of retreating, Cassie snuggled deeper into Mike's arms.
The girl glared at Cassie, then gave Mike a brittle smile. “Can I get you anything to drink, Mike?"
With the side of her head pressed against Mike's chin, Cassie felt him grin. “Sure, Kendra. Rum and Coke on the rocks. Since I'm not working tonight, I can indulge."
Kendra returned his smile. “Sure, Mike. Coming right up.” She turned smartly on her heel and headed toward the bar.
Cassie stiffened. Of all the nerve! She wasn't going to take her order? How childish!
"Kendra!” Mike called out after the girl.
Kendra turned around. “Yes, Mike?” she asked, her voice dripping with saccharine.
"You forgot to take Cassie's order."
"Who?” Kendra blinked, as if seeing Cassie for the first time. “Oh, your friend! Sorry. What would you like to drink?"
Cassie tamped down on her ire and made her voice as sugary as Kendra's. “A Toasted Almond, please."
Scowling, Kendra said, “Never heard of it."
She felt Mike sigh. Apparently Kendra's rudeness got to him as well. “Equal parts Amaretto, Kahlua and cream. Dave knows the recipe."
His steel-tinged voice apparently took the steam out of the girl. “Sorry. Two drinks, coming up.” She strode away, her body stiff. Cassie glanced up at Mike.
"She's Ernie's daughter, right?"
He nodded. “Lucky for her right now. Sorry, honey.” He kissed her forehead with so much tenderness that Cassie might have believed it genuine, if his stiff body didn't tell her otherwise.
"Well, she needs a stern talking to,” Lucia said. “That bordered on rudeness."
"I'll handle it,” Mike promised. “In the meantime, we'd better go find a table before the place totally fills up."
"Okay. And I'll be watching you two.” With a wiggle of her fingers, Lucia sat down. That sweet tone of voice didn't fool Cassie. Her mom didn't buy this sudden relationship, and she'd just put Cassie on notice.
Mike led Cassie towards the table. “I'm sorry about that,” he said over the din. “Kendra's still too young to rein herself in, but that kind of treatment won't be tolerated. I'll—"
"Let it drop, Mike.” She raised her voice to make certain he heard her; the crowd seemed to get louder with every passing moment. “I think she learned her lesson."
Luckily the table she'd scoped out earlier remained empty. Mike pulled out a chair, and she slipped into it. He sat down beside her, leaning toward her so she could hear him.
"Cass, she doesn't deserve me to go easy on her. Crush or no crush, you're a customer and a customer's needs come first."
So his anger stemmed at the girl's disregard for a customer, not for her treatment of Cassie in particular. That rankled her more than it should. She wanted him to care about her enough to be outraged!
She leaned into him, making sure she pressed her breasts against him, and placed her mouth close to his ear, closer than she needed to be heard.
Letting out a slow breath that fluttered his dark hair, she said, “She wasn't seeing a customer when she looked at me. She saw a rival, a woman with the man she wants. If you look at it that way, she showed remarkable restraint.” Another wispy breath, feathered against his earlobe and brought on a minute shudder that she felt course through his body. “Let it go."
He turned to her, and she soared at what she saw in those deep brown eyes of his. Even in the darkness, she recognized the stark need. His mouth hovered above hers, but she didn't make the first move. Mike would have to instigate this kiss, but that didn't mean she couldn't fan the flames.
She filled her thoughts with wanton desire that she knew would show on her face. Her darling Eagle Scout would have to be made of titanium to resist this onslaught.
He wasn't. Mike's mouth descended on hers, taking in her fevered breath. His teeth raked her bottom lip, then his tongue invaded her mouth, eliminating any vague idea she'd had that he might be kissing her for mere show.
No, this kiss existed for Mike and Cassie alone. His hand cupped the back of her neck, strengthening the pressure on her mouth. She reveled in it, her tongue dancing with his.
What she hadn't counted on when she'd started this challenge was that she wasn't made of titanium, either. Her body trembled, her heart thudded in her chest, her senses exploded with the joy that filled her. The heat between her legs spread, coiling into her belly, through her tingling breasts, scalding her lungs with intensity. A tiny moan escaped.
Immediately the tenor of his kiss changed. If before it had been about need, this one took Cassie on another type of roller coaster. His mouth softened, gentled, became feather light as he pressed kiss after kiss onto her swollen mouth. His tongue caressed her lips, then he followed through with another soft touch of his mouth to hers.
The tenderness that he conveyed to her moved her more than even his passion had. If she'd doubted that he held any affection for her, now she didn't know if she could contain it all.
He tasted the corner of her mouth, then grazed over her cheek. She held perfectly still, basking in this strange mixture of lust and gentleness. She couldn't get enough, she couldn't take any more. With a soft cry she turned to find his mouth.
She touched his face, loving the faint stubble she felt. He was so masculine. Even the smell and taste of him reminded her that he was all male, first and foremost. Exciting, sexual, aroused.
He b
roke off the kiss, his breath coming in rapid beats. Resting his forehead against hers, he whispered, “Later."
That one word drove ripples of need through her with its unspoken promise. “I'm holding you to that."
Mike's eyes widened, then a boyish grin appeared. “You're way too tempting, Cass. I've a feeling a cold shower's in my future."
Her heart leapt at his admission, but she decided to play coy. Shrugging, she said, “Your choice."
Before he could respond, Kendra arrived with their drinks. She kept her eyes averted in an attempt to hide her emotions, but Cassie clearly heard the brittleness in her voice.
"One Coke and rum, one Toasted Almond.” Not waiting for a reply, she moved on to the next table.
Cassie sipped her drink, glad for a moment to cool off. Darn it. She wanted to get him hot and bothered, not the other way around. Of course, if his gulping down his drink gave her any indication, he'd been worked up, too.
"That was some kiss.” Lucia appeared at their table. “I can't remember the last time someone kissed me like that, like they cared about me.” She smiled at Cassie, her eyes glistening suspiciously. “I guess you two really are an item."
"Dad.” Cassie's voice sounded lighter than a whisper. “Mom, Dad kisses you like that. I've seen him. Didn't you know that?"
Lucia's eyes widened, then grew haunted. “I'm sure you're mistaken, Cassandra.” Straightening her back, she said, “Don't forget the Fourth of July party at your grandparents, and Mike, you're invited."
"Oh, but—” Mike's face reflected his horror, but immediately he hid his reaction. In fact, he did it so well that Cassie almost believed she'd imagined it.
"Sure, Mom, we'll be there,” Cassie said. If she didn't go, there'd be hell to pay. And since Mike wanted to pursue this charade, he'd better go, too. She sent him a warning glance, and he lifted his brows as if to say, This isn't settled.
Lucia glanced over her shoulder. “I'd better get back to Kyle before he finds someone else."
Waggling her fingers, Lucia departed. Cassie watched her thoughtfully, wondering at Lucia's strange mix of emotions when she'd mentioned her father. Longing, loneliness, disbelief. Self-doubt? Her mother? Couldn't be; she must have misread her. She'd never known Lucia to suffer from lack of confidence. Ever.
Cassie glanced at her mom's date. Was that what waited for her in fifteen years—a dark nightclub with a too-young man, because her heart couldn't settle on anyone for long? Could she ever beat the Delistraty curse?
And if she ever had kids, would they ever know a normal life, the kind of life Cassie had never experienced?
"I wish...” she started, then hesitated. The memories still hurt too much.
"What?” Mike probed.
She shook her head, but he touched her chin, turning her toward him with a firm gentleness that melted the last shreds of her self-control.
"Cassie, tell me. I don't like you being sad."
"Oh, Mike.” She leaned into him, as much to soak in the heat and feel of him as for him to hear her. “You can't understand. You grew up with two parents who loved each other, and to you, that's normal. What's normal to me and Cal is an endless rotation of men while our father watched from the wings. True, none of them ever moved in, or even stayed the night, but it wasn't anything like what you had."
"Cass.” His voice held sympathy, but no pity. She hated pity, although few people would attach that word to Cassie Delistraty, despite her failed marriage and stagnant career.
"I lived next door for many of those years,” he said. “Remember? I'm Cal's best friend. I know what it did to him. I saw what it did to you. I couldn't help either of you, and it hurt me. Especially you, with those sad green eyes."
Stunned, she leaned back and searched his face. Even though she'd suffered from a crush on him, he'd been a year older and her brother's friend. She hadn't thought he'd noticed her much.
She'd always known that Mike was a do-gooder, a Boy Scout to the core, always wanting to fix things and help make the world a better place. It was an impulse he'd never quite gotten control of. But to actually feel pain over a situation like that?
He took her breath away.
The wound she'd carried for years over her parents’ failure as a couple lost some of its sting. She'd been surrounded by concern, even though she hadn't quite realized it. It made her childhood memories not as potent.
She touched his hand. His fingers gripped hers and she smiled up at him, thinking how handsome he was, with his unruly hair, deep chocolate eyes that radiated honesty, and that twisted half-smile that upped her blood pressure to a new level.
"Thanks,” she told him. “I never realized you'd cared."
His eyes crinkled. “Well, I did. I still do. Unfortunately."
"Unfortunately?"
His smile widened. “Yeah. Got me into trouble. Had to rescue you one more time. Bad habit I need to break."
The teasing in his voice caused her to laugh. “It isn't all that bad, is it? Gives you an excuse to cuddle with me.” To emphasize her words, she snuggled closer.
Laughing, he said, “That's a hardship that I'm learning to live with.” He wrapped an arm about her, pulling her even closer. She rested her head on his shoulder, silently agreeing with Mike's statement. She could easily get used to this.
Although it played havoc with her libido. Of course, if she could get Mike to accommodate her itch, then she'd be in heaven.
Oh, honey. The mere thought of what form that scratch could take sent tingles coursing through her. His hands touching her, caressing her, removing her clothes button by button, inch by inch, his mouth following his hands as they traveled downward...
Hot damn.
* * * *
A tiny mew escaped Cassie, loud enough for Mike to hear. He understood that sound all too clearly; his body tightened at her obvious need. But he couldn't oblige her. Instead, he pressed a kiss to her hair as he soaked in the scent and warmth of her.
Yes, holding Cassie like this, being the one who had the right to call her his, could definitely become habit-forming.
Until she tired of him and decided to move on. He didn't know if he could handle that. Her marriage had lasted three years. How long could he hold on to her? He didn't have the dignified lifestyle that Ken Travers had offered her. He'd been from a wealthy family, just like Cassie's.
No, all he could offer was part ownership in a struggling nightclub that just recently started turning a profit. Things would get even tighter once the second club started up. His life didn't hold any adventure or excitement. Nothing that would interest Cassandra Delistraty for any length of time.
Sure, he challenged her now by resisting her charms, but his resolve grew dangerously thin. Already his body craved her like a drug. But how long would she stick around?
The band started playing; their first song had Cassie moving to the beat of the music. Would she make love the same way, with a natural rhythm unique to her and her alone? He ground down a moan as his body responded to her on an animal level.
But he couldn't give in. It would be easy, but fatal, to convince himself that this was only physical. That he could keep his emotions under control.
Cass looked over at him, caught his look. Smiling, she asked, “What are you thinking about?"
He gave her a half-smile. “Our first kiss.” That kiss had told him that she could easily touch his heart.
She eyed him warily. “You mean last night?"
"I mean at your graduation party."
Cassie grimaced. He didn't blame her. It hadn't been the best moment for either of them.
He'd been taking a break from the party that Cassie's mom had tossed for both her children. Music played loudly, and Cassie'd been dancing with quite a few different guys. He'd wanted to ask her himself, but didn't want to wade through all those others. After a while, he'd retreated to his own back yard.
Then he'd heard her calling to him. Turning around, he'd watched her approach, sweet and virg
inal in a white lace dress that showed a hint of cleavage. Beautiful, inviting. Off-limits.
She'd walked right up to him, and he wondered what twist of cruel fate put him alone with her in the dark, when all he'd thought about all night was exactly that: holding her, with no prying eyes to pull them apart.
Then, without a word, she'd wrapped her arms about his neck and planted her silky soft lips on his.
He couldn't have imagined a more exquisite, torturous kiss than that of sweet, untouched Cassie. He'd wanted to return that kiss, to pull her closer and stake a claim on her heart. But his mother's warnings stopped him. Cal's friendship stopped him. His own vulnerability at Cassie's whim held him back.
It's like kissing a sister, he'd tried to convince himself. He'd unwrapped her from his neck. But nothing about the way she touched him or the throb of need in his body could convince him that kissing a sister would be anything like this.
But his pulling away had stopped her cold. She'd turned stricken eyes to him, then fled from him and the party. He longed to stop her, but let her go. She didn't belong to him.
He'd kept his distance during their college years, making sure Cal was around anytime he spent time with Cassie. And, if memory served, it was right about that time that Cal had started prefacing any conversation about his sister with, “Cassie's off-limits to you."
That rule still applied today. Nothing had changed that, despite growing up. If he allowed himself to continue to hold her, touch her, play this game with her, how safe would he be when she finally walked away?
He'd be devastated.
Cassie wiped the grimace off her face. “I'd rather create new memories, wouldn't you?” She stood and reached out to him.
"Let's dance."
Dance? He looked out at the dance floor. Slow dancing. His stomach sank. He couldn't. He didn't think he could hold her, feel her moving against him, and not want to ravage her right there.
He needed some space to get himself under control. The dance floor definitely wouldn't help him there.
In desperation, he swung his gaze over the club, and lighted on the bar area. There were several people waiting for drinks.