Southern Romantic-Suspense Boxed Set (Southern Romantic-Suspense Novel Book 0)

by Carmen DeSousa

  She noticed he used Cassandra, so he was thinking of a real date, not just lunch, she assumed. She wanted to remind him she didn’t date, that he was engaged, that they lived together, but she remembered the agreement she’d made with herself this morning. She was going to let things roll as they came. She would not attempt to control the situation.

  He pulled into a space at the end of the parking lot and then turned to her for her response.

  “Yes, Chad,” she said, keeping all the other snide comments to herself. “When would you like to pick me up?”

  A large smile lit his face, the same smile that had taken her breath away on Sunday. “I’ll be at your place at six-thirty.” He chuckled softly. “Of course, I’ll drop you off at your place at five-thirty first … but then, I’ll come back and pick you up. Interesting situation we have here, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, it is. I’ll see you at five then … and then at six-thirty,” she agreed.

  He leaned over the center armrest, his face only inches from hers. “Do I have to wait to kiss you until then?”

  Her heart reacted instantly to his question. She looked around. A few cars were already in the parking lot. “Do you think that’s best?”

  He released a soft sigh. His mouth was so close, she could feel his warm minty breath. “It’s probably best at the moment.” But then he smiled as a thought apparently occurred to him. “No sense in starting rumors and tarnishing my reputation.”

  She slapped him lightly on the arm. “No sense in that.”

  The work day would have been longer if it weren’t for the fact that the people at the store kept her busy every minute.

  Funny thing about being a manager in training — as Chad referred to her position. He had told different employees that she was to be cross-trained in all areas of the store. When a staff member gets a chance to be the boss, it seems they take their job much too seriously and take advantage of the trainee while they’re able.

  She found herself running up and down the stairs a thousand times, which again, wouldn’t have been so bad if she’d been wearing sneakers. But Chad had kept his promise and set her up with a new pair of hiking boots, which he informed her she should break in.

  It was almost five o’clock, and her feet felt twice their size. The only positive note was that when she finally removed the boots, her feet felt as light as a feather.

  At five o’clock, Chad startled her from behind. “Let’s go home,” he whispered in her ear.

  Goosebumps trailed down her body. She turned around and gazed into his eyes. His blue eyes looked brighter than she’d ever seen them … and wide … as though he were anxious. He must have had a good day.

  She let him trail her to the door, but saw Brandy out of the corner of her eye and waved. “Night, Brandy!”

  “Night, Cassie. Night, Chad.”

  Chad waved. “See ya tomorrow, Bran!”

  Brandy had been particularly helpful to her throughout the day and had never seemed threatened by her arrival, as some of the other workers. She was cute, a real southern belle like Jasmine. Her accent — as countrified as Cassandra had ever heard — added to her overall charm. Her hair, long, blond, and silky-straight was beautiful and contrasted with her hazel eyes; she looked like a southern belle version of Barbie. Tall and shapely — and young. Cassandra felt a pang of jealousy surge through her, wondering if Chad and Brandy —

  But Chad was opening the passenger door to his truck and lifting her inside. Her concerns fell away. He was with her, not Michelle, or any other woman. She was going to miss his hands on her when he installed running boards.

  “You look as if you had a pleasant day,” she said once he hopped up in his seat.

  “It was so long,” he dragged out. “I thought it would never end, and I can’t ever remember feeling that way.” He started the truck, shifted it into gear, and pulled out of the parking lot.

  Had he meant because he’d wanted to see her? Obviously, he must have … the way he dragged her out of there. His sincerity sparked something in her. Wasn’t he supposed to play uninterested? Isn’t that what all dating people did? She’d heard Karen speak about it a thousand times. Karen would purposely not return a guy’s call for days on end. Cassandra had always thought it was rather ridiculous. Wait. Wasn’t he supposed to kiss her? She’d waited all day for that kiss.

  Chad reached across the seat and picked up her hand. “I missed you.”

  Her blood seemed to rush faster through her veins. “I missed you too,” she admitted. “Couldn’t you have come and seen me between rafting trips?”

  He shook his head. “I wouldn’t have made it through the day. This is crazy, Cassandra. I feel as if I’m seventeen. Okay, I’m gonna shut up now. Talk about something boring please. Tell me about rude customers and Difficult Diana.”

  “You know about Diana? So, it wasn’t just me?”

  He released a hearty laugh. “She made you run up and down the stairs a hundred times, right?”

  “More like a thousand … and in those boots you put me in … you could have warned me.”

  “She does it to all the new employees, sort of her initiation I think. She’ll get over it, and I’ll have you moved to sales in a few days anyway. Of course, whenever you’re ready, I can bring you with me.”

  “Don’t think that’s not tempting,” she purred. “So, any good spills today?” Her hand felt warm in his. He had such nice large hands. They were calloused, but clean, manly. They felt so strong every time he picked her up.

  He squeezed her hand, pulling her out of her trance. “Nothing out of the ordinary. I only had to pull a few beautiful women out of the water, the usual.”

  Cassandra glared at him.

  “I’m just kidding, darlin’,” he drawled in that incredible accent. “I only jump into the water to save women I secretly plan to date. I’m sorry —” He stopped suddenly. “You asked me not to call you darlin’.”

  “It’s okay,” she said through a nervous chuckle. “I rather like the way you say it. I was just angry,” she admitted. “Actually … your accent … it’s rather sexy.” Her cheeks filled with warmth, aghast she would divulge this to him, as if he couldn’t already know how besotted she was.

  “Great … now you’re gonna have to distract me again.”

  “Or what?” she implied suggestively, unable to stop herself from flirting.

  Chad drove a few minutes further, then pulled alongside a scenic overlook. Another waterfall rolled directly below them, right off the main thoroughfare of Nantahala; however, he didn’t seem to be interested in the view. Pulling up the center console, he unlocked her seatbelt, then pulled her to his side of the truck.

  “Or this.” He wrapped his hands around her waist and pulled her closer, pressing his lips against hers. His hand moved up her back and into her hair. His kiss was gentle but passionate. Her body melted into his embrace, and she could feel his heart race as her hands moved up his chest. He finally pulled back, closed his eyes, sighed, and fell back against the headrest. A few seconds later, he put the truck back in drive and pulled away from the overlook without a word.

  Cassandra chanced a peek at him. One of his cheeks pulled up; it was the cutest smile she’d seen yet. He looked embarrassed, but completely content, speechless — an unusual situation.

  She stayed in the center seat, but pulled the seatbelt over her lap and rested her head on his shoulder as yesterday. It felt good. “I don’t think I’ll distract you again, Chad. That was kind of nice.”

  “I’m glad you approve. Now shh … I have to keep my attention on the road.”

  ***

  Chad didn’t just need to keep his attention on the road, he realized. He needed to regain control over his senses. He was going crazy. He kept rationalizing with himself this could work, that they could live and work together strictly platonic, but today had been a nightmare. He couldn’t concentrate on anything.

  People would talk to him, and he wouldn’t hear them. Mark go
t up in his face on several occasions and told him to snap out of it.

  If they were a couple, he figured it would be better. He would know Cassandra was his, but then he realized, he wanted more. He wanted everything about her morning, noon, and night. How had this happened so quickly? And now that it had, what could he do about it? He saw no easy resolution; there were only two courses. He had to either move out or marry her. Those were his only options. And he couldn’t bear the thought of moving out and leaving her in that house all alone, unprotected.

  He pulled into the driveway and turned off his truck, but didn’t move as her head was still resting against his arm.

  “Oh, I think I fell asleep,” she confessed, sleepy-eyed, sitting upright, yawning. “What am I wearing tonight?”

  “Are you too tired?” he asked hesitantly, not really caring if they went out, but apprehensive about remaining home alone. At least until he got comfortable with the notion of her being here.

  “No … I’m great.”

  “Then wear whatever you want. It’s nice but casual, like everything around here. You’ll fit in no matter how you dress.” He hoped she’d dress as she had the previous evening … that was nice, but he wouldn’t mention it. He’d be fine if she wore sweatpants. He jumped down from the truck and walked to her side.

  “Six-thirty then?” she asked rhetorically, gliding sinuously into his arms.

  He refrained from kissing her as he set her down and just smiled, watching her saunter away. It was going to be a good night.

  Chapter Twelve

  It was six-thirty on the nose, and Cassandra was walking downstairs to join him for dinner.

  She had on a dress again. He loved how feminine she always dressed, unlike Michelle, who always wore jeans and cowboy boots, as though she were a rodeo chick. Not that he didn’t like jeans and cowboy boots, but it was nice to see a soft and delicate woman. Could Cassandra be any more fantastic? Could it get any better?

  He sprung from the bench by the door to meet her at the bottom of the steps, stopping her before she could take the final step.

  “Well, hello, beautiful,” he drawled as seductively as he was capable.

  Cassandra had said his voice was sexy, so he would just have to see how much he could drive her insane. He needed her to take the step across the dating line to love first. Michelle had burnt him badly. Not that he cared at the moment, but still, he had given her six years of his life, and she’d flat turned him down when he’d proposed. He’d been completely blindsided. Never in a million years had he anticipated she would have said no. He wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.

  Soft pink filled Cassandra’s cheeks. “Am I appropriate?”

  “Hardly,” he suggested, lifting his brows. “I hate that other men will see you dressed like this. There aren’t that many eligible singles in Nantahala. I hope there won’t be too many locals this evening.”

  “Where are we going?” she asked, ignoring his comment, obviously realizing he was playing. Good. She wasn’t too sensitive. She didn’t automatically assume that he really meant she was inappropriate.

  “You’ll see, but I’m certain you’ll enjoy it. It’s casual, yet elegant, like you.”

  He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her to him. He could steal a kiss before the date, couldn’t he? She made no effort to resist, so he ran his hand up her back, wrapping his hand behind her neck, pulling her head closer. He kissed her lightly, not like the attack in the truck earlier. He’d behaved ridiculously, he knew. But since she hadn’t fussed, she must have forgiven him.

  He loved kissing Cassandra; it felt right. As if God had created her just for him. She fit perfectly in his arms, and she tasted incredible. He could sit here all night and be happy with simply kissing her, but he’d asked her out on a date. He pulled back to gauge her response; she looked a little flushed. Good. He hadn’t lost his touch.

  He took her hand and led her to the front door. “No, dear God, please no,” he grumbled. Michelle was approaching the door. Tomorrow, he was installing blinds. He’d never felt the need for them before. Shrubs surrounded his driveway, and he rarely had people show up uninvited. He never even locked the door. There were so few houses in Nantahala, and it was rare for a break-in.

  “Why … Is … She … Here?” Cassandra spoke each word distinctly. “I thought you made yourself clear yesterday.”

  He shook his head. “I thought I did too. I’ll get rid of her.” He turned to look at Cassandra. “Don’t leave. Stay beside me, please.”

  Michelle was carrying a casserole dish, and then he saw behind her, her mother and father and even her brother. Sighing heavily, he opened the door, and she pushed her way through the entry. “Oh good, we caught you. We brought dinner,” Michelle announced, setting the Crock-Pot on the table. “Mom, Dad, this is Cassandra, Chad’s sister, Jasmine’s daughter.”

  Chad approached Mr. Turner, offering his hand. “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Turner. Actually, she’s not really my stepsister; we only met several days ago. So, you’re up for the summer already?”

  Mrs. Turner set her covered dish beside Michelle’s plate. “You know we always come before Memorial Day. We can’t miss the dogwood blooming. And, Chad, we are so terribly sorry to hear about your parents and Cassandra’s too.” Eliza Turner walked over to Cassandra and took her hands in both of hers. “We were crazy about your mother, Cassandra. She was always so bright and cheerful. She seemed to light up the room as soon as she entered.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Turner, that’s kind of you to say,” Cassandra answered softly.

  “Oh, dear, call me Eliza. We needn’t be so formal. We’re practically related.” Eliza turned around, still holding one of her hands. “This is my husband, Charles, and coming in the door now is my son, Tom.”

  Cassandra nodded and smiled at both men politely.

  Tom barreled toward Chad, gave him a sideways hug, then tapped him in the ribs. “Man, it’s been forever. Last time I saw you was December. Sorry I couldn’t work over Spring Break. I was busy finishing papers so I could graduate.”

  “Tom is a law student, Cassandra,” Michelle piped in. “He just graduated from Appalachian State. Tom, did you get that interview in Ashville?” she asked surreptitiously.

  Tom did his best peacock move, puffing out his chest. Chad had seen it a million times. “Of course, and I landed it, naturally. I’ll start studying and take the bar exam in the fall.” He winked and flashed a cocky smile, clearly proud of himself.

  Chad chanced a look at Cassandra’s reaction. She seemed indifferent. Although Tom was an attractive guy, he knew. He was slightly taller than Chad, about six-two. He had light brown hair and hazel eyes. Cassandra and he would look good together, he thought warily and imagined Tom was thinking the same thing, as he hadn’t taken his eyes off her.

  Had that been Michelle’s plan? Had she sensed Cassandra was the one he’d mentioned and brought her brother over to sweep Cassandra off her feet? Little could Michelle have known that Cassandra was a law student herself and probably wasn’t as impressed as other women would have been.

  “Well, Chad,” Eliza spoke. “Why don’t we women get the dinner warmed up and set the table while you gentlemen abscond and do what you do best.”

  “Actually, Eliza, Cassandra and I were just leaving. I made dinner reservations —”

  “It’s okay, Chad,” Cassandra cut in softly. “We can go another night. Everyone is already here.”

  Michelle walked over to stand next to Cassandra but kept her gaze on him. “Were you going to Thirteen Moons, Cassandra? I always loved it when Chad and I went there.”

  He threw Michelle a malicious glare while her mother’s back was turned.

  Should he throw them all out? He didn’t really care if he offended the family. He wasn’t close to them … he hadn’t seen Michelle or her brother since Christmas and hadn’t seen her parents since last September. Well, truth be known, Tom had been his best friend once, but Tom was three years younger
than he was and had been so busy in college that he hadn’t seen him much in the last couple of years.

  And yet, they carried on as though they were family. Were they all in on this together? He had a hard time believing Michelle’s parents would get involved in her plan. How could Michelle think that this was the way to win him back? Or, did she think if Cassandra fell for Tom, he would just accept her back and forget what she’d done to him, as he’d done so many times?

  Chad looked at Cassandra pleadingly. She was handling the situation marvelously. He wanted to scream, and she looked so composed.

  “Excuse me a moment, Eliza, Michelle.” Chad led Cassandra out the front door by her elbow, pulling the door closed behind them. Once outside, he guided her around to the front of the house. “Cassandra … those people mean nothing to me. Why didn’t you let me kick them out?”

  “Because it’s rude, Chad, and that’s not how I was brought up.” Her eyes narrowed as if he’d invited them. “Maybe we aren’t supposed to be together. Perhaps God has other intentions?”

  “God? This isn’t God; this is Michelle. If you want to point to an entity other than Michelle, you could claim Satan, but not God. God doesn’t work that way. We have free will to do as we please, and unfortunately, Michelle does as she pleases, always has.”

  Cassandra looked startled for a second. She had spoken about God the other day, was it so surprising that he would, too? He should have shared his beliefs with her already, but he’d assumed they were on the same wavelength and didn’t think it necessary. “I’m telling them to leave.” He turned back toward the house, but she grabbed his arm.

  “You’ll do no such thing, Chad.” She passed him and entered the house ahead of him.

  Eliza looked up when Cassandra and he stepped back inside. “Is everything okay?”

  Cassandra walked around Michelle into the kitchen area and started helping Mrs. Turner with the dishes. “Everything is wonderful, Eliza. Chad and I had some business to discuss tonight, but it can wait. I’m not going anywhere.” Cassandra locked eyes with Michelle as she said the words.