by Jenn Roseton
He finally turned off the computer. “How much do I owe you?”
She named a figure that she was comfortable with.
Luke raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure? I don’t want you to charge less than you should.”
Cassie smiled, appreciating his sense of fairness. “I asked around, and this is the going rate for the area.”
“And you’re happy with that?”
“Yes. It’s more than I make at the diner.”
Luke opened the desk drawer and brought out a checkbook. He wrote her a check and handed it to her. A shiver raced through her when his fingertips touched hers.
“Thank you.” She tried to look businesslike when she put the check in her purse.
“I’ll walk you out.” He gestured for her to precede him, and she walked down the hall, conscious of him walking closely behind her.
Luke opened the front door. “Thanks,” she said again, turning to face him. Tilting her head a little, she smiled up at him.
“I should be the one thanking you.” His voice was low.
She couldn’t break free from his molten brown gaze.
“Cassie,” he murmured, catching a strand of her auburn hair in his fingers.
She caught her breath, her insides melting into a pool of warm chocolate. Was he going to kiss her? She waited for a long second, not daring to say or do anything that would break the sensual moment.
His mouth slowly descended, brushing hers. She returned the light pressure of his lips. His strong arm wrapped around her waist, drawing her closer as he caressed her lips once more. She breathed in his scent of honeyed hay, wishing the kiss would never end.
Her spine tingled as he reluctantly released her. “Can you come over next week? I’ll have more accounts work for you. And I’ll make lunch.”
“Okay.” Cassie tried to control her whirling emotions. She thought she’d agree to just about anything right now, if it promised the possibility of Luke kissing her again.
###
Six weeks later, Cassie sang along to an old country song as she drove to Luke’s house. Although the gray clouds in the sky looked ominous, they couldn’t affect her mood. Visiting Luke at his ranch was her favorite part of the week. Since Luke had kissed her for the first time, she’d never been happier. He’d introduced her to his rancher friends, most of whom had hired her, and he’d been coming into the diner two or three times per week, sitting in her section each time, and chatting with her when she wasn’t rushed off her feet.
Every time she visited Luke, he’d prepared lunch for them. After lunch, Luke would leave her to the accounts while he did chores outside. When she finished entering the numbers into the computer program, he always kissed her goodbye. Just like their first kiss.
Cassie wrinkled her brow. That was the only problem. Luke’s kisses made her toes curl, but they remained exactly the same as the first time he kissed her. Contrary to the romance novels she liked to read sometimes, his tongue did not demand entry to her mouth, nor did his mouth cover hers hungrily. They were perfectly delicious, shivery kisses, but he seemed content for them to remain so.
Maybe what he felt for her was more platonic than romantic. After all, it wasn’t as if there were hordes of guys vying to date her. She sighed. Just when she thought she was ready for another relationship, it appeared that Luke wasn’t really that interested in her.
She swung into the long driveway and parked outside the house. Should she tell Luke that he really didn’t need her to come over every week to take care of his accounts? Disappointment flickered through her. She enjoyed visiting him at his ranch, sharing a meal, his company, and his kisses. But how long could she keep doing it without getting her heart bruised if he didn’t return her feelings? And, she admitted to herself, she did have feelings for him. They had gradually crept up on her over the weeks. She knew without a doubt that she was half way in love with him and it wouldn’t take much to tip her over the edge.
The door opened before she had a chance to knock. Wearing his usual ranch outfit of jeans and a long-sleeved cotton shirt, Luke gave her an easy smile. Well, she wasn’t going to tell him today that he didn’t need her to come over every week. Not when her pulse pounded by just being around him.
“Come in.” He held the door open for her and ushered her inside. She followed him to the kitchen. Why did he have to be so attractive?
“I made Cobb salad and picked up some fresh bread from the bakery.”
“It looks delicious,” Cassie said, aware of a faint rumble in her stomach. She’d finished an early shift at the diner, and breakfast was a distant memory.
Luke moved efficiently around the kitchen, placing salt and pepper shakers on the table before joining her at the table. She enjoyed the tasty meal, as well as his quiet, reassuring presence and light conversation.
“I’ve got a little more work for you today,” Luke said when he’d cleared away their plates and set down a steaming cup of coffee in front of her. “Do you have any other appointments this afternoon?”
“No.” She chided herself for thinking he’d already been creating accounting work for her. If he had, then how could he come up with extra-extra work for her?
He smiled. “I thought you might like to stay for dinner tonight.”
Cassie smiled back. Dinner. With Luke. “I’d like that,” she murmured. Picking up her coffee mug, she hoped he couldn’t see her hands trembling slightly.
She couldn’t remember what else they talked about while they sipped their coffee. All she could think about was what might happen tonight…after dinner. Would he kiss her at the end of the night? Really kiss her? Or - and she almost blushed just thinking about it - would he ask her to stay the night? What would her answer be?
The afternoon drew on and Cassie’s thoughts continually drifted to the evening ahead.
She was surprised to find that for once, it was hard to focus on the numbers in front of her. Even taking into consideration the extra work he had asked her to do, it still took her an hour longer than it should have, thanks to Luke starring in her fantasies. And she definitely wasn’t going to charge Luke for the time she’d spent day-dreaming about him.
She clicked save on the accounts program for the final time and went in search of Luke. It was four o’clock. Too early for dinner, but maybe she could give him a hand getting it started.
“Luke?” She called out in the direction of the barn. With a few flowers growing here and there, and maybe a little herb garden, the grassy area outside the back door could look very pretty.
Cassie walked toward the barn, drinking in the open space and peacefulness she always found here. “Luke?”
He appeared in the doorway of the barn, dusting his hands on his faded jeans. “Finished already?” he asked with a grin.
She nodded. “I thought I could help you with dinner.”
His eyes crinkled as he looked at her. “That would be great.”
They walked back to the house, Luke shortening his stride to match hers. “How does chicken cacciatore sound?”
Her arm almost brushed his and she had to swallow before she could answer. “It’s one of my favorites,” she admitted shyly.
“Mine too.” He smiled down at her.
Once in the kitchen, Luke offered her some iced tea. “I thought we could eat at 6.30. That way, you won’t get home too late. You’ve got an early shift tomorrow, haven’t you?”
“Yes.” Her hope that Luke had feelings for her deflated. It seemed as if he didn’t want her to linger after dinner. Then why ask her to stay in the first place? Was it because he was a nice guy? Or maybe he just preferred slender women.
“I’ve got about an hour’s work left to do outside.”
She watched him take a long swallow of iced tea and sighed inwardly. Just her luck that the gorgeous guy she had feelings for didn’t return them.
“Why don’t you relax in the living room and then we can make dinner together?”
“Sure.” She summoned up
a smile. It wasn’t Luke’s fault that she might have gotten the wrong idea about tonight. If he kissed her - really kissed her tonight, then she might have some hope. But if he kissed her the same way he always did, even if those kisses did make her toes curl, then she might as well face it. He probably wasn’t interested in her romantically - not really.
Cassie entered the living room. Solid, masculine furniture dominated the navy and cream room, as well as a big screen TV. She browsed the large bookcase, selecting a popular mystery novel she hadn’t had a chance to read. Settling down on the comfortable sofa, she became absorbed in the story, returning to the real world with a start when Luke entered the room.
”Hi,” she murmured, setting the book down on the coffee table. It wasn’t fair that he looked so good. Freshly showered and shaved, he once again wore denim jeans and a red long-sleeved button-down shirt, but his jeans were new and crisp. Her stomach fluttered at the thought that maybe he had changed clothes for dinner - with her.
He held out a hand to her as she rose from the sofa. “I thought we could start dinner,” he said, his fingers clasping hers. She looked down at their joined hands and her heartbeat quickened.
Luke led her into the kitchen, not letting go of her hand. She tried to tell herself it mightn’t mean anything. But she couldn’t help the spark of hope in her heart.
Cassie couldn’t remember the last time she’d enjoyed cooking so much. Somehow, she and Luke just seemed to work well together in the kitchen. They didn’t get in each other’s way, but instead worked in harmony. They joked and chatted while they prepared the Italian dish, then sat down at the large wooden table while it simmered on the stovetop.
“Would you like some wine?” Luke held out a bottle of red wine.
“I guess a small glass won’t hurt.” She took a small sip of wine, wanting to make it last. She should be fine to drive home after a small glass of red and chicken cacciatore.
Rattle, rattle, BANG! Cassie had been so caught up in making dinner that she hadn’t noticed the sky darkening outside. Now hail the size of golf balls pelted past the window, almost making her jump.
Luke frowned. “I was hoping the storm would pass us by. Maybe it’ll be over by the time we’ve finished dinner.”
The hailstorm raged. But it wasn’t the storm that made it hard to focus on the appetizing meal. Just sitting across from Luke made her pulse race. In the back of her mind, a thought niggled. Would she be able to drive home if the storm didn’t let up?
Once the dishes were done, she followed Luke to the living room. He gestured to the comfy sofa and sat down beside her. His denim-clad thigh almost touched hers and she felt his body heat through her cotton capris in the quarter inch of space that separated them.
“So now you’ve been here awhile, what do you think of Coldwater?” he enquired.
Quivers of excitement danced down her spine. Luke made her feel as if she were the only person in the world. “I like it here,” she murmured.
His lips curved in a slow smile. “Good.”
Bang! Bang! The hail had slowed down for a few minutes, but now it returned in full force. Luke reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “You’d better stay here tonight. There’s no knowing how long this storm will go on for.”
Relief coursed through her. Although she’d been trying not to show it, she’d been worried about driving home in the storm. “Okay,” she agreed, leaning into him as his fingers caressed her hair.
His eyes snared hers and his mouth slowly descended. She held her breath, waiting for the moment when their lips would touch. He slanted his mouth over hers, his tongue coaxing her lips to open. Cassie parted her lips in surrender, her pulse beating erratically. Luke gathered her to him as if he was never going to let her go.
Finally! was her last coherent thought before she gave herself up to his sensual kiss. His strong, capable hands roved over her back, and she wound her arms around his neck. When they at last broke apart, they both breathed heavily. She buried her face in his neck, inhaling his sexy scent of honeyed hay.
“Cassie,” he murmured in her ear. His soft breath stirred her delicate nerve endings.
She raised her eyes, his heated gaze sending ripples of excitement straight down to her core.
“Do you know how long I’ve waited to kiss you like that?”
She searched his face. “Why did you wait?”
He made a sound that was half laughter and half groan. “Because I didn’t want to scare you off.”
“I wasn’t sure if you were interested in me,” she admitted shyly, hope soaring in her heart.
“Oh, I was interested in you all right,” he confirmed, tilting up her chin and brushing a kiss on her lips. “Ever since you spilled those eggs on me.”
Heat stole across her cheeks at the memory. “I can’t believe I did that.”
“It was worth it.” His lips swooped on hers as he kissed her thoroughly.
She stroked the nape of his neck, hardly able to believe that this was actually happening.
The kiss grew more heated and Luke’s hands roamed over her body, toying with the buttons of her green floral blouse.
He unfastened her top button and slipped his fingers inside, stroking the skin above her bra. Cassie pressed closer to him, wanting more - so much more.
Disappointment flitted through her when he reluctantly withdrew his hand, his voice husky. “You can sleep in the guest room tonight.” He crushed her to him, almost growling, “If we do much more of this, I won’t be able to stop.”
Now was the moment to be courageous. “I don’t want you to stop.” At first she wasn’t sure if Luke had heard her or not, until he drew back and looked at her searchingly.
“Are you sure?”
Faint doubt flickered in her mind. Would Luke feel the same way about her when she was naked? Would her voluptuous figure be a turn off for him - or a turn on?
This was Luke, she reminded herself. She’d never felt this way about any other man, not even Phillip - before she realized what kind of man he really was. Deep down, she knew that she could trust Luke, and that he wouldn’t abuse that trust.
“Yes,” she breathed, her arms stealing around his neck once more. She tugged his head down, fitting her mouth to his, revealing the force of her desire for him.
“Hell,” he muttered thickly against her lips, molding her body to his. The cotton of his shirt rustled against the silky fabric of her blouse, her ample breasts pressed against his torso.
Their lips still joined, Luke maneuvered them to a standing position. She gasped against his mouth as he swung her into his arms and carried her down the hall.
“Luke--” his firm, sensual lips muffled her protest as he continued to kiss her hungrily. His confident gait demonstrated he could carry her easily and she relaxed in his arms, kissing him back with all the fervor she possessed.
He entered a bedroom and gently laid her down in the center of a large, neatly made bed. The décor consisted of cream and brown hues which matched the solid wooden furniture. Cassie spied a few knickknacks on the dresser before her attention turned back to Luke. She was in his bedroom. In his bed.
Cassie felt a rush of dampness between her thighs as he joined her on the bed. “Sweetheart,” he rasped, brushing the hair back from her face. “I want you to set the pace. I want our first time to be everything you want it to be.”
His tenderness melted her heart. The thought of being in charge excited her, although for a few seconds she wasn’t sure what to do next. “I want to be on top,” she whispered.
He brushed his lips against hers. “You’ve got it.” Luke lay down next to her.
Cassie hovered above him on her knees, kissing him slowly and sweetly. He groaned, and she flushed with pride that she made him feel that way.
Her fingers fumbled with his shirt buttons until at last she parted the cotton fabric. Her eyes feasted on his bare chest. Crisp hair, dark and curly, smattered his muscular torso.
&nbs
p; She trailed kisses down his chest to the waistband of his jeans, causing Luke to inhale sharply. She raised her head, a sensual thrill racing down her spine at the banked heat in his eyes.
“Cassie, do you want me to see you, sweetheart?”
Although it had been exciting to partially undress Luke, her body ached for his touch. Nodding, she slowly unfastened the rest of the buttons on her blouse, hesitating for a second before shrugging it off.
Luke’s eyes flared at the sight of her ample breasts encased in the silky fabric of her bra. His finger traced a circle around her nipple, and Cassie quivered as arousal spiked through her.
She involuntarily moved against him, her mound brushing against his hard manhood straining against the denim of his jeans.
“Do you like that?” he asked gently, repeating the movement with his finger.
“Yes,” she breathed, wishing he was touching her bare breasts.
He cupped her breasts through the silk, and she closed her eyes. She had never felt this way before - so filled with desire that her self-consciousness about her body retreated to a dim, distant corner of her mind.
Cassie held her breath as she unfastened her bra, letting it drop to the bed. Luke groaned and her eyes fluttered open to see him gazing at her with passionate intensity.
“You’re beautiful, Cassie.” His hands worshipped her breasts, his fingertips brushing the satin flesh, moving closer and closer to her nipples. When his fingers finally trailed over each sensitive bud, she sucked in a breath, tendrils of need swirling through her body.
Luke’s finger circled the tip of one rosy peak and then the other. She squirmed, feeling his stiff shaft jutting against her mound.
He gently tugged each nipple and she gasped with pleasure. “Luke!”
She bent to kiss him, hoping he could sense how close to the brink she was, although he’d done nothing but caress her breasts. “I want you,” she murmured against his lips.
“Then undress me the rest of the way.” His voice was strained.
Luke’s hands remained on her breasts as she carefully unzipped his jeans, freeing his hard length. Sliding down his jeans and boxer-briefs, her eyes widened slightly at the size of him. She tentatively stroked him, his shaft silky smooth to the touch.